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!
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!
