Bretti 2014

glend (Glen) · #1 17-01-2014, 08:00 AM

Just putting this forward for discussion of possible Bretti Reserve astro camp dates and arrangements for 2014.

As past attendees know, Bretti Reserve is located NW of Gloucester NSW on the Thunderbolt way and is a long stay free camp that provides a great dark sky location not too far from Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle, and the mid-north coast of NSW. Bretti is can get hot in the warmer months (right Owl?) so it's primarily a cooler month destination.

Here is one link to more information about the Bretti Reserve facilities:

http://www.findacamp.com.au/camp-site.php?camp=605

New Moon (or no moon) weekends are an obvious period for stays at Bretti, so keep an eye on this thread during 2014. Anyone can propose a get together there.

Possible new moon/ no moon calendar periods for consideration:

28-31 March, 26-29 April, 26-31 May, 27-29 June, 25-27 July, 21-24 August, 19-21 September, 21-26 October.

Note: For those planning to attend, the 8th IISAC event, IISAC2014, is set to take place in late-April: 24th-27th April 2014.

PS: This thread is not intended to distract, or compete, with other IIS Star Parties, Pony Club or other events like the Lake Chaffey Trip, all of which are great worthy events in their own right. It's simply another option for us to get together and enjoy astronomy at a dark site.

Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin) · #2 24-01-2014, 06:57 AM

Thanks for doing this Glen, will have to try and keep it floating😊

Probably won't be attending the IIS camp this year as I tend to congregate better in smaller numbers with a group that can tolerate me 😄

A mid year rendezvous is a better choice with me, prob June, July or aug but will have to work on it, these days working mon to fri make it difficult to arrange anything 😩😩

Harb · #3 24-01-2014, 07:07 AM

Just came back from a few days there............
I would be up for a trip back up depending on when it happens.
I will keep an eye on this thread.

Harb

Allan_L (Allan) · #4 24-01-2014, 07:57 PM

I am always keen for a Bretti field trip.
You name it.
I'll try to arrange my pass.

New scope = keen to see what I can stretch it to !

Fizics (John) · #5 24-01-2014, 08:53 PM

Count me in. Any of those dates should be ok.

John

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #6 30-01-2014, 10:25 PM

May looks good for me at this stage.

glend (Glen) · #7 31-01-2014, 09:35 AM

Great Geoff! The new camper will bring a new level of comfort eh?

I hope to get up there a few times this year, maybe an autumn, winter and spring trip at the minimum. It's too good (and close) to waste the opportunity if I can get there.

Let's discuss at Lake Chaffey.

Rick Petrie · #8 31-01-2014, 07:53 PM

Get back from OS in late April, so May will be good for me too.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #9 31-01-2014, 10:49 PM

WHAT! new camper geoffro?

geoff

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #10 01-02-2014, 12:07 AM

Hi Geoff. I bought a 2nd hand camper trailer. Similar to Deeno's set up. It will probably take me a while to set for the first time.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #11 01-02-2014, 12:31 AM

you mean you haven't been practicing in the front yard?

it might have holes in it!

geoff

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #12 02-02-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl

you mean you haven't been practicing in the front yard?

it might have holes in it!

geoff

Hi Geoff,
If you saw my front yard, you would know it would be easier to set up this thing on on of the Three Sisters at Katoomba.
Seriously, It was half set up at the place I bought it, and no holes....

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #13 02-02-2014, 05:54 PM

April also could be on the cards....

My wife is going away for a while in April, so I could try to get away and play up then.

glend (Glen) · #14 02-02-2014, 07:47 PM

Geoff, April would be the 26-29 April, pretty much right on top of the IIS2014 Astro Camp. Not that I mind because I'd rather be at Bretti but its something that others might want to go to.

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #15 16-02-2014, 09:33 AM

I will see how work goes then. Fingers crossed....

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #16 02-03-2014, 06:53 PM

Just keeping this thread alive and saying that April or maybe May would be OK for me at this stage.

What about everyone else ?

geoffro

absolut (Rob) · #17 02-03-2014, 07:40 PM

Hey!

I'd be looking more towards May.

Should be cooler during the day without being too cold at night.

Allan · #18 02-03-2014, 08:04 PM

Hi Rob, I am hearing you. No more camping when it's hot for me.

I have got a month off starting in a few weeks, so I am going to head up to Bretti around the next new moon. Chaffey Dam reminded me again how much I love dark skies, and 1 nights observing was just not enough to satisfy the appetite.

April is IISAC for me, and then SPSP in May. Anyone else heading to those parties?

glend (Glen) · #19 02-03-2014, 09:00 PM

"....so I am going to head up to Bretti around the next new moon."

Allan I may be able to get up to Bretti the last weekend of March if your planning on going up let us know when (new moon on the 31st. Maybe others may be interested as well .

Re your question on ISSAC and SPSP, I won't be attending those events.

I agree with trying to avoid the heat, poor Toby is still recovering.

Geoff and Rob, May sounds good to me as well and I believe Ric said they will be back from europe by then.

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #20 05-03-2014, 05:37 PM

Hi Glen,
Don't know if I can get away next new Moon.
I will try though. Even if for just a couple of days. I really like Bretti and it's closer than Chaffey too.
And yes Allan, it was too hot for me too. Nice cool Winter camping is my preference.

Geoffro.