Alex unable to make it today so another solo trip. Tried to shift the slab utilising the excellent tape strops given to me by Trev Hughes – but the slab ain’t moving. Digging is often a very frustrating process and things don’t always go to plan and a great deal of patience is required. Decided to clear all the spoil dumped at the end of the tube back to the bottom of the pot, by the time I had finished there was easily enough space to turn around and quite a novelty to come back down the tube head first rather than backing out dragging a skip full of spoil.
The best thing about being underground on a solo trip is the peace and solitude, the only sounds you can hear are your own – breathing, heartbeat, movement – and the dripping of water in the cave. Just an excellent place to be!