Vince,, Sam, Jon, Nick, and Mike As is my wont arrived ahead of the team although this week, I was joined by Sam. Once changed at the farm we wandered up to the cave. Sam soon disappeared underground to Can of Worms to begin digging (it was his turn upfront anyway), I remained on the … Continue reading “16th May”
Vince, Jake, Nick, Brockers, Jon, Sam, Tav, and Harley At the cave entrance, spent a little time on the surface clearing vegetation and preparing the ground to further extend the spoil heap wall while waiting for the team to assemble. A strong team for this morning’s digging session. Tav and Sam headed into Can of … Continue reading “9th May”
Vince, Nick, Jake, Jon, Sam, Tav, Harley, and today’s guest, Nick Gymer Some realignment of the spoil wall extension and bundled up dried bags while waiting for the teams arrival. First to arrive were Jake and Sam who were quickly on their way underground to get digging underway in Can of Worms, I remained on … Continue reading “2nd May”
Vince, Jake, Tav, Sam, Jon, Nick, and Harley I spent some time levelling over the spoil heap ready for the dumping of more material and started to bundle-up the dried bags ready for refilling later. The team arrived. In Can of Worms, it was my turn to dig aided by Jake, continued to pursue the … Continue reading “25th April”
With Nick, Jake, Tav, Jon, Brockers, and young Harley Bennett came back for more. Got to do our part to encourage and support future generations of diggers. Underground ahead of the teams arrival, a bit more work on the skip-run between the entrance and pot/ledge. Laid down a strip of plastic belt to see if … Continue reading “18th April”
Just me to start with but Roz joined me later in the morning! Today’s objective involved more rock bothering focusing on removal of the rock and calcite obstruction that impedes the ‘free-flow’ of the loaded skip from the pot/ledge to the entrance. Calcite is always difficult to deal with, and the rock, geothermally ‘altered’ marl … Continue reading “14th April”
Vince, Nick, Jake, Tav, Mike, and Harley Bennett came back for some more! I arrived at the cave ahead of the others and made my way to An Unexpected Development/Trick or Treat area. My plan was to have a bit of a tidy up and bring the tools and bags left in that area back … Continue reading “11th April”
Vince, Nick, Jake, Tav, Mike, and Harley Bennett came back for some more! I arrived at the cave ahead of the others and made my way to An Unexpected Development/Trick or Treat area. My plan was to have a bit of a tidy up and bring the tools and bags left in that area back … Continue reading “11th April”
Vince, Jake, Nick, Jon, Tav, Mike, and todays guest digger, Harley Bennett While waiting for the team to assemble at the cave I spent some time ‘titivating’ the spoil heap prior to the morning’s activities, before packaging the dried bags ready to be refilled later. The team duly arrived. I wanted to have a look … Continue reading “4th April”
Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Tav At the cave waiting for the team to arrive fiddled about with the spoil heap walls and started packing the dry bags into bundles ready to be refilled later. On surface duties today so stripped off oversuit, the sun was shining, and it was likely to be busy … Continue reading “28th March”
Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Tav At the cave waiting for the team to arrive fiddled about with the spoil heap walls and started packing the dry bags into bundles ready to be refilled later. On surface duties today so stripped off oversuit, the sun was shining, and it was likely to be busy … Continue reading “28th March”
Vince, Jake, Tav, Sam, Jon, and Nick Got to the cave ahead of the others planning to reduce the lump of rock and calcite at the dig in Can of Worms. A slight distraction was caused by a pile of rocks, and I could not resist the temptation to add some of the stones to … Continue reading “21st March”
Vince, Nick, Jake, Tav, and Jon. And then there were five… Another earlier start for me (underground by 08:45) to break up the very large lump of calcite and conglomerate left on the floor in Can of Worms last weekend. Quickly set to work with plugs and feathers, drilling longer holes today (14mm x 260mm … Continue reading “14th March”
Vince, Nick, Jake, Tav, and Jon. And then there were five… Another earlier start for me (underground by 08:45) to break up the very large lump of calcite and conglomerate left on the floor in Can of Worms last weekend. Quickly set to work with plugs and feathers, drilling longer holes today (14mm x 260mm … Continue reading “14th March”
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 … Continue reading “7th March”
