With Tav and Nick.
Went up to the end with Nick where it is now possible to comfortably work with two while Tav positioned himself at the base of Witches Cauldron. Between us we cleared all the debris and some sediment from the dig back to the pot before changing position and getting all the spoil to the base of the entrance. I was a bit hungover after a club dinner last night – should have stuck to my instinct and given it a miss!
With Alex.
Long while since Alex ventured under on a mid-week trip. Straight to the end to continue the “enlargement process” pushing to one side the debris created last weekend. While I was getting on with things Alex tidied along Toil and Trouble and went up to Merlins to listen for any sound of my activities – nothing could be heard.
Job done we left the cave, down to the farm to get changed only to find the gate locked so had to get the farmer to let us out. Unusually warm and humid evening.
With Alex, Jake and Nick.
One of the first jobs of the session was to sort out the ropes on the drag tray so that it would go all the way to the end. That done, set about clearing debris that was the bulge in Toil and Trouble, hopefully progress along the passage will be easier. At the end spoil removal was much improved loading the drag tray directly even filling bags is easy. When clearing was completed continued the “enlargement process”, Nick came up to the end for look as he hadn’t been around for a while. Job done we retired to the Hunter’s for refreshment and discussion.
Solo.
Went to the end and cleared the spoil from last weekends “enlargement process” to one side and managed to to get forward half a body-length into a small, draughting chamber/possible passage ~2m wide, ~3m long and ~0.4m high in places. There is quite a bit of loose debris and spoil to be cleared, but a quick bit of work with a bar revealed the floor is partly made up of a thin veneer of degraded calcite over sediment ~200mm thickness. Further clearance will need to be carried out on the weekend when a better evaluation of where this passage is going should be possible. Back to the main task of the evening which is the removal of the bulge in the floor of Toil and Trouble to ease progress, I must say it was very awkward working and am glad that it was dry.
With Tav and Jake.
Yesterday’s little effort had the desired effect and there was plenty of debris to remove. After clearance was able to get a better look into the open space beyond, still can’t quite see how it might develop but there appears to be about one and a half body lengths of caveable passage. I can just about get to the edge of where the floor dips away beyond the calcite floor next “enlargement” might do it! Jake came along to take a look at the end, commenting on the strength and freshness of the air at the end and was suitably impressed with the prospects. While using the drill I managed to snap the drill bit so had to exit the cave, return to the van and get another drill bit to complete the task. Satisfactory end to the session. I might take advantage of working locally at the Priddy Circles and venture underground for a mid-week trip.
Solo
A trip into Hallowe’en to progress the “enlargement”. Last session’s effort didn’t quite have the desired effect, not much had been removed although there was a large fracture that wouldn’t succumb to the chisel or bar. Hopefully today’s effort will bring it down along with more material. We are so close, can reach into the space beyond and feel the bottom of the calcite flowstone floor that bars progress. Another trip tomorrow is planned with the team.
With Alex, Tav and Jake.
Last weeks ‘enlargement process’ was very successful and there was plenty of debris to shift, so much that the passage was blocked by some rather large flakes.
Cleared some of the loose before dragging back the flakes and reducing them in size with the lump hammer so they could be placed in the skip, also managed to clear some of the sediment. Can see ahead now and it looks good indeed and the draught was strong again, frustratingly it’s just too snug to get a full view of what lies ahead. Parts of it look caveable though – maybe next session, or the one after! Finally continued with the ‘enlargement process’ before walking back down the hill to the farm satisfied with the effort.
With Alex, Tav and Jake.
Predicted poor weather hasn’t materialised so another pleasant walk up the hill from the farm. Arriving at the dig face it was immediately apparent that Monday’s trip to further the “enlargement process” had been very successful and it took a while to clear the resultant debris. Only scratched away at a little of the sediment that obscures a full view before concentrating on clearing shattered rock and getting prepared for more of the “enlargement process. I repeat that prospects appear very rosy and look forward to the next trip which will, hopefully allow more of an insight into the relatively open space ahead. Exciting times ahead!
