Friday - drive up there was kinda the storm after the mega sunshine, but we were going to Wales so it had to rain.

Saturday - Frankly breakfast was by Frank. Arrived on site nearly at 9 o'clock(ish) to overcast and drizzly (weather).

Morning was spent imitating Glastonbury 2005 - loadsa mud and no music (Hi Sally and Andy :) mud clay was supplied by Dave and Nigel (the Dumper and Digger), mud slinging was had by all and we also had Bob the human Whacker plate. It rained for 5 minutes whilst we had tea (and coffee) in the visitor centre (along with the coal dragons and the sheep tea towels - it was Wales). Frank got in a hole with a local... to seal the side pond bi-wash outflow (erm thing) they were also playing stuck in the mud/fill a wellie [the spell check prefers Willie?!] with muddy water (sounds Glastonbury like again?!). Nigel and Dave, dug and dumped clay - we think they may have been trying to create a raised bank that will become a path - possibly. Taz and Rick practised their archaeology - cleaning out a seam of mortar on the sidepond spillway, oh and playing with the local wildlife - 5 toads, a newt etc . Whilst at the same time Helen, Liz and Chris were doing strange things with sandbags, traffic cones and a devise to mix cement with other substances.

Things were going well until five o'clock (just as we were about to leave site minus the dinner crew who were already dinnering) when Nigel (having obtained permission from the dig leader Tim (47)) learnt the hard way not to dig himself complete with excavator into a hole he can't get out of. Two hours, lots of shovelling, swearing and tree-trunks later the excavator and Nigel were returned to solid ground (blackmail photos to follow). Spirits were improved by a splendid curry and 47th birthday cake (oh you're that old are you Tim??).

Sunday - Sunny and Nice and The Dignitaries came for lunch.

Taz and Rick finished (this is only a little cryptic) removing vegetables from the overflow however the current crop is not the last so leek soup/curry can be enjoyed by all on the next camp too!! Tim had a go on the excavator (for the 1st time in many years) and did not do hippo impersonations with it. David broke the dumper (something to do with its gears?). A late lunch was had so that we would not disturb the dignitaries (including David Fletcher IWA chairman who was receiving an award on behalf of WRG as photographed by Tim Lewis) from having theirs, But they then came to see us working after their lunch Just as we were going to Our lunch - several people triffled with the remains of the dignitaries lunch. The hole digging crew (this time not digging the excavator out) turned into the concrete making crew (to make a base for the outflow). Taz and Rick continued to point and reset stones. The dignitaries did visit to see us working and then it was Home time - back across that big 7 bridge (except for Taz the almost local contingent).

Motto for the dig - when you're in a hole stop digging!!

AND we didn't make it to the pub either Friday or Saturday night!! - what is happening to us (we are seriously worried - come back Andy and Sal, Martin and Lesley - is it Tim getting old or Frank(ly) just past it??) Oh god help us, we're turning into Essex WRG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO! [Frank - you've got a long way to go yet!]

luv and *Hugs!!* Helen (aka The Purple Fairy)!!, Tim (of The Lewis variety), Taz (girl), Nigel (The Elite Excavator Explorer to the inner earth), Rick (SBT), Chris (Nigel's son), Frank (from Essex but actually Hertford), Liz (for half a day), (Sleepy) David and Bob (the human whacker plate).