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 … Continue reading “7th March”
Vince, Jake, Nick, Brockers, Tav, Mike, and good to see Sam Batstone again! At the cave, ahead of the others, cleared some more vegetation and prepared ground to further extend the spoil heap wall. A strong team assembled again this week and as Sam was on his first visit today it is tradition that the … Continue reading “28th February”
Vince, Mike, Jake, Jon, Tav, Nick, and Brockers. The full squad! At the cave, while waiting for the team to arrive added the pile of stones recovered last weekend to the wall extension and levelled spoil behind the wall, created more space for emptying bags later. The team assembled. Underground in Can of Worms, me … Continue reading “21st February”
Vince, Mike, Jake, Jon, Tav, Nick, and Brockers. The full squad! At the cave, while waiting for the team to arrive added the pile of stones recovered last weekend to the wall extension and levelled spoil behind the wall, created more space for emptying bags later. The team assembled. Underground in Can of Worms, me … Continue reading “21st February”
Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Mike Packed drill/plugs and feathers into tackle bag and loaded into Kangoo along with the previously prepared skips and all the other stuff required for a digging session in HR. All loaded, over the hill towards Wookey Hole. A bright, sunny morning was a welcome change from the recent … Continue reading “14th February”
Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Mike Packed drill/plugs and feathers into tackle bag and loaded into Kangoo along with the previously prepared skips and all the other stuff required for a digging session in HR. All loaded, over the hill towards Wookey Hole. A bright, sunny morning was a welcome change from the recent … Continue reading “14th February”
Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, and Jon Got to HR before the team arrived to clear some vegetation (mostly brambles) and prepare the ground for the continuing extension of the spoil heap wall – somewhere for the inevitable supply of rocks to be utilized. When the team arrived, Jake and Jon made a ‘beeline’ towards Can … Continue reading “7th January”
Vince, Mike, Jon, Jake, Tav, Brockers, and Nick. A full squad gathered! As planned I arrived at the cave ahead of the others and was quickly underground. I wanted to get the slumped material bagged up and clear the path along the ledge. This was necessary to enable the spoil from Can of Worms to … Continue reading “31st January”
Solo Packed the Bosch Powerhammer 36v (for a change) along with plugs/feathers, loaded the Kangoo and set-off over the hill to the farm. I was soon at the cave. On arrival, I got distracted by the pile of rocks hauled out last weekend and could not help myself. All the rocks were added to the … Continue reading “30th January”
Vince, Jake, Brockers, Nick, and Mike The plan for this morning was to get up to the cave and along to Can of Worms ahead of the team, real in the wire, and see what effect the ‘bang’ had. At first appearance it did not look as successful as the last blast, but after some … Continue reading “24th January”
Vince, Jon, Brockers, Jake, Nick, Tav, and Mike. A full squad assembled today! Got to the cave ahead of the team and quickly along to Can of Worms reeling in the wire as I went. On arrival at the dig site, it was obvious that Monday’s ‘bang’ had the desired effect – there was a … Continue reading “17th January”
Vince, Jon, Brockers, Jake, Nick, and Tav Arrived at the cave ahead of the team carrying drill and plugs/feathers to deal with a couple of boulders left-over from last weekend on the ledge. Just finished as I heard voices approaching. I moved along the passage into Can of Worms to get digging underway, I was … Continue reading “10th January”
With Nick and Jon As is my wont arrived at Hallowe’en Rift ahead of the team bringing with me a digging hoe ready to prepare the ground for the spoil heap wall extension. There were plenty of rocks piled underground awaiting removal to the surface. Nick and Jon arrived, for one reason or another only … Continue reading “3rd January”
Solo. “Rock-bothering session!” Dragged the drill and plugs/feathers into Can of Worms to deal with the boulders left there last weekend. While I was there had a poke around with a bar to see if there were any other loose rocks that required some further attention. Rocks in the current end ‘chamber’ and those left … Continue reading “1st January”
Vince, Callum, Jon, Nick, Jake, and Tav I was pleased that Callum was available to join us for today’s digging session. We arrived at the cave ahead of the team to take a quick tour out to An Unexpected Development. Outward journey via Merlin’s, Tuck Shop, Another Emotional Journey, and Thou Shalt Not Dig There. … Continue reading “27th December”
