Vince, Sam, Jake, Brockers, Jon, Nick, Tav, and Mike Before the team arrived, I nipped underground to Can of Worms to take another sediment sample from the ‘blasted’ rift (some interesting findings in the sample collected previously) before returning to the surface. Back at the entrance met Sam who was tossing packs of empty bags … Continue reading “5th September”

With Jake, Jon, Nick, Mike, and Harley Time to see what the ‘bang’ had done! Underground, it was obvious there had been recent rain the entrance was wet, water had flowed along the passage and down into the pot. Luckily, I avoided most of it (still wearing cotton overalls). Reeled in the wire as I … Continue reading “29th August”

Image created by ChatGPT, 23rd August 2026

Vince, Jake, Nick, Jon, Sam, Tav, and Mike A bit more ‘gardening’ – clearing brambles and nettles – while waiting for the team to arrive. Sam was first to show up followed, soon after by most of the others. A brief chat about this and that then underground. Tav and Jon headed off towards CoW, … Continue reading “22nd August”

Vince, Brockers, Jon, Jake, Nick, Tav, Mike, and Harley Arrived at the farm even earlier today but with a plan – I had drill/plugs and feathers packed ready for use! A curious phenomenon was observed as I walked up across the fields towards HR – all the dandelion leaves had turned red! At the cave, … Continue reading “15th August”

Vince, Sam, Jake, Tav, Nick, and Harley Always a sense of anticipation going back to see what effects a bang has had! Arrived early to check things out. At the bottom of the entrance sat down to start reeling in the wires. Dropped down into the pot, there was quite a bit of fly-rock into … Continue reading “8th August”

Another trip into the cave to carry out some chemically-induced speleogenesis in Can of Worms and down in the pot. All good! Should be plenty of stuff to clear on the weekend.

Vince, Sam, Nick, Tav, Jake, Jon, Mike, and this week’s guest, Ed Ford Arrived ahead of the team to check that Wednesday’s chemically-induced ‘rock bothering’ had achieved the desired effect. Into the cave, reeled in the wires and inspected the damage. As expected, the use of 40g had produced lots of gravel-, cobble- and small … Continue reading “1st August”

Vince, Jake, Jon, Brockers, Nick, Tav, and Harley Got to the cave ahead of the others so that I could get some photos in Can of Worms now that the bang debris has been cleared. Looks interesting. Returned to the surface to await the arrival of the team. Once all were assembled, Jon and Brockers … Continue reading “25th July”

Report by Jon: “Harley,  Jon and Jake arrived at the appointed hour. The team determined that all members should go underground.  In Can of Worms, Harley and Jake dug. Jon stacked on the ledge. Vince banged boulders mid-week. Harley and Jake dug accordingly, mainly downwards. The space at the dig face is somewhat larger. Further … Continue reading “18th July”

Vince, Brockers, Jon, Jake, Nick, and Tav Walked up to the cave with Brockers who had also arrived early at the farm. We occupied ourselves with bundling up the dry bays until the rest of the team arrived. It was good to get underground, much cooler. In CoW, Jon digging, I was clearing the filled … Continue reading “11th July”

Vince, Jon, Jake, Sam, Tav, Harley, and Mike Spent a moment trying to establish another altitude reading but without success. Underground, Harley and Mike digging in CoW, me and Jon on the ledge, Sam at the bottom of the entrance, with Jake and Tav up on the surface. The pile of rocks in CoW from … Continue reading “4th July”

Solo Time for some ‘rock-bothering.’ First stop at the bottom of the pot (Soft South) to break-up the large boulder there. It’s very ‘mucky’ here, lots of soft sediment that has been washed in over several years, wellie’s kept getting stuck. Thankfully, it didn’t take too long to get the job done. Climbed back up … Continue reading “30th June”

Solo Time for some ‘rock-bothering.’ First stop at the bottom of the pot (Soft South) to break-up the large boulder there. It’s very ‘mucky’ here, lots of soft sediment that has been washed in over several years, wellie’s kept getting stuck. Thankfully, it didn’t take too long to get the job done. Climbed back up … Continue reading “30th June”

Vince, Jon, Jake, Nick, Tav, Harley, and Mike I was keen to see what effects the induced rapid speleogenesis (IRS) had been so arrived at the cave ahead of the others. Quickly underground and reeled in the wires as I progressed towards the Soft South. Down at the bottom of the pot there was some … Continue reading “27th June”

Vince and Roz The best place to be during a heatwave is underground where the air is cool and fresh. Any excuse to go ‘rock bothering,’ creating more space to work in Can of Worms and reducing boulders at the bottom of the pot in the Soft South! Emerged to a very warm surface! On … Continue reading “24th June”

Vince, Tav, Jake, Nick, Jon, and Mike Another day for the plugs & feathers to be pressed into action. Before that though dried bags to be packed and a bit of tinkering with the spoil heap wall while waiting for the team to assemble. Underground in Can of Worms with Tav, we decided to widen … Continue reading “20th June”

Vince, Jon, Harley, Brockers, Tav, Nick, and Jake Earlier start for me, a boulder to break up in CoW. Soon got to work with plugs and feathers to reduce boulder to more manageable pieces. When the rock was split some fine examples of calcite-crystal growth were exposed (Nick took an especially good sample home). Also, … Continue reading “13th June”

Vince, Jon, Harley, Brockers, Tav, Nick, and Jake Earlier start for me, a boulder to break up in CoW. Soon got to work with plugs and feathers to reduce boulder to more manageable pieces. When the rock was split some fine examples of calcite-crystal growth were exposed (Nick took an especially good sample home). Also, … Continue reading “13th June”

Vince, Sam, Jake, Nick, Jon, and Harley At the cave, whilst awaiting the arrival of the team, occupied myself with some gardening – trimming back brambles to allow more space for spoil disposal, and bundling up bags ready for refilling later. Jake and Sam arrived, soon followed by Nick, Jon, and Harley. A brief discussion … Continue reading “6th June”

Vince, Jake, Tav, Nick, Jon, and Harley Carried the 3no. ‘new’ skips/bucket (made yesterday) up to the cave, and a little bit of ‘gardening’ while waiting for the others to arrive, watching, listening to the birds in the surrounding woodland. The team assembled. In CoW, my turn to dig, Harley helped, Jake and Tav hauling … Continue reading “30th May”

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, Tav, Mike, and Harley Early at the farm and so was Brockers. Changed and wandered up to the cave to spend a little time ‘gardening’ around the spoil heap. Jake wasn’t far behind, and the rest of the team arrived soon after. Jon set off to CoW with Harley, Mike resumed … Continue reading “23rd May”

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”