Saturday, August 9, 2003

Greetings,

A very warm, very muggy near windless day in Weardale with lots of mist in the air making for a gray day. Perfect for the local hay farmers who have been able to leave the hay to dry in the fields for more than a week for the first time in more than five years.

Kerith and I had made arrangements for Peter Briscoe and friend June along with John Herring and his son Elliot along with geologist Colin Smith and friend Colin and nephew Steven to visit the mine about 11:00 a.m. We occupied our time playing cards and chores around the house. Peter and John and crew were due by at 10:30 a.m. and we were to meet Colin and co. at the Durham Dales Center at 11:00 a.m. but traffic caused all this to be put back and it was nearly noon before we got up to the mine. We were up there till a bit after 2:00 p.m. and I believe all had a good time. It was Peter's first visit since just after the discovery of the Black Sheep Pocket in 1999 so he was able to see the progress underground. He had brought along the proofs for the upcoming article about the Rogerley mine in the UK Journal of Mines and Mineralogy which will be out in time for the Harrogate show the 23rd of August.

Little else was accomplished yesterday. We stopped by to see Jonina at the Drift where she was busy sawing specimens in an attempt to stay cool in the back spray from the 12" saw. Our plans for Sunday involve the first attempt at putting together one of those 10' storage sheds and getting it waterproofed. I know they come with instructions but my last attempt at something along this line ended with me looking for some way to burn the item in question due to frustration.

Today, Sunday, may even be hotter than yesterday and there is still the outside chance that the all-time temperature record in the UK will be broken today somewhere in the southeast of England.

That's it from here.

Best Regards,

Cal & Kerith

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