The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Thought it best to start a second part as the original was getting unwieldy and I can splodge on loads more photographs.
As part of Winter maintenance we had a tidy up at Chain Chamber. Willie's redundant hosepipe sprinkler system was removed and the long length of hosepipe moved to Jill's Dig. The catchment tub was left in situ at Pulsation Aven and can be used for additional washing on the way out. In digging in the floor of Chain Chamber I discovered the secret of Willies Washtub. He had built a cement dam and basin for water catchment then buried it in boulders. We have utilized the basin to extend the piped water right to the end of Jill's Dig. It means we can wash off at the dig and keep the area reasonably clean. We have also fitted the conveyor belting all along the 15m dig to ease transportation of the dig tray which kept getting stuck. The convey belt is thin lightweight belt used in the food industry and replaced regularly. It appears to be quite expensive so thank you Oscar Meyer of Chard for that. ( It gets dumped anyway I think ). Water from the pipe gurgled away merrily at the end of the dig and the draught was quite fresh. So we are set up for digging having had to postpone work at Vurley as it still has %3 CO2 half way down the cave.
Willie's cement pool revealed.
Looking for the stream in Chain Chamber.
Conveyor belt and hose ready to go into the dig.
Cleaning up the dig area.
Getting the belt in.
This conveyor belt is perfect stuff for these sort of digs.
Some photos of the black manganese stal in Jill's Slither. Actually awkward stuff to photograph as too much light makes them look grey. Too little and you cant see them.
The variation with lighting.
Generally the black staining is very thin.
As part of Winter maintenance we had a tidy up at Chain Chamber. Willie's redundant hosepipe sprinkler system was removed and the long length of hosepipe moved to Jill's Dig. The catchment tub was left in situ at Pulsation Aven and can be used for additional washing on the way out. In digging in the floor of Chain Chamber I discovered the secret of Willies Washtub. He had built a cement dam and basin for water catchment then buried it in boulders. We have utilized the basin to extend the piped water right to the end of Jill's Dig. It means we can wash off at the dig and keep the area reasonably clean. We have also fitted the conveyor belting all along the 15m dig to ease transportation of the dig tray which kept getting stuck. The convey belt is thin lightweight belt used in the food industry and replaced regularly. It appears to be quite expensive so thank you Oscar Meyer of Chard for that. ( It gets dumped anyway I think ). Water from the pipe gurgled away merrily at the end of the dig and the draught was quite fresh. So we are set up for digging having had to postpone work at Vurley as it still has %3 CO2 half way down the cave.
Willie's cement pool revealed.
Looking for the stream in Chain Chamber.
Conveyor belt and hose ready to go into the dig.
Cleaning up the dig area.
Getting the belt in.
This conveyor belt is perfect stuff for these sort of digs.
Some photos of the black manganese stal in Jill's Slither. Actually awkward stuff to photograph as too much light makes them look grey. Too little and you cant see them.
The variation with lighting.
Generally the black staining is very thin.