Report from Dave
Mike and I successfully removed the top section of ladder, and removed a dozen or so frogs and toads and a dead bunny. The water level in the near pool was much the same, but slightly lower in the far pool. I think we will have to invest in a pumping system...
Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Dave Walker, Jon Riley, Fran Campbell
1hr
Mike & Jon went to the end and baled some water, but although not flooded
it was too high to make much of an impression, so that was given up on. The
pool was just over the grill, but the dig was lower, indicating it must be
draining a bit at least. An attempt to remove the top section of the ladder was
done, but despite lots of WD40, some of the bolts were not having any of it and
will need angle grinding off - fortunately Dave has a portable angle grinder.
The maillons were eventually freed, but one needs replacing as knackered.
Headed to Hunters as Waldegrave advised they were shutting early this week.
Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Dave Walker, Jon Riley
1.5hrs
After the heavy rains in the last few days, expected to find the dig flooded,
so it was no surprise that it was, but it wasn't as bad as we'd expected. If it
hadn't been that we've horrendous weather forecast in the next week, it would
have been possible to bail out the dig within an hour or so to a point of being
diggable. We decided not to and instead filled some bags to raise the ladder
(need to bring spanners/wrench/angle grinder(!) to undo the bolts holding the
top section of ladder on as no longer needed plus the maillons that are on the
rope connected to the ladder). We also removed all rocks recently brought out
and shelved at the pool to spoil heap and brought the tools up. Unless the
forecast dramatically changes and we don't get the expected rain, we will give
next week a miss.
Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley, Chris George, Fran
Campbell
2hrs
water in the dig was over welly height after the recent rains so a bit was
taken off in the water containers before digging (or rather clearing a collapse
from the aven just in front of us) commenced. Jon and Mike had the digging
duties tonight and were working at pace as filling buckets with mud from a
collapse was quick, so 50 buckets were brought out.
Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Dave Walker, Stu Lindsay, Josh Henry, Chris George
2hrs
James dug first and after sending Josh to visit the upper series, we sent him
to the end to dig as a newbie. Water levels still low and allowing easy
digging, around 45 buckets dug out. Josh being a keen newbie was overfilling a
bit, but this was intercepted by Mike sharing it into other buckets before they
reached the surface. Another good session and the water levels down again.
Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Stu Lindsay, Dave Walker, Jon Riley, Chris George
2hrs
Jon
and Mike went in to the end to dig and Mike dug first with Jon second. The
water levels were same at dig with about ankle deep water and the pool had
dropped by about 4 inches so was well below the grill since last week. 10 new
buckets meant lots in the system with the old ones and 50 skips were filled
from the dig and bagged up at the spoil heap. Quite a lot of shattered rock
coming out from the end of the dig. All good going forwards, just hoping the
rain stays off and water levels remain fairly low!
