Vince, Brockers, Nick, Jon, Jake, Tav, Mike, and Sam came back for another go!
While at the cave awaiting the arrival of the team carried out some essential wall repairs and some spoil heap management duties.
A full squad assembled for this morning’s activities and while others were sorting out who was going where I took the opportunity to take Sam along to An Unexpected Development. Along the way a brief account of the history of the cave’s exploration to date. Followed the route including Merlin’s Magic Milk Parlour, Tuck Shop, Another Emotional Journey to AUD, returning through ‘the hole in the floor‘ to Trick or Treat along to the pot and up to Can of Worms. Sam continued out to the surface to join Jake and I joined the ‘support’ team (Nick and Brockers) on the ledge, Jon and Tav were busy digging away in CoW. Brockers was hauling the spoil from CoW, and I was loading the skip to Mike at the bottom of the entrance, this left Nick stuck in the middle, so he continued to ‘tidy’ the area where a small alcove had been revealed by the ‘slump’ of material a few of weeks ago. Everyone was happy doing something, there was plenty of banter.
Throughout the session there was a continuous, steady flow of spoil (filled bags and rocks) going out to the surface. Some of the rocks were on the lumpy side and the ‘rock-net’ was put to use on several occasions – good wall-building stuff. When it is busy time passes quickly and all too soon it was time to pack it in and clear the last of the spoil from the cave. My presence was requested in Cow. A large (almost 1m dia. x c.0.5m thick) lump of calcite and conglomerate had become detached and required size reduction. After a close inspection I think I can deal with it using plugs and feathers with some hammer and chisel work if necessary. Out to the surface to join the others.
Today’s count = 101 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus plenty of rocks added to the extension wall. Time for refreshments at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.