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.

Saturday 28th February 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Mud retaining wall at the North end continued today. Pete and Kate at the bottom. Pete wall building and Kate assisting and also digging out the floor. Four mixes of cement used. Had to lower another section of ladder for Pete to stand on so he could reach the top of his new wall. Also lowered several loads of building rock as there was none left at the bottom. Fourteen loads of spoil hauled out today and in addition Pete used several more filling up behind his wall. One frog rehomed today. At the end of the session the depth was measued at 15.2m. 2½ hours. John.

All photos taken near floor level. Descriptions are: facing then side.

South, West. Photo KL

South, West. Photo KL

South, East. Photo KL.

North, East. Photo KL.

North, East. Photo KL.

North, West. Photo KL.

Saturday 21st February 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Mike Kousiounis, Kate Lawrence and Adrian Vanderplank. Mud retaining wall started today. John to the bottom first where he excavated a trench across the rift at the base of the mud wall. Pete then drilled two holes in opposite walls and stainless steel pins inserted to act as anchors. Four bags of Postmix were then emptied into the trench, covering the pins, to act as a foundation for the wall. Two mixes of cement were then sent down and used to fix in a large rock either side of one protruding from the mud wall. A very large rock was then identified as a suitable tie but was too large for John so he swapped with Kushy. Another couple of mixes of cement were then sent down to fix it in place and some more large rocks added. Another wall building session will be required next week and possible additional ones later. One frog perched on the head of a mattock 3m up the mud wall was supervising proceedings. It was eventually rescued by Kate and is now quite happy in its new home above ground. 2 hours. John.

Saturday 14th February 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Mike Kousiounis, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cold, 2°C today, but sunny and no wind. Kate and Mike at the bottom sorting out building stones and sending up buckets of slop. Total of 40 loads of slop sent up today. Short video of proceedings taken by Kate. Will really need to get the retaining wall started next week. 2 hours. John.