Classic trips are ones that you can return to, time after time and still think, "That was great". The round trip from County pot via Platypus junction and Spout Hall is definitely one such trip.
Fortunately the icy hail storm that blew in while we were getting changed was short lived, though an ominous rumble of thunder while we crossed the moor kept us focussed on the weather. It has been very wet of late, but Easegill was dry and we were soon at the hatched entrance to County.
The pitch allowed me to practice some of the skills I'd learnt on my level 2 training and even Dick was kind enough to let me clip him in, the comments about "ropes and blommin' belays, never had those back in the day..." becoming quieter as he descend the ladder.
From Broadway we made our way downstream to Toadstool junction where Kate and Joe found that cave photography can often take a little bit longer than photos on the surface. Continuing to follow the water we quickly arrived at Platypus junction and decided that in actual fact the formation just above the "platypus", looks much more like a crocodile.
Upstream now and passing Poetic justice we made our way up into Spout Hall.
It was then just a short distance back to Broadway, the small climb, pitch and thrutch up the final meanders.
The Barbon Inn is now back to it's very best, a roaring log fire with comfy sofas around it and pretty good beer too.
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