8th May

Vince, Nick, Jon, Jake, and Mike

Met in the car park, called in at Hotel reception and walked up to the cave, tunnel entrance where we got changed.

As usual it was a warm trip through ‘20’ to LoH&G and on along the narrow passage to the dig we call the ‘Diamond Mine’. Before digging got underway took some photos just in case it became too ‘steam’’ later. Nick was digging in the small pot we are hoping to extend/expand. Initially, I passed the filled buckets to Jon on the other side of a ‘blasted-bottleneck’ who in turn moved the buckets along to Jake and Mike, their combined effort got the spoil all the way along the narrow passage to the dumping area. It was warm work.

The filled buckets were not easily moved through the ‘bottleneck,’ so we came up with an alternative plan. The sediment was compacted into ‘balls’ and rolled down the slope and through the constriction. This worked, but it was improved when Jon created a bucket platform, so the ‘balls of spoil’ landed directly into the bucket. It was like a fairground amusement and provided some entertainment while it lasted. It worked until the sediment became drier and sandier and did not compact as well. Another strategy will need to be employed next week, we will bring some new bags!

Nick at the ‘Diamond Mine’ dig, LoH&G surveying the prospects. Left and centre: before digging got underway; and right: end of session progress. Photograph taken 8th May 2025

Anyway, the evenings effort had progressed the dig satisfactorily and it is clear that further excavation is required to see if there is potential in this location. By now all participants in the evening’s activities were feeling thirsty and it was time to leave, as Jake put it “the beer clock is ticking!”

Refreshments were enjoyed at the tunnel entrance gate in the ravine. Lots of bats flitting around. A positive session!

1st May

Vince, Nick and Jake

Well, it’s been quite a while but we’re here again after talking about it too long and not getting it together! A new procedure – checked in (and out after our trip) at the Hotel reception before walking up to the cave entrance.

The main purpose of this trip was to clear away more of the accumulated digging paraphernalia from Land of Hope & Glory. Took in some empty tackle bags just in case. A steady trip to L0H&G with plenty of banter along the way. Quick check in Colston Hall for any tools left there (to be collected on the way out) and onwards to the ‘diamond mine’ dig. Once we arrived at the end the question was posed – Have we really finished here? Do we need to leave some tools, just in case? After some discussion, it was decided there was more to do, we will leave some tools, and we’ll be back next week to continue digging! Tools and other items not required were removed.

A quick recce around the rest of LoH&G collecting the remaining tools left in various locations before returning to Fuzzy Wuzzy to pack bags and carry some of the larger items out of the cave.

A slower trip out as there was quite a lot of stuff to pass up climbs and through constrictions. It is always a warm trip. Back at the entrance to change, and as is our habit, enjoyed some refreshments there in the fading evening light. It had been a good trip.

28th September

Vince and Nick

We had a plan to go poking and prodding in LoH&G, then got an email from Nick: “I’ve got a pXRF but, can’t take it underground.” So, samples to be collected too.

It was noted others were in the cave somewhere, either divers or a group of “tourists.” Steady trip through the cave, as usual, it was warm. Met the “tourists” coming out of Colston Hall.

We continued on to the first ‘potential’ location. Turned out it wasn’t really worth the effort – not any hope here. On to the next spot. This looked better but stuff needs clearing before a proper evaluation can be made. Looks to be viable, at least in the short term anyway. Satisfied, we went off to collect some samples (for pXRF analyses) before making our way out of the cave.

Land of Hope & Glory

Some images from a recent trip (21/09/23) with Nick Hawkes, Pete Bolt, and Pete “Snablet” MacNab, who is over from New Zealand for a few days.

The five photographs above were taken by Snablet.

L to R: Pete Bolt, Snablet, Nick. Photo by Vince Simmonds

9th March

Report by Connor:

Connor and Nick

Continued work at diamond mine dig. Rotating between roles, good progress can be made through the mud floor, as holds it shape well and is eagerly cleared with a shovel. Progress increased by 1 & 1/2 feet from previous taking it down a minimum of 3 feet at highest point. 

Many buckets cleared, to the point were it was not possible to keep count. This resulted in agreed 100 buckets, between the team.

16th February

Report by Tav:

“Nick, Dunc, Tav

The good news is that the air in the dig is finally clear and Nick dug a mini-mountain of mud which made its way back to Tav and Dunc for distribution elsewhere. Nick suggested that one more session might decide whether or not it was worth pursuing. Tav also replaced the broken conservation tape in the big rift that other parties seem to think is optional.”

29th November

Report by Tav:

“Tav, Nick, Connor, Alex Randall and Duncan

Due to various ailments and commitments this was the first digging trip for a while. Connor and Alex busied themselves with the untouched dig at the end of the narrow rift reached from the climb up opposite Fuzzy Wuzzy, opening up a small hole that needs chemical persuasion to pursue. This will probably connect eventually with the hole in the roof of Gas End. Meanwhile Nick and Tav inspected various options in and around the big rift before collecting the tools stashed there for transport either out or to a more useful place. Duncan took a rope to the 24 connection and then the whole team gathered up various broken tubs, old skips and broken and redundant tools which were cleaned and then mostly removed from the cave, thus making the place quite a bit tidier. The remaining tools and tubs were left near the Diamond Mine dig in readiness for a fresh assault on the Gas End continuation but the air in here is still very poor so it will have to wait until the summer draughty season, assuming we’re still allowed in of course. Jake’s ladder was removed from Gas End and stashed on the slope leading down to the Diamond Mine dig to await his spanners. The evening finished with a beer in the ravine.”