It's been two and half years since I took my daughter down Carr's
Show Mine, and I've been going on about taking her to a 'wild' mine since then.
Staying over New Years at Neathead with my family, what better chance was there
for a trip? Hannah is used to doing a lot of hill walking with treats and a
picnic (you always need a carrot), so the plan was to try and do it like that.
Talking with Karli and Sal we decided a trip to the Ballroom and back would be
a good route, with a picnic at the Ballroom - a very good way to spend the
afternoon. We set of underground at around 14:30, and it was a pleasure to get
into the mine and into the relative warmth - the weather was dire - wind and
rain, about 3°C.
We all passed through the gate and then came out of
the arching at the start of the drive in. Hannah was looking at everything and
was concerned that the water ahead was really deep; step in Karli and a piggy
back through it - squeals of delight - alright for some. Passing the Waterblast
Shaft, she took a liking to the orange ochre formation there and wanted a
photograph of it for Nana. Nana might spit her teeth out with the Danger Shaft
sign near it. Past the shaft, the first mine obstacle was encountered, the
slippery slope. We explained to Hannah that the mud here was really slippy and
that she had to balance against the walls and to use her hands on the floor as
well - 'I don't need to use my hands' came the reply, but after a few woes and
shrieks four limb traction was engaged. Sliding down on your bum was also
discovered which equalled big smiles. At the crawl she followed me through and
was quite bemused by the sloppy mud in the low bit, it was also interesting to
see that see carried on crawling because we all were - it had to be pointed out
that she could actually almost stand up. In the Hard Crosscut she really
started to motor and had to be reined in to stop running, when the fallen in
hopper appeared, more squeals and a 'yessss' with the prospect of another
crawl. In the flat area we had a look at some minerals and then made our way
through Northend Flats and back into the horse level heading for Smallcleugh
Flats.
At the branch for Gullyback Crosscut we took some photos and then
Sal showed Hannah the pony prints in the crosscut, when they came back it was
time for a few sweets and a drink of water. We climbed up above the crosscut
and then dropped back down into the level through the flats. Here we got Hannah
to climb down a shallow ore chute and then pop out of the hopper, great fun.
Moving on to Wheel Flats and George Hetherington's, I watched Hannah go through
the crosscut with great envy - oh to be only that tall (for those that don't
know, the crosscut is on average around 1m high and 50m long). Hands and knees
mostly for me with my currently stiff back. Once all out, we headed for the
Ballroom, on arrival the first few minutes were spent rediscovering the echo
properties of the large flat with raspberries, shouting, growling and generally
making as much noise as possible. Time for lunch and courtesy of Sal and Karli
a cooker was produced and a hot lunch of spaghetti hoops was served, followed
by a cup cake, chocolate bar and fudge sweets that were shared out. Sal had an
extra surprise of LED fairy lights, her wireless speaker and ipod - we then had
a dance to Madonna. It is me, or do the young not know they're born? I wonder
if Hannah thinks now it is all normal and will expect this sort of thing every
time? A signing of the guest book in the Ballroom saw us all pack up and head
back out the same way we came in. In Northend Flats we had a look for some bits
of galena and other sparklies for souvenirs.
On the way out past the
Waterblast Shaft we got the formation photo for Nana and then had a round of
face painting with mud. I had told Hannah that it was the done thing to get
muddied on your first proper mine trip. Back to base, a quick clean up and then
over the hill to Garrigill for a nice pint of spiced winter ale at the George
and Dragon, then back to base again and a New Year's Eve meal and lots of
drinkies - living the dream. Oh and yes, I was a very proud dad.
I am
really pleased that Hannah liked the trip, as it did have the potential for
being a nightmare as you never know. She does a lot of walking and scrambling
about so that was a good grounding. If anyone else is wanting to take their
kids underground I found this combination worked very well as I had most of it
already as part of our walking gear: wellies with two sets of fleece socks, ski
pants with braces (great for cushioning), waterproof jacket with fleece and a
skate board helmet (£8.00) from Decathlon coupled with a Fenix HL55 head
light. |
