I've been thinking, how is it that one can lose so many friends in a short time, then after some thought I arrived at the answer.
In caving, if we are active for some time and we visit areas all over Britain and often other countries too, then we get to know and share memorable adventures with a considerable number of people.
Some become lifelong friends.
Nigel and I had known each other for many decades, I think the adventure that I have recalled the most..
Was when Nigel and I, on reading the old mining records of Odin Mine near Castleton in the Peak District, found mention of natural caverns found by the early miners but then lost over time.
A good distance away in the valley below was the overgrown entrance to the miners drainage level,this was documented as containing "bad air", Nigel and I though if we took our diving bottles and breathed from demand valves , we might pass through the bad air section and get further than anyone else in recent times and hopefully re explore and map the lost caverns.
As it was, we progressed well, passing very carefully through partially collapsed sections.
Then one of us passed out, falling headlong into the cold stream, which fortunately bought about a reawakening and an about turn and an eventual return to the entrance and exit.
Over the coming days we realized our folly, that is that Diving equipment and above water breathing apparatus react completely differently in their separate environments.
I tell this story from the days of our youth, to then go on to illustrate the calibre of the man that Nigel had gained worldwide reputation for being...........
As I think has already been mentioned Nigel was an assessor for both the Cave and Mines leadership and instructors qualifications as well as voluntarily giving his time to as technical adviser to our national representative organisations.
I hadn't heard from Nigel for a couple of years, when he phoned me, I guess because from all those years ago when Chris Fox, Nigel and I (and others) had known each other in those embryonic years of our caving explorations, we could each therefor observe the measure of our advancement through the years, Nigel was so pleased and proud to share with me his latest news...
There had been a cave rescue over the other side of the world (Borneo?) which had highlighted the need for further developing a future response and Nigel had been asked to fly over, all expenses paid to share his expert knowledge and instruction........
Yes Nigel was quite a guy, unique and especially dear to those who knew him.
Richard.