Vince, Jon, Jake, Nick, Tav, and Mike Met with the team at the farm this weekend so that they could sign a card for the farmer and family (only Brockers was absent – so an ‘X’ was signed for him!), and a seasonal goodwill gesture was delivered. Access to the cave from the farm makes … Continue reading “20th December”
With Brockers, Jon, Jake, Nick, Tav, and Mike Got to site ahead of the others to continue clearance of undergrowth, mostly brambles, to make more space available for spoil disposal. A full squad assembled for this morning’s digging session. After being at the front digging last weekend Jon and I moved to the end of … Continue reading “14th December”
With Brockers, Jon, Jake, Nick, Tav, and Mike Got to site ahead of the others to continue clearance of undergrowth, mostly brambles, to make more space available for spoil disposal. A full squad assembled for this morning’s digging session. After being at the front digging last weekend Jon and I moved to the end of … Continue reading “14th December”
Vince, Jon, Jake, and Nick Arrived at the cave entrance with plenty of time to break up the rocks left from last weekend in Can Of Worms. Unfortunately, I allowed myself to become distracted and felt compelled to add some rocks to the spoil heap wall extension. Eventually dragged I myself away and set off … Continue reading “6th December”
Vice, Jake, Nick, and Tav On the surface at the cave there were lot’s of rocks waiting to be added to the spoil heap walls so I got on with that until the others arrived. Can of Worms again this weekend. Jake and Nick digging – battering rocks, filling bags – some more robust rocks … Continue reading “29th November”
Vince, Tav, Jake, Mike, and Nick It was a wet walk across the fields, up to the cave. Underground, there were stones on the ledge awaiting size reductions with plugs & feathers so got on with that until the team arrived. Due to wet conditions and team numbers, it seemed an obvious choice to continue … Continue reading “22nd November”
Vince, Jon, Jake, and Tav Venturing underground the first thing I noticed was the sound – the sound of dripping waters into puddles in the Soft South, and there were trickles of water along the cave passages. The cave was much wetter than of late after the recent heavy, persistent rain, the overlying soil now … Continue reading “15th November”
Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, Jon Early at the cave to replace 10mm jute rope on the haul up out of the ‘pot’ with a 14mm hemp rope. These twisted natural fibre ropes are easier to grip with muddy gloves. The knots tied only last week were already tight. I was just about done as the … Continue reading “8th November”
Vince, Nick, Mike, Jake, Jon, and Tav Early to the cave to install new pulley on the haul out of the pot, new jute rope too (but this will be replaced as it was too thin, 10mm. Have ordered a 14mm hemp rope). Also replaced the worn-out skip on the haul from ledge/entrance. The rest … Continue reading “1st November”
Vince, Jake, Mike, Jon, and Nick I got to the cave ahead of the team to collect some sediment samples from An Unexpected Development (AUD) area for a local artist who wants to experiment with natural pigments (I have already collected samples from the Polden Hills, Dolebury Warren, and Wookey Hole). While I was there, … Continue reading “25th October”
Vince, Jake, Mike, Jon, and Nick I got to the cave ahead of the team to collect some sediment samples from An Unexpected Development (AUD) area for a local artist who wants to experiment with natural pigments (I have already collected samples from the Polden Hills, Dolebury Warren, and Wookey Hole). While I was there, … Continue reading “25th October”
Vince, Brockers, Jake, Nick, Jon, Tav, and Mike An earlier start for me, drill/plugs and feathers packed. Arrived at the farm, chatted briefly with the farmer, got the key from the shed, changed and walked across fields to the cave. Once underground set off to Can of Worms and got to work removing a calcite … Continue reading “18th October”
Vince, Nick, Jon, and Tav Due to a variety of circumstances, a suggestion was put forward “shall we have a Sunday session?” There were some minor glitches but, eventually, it came to pass. A suitable team gathered at the farm on Sunday morning. Underground, Jon and Tav were dispatched to Can of Worms to continue … Continue reading “12th October”
