Saturday 29th April 2023

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann and Adrian Vanderplank. Adrian went in with capping kit whilst John and Pete took in a single cement mix. On the bottom shaft Pete pointed out where some remedial work was required so john did that whilst Pete continued down with his bucket of cement. John used about ¾ of his bucket then continued on down. Once Adrian had capped the boulder he swapped places with Pete who started cementing. Meanwhile John finished off his bucket of cement putting in a wall base in the bottom rift. Once done he filled the cement bucket with clatch and took it up to the Tunnel where he met Nigel who had been down and recovered his rope. Whilst Nigel continued out John went back down. By this time Pete had nearly finished cementing and then we hauled rocks and clatch up as far as the catcher bucket. Finally, Adrian took some photographs of all the holes Pete had uncovered. Gradually drying out but not dry yet. Next couple of weeks will be trying to cement the boulder in place prior to another capping session or two. 3 hours. John.

Digging in Pensioners Pot. Photo by AV

Saturday 22nd April 2023

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Double mix of cement taken to bottom. Jude in first so she could have a look and help Pete. Meanwhile John used 2/3 of the third bucket cementing in a loose rock which was used as a footstep just below the 195m stacking space. When Nigel arrived he decided he needed to use it but was told “No”. When Pete had used up the first bucket of cement Jude left and was replaced by Adrian whilst John looked on. When the second bucket of cement was gone John tidied up the bottom crawl, removing gravel from the floor which Adrian lost in an alcove lower down. When the third bucket was empty Pete took photos using Adrian’s camera whilst John exited with the buckets, picking up more gravel on the way. Looking interesting with capping next week. 2 hours. John.

Saturday 15th April 2023

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Double mix of cement taken to bottom by Pete, Jude and John whilst Adrian put in a hanger for Nigel to rig a line from on his ‘Orrible Overhang. He and Adrian did reach the bottom stacking space OK. Very drippy at the bottom today. The drip catcher was reasonably good but still too wet for Pete to cement where he wished. Probably be the same again next week. 1½ hours. John.

Saturday 8th April 2023

Nigel Graham, Pete Hann and Adrian Vanderplank. Whilst Adrian capped a conglomerate and limestone boulder in the shaft Pete installed a drip catcher. At the end of the session we we’re looking down a five foot long drop. Adrian.

Thursday 6th April 2023

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Spoil moved from Tunnel to bottom of entrance shaft then 16 loads hauled to the surface. 2 hours. John.