Say Cheese

Last weekend Jim and I tried diving through to Buxton Water Aven to survey the passage but equipment problems changed our plans. Instead we went up to Ink Sump and collected some kit and put the trip off until this weekend. During the week I got a text from Jim telling me that Tim was available to photograph the Aven, so the surveying was off again (if the camera worked).

The day started well when Richard and Rachel appeared in Castleton at just the right time to carry my kit from the van to the Chapel. They had a run planned and looked a little incongruous with caving tackle bags but I was more than happy with their help. Once the serious business of tea drinking had been sorted out we headed off into Peak Cavern and the welcome cool off in Buxton Water sump. Tim dived first, Jim was second and I followed about half an hour later to give Tim and Jim time to set up the photographic equipment and take positions. With all three of use in the Aven Tim gave instructions of the usual type: Look to the left, look to the right, put your right arm down half a foot, turn your lights on/off, hold still, stop breathing etc. Using one camera position Tim took a good number of pictures with Jim and me moving around to different positions in the Aven.

When we thought we had enough pictures to maybe get one or two good ones we made our exit. As the camera gear had worked well we didn’t do any survey work this time so that still needs doing. The only blemish on the day was the poor timing of Richard and Rachel during the afternoon. I bumped into them just after I had finished moving all my gear back to the van.

Thanks to Tim Webber for coming along, taking the pictures and for allowing some of them to be published here; there are others but they are destined for an article that Jim is putting together. 🙂

Series - Buxton Water Aven

1. Rift bang rockfall
2. Sunday the 13th, drillfall…
3. Say Cheese