Chris, Luke, Joe and Rob
Ashwood Dale’s proximity to Luke’s house meant we were treated to a rare outing from him. We tried to cram three cars in the small layby, but with Rob due to join later on he’d have to find his own spot. Neither Luke nor Chris were particularly enthused by the horrendous walk up the A6, as we desperately tried to avoid being flattened by a lorry, but the comfortable and sociable dig entrance more than makes up for it.
I went first at the face and continued chiselling out blocks from the fractured roof, which seems to be a kind of thin hading bedding. I made about a foot of progress as we shuttled the kibbles back round the awkward corner about halfway down the cave. Three was the perfect number as it required one person to remain in the middle and negotiate it round the corner without it getting caught up.
Chris and Luke took over next and we all rotated so I could sit in the sun and drink beer and chat to Rob, who had now arrived. The boys made excellent progress and eventually emerged with some big blocks out of the corner so that the kibble could just about make it all the way through without the need for someone in the middle.
Luke took over next and I sat behind him backseat digging and providing little to no help. Unfortunately, possibly due to the relentless heavy chiselling, my drill began making a horrendous crunchy noise, which I don’t think it’s supposed to do. Weirdly, it sounded absolutely fine when drilling, and only made the noise when on hammer only. With capping being painfully ineffective in the shattered rock, we were forced to call it a night and head for our new favourite pub in Taddington, miles away from Luke’s house.
