22/6/21

Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley, Dave Walker Stu Lindsay

1hr 45mins

Good to have a team of 6 for a change, another 1 or 2 would make it even easier though! The water levels were about the same as last week, we had fairly constant rain over Sunday and Monday, so not unexpected, but it does feel like it isn’t going down as fast this year, probably down to the clay puddling in the pool and making a good seal! Jon went in first to dig and dug at speed to fill his 17 buckets from the higher level of the bank of spoil ahead. Estelle then dug 17 buckets worth continuing working down the spoil bank. The roof is coming down a bit at the moment, but we are not able to easily dig the floor out due to the water so don’t know how deep the mud/clay/rocks below us actually are. Dave then went in and did 17 buckets too. There was no requirement for all to go out and help empty buckets between each digger, which saved us a lot of time and meant we were able to fill 51 buckets (+ 1 rock) quicker than we’d done 34 last week! Hopefully we’ll have a drier week and the water levels will drop by next time a bit further. We have got several buckets and also some of our digging tools heading towards end of life, so will need to go shopping soon. Headed to Waldegrave afterwards

16/6/21

Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Dave Walker, Stu Lindsay

1.5hrs

Moved to Wednesday as MCR AGM on the Tuesday. Water levels down a bit further, so not quite at welly height for slopping over anymore. Mike went in first to dig and carried on removing the wall of mud in front, lots of higher mud/sediment, which is the easiest to empty out of the buckets. He did his 17 and then we went out to empty them, the next batch James did and these were bagged by Stu as he hauled and then topped up when we all came out. 37 skips in total tonight, then off to the Hunters as it was a Wednesday!

8/6/21

Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Dave Walker, Stu Lindsay

2hrs

Despite little to no rain since the previous week the water levels had barely gone down, which is annoying as they are at that height where they will just about lap over the top of your wellies! Estelle went in first to dig 17 buckets and then Dave the second round of 17. With only 5 of us, we have to stage the emptying so everyone has to come out in between. Still digging from an island at the end, so digging is actually quite easy at the moment. Still seem to be extending the chamber at the moment. Stu took the top sled away for repair/modification to improve it

1/6/21

Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Stu Lindsay, Dave Walker

2hrs

40 buckets filled between James and Mike. Water level back down to approx. where it was 2 weeks ago, which means it just catches lapping over welly when you get it wrong. First 18 emptied, rest bagged, one bucket demised as a handle fell off. Still easy digging.

25/5/21

Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Stu Lindsay, Dave Walker

1.5hrs

Wetter again than last week after a week of heavy rains and the puddle is at knee height. Dave and Estelle the only ones with wetsocks on so Estelle dug first filling the 18 buckets and then Dave did the 2nd round then we went to the pub slightly earlier. In between the 18 bucket hauls, we all came to surface to help empty. End still easy digging and grateful for the seat. Hopefully with good weather forecast indefinitely at the moment we’ll see it a lot drier next week.

18/5/21

Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Stu Lindsay, Dave Walker

1hr 45mins

Water levels back up around 3-4 inches since last week after recent rains, so just lapping over welly level when you are moving around or leaning over to move skips. James went in first to dig, followed by Mike and then Dave. Digging forward is still pretty easy and until the water levels drop, keeping a seat level just above water, but once dried, will need to go down to rock in the pool. A section of roof mud came down in what is looking to be another mini aven above as well during the dig. Good to be back in the Waldegrave for the first time since they opened after lockdown release.

11/5/21

 Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Stu Lindsay, Jonathan Riley, Dave Walker

2hrs

60 skips between us - Estelle went in first and did 18 as at that point we were only a 4, then people arrived and Mike went in second and did 18 and then Jon 3rd and 18, followed by Dave doing 6. Going forwards nicely, easy digging although it seems to stick to the skips. The water level was a bit lower than last week, but not a lot, but then it had rained a lot. Hopefully the last week of bring our beer and drink at the cave...