It rained. But the caving was brilliant.
Friday saw my first ever stay in the caravans in Ingleton, but it wasn't as bad as people have made it out to be in the past! In fact I thought it was rather nice, though it did need the heating on until the number of bodies increased. We will be using the caravans again on Yorks II! so put a date in your diary.
Sam said that only really keen people went caving before midday, so I guess our departure for Saturday’s caving at 12:02pm makes us fairly keen, but still enjoying sleep and a large fried breakfast. The rain was the subject of much mumbling, but eventually keen-ness won and we changed into furry suits before we left, in an attempt to minimise the time spent standing in the rain outside the Red Rose farmhouse. After a chilly stroll in the vicious rain, we arrived at the Ease Gill Beck, which was a rushing torrent, somewhat different to its usual state: namely bone dry!
Underground in Wretched Rabbit was much drier, and out of the wind, so we warmed up as the group followed the small stream through winding passages and down to the main streamway. The last bit of passage had the telltale signs of recent flooding: froth and debris on the ceiling. While we looked at the streamway rushing past, the water rose about 2 inches in ten minutes, a subtle warning of the care that needs to be taken.
On the way out we looked around some larger bits, but I can’t remember the names of the various bits.
After a tasty curry (at least, I thought it was nice), the Marton Arms beckoned, with its 15 real ales and over 100 whiskies… a great deal better than normal Cambridge pubs. Many old lags made their presence known, including Clive sporting a huge facial hair growth around his chin.
On Sunday Tony and Sam were not as enthusiastic for caving than the students, so Andy Waddington led a trip down Valley Entrance, failed to find East Entrance (or rather, did find it but was confused by the amount of water flowing out of it), and tried to kill students by dropping a tackle sack on us from the top of the climb into Toyland. The stream was in sufficient flow to allow some floating over the small rapids, which was a bit cold but lots of fun.
Cavers: Theo Honohan, Andrew Firth, Alan Barr, Mark Shinwell, Me, Jonathan Carr, Tony, Sam, Becka and Julian (involuntarily), Andy.
Sign up now so we can organise transport. I don't know cost at time of writing, but it will be around £15 to £20. Transport is the biggest cost, which is why it won't be much cheaper than a whole weekend.
Thursday, 7:15pm in Queens. Meet in Steve's room. Tell Steve now if you want to go, if there is still time to sign more people up.
SOCIAL SECRETARY
To make sure mistakes like not knowing that your college doesn't do formal halls when you want them to don't happen again! Someone asked for more info about this, but I deleted her e-mail in a fit of zealous inbox clearing. If anyone wants to know more about how the club is run, or want to be on the committee, just let one of the present committee know. It won't involve much for now, but if you think caving is the best thing since sliced bread, Gardie's or beer (admit it, you do), and you want to get involved then why not find out now what happens behind the scenes. Or you could be like me, and most of the committee, and jump in at the deep end!.
Mountains of food, for not much money. Lunches started last week and start properly this week. They're in Andrew Ketley's room on Thursdays (see the end of message for details). Time 1200 - 1330; cost £1.20; basically mammoth, cheese, and pickle sandwiches, crisps and whatever nice sweet things Andrew feels inspired to buy from Sainsbury's. (Special requests will certainly be considered). I've got no room for details of how to get there: read your e-mail!
Tim Vasby-Burnie trv21@cam.ac.uk
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