On Monday, Simon and I had thought of going to Croesor but the weather was so bad that we decided to have a look around Diffwys Slate Mine instead. The weather was even worse when we met up at Manod but SimonRL assured me that he had a GPS thingy so we wouldn't get lost (Have you learnt how to use it yet Simon?)

After a walk across the moors in the rain we found the adit and went in. After spending a few minutes inflating the dinghy we decided to go for the crossing of the chamber. SimonRL went first and had an easy crossing but as soon as he stepped out on the other side, the dinghy decided to float away from the bank. Fortunately I had tied some string to the boat but this now meant that I would have to make the crossing myself.

Once we were both over, we decided that one of us had to go back and retrieve the camera, so off SimonRL set again. Then to my horror he discovered that the dinghy had been puncured. I decided that discretion was the better part of valour especially where swimming through an icy cold underground lake was involved and made a hasty retreat.

After retracing our steps we had a quick look around the surface, disappointed that our reccy beyond the flooded chamber had failed but counting our blessings that we were still alive!

Oh, and here's a piccy of Simon enjoying the cruise across the flooded chamber.

[img]http://www.aditnow.co.uk/showimage?f=/community/Personal-Album-19-Image-001/[/img]

Tuesday 8th May and I've finally got the last bits of SRT kit I needed. I now have a shiny new harness, cowstails and footloops. All I need now is a rope and a shaft to drop down, but at the same time part of me wants to keep the kit in its box all nice and clean!

Last night Barney, Sharon and I went for a quick look around Cwmorthin - the plan was to get through to Oakeley and return via the Lefel Ffrench and Back Vein incline. For a bit of fun I took along a Storm Lamp mainly to see how much light they actually gave off!

On our return I had just crossed the collapsed section when Barney and Sharon shouted to say that there was a pungent smell of tobacco in the air - at this very moment my lamp went out!

I relit the lamp and hung it on a hook on the ceiling and awaited the other two explorers. As they came over the top, the lamp, with no contact and no draught in the air at all began to rock violently on the hook and again extinguished.

Once the group had reassembled I checked the lamp hoping that the paraffin had run out as I really wanted there to be a natural explanation at that point. To my horror the lamp was still full of oil!

We made a hasty retreat!

Oh, and to the helpful(?) person who blocked up the pipe on the old dam near the hurdles don't bother next time!