Quick solo trip into Hallowe’en Rift to continue the enlargement process along the passage to the right of the T junction. Will also give us something to clear on the weekend. In and out all done in ~45 minutes. Gave the pub a miss due to an early start in the morning.
With Alex, Tav and Jake.
Well autumn is with us although really hope the excellent summer weather will continue. Change of day due to work commitments so a pleasant Sunday morning stroll up the hill to the cave. Another clearing session scraping back the sediment as far forward as it was possible to reach just to get a better look at the space ahead. It’s tantalisingly close and 25 years ago may have tried to squeeze through but will have to be patient for a while longer and make it big enough for all. The more open space ahead turns to the right and it is not possible to see any further beyond that. Good draught again! Got a reminder from the surface team that the pub closes early on a Sunday and as there was not much spoil to shift we called it a day and went to the Hunter’s.
Another solo trip. Returned to continue the digging to the right of the T junction. Last evenings enlargement process wasn’t as effective as hoped for due to a band of softer, ochreous rock interspersed with thin veins of minerals mostly calcite. Persevered with the task and will have to wait until the weekend to see the results. Enjoyable session though.
Another Wednesday evening solo trip to Hallowe’en Rift.
Pleasant evening for a stroll up the hill to the entrance. Quickly down the shaft and on towards the end, stopped at the bottom of Witches Cauldron for a short while to sort a couple of things out and on to the dig face. Continued the enlargement process concentrated on the roof before making my way back out. Another successful session.
With Alex, Tav and Jake.
Clearance session today, I went along to the end to bag up the loose sediment piled up on Wednesday while Alex, Tav and Jake cleared the spoil from the bottom of Witches Cauldron out to the surface. When Witches was clear the bags were removed from the end. Did a bit more scratching around and took some photos but I am not impressed with new camera, doesn’t have any individual shooting mode settings.
The way ahead is frustratingly just too snug and just out of of clear sight beyond the sediment in the forefront and goes off to the right!
Missed out on the weekend digging session and the upbeat messages from Alex and Tav prompted a midweek solo trip to go and have a look for myself; also to get a plan in my head for the next phase of the enlargement process. Hallowe’en is a different place now that it’s dried up, almost comfortable! The end is indeed more spacious and the way ahead is clearer just too snug and will need to continue working along the roof. About a metre ahead the floor appears to dip and there is a layer of soft sediment to remove giving more space. Beyond it does look passable – but for how far? Time will tell. As ever it’s looking good!
Unfortunately I had to work today down in Kimmeridge, Dorset where we are carrying out an archaeological excavation prior to the construction of a new fossil museum and village hall. It is a sort of community project and there are a number of Open Days for both locals and members of the public to have the opportunity to see what is going on and what has been uncovered; also involved is Julian Richards of ‘Meet The Ancestors’ fame who has a long time association with AC Archaeology (my employers).
Digging duties at Hallowe’en Rift were carried out today by Tav and Alex.
The following summary was provided by Tav:
Tav cleared the end with Alex in the they moved all of the debris
plus some floor fill back and stacked it in the pot until the space was
completely filled up. The enlargement process had done a sound job and the way on ahead
and to the left is now much more visible – a clear view into something
bigger which may even be man-sized! The floor fill is easy to dig so it
may be possible to enter without much more enlargement but taking out the
roof does make the whole thing much more accessible. Very strong draught at
the dig face.
Next session should be to clear the pot and continue with the enlargement at the end.
With Alex, Tav and Nick back from his travels.
Cleared away the loose debris from the last enlargement session and with a bit of hammer and bar work managed to remove some large flakes from the roof. The flakes needed reducing in size to get them into the skip although they were still quite weighty. Removal of the flakes revealed some attractive rock with bands of reds and ochre yellow interspersed with veins and pockets of calcite varying in colour from translucent to white. After the clearance work was completed and all spoil was out to the surface continued with the enlargement process to remove a bulge of rock in the roof that may allow access to a slightly increased passage height beyond – time will tell. Still moving onwards!
