17th September 2016

With Jake and Tav.

Jake at the business end, Vince clearing back and loading the skip, Tav on the haul and shuttle probably the busiest task of today.

Tuesday’s blast had done the trick and there was plenty of rubble to shift. It was a little frantic for the first hour or so as rocks and bags of gravel were moved quickly back. Then as digging was required it settled down a bit. A message from Tav that the stack of spoil at the entrance was approaching the ledge just below the gate.

By the end of the digging session the way ahead (well it’s down really) looks good indeed, small stones can be heard to rattle down a short distance and there is a good draught. There is some more widening required so I will have to arrange another mid-week trip.

Back at the entrance, Tav had created an impressive stockpile of spoil and it must have been an effort to get the last few bags and rocks up to the top. On the surface Tav and Jake rotated the hauling – 20 bags, then swap around. 70 skip loads were removed to the surface including a couple of boulders in the rock net that needed a joint effort to get them out.

Thirsty work and the refreshments at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn were welcome indeed.

A fine digging session!

Author: mendipgeoarch

Archaeologist, Geologist, Speleologist