Vince, Nick, and Jon Arrived early at the farm, got changed, and wandered up to the cave. There were no bags to pack up so added a few stones to the spoil heap extension wall before going underground. Into Can of Worms to see last weeks progress and, while I was there, decided to remove … Continue reading “4th October”
Vince, Nick, and Jon Arrived early at the farm, got changed, and wandered up to the cave. There were no bags to pack up so added a few stones to the spoil heap extension wall before going underground. Into Can of Worms to see last weeks progress and, while I was there, decided to remove … Continue reading “4th October”
Some of us were attending Hidden Earth (BCRA national caving conference) in Llangollen, North Wales. Others were digging but, so far, a report on Saturday’s activities has not been forthcoming…
Solo Spent a couple of or so on the surface at the cave undertaking some spoil heap management tasks. Cleared overgrown vegetation (mostly brambles) before adding the available rocks to the western wall extension and levelled dumped spoil thereby creating space for more bags to be emptied. It was very pleasant in the warm, autumnal … Continue reading “24th September”
With Brockers, Jake, and Nick Arrived at the farm early only to remember that my key to the cave was in my car and that was at the garage! And I could not find the spare key. Nothing for it but to get changed and wait for the others to turn up. Jake soon directed … Continue reading “20th September”
Report by Jake
“Nick & Jake digging in Can of Worms, on the southernmost side. A total of 40 bags were filled, hauled out to the surface, and emptied.”
Report by Jake
“Nick & Jake digging in Can of Worms, on the southernmost side. A total of 40 bags were filled, hauled out to the surface, and emptied.”
Vince, Nick, Jake, and Tav An earlier start for me at Can of Worms with drill/plugs and feathers to deal with the boulder loosened and pushed to one side last weekend. Spent an hour or so reducing the rock to more manageable pieces and was just ready to pack kit away as Nick arrived. The … Continue reading “6th September”
Vince, Brockers, and Jake A small team assembled today, and because of that Can of Worms was the chosen digging venue. Underground,a brief discussion on digging strategy before Jake and Brockers got to work on the southernmost side at the current end of Can of Worms. My job was to haul away the spoil and … Continue reading “30th August”
Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, and Tav The team assembled and all underground, digging today in the NE extent, in the AUD area. It was my turn to dig supported by Nick (who also was digging as there is plenty of space!), Jake was top of the slope hauling up the bags. Brockers and Tav were … Continue reading “23rd August. Another round trip!”
Vince, Tav, Jon, Jake, and Brockers Spent a peaceful time at the cave packing bags while waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. Underground in the AUD area, Tav digging, I was clearing away the filled bags to Jon who hauled them up the slope and carried them across the chamber to the … Continue reading “16th August”
Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, Tav Arrived at the farm early enough but ended up chatting to the farmer for quite a while. Eventually I got changed and set off across the fields as Jake rode his motorcycle into the yard. At the cave started to pack the dry bags ready for refilling later. Underground at … Continue reading “9th August”
Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, Tav Arrived at the farm early enough but ended up chatting to the farmer for quite a while. Eventually I got changed and set off across the fields as Jake rode his motorcycle into the yard. At the cave started to pack the dry bags ready for refilling later. Underground at … Continue reading “9th August”
Vince, Tav, Jake, Nick, Brockers Arrived at cave and while waiting for the others to turn up added a few rocks to the spoil heap extension wall and packed the bags into bundles, mostly in ‘tens.’ Slipped underground with the packs of bags and had a peek at last session’s progress in CoW, it wasn’t … Continue reading “2nd August”
Vince, Tav, Jake, Nick, Brockers Arrived at cave and while waiting for the others to turn up added a few rocks to the spoil heap extension wall and packed the bags into bundles, mostly in ‘tens.’ Slipped underground with the packs of bags and had a peek at last session’s progress in CoW, it wasn’t … Continue reading “2nd August”
Report by Tav “Tav, Nick, Brockers, Jake A smaller team today so in keeping with recent tradition the Can of Worms was selected. Tav and Nick digging, Brockers and Jake clearing away. The cross rift chamber at the end of Can of Worms is now quite large. Digging took place at both the west and … Continue reading “26th July”
