18/11/25

Report from Mike Moxon

The chamber at end had obviously flooded on Friday and water had been running along the approach passage (a couple of frogs were in the pool at start of final haul). Fortunately the hole in floor had drained, but quite a lot of water was left at dig face (just over wellie depth in right corner). Ed and Mike cleared up the slumping and dug a channel under the big left hand boulder to drain the water, before bailing out the last bit. This caused the boulder to tilt away from the wall until it was resting on the central rocks, Ed re-exposing the sloping floor on that side which Harley had found last week - fortunately the big rock is resting on this and the one behind it is now resting on the big rock. Harley also helped with trying to drain both front and the flood under right hand aven, also moving tubs back to Jon. Smaller rocks were also moved further back within chamber, before 33 buckets of slop were dumped on spoil heap, with just 2 drier loads resulting from a slump further back. Fortunately clear skies whilst we were changing, although there was a small amount of precipitation whilst underground - retired to the Hunter's at 9.15

11/11/25

report from Mike Moxon

Jon noticed a couple of buckets tucked up the back passage, which Ed and Harley retrieved - we think they may have washed there when the shaft flooded, so Jon and Harley filled most of them up, whilst I did a bit of mud clearing around the chamber and moved all 35 back to the first haul, Ed carrying the majority back to the steps. Harley emptied half of them down the side passage and the rest we did on the spoil heap, as it had stopped raining by then (fortunately it only started as we were heading down to the entrance). Met James and Estelle in the Hunters'

28/10/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Ed and Harley dug, whilst Jackie Bishop (MCG) and Mike moved the 33 buckets back, before we all hauled and Harley emptied most of them down the side passage (various rocks also came out over last couple of weeks that are still in the end chamber). Went to Hunters afterwards where we met up with MCG Tuesday nighters.

21/10/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Estelle out of action due to broken ankle, so no James either as has to walk the dog! 

Mike and Harley dug, Ed and Jon started moving tubs back. 33 were filled and then hauled out for emptying, before we discovered Stu sat in his van, having failed to find his helmet and tripped coming over to the dig with poor lighting and ending up with a dislocated shoulder, which resulted in A&E! 

Most of the bits for securing the 'original' shaft are now with Jon, just needs one of the team to facilitate a drill to do this soon, best done in daylight for safety reasons.