With Alex, Tav and Jake.
The first task of the session was to continue the removal of spoil left over from previous sessions – mostly sand, gravel and some small rocks. That done we continued with the enlargement of the passage to the right of the T junction. The way ahead looks very tantalising and it’s a little frustrating being restricted by the passage dimensions. Good draught again!
With Alex, Tav and Jake.
With a good team assembled priority was to set about removing the pile of debris accumulated at the nether regions of the dig, the first task was to clear the spoil from the bottom of Witches Cauldron before clearing T junction. While the initial clearance was taking place I set about work with hammer and chisel to bring down the loose debris in the T junction after last weekends enlargement process and managed to drop a rather large flake of dolomitic conglomerate onto my knee and leg. Eventually a large quantity of spoil was removed to the surface, but not everything as there is still some gravel remaining, but there is space enough for the next phase of enlargement work to continue, concentrating for the moment on the roof. Marvellous!
Just me and Tav this morning. Another warm walk up the hill, as soon as the cave was entered there was lovely cool, fresh air. The cave has dried out considerably during the last few weeks, just a little dampness along Toil and Trouble but it’s comfortable enough to wear cotton overalls without the oversuit. Cleared some of the debris piling up in T junction back to the bottom of Witches Cauldron ready to be hauled out at a later date. We only cleared enough of the spoil to be able to continue the enlargement work in relative comfort, concentrating this session on removing a bulge in the roof. The calcite floor noted last session is quite rotten in places and given enough headroom it might be possible to batter a way through it and make forward progress. With some of the spoil removed can now get a better look at the way ahead and it looks very promising indeed, it’s draughting well. Tav came up to the end with some required kit and to get a good look at the prospects ahead. Next week we will have a clear out session, hopefully there will be a bigger team available.
Just the two of us today – me and Alex.
Very warm walk up the hill in the glorious sunshine – let’s hope this weather continues for ages!
Continued with the task of opening up the passage to the right of the T junction and cleared the debris from last weekend to one side to get a better look at things. There is a calcite flowstone floor over loose sediment with ~150mm of airspace over the top where a draught can be felt, there is a slight echo. Drilling into calcite is not very easy, hammer action does not function well, however the job was done and all the spoil from last weekend was piled back on top. Will have to wait until the next session to see how successful today’s effort has been, still there will be plenty of spoil to shift.
After refreshment at the Hunter’s spent a very pleasant afternoon at Priddy Folk Festival and then walking over to the Wessex hut to chat with Jodie Lewis’s archaeology students from Worcester before going up to look at the excavation on North Hill – very interesting.
With Alex ‘ Dead Batteries’ Gee, Rob ‘Failed Light’ Taviner and Nick’ Siberian Express’ Hawkes.
Glorious summer weather and a warm walk up the hill, as far as I’m concerned this weather can last for months – love it!
Today’s trip was all about starting to open up the passage to the right of the T junction at the end of Toil and Trouble. While the others set about clearing what spoil there was at the base of Witches, I did my bit with the drill and technology. A satisfactory trip and it will be interesting to see how things have been developed next trip.
Jake will be back next weekend, while Nick is off to Kazakhstan.
With Tav and Alex, who left his oversuit in the garage so didn’t actually venture underground and went mooching about instead. A warm walk up to the cave in glorious sunshine.
Meanwhile Tav and I continued digging along the left hand side of the T junction. The passage appears to be following a narrow rift, choked with sediment and rocks, still slightly wary of the left bank of very compacted sediment, still going forward though. The draught didn’t feel as strong today but that is probably down to atmospheric conditions. Back at the T junction I am very intrigued by the passage to the right which seems to turn after a few metres and perhaps open up (?). Might need to sort out a mid-week trip and start to develop the passage into something more workable. When we ran out of bags we stopped digging and shifted all the bags out of the cave to empty them on the surface, Alex was there to help out.
