I said to dickplaces I would show his mine exploring friends around Swildons. Perfect, the new guy will lead the highly experienced crack team of mine explorers through dead easy cave that even 4 year old children can do. We actually came across two 4year olds on our way out, they were so cute, with very big helmets and belts doubled round them to use up the slack.
We met on the green having already confirmed that someone was bringing mars bars and after a quick chat headed off. We got under pretty quick and decided to go in the long dry. hehehe, mine explorers don't like crawling. They were ok though and very glad to reach the old grotto. Through the water chamber and then I deviated with Psykx up to the top of the 40, just for a look. He was all for free climbing it... I wished him luck and headed back to rejoin the other.
We caught the others at the 20, and waited and waited and waited. Wrong cue to be at the back of. Climbed up to the top of the pitch and found there is a stunning view up there
We were all set to go down when the human torch came round the corner. The front section of his helmet seemed to be on fire, he said something about 'carbide' and I stopped listening. It did give a very warm light... about 3ft around him and he had to use his LED back up for anything wet, so whats the point? Fine in a dry cave or mine, maybe, but down swildons
We ran away from them as fast as we could only stopping to eat a mars bar. Having done the double pots, dickplaces, who had joined us at the last moment, decided he would stay and have a swim. He wanted to test his new face mask before the sump
. From there we just did a quick diversion up to trapmans temple before getting down to the sump.
I led through followed by Simply who came up a little confused but then started to
. Psykx came next and to say he lacked grace would be an under statement... we shook him off and then some randoms came through, hooting and yelling like it was sump 2, or a base jump. I popped back through to see if c**tplaces was coming, but no, face mask or not, he wasn't joining us
. So Simply, Psykx and I left the four of them nice and warm and dry whilst we carried on, we kept the pace up and were to sump2 and back in 15 minutes where upon a cunning plan was formed, I left my helmet and light and silently went back though the sump, emerging unnoticed and began to creep towards our unsuspecting colleagues. Obviously they noticed me before I even got close and weren't even a little scared. So I hung my head in shame and went back through for my helmet
.
From then it was a quick dash out stopping only to comment on how cute the 4 year olds were and for Simply to do a photo shoot in the second pot
All seemed well until someone realised the time... The Hunters, was now closed
the queen vic and it's excellent fires would just have to do.
Cheers Guys,
Good trip
