Around me, the darkness is almost absolute. I could be all alone except for the ragged breathing
I hear around me, but these are strangers I’ve just met, so no comfort can be sought there.
Then, in the far distance, a light illuminates a forest of stone. Glistens on pools of water on the floor.
Reveals a magnificent suspended table of limestone in the tentative brightening.
We are in a subterranean wonderland. Frances Bussel was riding through the forest rounding up
the family’s cattle when her horse came to a standing stop and refused to go on. If it hadn’t, she would
have pitched 85 metres into this collapsed cavern. It took another 30 years before her brother John
and his friends let themselves down with ropes. Caving enthusiast Tim Connelly was the first man in.
The darkness around him glowed in the light of his candle. It was 1897. He landed in water.
I’m happy to be dry today. The fact can’t be escaped, though: we are a long way down under.I CAN’T SEE MY HANDS.
I CAN FEEL MY HEART THUDDING.
THE WINTER LIST SOUTH WEST AUSTRALIA