With Alex, Tav, Jake and a visitor from Australia – Ray Deacy. As usual we all met at the Belfry; fair play to Ray arriving on a girls bicycle having pedaled from Bristol to get a trip into Hallowe’en, all aboard the Bongo and down to the farm.
At Hallowe’en I gave Ray a quick guide to the east extensions before we slid along Toil and Trouble to dig. I went along to the left hand rift while Ray settled into the snug T junction, Tav was in the pot, Alex shuttling along the approach passage from Stal Bend to the entrance, whilst Jake was on the surface hauling and walling. It wasn’t too long before Tav, having recently turned 50 and becoming grumpy with it, was getting rather snowed under with spoil, it didn’t help when the hauling rope detached from the skip a couple of times, a change of plan was required. With the ample space we have created at the dig face I decided to fill the bags at the end which seemed to work alright and the grumpy old git was appeased and we continued to dig until all the bags were filled and it was time to go to the pub. Emerged to find a rather damp looking Jake who, unfortunately had to endure some monsoon conditions, admittedly there was quite a strong drip of water coming down the entrance as I climbed out.
Tav had purchased a new lock at a car boot sale and has the advantage of having more than one key, the old one has now been replaced.
Just me and Tav today. On entering the approach passage a strong, cool draught was immediately noticeable. We continued clearing mixed spoil of cobbles and sediment from along the rift to the left of T junction. After the hauling rope had detached itself a couple of times we ceased digging and Tav came up to the end to have a look. In a confused moment I had convinced myself that I could see a way ahead around a massive slab of rock breakdown – only for Tav to point out that I was looking back towards the T junction – must be my age! After a brief discussion about the best way forward it might be a good time to open up the right side of the T junction, the draught does feel fresher, stronger from there.
With Tav, Jake and Nick, Alex working this weekend so couldn’t make it.
With a strong team assembled we were able to shift spoil from the dig face out to the surface. Continued to dig along the left hand side removing a mixture of cobbles, boulders and sediment. There is quite a widening of the rift appearing and removal of some cobbles out of the floor revealed more loose cobbles/boulders but with air spaces rather than sediment and felt a draught. Will need to remove a considerable pile of spoil to get a proper understanding of what is going on. As ever prospects look good!
Well what a turn out! Alex, Tav, Jake and Nick Hawkes has joined the team.
With a full team assembled spoil went from the dig to the surface. Continued with the clearance of the T junction. The offending slab has been obliterated and removed to the surface along with a quantity of sediment and there is easily enough space at the T junction to turnaround. Nick came up to the end for a look before we headed out of the cave. Now the junction has been cleared will probably go back to excavating along the left hand side, where the draught appears to be stronger. The right hand side will be left open for another day, although it is very tempting. We are spoilt for choices!
With Alex ‘the Belfry Boy’, the ‘Lord Taviner’ and at long last making a welcome reappearance Graham ‘Jake’ Johnson.
With a team assembled it was decided to have a good clear-out and the tripod was erected. Started by removing the spoil created last weekend at the ‘T’ junction – mostly rocks and gravel all the way out to the surface. The hoped for opening of other options has been successful and it seems there is a draught emanating from the right as well as the left hand side. We will have to concentrate our efforts on one side, probably stay to the left, but make sure nothing gets blocked. After the ‘T’ was cleared we moved back to clear all the stacked spoil at the base of the entrance shaft out to the surface.
With Alex, Tav fallen victim to the lurgi. Without the required number of personnel we didn’t get the entrance cleared and concentrated instead on beginning the removal of the slab barring the way at the T junction [end of Toil and Trouble] in an effort to open up more options. At the completion of a satisfactory session we duly set off for the Hunter’s and the customary refreshments.
