Thurs trip 06/09/11

[evan john]

Here is this week`s fun!!!!!

Trip: Maeshafn Mine

Trip type:  Digging or mooch for non diggers

Meet point: Meet at Maeshafn village centre or go straight to the usual parking spot

Meet time: 18.30

Notes: You will get muddy, it will be dark, there is an incline with a knotted rope to climb as part of the trip

Have fun!!

[Vikki Sestan]

I'll be there, and have new suit to get nice and muddy :-)

[John Nicholson]

Where is the 'usual place'? John N

[John Oh]

Guess what, I am not out again this week, I have another fun trip to prison arranged

[Tim Watts]

john (and all), meeting by this grit bin at 6:30,

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=53.139977,-3.19752&spn=0.000874,0.001725&t=h&z=19&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=53.139977,-3.19752&panoid=aRaFRYUaDuqA81awXUisPA&cbp=12,328.85,,0,18.06

[John Nicholson]

Wow what an experience!  I thought mines were all like Cwm Orthin and the Spar mine â€" you can generally walk around but may have to climb ladders and inclines.  Whereas, caves are more beautiful but designed by nature for water not mankind.  This mine was a very slippery squeeze hole, with some horrible looking holes to fall into. Although it is an education to watch the experienced members slip through with such apparent ease and confidence, it was a very challenging feat for the likes of me!  The only benefit was seeing a small piece of glittering galena, now the latest trophy to our rock and mineral samples.

I left the car park with Ian’s helmet and a torch and a head light. I can’t even remember who loaned them to me.  Can I bring them along next time?

Sad news about the Glan.  Is this the landlord who so kindly made us such superb sandwiches?  Where will he go to?  It seems such a lovely pub and a great pity if it closes.  In my work selling and collecting cooking oil it is clear how most places are really struggling for want of more customers.  In a debt funded economy why is David Cameron suggesting the public should make more effort to pay off their loans rather than spending money on local businesses?

[Tim Watts]

John, Glad you enjoyed it. You did fine! It can be un-nerving when littler things happen,

I remember coming out of a cave a while ago (OHA) and as I was prussicing up a rope my lamp batteries died and I was suddenly in darkness. Even though I had a spare lamp, I was tired and for whatever reason the rest of the trip seemed less enjoyable that it had up to that point. Its interesting that little things can be so unnerving underground.

The little black LED torch is mine, I have it cable tied to the side of my helmet as a backup - I've had one attached like that ever since the mid pitch lamp failure I described above - but I'm in no rush for it back as I have another just like it.

The variety of caves and mines is fantastic in terms of the type of terrain through which you must travel. Some of the tighter more awkward mines make it very clear what the conditions must have been like for the guys who used to work down there day in day out!

I have to say, the phrase 'experienced members' make me chuckle! :-)

[Martin Poole]

[quote="JohnNicholson" post=2694] it was a very challenging feat for the likes of me!  The only benefit was seeing a small piece of glittering galena, now the latest trophy to our rock and mineral samples.
[/quote]did you pick it from the walls or from the floor?

[Ian A]

You fussy, annoying, troublesome nuisance Marty :whistle:

In fact .... he didn't pick it up at all - I did.

It was inside a rock that was part of an area of fallen deads. I recognised the rock as probably containing galena and knowing of the enthusiasm of several of the group members and believing they would enjoy their first experience of real galena "in situ", I smashed the rock open on the other fallens deads and it broke (as expected) into many pieces revealing plenty of small sized pieces of galena

If you want to argue I took "tools" in to the mine for the purpose of extracting minerals (ie. my hands) I will argue it was laying on the floor.

Now, stick to your own motto and go and have a nice cup of shut the fuck up!



Ian

[John Nicholson]

I met a little man down there with a big red nose,
and he gave it to me,
saying...

"Never you come back in here again because it all a mine, mine, mine."

[mike leahy]

[quote="Ian" post=2697]You fussy, annoying, troublesome nuisance Marty :whistle:

In fact .... he didn't pick it up at all - I did.

It was inside a rock that was part of an area of fallen deads. I recognised the rock as probably containing galena and knowing of the enthusiasm of several of the group members and believing they would enjoy their first experience of real galena "in situ", I smashed the rock open on the other fallens deads and it broke (as expected) into many pieces revealing plenty of small sized pieces of galena

If you want to argue I took "tools" in to the mine for the purpose of extracting minerals (ie. my hands) I will argue it was laying on the floor.

Now, stick to your own motto and go and have a nice cup of shut the fuck up!



Ian[/quote]

lol. ye farty whay he said:blink: :blink: :blink: :blink:

[Tim Watts]

yer, besides, we had all the tools at the dig :-)

[mike leahy]

a pretty succesfull dig it was too:)

[Ian A]

Did you dig any minerals out ?

[Tim Watts]

just plenty of rock.and clay!