The beginning of an ambitious mining project

What you see here is my latest endevour, to dig a mine shaft down to bedrock. Unlike my previous mine shafts this one is 21 by 21 blocks across. It takes about 1 iron pickaxe and nearly 1 Minecraft day to go down one block. Then it’s a quick run back to base to unload the stone, craft some new tools and get some shut eye before the next day.

And yes, those 2 blocks of iron ore look like cow paddies.