In the evening after a fine curry at Shahnaz down in Cheddar with the family for a birthday celebration, went to the Hunter’s to celebrate Fred Davis’s 80th birthday. Fred is a caver, digger and keen cyclist of long renown and it was good to meet up with him and a whole load of chums.
Alex took this image on the day we dug along from Stal Bend to discover Witches Cauldron and, eventually Merlin’s beyond. Happy days!
With Tav aka ‘The Legend’ and Alex.
Preparing to go digging. Today’s images courtesy of Tav.
Continued to enlarge the rift to make room for a more comfortable working space. Removed a rather large slab of conglomerate that needed reducing in size to fit into the skip. I’m a little bit wary of the sediment overhead at the moment and thinking about the best way to remove it, could be a choked rift, will give it some further careful consideration. It might be an idea to remove the slabs barring access at the ‘T’ junction and open up some more options, possibly making some room under the solid roof to the right of the rift.
On the way back from another digging session along the rift at the end of Toil and Trouble.
Into the Hunter’s to contemplate.
With Tav and it was great to welcome Silvio Berlusconi [aka Alex] back into the fray. Continued to enlarge the left hand side to create bigger working space, Tav and Alex also set about clearing the rocks stacked in Witches Cauldron, all the spoil was removed to the base of the entrance. The rocks were stacked ready to be hauled out at a later session, the bagged sediment was removed to the surface. Usual refreshment venue.
With Tav, Tangent missed the bus probably due to imbibing far too much ‘giggle’ juice at the Hunter’s last evening! Sunday session this weekend due to seminar and work commitments. Really a consolidation effort this morning to create more comfortable working space. Cleared a good number of cobbles/boulders from the rift area along with sediment, eventually it was possible to get the skip alongside and fill from the dig face – much more efficient and comfortable, wriggling back down the passage dragging a pile of spoil was becoming tedious, especially as drier conditions meant it was very sticky indeed. Cleared bagged sediment out to the surface.
Hunter’s!
With Tav. Some recent rain resulted in the cave returning to a particularly squalid state especially along Toil and Trouble – no matter. Continued to work along the left hand side and after a scrape along the right side and floor to tidy some residual spoil started barring at the packed cobbles/boulders. Then dragging the spoil back to the ‘T’ junction to load it into the skip, Tav then hauled the spoil to the bottom of Witches Cauldron where the cobbles/boulders are stacked to one side and the sediment is bagged ready to be removed to the surface at the end of the digging session. Back at the dig face it wasn’t long before things began to develop and air space was seen ahead above the sediment, ~150mm at a guess and continuing for ~3m. Before access can be gained there is a considerable amount of debris to be removed from the left side and overhead, this will improve digging by providing more space. As progress in a forward direction advances it will probably be necessary to start staging the haulage of material. The draught was also more noticeable this week and the session ended with a sense of satisfaction.
Where else but the Hunter’s?
With Tav and Tangent. Glorious spring morning and markedly warmer than of late meant a pleasant stroll up to the entrance. A team of three enabled clearance of spoil from the end [and pot] back to the bottom of the entrance. Continued to dig forward along the left hand side of the ‘T’ junction which is still opening out; there is a relatively solid roof to the right, while to the left appears to comprise medium-dense packed sediment with cobbles and boulders. Clearing the spoil from overhead resulted in an eye full of muck – will have to follow Tav’s idea of wearing cycling goggles. Towards the end of the session there appeared to be more open spaces in between the cobbles/boulders directly ahead. Interestingly the draught wasn’t quite as pronounced today, probably due to the rise in surface temperatures. A very good session and plenty of spoil cleared back to the entrance [rocks] and bagged spoil out to the surface.
Hunter’s for well earned refreshment.
