Hi everyone, looking to get back into the swing of it

Jakers

New member
HI all, hope everyone is doing well and staying safe.

So I recently moved to south Wales (Pontypool area) with the Mrs, after a long break from caving I'd really like to get back into it and stuck in however I haven't really got any idea how to go about it so some advice would be hugely appreciated.

I used to do a fair bit of caving in the mendips so have some experience but it's been a while and I could probably do with a couple of easy trips to clear the cobwebs.

Could anyone point me in the right direction in terms of who to approach etc. about maybe securing a trip or two in the future? happy to tag along and be sherpa if anyone needs one and will happily buy a couple of rounds for the pleasure (of course im thinking forward with all of this to once this bloody virus calls it a day).

Any and all advice hugely appreciated, thanks guys
 

maxb727

Member
Hey,

I?m a Mendip based caver but also a member of the Chelsea SS who have a great hut in Llangattock not far from you.

It?s an active club, with regular meets, fun weekend socials and currently has weekly zoom meetings as well as bonus quizzes etc.

Other clubs are around but I?d recommend them for friendliness and trips.

Maybe bump into you sometime.

Maxine


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

martinb

Member
Jakers said:
HI all, hope everyone is doing well and staying safe.

So I recently moved to south Wales (Pontypool area) with the Mrs, after a long break from caving I'd really like to get back into it and stuck in however I haven't really got any idea how to go about it so some advice would be hugely appreciated.

I used to do a fair bit of caving in the mendips so have some experience but it's been a while and I could probably do with a couple of easy trips to clear the cobwebs.

Could anyone point me in the right direction in terms of who to approach etc. about maybe securing a trip or two in the future? happy to tag along and be sherpa if anyone needs one and will happily buy a couple of rounds for the pleasure (of course im thinking forward with all of this to once this bloody virus calls it a day).

Any and all advice hugely appreciated, thanks guys

A mate of mine who has caved extensively in Derbyshire - markc of this parish - PM him if you wish - lives in Ponthir, north of Caerleon, now - he might be interested as he's after a new caving partner as I sodded off to France after he sodded off to Wales!  :LOL:

He's a non driver, but his missus is.

We both did some of the big caves near Llangattock before I emigrated, and I know he's out of practice - getting older, a bit flabby round middle, etc

 

Jakers

New member
Hi guys, thanks for your replies, much appreciated.

@maxb727 Hiya, the club sounds really great, everything you could want in a club really and the proximity of the hut is a definite bonus, will look into it but definitely sounds like a good'un to me. Sure, maybe catch you around, cheers :)

@Johnmcooper thanks for the link mate, will go and look through the site now.

@Martinb thanks for the info, I may send him a pm, worth asking at any rate, could be a good match with us both looking for a partner and being relatively close.
I'm also a non driver (always had bikes rather than cars and they aren't much food for lugging kit or getting changed in haha) but my Mrs also drives. I'n the opposite, always been rail thin haha which is great for squeezes tbh, quite out of practise myself though so could be a good duo :)
 

Huge

Active member
Hi Jakers.

Chelsea is a great club, with a large membership and a handy hut but just to offer an alternative :-

Brynmawr Caving Club.

We're a smaller club and don't have a hut but we are very friendly and cave and dig often (normally anyway!!) and also regularly introduce new people to caving so there's always a range of caving happening. There's a pub meet once a month in Brynmawr but at the moment we are using Zoom to stay in touch!

When things start becoming closer to normal again and caving starts back up, we'd be happy for you to come along on some trips or even just meet up with us in the pub. If you've got any questions, just ask.  :)

http://www.brynmawrcavingclub.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/173225402990/
 

Jakers

New member
Hi huge, sorry for the late reply, don't receive notifications for this and forgot to check it yesterday.

Thanks for your reply, as soon as I've finished typing this up I'll check out the site you linked, another option is always welcomed. Everyone here is so helpful, along with a bunch of replies to this I've also received some pm's so am a little bit spoiled for choice now, very excited to get stuck in once all is normal again.

Would very much like to get stuck into some digging also, have got a bag of (red) hilti caps knocking about somewhere that could be of some use to someone.

That's a kind offer, and it's rare I'll turn down the pub so will definitely be in touch when all is normal.

Have got one question, regarding kit; I sold or lost almost everything I had, all I have left is a lid that I found half crushed in the loft so not sure I trust it fully anymore, some wellies, and a petzl backup light, would kit renting be an option until I can get a respectable gear bag up together again? Cheers, jake
 

Huge

Active member
Jakers, BCC have some kit for prospective and new members to use and I'm sure anything else can be borrowed off other people without any problem.
 
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