Wednesday 29th November 2023

am. Mike Kushy. Used the sds and chisel attachment for a couple of hours. As you can see there's plenty of spoil, easily enough for an evenings clearance...but also stacked so drilling can be done. Mike.

Spoil awaiting clearance. Photo MK.

Tuesday 28th November 2023

Jake Baynes, John Cooper and Mike Kousiounis (Kushy). Initially just John hauling/emptying with Mike loading. Then joined by Jake emptying which enabled fuller loads. After 1½ hours all the loose spoil had been cleared so Jake and John left Mike to chisel away. Whenever John looked down the shaft his glasses fogged over (freezing on surface with nice warm draught from below). Two rebar supports loosely placed in situ ready for more supporting work to be done. 1½ hours, another 1 hour for Mike.

Jake at Bottom after clearing. Photo MK.

Sunday 26th November 2023

am. Sam Hill and Mike Kousiounis (Kushy). Measured the 30mm holes - 11 inches and 14 inches of rebar required. Drilled an extra couple of holes then banged bottom. Mike.

Friday 24th November 2023

John Cooper. Drilled some holes in the bottom. 2 holes x 30mm x 150mm deep ready for rebar supports. 6 x 10mm x 300mm ready for Mike on Sunday. 10mm holes are in the barrier and are marked with cable. Would have preferred the 30mm holes to be much lower below the bottom of the pipe. 1 hour. John.

Wednesday 22nd November 2023

Jake Baynes, John Cooper and Sam Hill. Sam at the bottom loading, John on the rope hauling (walking across the field) and Jake emptying. Once the loose spoil was removed Sam used the chisel drill to create more which was also cleared. Sam took photos before coming out. Now ready for the next bang. Also ready for the ring support to go in the drain roof. 1.5 hours. John.

Bottom drain at end of session. Photo SH.

Tuesday 21st November 2023

John Cooper. Went and chiselled out fractured rock left from previous bangs. Stopped when ran out of stacking space. 1 hour.John.

Sunday 19th November 2023

am: Sam Hill, Mike Kousiounis (Kushy), Dave Morrison (Tuska). Setting off charge.

pm: MK and SH arrived about 3pm to find Adrian Miles on surface and Jake Baynes down the hole clearing. A few swap arounds with AM and SH clearing. Plenty of buckets cleared. Finished about 4.45. Will need some hammer and chiselling to remove some loose lumps. We used a jammer on the rope and found walking away with the rope solved the muddy rope issue, Sams suggestion. Could do with a bit more rendering on the mud dam, but all in all its doing well. Will await photo after hammer and chiselling to propose next drill holes. Mike.

Wednesday 15th November 2023

John Cooper. Went to drill some holes in the bottom. 8 holes x 10mm x 400mm deep, ready for Mike on Sunday. 1 hour. John.

Sunday 5th November 2023

am. John Cooper and Mike Kousiounis (Kushy). Banged the holes prepared by John earlier in the week. 1 hour. John.

am. Dave Morrison. Preparation work for installing a winch. John.

pm. Jake Baynes, John Cooper and Mike Kousiounis (Kushy). Cleared the spoil created earlier in the day. One barrow load of cement installed in the roof of the drain to prevent mud ingress. 2 hours. John.

Bottom at end of session. Photo MK.

Wednesday 1st November 2023

John Cooper. Went to drill some holes in the bottom. 8 holes, mixture of 400mm and 500mm deep, ready for Mike on Sunday. Hail shower on exit. 1 hour. John.