With Tav. There has been a marked improvement in the weather over the last few days – dry but chilly – although, it’s fair to say, it is still squalid at the end of Hallowe’en Rift. Continued digging to the left of the ‘T’ junction following the rift which although constricted to start with is now opening out. Cleared some calcite-cemented cobbles and boulders along with sediment out of the rift above and this made working a lot more comfortable, negating the worry of loose stuff falling on to my head! Digging along the rift relatively rapid progress is made by removal of cobbles and boulders of conglomerate and degraded flowstone and, of course, sediment; there are spaces in between the cobbles/boulders and the draught is, as ever, strong. Prospects are looking good – I just love this dig!
Hunter’s for refreshment.
With Tav. At long last after several weekends taken up by work, conferences and illness we have got back to the task in hand. Weather is still crap – cold, wet with a bitter east wind. Not as much of a drip in the cave as had been expected and almost convinced myself it was pleasant digging conditions – a forlorn hope! Started to clear the sediment from off the slabs that constrict the immediate way ahead before starting to concentrate effort along the rift to the left. Rather annoyingly I have mislaid the small nailbar which must be buried in the mud somewhere. Following the left hand rift by removing a mixture of cobbles and boulders of conglomerate and flowstone, with sand, silt/clay opened up a strong draught again and relatively loosely packed fill material. We have reached an obvious ‘T’ junction and the cave beyond is developing into something interesting, at the moment continuation along the left hand rift is our best option and this is where we will concentrate our best efforts, at least for a while. Happy days!
Hopefully the full team will be back together in the not so distant future.
Retired to the Hunter’s for refreshment and discussion as usual.
Unfortunately it’s been very quiet on the cave digging front over the last few weeks due to other weekend happenings [on my part, anyway], such as archaeological conferences and the continuing Stanton Drew Survey Project, this involves geophysical and other archaeological investigations of the environs surrounding the stone circle complex, this has taken up two long weekends.
We will get back to the task ahead in Hallowe’en Rift soon!
With Alex and Tav. Very different weather to last week, a glorious morning although there was a chill in the air. Initially the idea was to batter the two rocks at the end with the sledge and remove them. Got one out of the way then the sledge handle snapped and that was that. Resorted to shifting more sediment and rocks from the end. The mud today was particularly glutinous and there was a pool of water in every position that I needed to lie. With three of us digging the spoil was shifted to the the base of the entrance and then relayed up the shaft and out to the surface.
Hunter’s for quick refreshment before departing keen to watch the opening games of the Six Nations Championship.
With Alex and Tav. After another enforced delay due to some more adverse weather – heavy snow – we assembled at the Belfry ready to return to digging duties. A slightly ‘hairy’ ride down the snow packed and icy Rookham Hill to arrive at the farm where a few minutes were spent giving the farmer an update on the current state of things at the end of Hallowe’en Rift.
Today’s task was to clear all the spoil stacked in the entrance shaft, quickly the tripod was erected, and the spoil [which comprised mostly rocks] was hauled out to the surface and used to consolidate the wall around the cave entrance. There was an interesting moment as one rather large boulder came loose from the strop and hurtled down the shaft towards me at a rate of knots, I managed to deflect the boulder with an impressive ‘goalie style’ two handed fend off, and the offending missile shattered as it hit the floor, however, I was glad to be wearing my caving helmet rather than the usual ‘beanie’ hat. Must sort out the signals with Alex so that ‘take up the slack’ means exactly that rather than hauling to the surface! When all the spoil was cleared out the tripod was taken down and we made our way down the hill. The weather turned out to be pretty decent and most of the snow and ice on Rookham Hill had thawed by the time we made our way to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn.
Alex made a return to digging at Hallowe’en Rift after several weeks away, unfortunately Tav was working and unable to attend today’s session.
Bitterly cold easterly wind blowing across the field on the walk from the farm to the cave [and on the way back]. We set about clearing the accumulation of spoil [mostly cobbles and boulders] that was stacked in Witches Cauldron. The spoil was hauled up the pot to the bottom of the entrance ready to be removed to the surface at a later date, there is probably a couple of tonnes of material waiting to be shifted from the entrance including some rather large boulders.
Job done, we called in at the Hunter’s for the usual refreshment and discussion.
