61: Not much more....
We've decided to post less regularly on this site until we are in. Firstly, because of the time it takes to research material, secondly because our work commitments are heavy, and thirdly because most of you are wondering when we will finally break in and I'm sure some of you wonder if we really are legitimate. We are, but I don't blame any who are having doubts (even we doubt sometimes). We can only get across the the site once a month and when we do, we need to ensure our arrival and departure remains unseen. Even more importantly we need the rain to stop at a time we can all schedule to be together and sometimes that is not possible so the final entry gets delayed further and further.
The pic below shows one of the way-stations dug at Kūwaha Tāwhetaana. It is dug deeper than the crawl space so we are able to move around slightly...and I mean slightly! One more is required unless the fill stops just 8' (2.5m) or so ahead. It doesn't sound like much but when you are digging through clay and rock it seems an endless task. The small gap you see at the end of the last way point is only about 10" (25cm) high. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, there is no light at the end of our tunnel - it's what is in the cave that we want to bring into the light for all to see.
There is now a suspicion that the phreatic tube goes in much further than the blocked portion. Even if that is the case, we are unsure if clearing the final portion will allow time to crawl in further to the cave proper to investigate. We cannot explain why this is, but it time you will understand.
But lets hope we can confirm something soon other than just we have passed the final barrier. We will say however, that the delays have been good in that it has allowed time to prepare and think about what we will find and how to present it and not just go off half cocked. This task given to IJ (assuming what we believe is inside is actually inside) has to be done perfectly, covering all bases, and knowing how to get around all political and legal obstacles...and negativity that will surely come our way. It has to be timed perfectly or it will fail.
Now remember - what we are seeking is a large group of 8' plus Maori skeletons laid out on pre-cut shelves in the sandstone walls, within a cave that was concealed years ago once archaeologists and Maori leaders of the day saw what was inside. It was hidden, not destroyed. This can only mean they intended to open it up sometime in the future when it suited them. Right now would be inconvenient politically and historically.
And there is another discovery elsewhere in the world about to come out in July. If it is legitimate it will only aid our cause.
IJ & MD
Postscript : Sadly, it goes on twice the expected length. This will take more time
