Ogof Draenen, Pwll Du, South Wales
Saturday 24th January 2004

A five and a half hour trip to a new area of the system for Dudley Caving Club, taking in Gilwern Passage and the St. Giles series.  We are already taking about the possibility of another two trips to complete this part of the system which includes large passage, lovely decorations and a superb streamway - all complimented with generous quantities of mud.

Nick Goodall by the Gilwern Passage Waterfall

Peter Litherland in Gilwern Passage

Present:  KEd, NGo, PLi & BMa.

St. Cuthbert's Swallet, Priddy, Somerset
Sunday 1st February 2004

Due to high water conditions a two and a half hour trip blast around this complex and beautifully decorated system was all that could be done.

Present:  MCl, KEd, EPo, PLi & BMa.

Ogof Draenen, Pwll Du, South Wales
Saturday 7th February 2004

First we went and did the Waterfall Series, then Wonder Bra bypass to Lamb and Fox Chamber, Indiana Highway to Raiders Passage, but didn't go too far because of the bats.  Did some side passages off Lamb and Fox, then down the main drag to Tea Junction and then Gilwern Passage - did everything we did two weeks ago and went a little bit further. Finally we went down the Main Streamway for an half and hour before returning to Cairn Chamber via the short cut.
All in six and a half hours.

Seb Ballard in Galleria Garimpeiros Hearts of Olden Glory

Seb Ballard in Galleria Garimpeiros Forever Changed

Present:  SBa & BMa.

Sidetrack Cave, Eldon Hill Quarry, Derbyshire
Sunday 15th February 2004

Hats of to Mike Cavanagh.  Is there no stopping this man?  He asked to go into Sidetrack Cave and doubts were expressed about its suitability for cavers of larger than average build.
The tight entrance crawl is certainly not for the claustrophobic, however the cave itself is well worth all the effort it takes to see the formations and maybe one day we shall return - or maybe not!

Photos to follow shortly.

Present:  PAn, MCa & AGr.

Eastwater Cavern, Priddy, Somerset
Sunday 22nd February 2004

Another 'Brendan Marris Classic Cave', a real collectors item, consisting of boulders, boulders and more boulders, steeply inclined highly polished bedding planes and small crawling arduous connecting passages.  Another one to tick off me thinks!

Present:  SBa, KEd & BMa.

Ogof Draenen, Pwll Du, South Wales
Sunday 7th March 2004

We managed to get to Rifleman's Chamber at the end of the streamway.  The streamway is not too impressive, but the dig in Rifleman's is! This is a full scale mining operation, on the surface it would be impressive, over two hours into a cave it is amazing.

Present:  BMa & PSm.

OFD 2, Penwyllt, South Wales
Saturday 20th March 2004

A photographic trip incorporating a gentle meander around Top Entrance and also being Jim's return to caving after his enforced layoff.

Present:  JDu, JSm & ASt.

OFD 2, Penwyllt, South Wales
Saturday 20th March 2004

A trip to Northern Lights, a first for all of the members of the party.  A fantastic area of the cave and one we shall be visiting again.

Seb Ballard on route to Northern Lights

Present:  SBa, JCa, KEd, CJe & BMa.

OFD 2, Penwyllt, South Wales
Sunday 21st March 2004

A leisurely trip to Chasm Passage via a new route and back to Salubrious Streamway via the Labyrinth.

Mike Cavanagh by Top Entrance

Present:  MCa, JDu, KEd, BMa, JSm & ASt.