Riding off into the sunset at Ogof Gofan

We had an idea that we might capture a great sunset through the large window in the cliff face and so we made a reasonably late start heading off to the cave after lunch time.
The entrance was rigged and Chloe and Mark Burgess headed down into the cave to go and have an explore as they had not visited the cave before. The four remaining cavers then worked on taking some video and photos in the entrance window. Mark had taken a photo of a reflection of a cave scene in someone's eye in Hillier's Cave some weeks back and wanted to try and get a classic shot of the entrance window and also a reflection of it in a caver's eye.
The entrance photos, the reflection photos and a section of video was shot in the entrance, the photos of which can be viewed below.

The Entrance - Ogof Gofan - Photo Mark Burkey

Reflection in a caver's eye - Ogof Gofan - Photo Mark Burkey

Reflection in a caver's eye - Ogof Gofan - Photo Mark Burkey

With entrance shots and the reflections complete we took a photo in the main chamber as we still had a little time to kill before the sun would begin to set.

The Main Chamber - Ogof Gofan - Photo Brendan Marris

Brendan Mark and Jess were now the only people in the cave and we moved to the window overlooking Hollow Caves Bay. Brendan practiced some shots while Jess changed into a clean oversuits and Mark took the opportunity to shoot some spiders with his macro lens.

An eight legged friend - Ogof Gofan - Photo Mark Burkey

Finally the sky cleared a little and the sun began to set. We took some photos over the next 50 minutes as the sun dropped, culminating with the impressive red sky about 10 minutes after the sun had gone over the horizon.

Sunset at Ogof Gofan - Photo Brendan Marris

Present:- Caving Group 1: Mark Burgess and Chloe Burney

Present:- Photography Group 2: Mark Burkey, Jessica Burkey, Keith Edwards and Brendan Marris

Swinging in Pembrokeshire, A day at the seaside but still no ice-cream!!!

Saturday saw Jess and I having a little play in OFD Top to try out my new toys and provide a stop over a little closer for our planned outing on the west coastline on Sunday.
Brendan and Keith also decided this would be a good plan and joined us Saturday night at the SWCC.
As many know Jess and I do like a lie in when we do our camping trips, but this time I was just too excited to stay in bed later than 7.30am. I have been lucky to tick off many of my bucket list trips of late and Sunday's trip has been at the top for some time.
I have been pestering Keith and Brendan for a trip to Ogof Gofan for over a year and my constant nagging finally paid off. We made an early start from the SWCC at 8am and didn't reach our breakfast stop at St Clears till gone 9am. The only option open to us for our traditional start to a caving trip was a Little Chef which had just had a coach party descend on them.
With all our delays it was near midday before we found ourselves changing on the MOD live fire range. The tranquil coastline setting was almost unspoilt aside from the numerous warning signs and the helicopter gunship circling above us. Undaunted we made our way to the cliff face above the entrance to Ogof Gofan.
We took no chances with the rigging, using two natural anchors as well as the two rusted stakes and several rope protectors over the sharp rock. The abseil is only short but feels quite exposed as the waves crash in to the cliff face below.
I waited at the entrance to take a couple of shots whilst Jess went off to begin exploring.  Once Keith and Brendan had joined me we all begun thrutching through the short crawls to join Jess at the 2nd Window. From here again we crawled and squeezed up through the chambers until we popped through in to the impressive 5th Chamber. This has a very continental feel to the formations and I took a good while taking pictures here.
From the 5th Chamber we climbed up and squeezed through to the 6th Chamber. Keith wormed his way down an inviting body sized hole in to a boulder choke only to find the ceiling above him looking rather delicate, so carefully he made his way back to us.
Again we explored, filmed and photographed the final chamber of this short but beautiful cave.
Finally it was time to make our way back. We were soon back at the entrance pitch and each made our way carefully back to the surface. Walking back to the car park we all agreed it had been an excellent days caving and to top it off there was even an ice-cream van waiting for us.......at least until we reached the gate, at which point he decided to drive off........Typical!

The video from our day out at the seaside

(Saturday) Jess in Big Chamber Near The Entrance OFD II. Photo Mark Burkey

Keith on the entrance pitch. Photo Mark Burkey

Mark admires the view from the second window of Ogof Gofan. Photo Brendan Marris

Jess in the 5th Chamber. Photo Mark Burkey

Jess in the 5th Chamber. Photo Mark Burkey

Jess in the 5th chamber. Photo Mark Burkey

Present: Jess Burkey, Brendan Marris, Keith Edwards & Mark Burkey

Ogof Gofan - In the firing line

Two journeys out to Pembrokeshire in failed attempts to find Ogof Gofan ensured that this time we did some real homework. Now armed with sketches and some local knowledge we felt confident that finding the cave would be a breeze. We arrived at the firing range and changed in the public car park, before walking along the coastal path past Huntsman's leap and out to Saddle Head.

Searching the cliff tops for signs of the cave below

Our instructions pointed us to the correct location, but after scrambling down the top section of the of the cliff we found to very unconvincing looking rusty of steel belays and spent a good deal of time checking all other possibilities, before deciding it was the correct spot and gingerly committed ourselves to the rusty stakes, backed up to naturals belays from the rock.

Graham rigging the pitch from the cliffs down to the cave entrance

Graham using tackle bags as rope protectors over the sharp rocks of the cliff

The limestone cliffs are incredibly sharp and our 9mm rope was very vulnerable as it ran over the ragged edge. Careful placement of tackle bags gave us a degree of protection of the rope for our descent to find the cave entrance.

Graham drops down to the cave entrance as Carol waits above

Keith Abseils into the cave entrance with the view out to sea

The pitch dropped round a corner to reveal a steeply ascending slope up to a balcony overlooking the sea. Once all in the entrance we de-kitted and made our way through the well decorated crawls passing a second entrance that provided a stunning view over Hollow Caves Bay.

The second entrance provides a dramatic view out over Hollow Caves Bay

From the balcony a short length of crawl through some low wet well decorated passage led to a tight squeeze up into the Main Chamber.

Graham and Carol in the main chamber of Ogof Gofan

Keith Edwards by the crystal pool that surrounds the massive central column

Carol Northall in the main chamber of Ogof Gofan

Keith Edwards in the main chamber of Ogof Gofan

Carol Northall in the main chamber of Ogof Gofan

Photos and video was taken in the main chamber before we made our way out of the cave and back up the cliff. Carol and Graham in their previous trips to this area had discovered a quaint little cafe in Bosherton, so we called in for the obligatory tea and scones before setting off on the long journey back.

The day was rounded off with a visit to the Olde Worlde Cafe for tea and scones

Present: Brendan Marris, Keith Edwards, Carol Northall and Graham Coates