Saturday 8th November 2025

Party including Mike Kushy and Tuska fitted the extra bolts into the gate hinges. Mike.

Wednesday October 29th

Mike Wise and Ed Ford. Our mission was to clear the debris from last week's Hookah Pipe (HP) diameter adjustment and if needed repeat the process. We declined the suggestion to take in more cement so just took a 36v drill, a couple of 10mm drill bits, a spare set of batteries and passage widening kit in two bags.

A slight whiff of fumes was detected from the pit above the Light Connection (LC). MW descended to check things out while EF waited above. It seemed OK at first; there was a pile of small debris in the HP but further slight adjustment was needed and so the drill bag came down. There was no detectable draught and TPC was the same temperature as the upper cave. But then the fumes became more apparent in the area around HP and upstairs and the drill bag returned up LC. EF came down for a look and chat.  

EF declined to enter HP; his sense of smell hasn't been wrecked by time like mine has. We did discuss moving some rocks towards the platform below LC keeping us away from the lower part of TPC, but then EF traversing the rock pile found a pocket of fume. Time was called and we returned up LC. Despite using exemplary thrutching technique we were both panting on reaching the top and according to EF, MW was sweating buckets.

We exited puffing and panting with throats complaining we had just eaten a handful of gravel. No photos taken. Medicinal substances were taken in The Hunters' which helped to improve things slightly.

1 hour 40 minutes

 Mike Wise

Monday 27th October 2025

Mike Kushy and Tuska. 2 hours fitting metal gate. Need an extension bar for the driver to get the lower screws in on the hinges and need to sort out a lock. Mike.

Gate fitted. Photo MK.

Gate fitted. Photo MK.

Sunday 26 October 2025

Mike Kushy and Tuska. MK picked up a piece of 3mm sheet metal that John Gisborne had cut for us, thanks JG! The sheet was then taken to Tuska's house where we cut to hole size and attached hinges and handles. Gate now ready to fit! 2 hours. Mike.

Top side of Gate. Photo MK.

Underside of Gate. Photo MK.

Wednesday 22nd October 2025

Mike Kushy, Mike Wise and Ed Ford. We met up at 4pm and headed in together. MW and EF went in the usual route carrying bags whilst MK wound up and collected the top wire.,Tthis was taken further down to leap frog the lower wire. MW set to drilling and removed the 1m drill bit so MK could go ahead and grab the newer rope (the air felt quite thick in the intermediate chamber and drill dust was just hovering). Leaving MW to drill shot holes MK and EF replaced the rope on the light connection and set about building the landing area properly with rocks and mortar. 3 lots of sand left in cave and half a cement, loads of water. MW then used what battery was remaining to drill a bolt hole to create a traverse type line (this is only half drilled). MK meanwhile set the charge. We had a little look down 'Ed's bet' (the vertical pot directly below Cement Dig) and it does look worth going in and clearing the rocks out at some point soon. We fired from the top of the Lower Bedding, heard and felt faintly. 3 hours. Mike K.

MW and EF building in TPC. Photo MK.

MW and EF building in TPC. Photo MK.