have you seen it all

[whitelackington]

Some of the M.C.G. wear womens wigs and robes but I can't say they cave like that, just live like that!

 

[Dave H]

Some of the Cerberus members are going down Swildon's in 1950's gear next week in celebration of the 50th aniversary of the club.

 

[cap n chris]

So that'll be yet another trip on Mendip where carbide gets used for no particularly good reason, then? (N.B. I'm sure the impact of a one-off trip using old technology is effectively zero). However, while on this particular thought....

Assuming there are, say, at least ten major clubs on Mendip (ACG, MCG, BEC, WCC, SBSS, SMCC, CSS, UBSS, MNRC, WCMS etc.) and that clubs "celebrate" anniversaries such as 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th etc. with underground shenanighans like dressing up in old caving gear (or womens' clothes and caving gear) then that means on average there are going to be two "celebratory" trips per year where people wear felt caps and cave using carbide.

Am I alone in thinking this is two trips too many?

Hmm, yep, I probably am. This is probably another one of those threads where I get flamed for being out of touch with the caving pulse of the average underground groupie.

 

[Les W]

When I joined the MNRC's celebratory trip, almost no one was on carbide, most people used BDI's

 

[cap n chris]

... so there weren't any treacherous shadows being cast, then?....

 

[Les W]

Well I didn't see any...   

 

[cap n chris]

Oops, yes; it was a stupid question, wasn't it?  :-[

 

[Hatstand]

sorry - "BDI's"????? 

 

[cap n chris]

BDI = candle.

BDI is "Balch's Dependable Illuminant" (a candle); dependable, for caving, since it "casts no treacherous shadows" - unlike other caving light sources.

To which the usual response was "casts hardly any light, either".


H.E. Balch was a well known early Mendip caver, renowned for his archaeological efforts at Wookey Hole; he founded Wells Museum and gained VIP status in Wells City. He is also one of the figureheads of Wessex Cave Club (the premier caving club of Europe and Somerset).

 

[Hatstand]

Thanks for reminding me what a BDI is  maybe if you don't like carbide you should try hand dipped tallow BDI's - they smoke like hell!!!!

Wessex Cave Club (the premier caving club of Europe and Somerset).

Reminds me of the tag on the back of the bus in "Brassed Off"...

Grimely London Paris Rome - but mainly Grimely

or something thereabouts

 

[graham]

Wessex Cave Club (the premier caving club of Europe and Somerset).

Does that mean they are still all using stinkies? 

 

[cap n chris]

No, Graham, it just means that you know who manufactures Carbide Lamps which many people used to use a long, long time ago in a galaxy just up the road.....

 

[Peter Burgess]

This is probably another one of those threads where I get flamed for being out of touch with the caving pulse of the average underground groupie.

You Speleo-Puritan, Chris. You'll be telling us you don't drink next!

 

[cap n chris]

I drink coffee  (terrible vice so I'll probably give it up soon).

 

[Peter Burgess]

I drink coffee  (terrible vice so I'll probably give it up soon).

Very sensible. I suggest a course of weak herbal teas for the next 6 weeks, and then come back to the surgery to tell us how you are getting on.

 

[Dep]

Coffee's great stuff - I drink gallons of it.
Given a choice between N vs S beers I would sooner drink coffee.
No hangover as long as I get lots more in the morning! 

...Mind you I'm still sitting here at 02:15 am!

 

[Mr Fell]

Coffee is crap BODDINGTONS is better

 

[cap n chris]

Coffee is crap BODDINGTONS is better

Mr. Fell, your coffee may well be crap but mine is the gourmet stuff - `cos I buy it myself.

 

[Mr Fell]

Coffee is crap BODDINGTONS is better

Mr. Fell, your coffee may well be crap but mine is the gourmet stuff - `cos I buy it myself.

Do you grind your own - or does it come in a packet?

 

[cap n chris]

Guess!