Hi all,
To say the camp days were eventful was really an understatement.....
My intentions were with Jenny to make an early start and drive to Elderslie (near Branxton) by 11am Thursday to our friends Blue and Sandee who were originally going to Lostock with us.
Fate stepped in and Blue took very ill and our first port of call was John Hunter Hospital to see Blue instead..... Sandee and Blue ordered us to go to Lostock eventually with us arriving at 5pm as Blue was going to be a hospital guest for a few days. We wish him a speedy recovery.
On arrival after fighting with the tent and putting up the gazebo in the heat, I put the scope together and proceeded to meet up with the neighbours madwayne, Jim and Wendy (jayemay). Then along the way Rob (absolut), with his solar setup, Alan with his collimation help and Bill our Texan friend we had a great Thursday night of viewing. The Jewelbox and Tarantula were outstanding.
Friday was very hot but we met up with a mate from last year Darren (otis quakes) who I went to Gresford for some supplies with and we just had to have a cold beer at the Gresford pub.
We got back in time for Alex talk on Telescope Maintenance and then a great swim to cool off in the river.
A cool change then came through but thats when the weather went feral and put an end to observations for the rest of the camp. Thankfully we cooked up a steamboat dinner which had other fellow campers eating prawns, squid, chicken, beef and noodles in a rather stop start affair with Ulrich (uwahl) bringing some wine to fortify the party.
We then moved to Jim and Wendy's camp fire and ate red frogs and maltesers along with more campers including our English friend Laura arriving late to join the yarns ranging from astronomy, accents, hercules planes, gun laws amongst other subjects. A truly memorable night despite the rain.
We packed up Saturday our wet tentage, telescope and other gear and managed to fit it all back in the Hilux ute and had a couple of sausages at the sausage sizzle before heading for home but knowing we will be back for other camps....
Thanks Mike for the camp and everyone for being so hospitable and friendly which made it so memorable.......
Scott and Jenny