Saturday 11th April 2026

John Cooper, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence and Adrian Vanderplank. Initially Kate loading and Pete and John hauling. Adrian turned up later and joined the surface team. When 20 loads of mud and 2 of rock had been hauled out John took Kate’s place to see what holes were required. Another 4 loads of rocks hauled out in preparation for a mid week session. 2 hours. John.

Saturday 4th April 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. A cold and windy day, storm Dave on its way. John and Adrian to the bottom to decide the plan of attack. Capping commenced. Meanwhile the rest were sorting out the rock heap on the surface, large rocks for walling and small for track maintenance. John was then replaced by Kate. A total of 20 loads of rock and 3 of mud were hauled out today. May need something a bit stronger next time. 3 hours. John.

Saturday 21st March 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. A warm sunny day with little wind. Adrian and John to the bottom intially whilst Kate organised disposal of the existing spoil on the surface. Adrian was capping and using caps and p/fs to break up rock whilst John was using the sledge hammer. Once adequate spoil was ready John was replaced by Kate at the dig face. 25 loads of spoil were then hauled to the surface. 3 hours. John.

View down at end of session. Photo AV.

Closer view of hole in floor. Photo AV.

Another view. Photo AV.

Under. Photo AV.

Closer. Photo AV.

Saturday 14th March 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Kate to the bottom fastening the bottom ladder, only 1 rung overlap now. Loads of rock and mud were then hauled out. After Kate came out Adrian and John went down. Draught was tested – going in today. Then more rock was broken up and John went out to be replaced by Jude. More rock and mud hauled out giving a total for the day of 47 loads of rock and 7 loads of mud. 3 hours. John.

Thursday 5th March 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. The intention today was to expose the rock on the floor to see if it was suitable for capping. Kate went to the bottom to start and then Jude went down to help. After 15 loads of spoil it was time for Adrian to go and take a look. The decision was the rock was too big so was to be banged. Jude and Kate then came out and John went in with his drill. Two lines of 3 holes drilled to 500mm depth, 2 popped out the underside at about 450mm depth. A small hole was also drilled in a rock deemed too large for the bucket. Wayne brought across suitable cord which Adrian used in the holes. All the tools were moved to safe places and as John came out he detached the bottom double ladder and it was hauled out of shrapnel range (we hope). The draught blew the fumes out quickly. 2½ hours. John.