16Th Snake Valley Camp.

[mill]

16th SNAKE VALLEY

ASTRONOMY CAMP

It's on again . . . .


8th - 12th MARCH 2013


4 nights of beautiful dark sky away from City glare.

- LIMITED TO 50 BOOKINGS ONLY -

(plus casual visitors also welcome.


Bookings can be made in this thread

Please copy/paste this booking information into your post:
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Name:
How many people:
Number of nights:
Which nights:
Bunkhouse or camping:
Saturday night feast:

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- The observing field has 240 volt mains Power

- There are 12 bunkhouses (from 2 to 8 bunks) and lots of camping space on the observing field.
- Caravans welcome.
- Hot showers & toilets in a caravan park style amenities block.
- Large dining room for about 60 people
- Recreation room (billiards, table tennis)
- Fully equipped kitchen with all cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, fridges etc.
- Lake for swimming, fishing, canoeing etc.
- BBQ facilities

*Please note, Bunkhouses CANNOT be booked for one night only.
We have previously lost bookings due to bunkhouses being used for only one night when people wanted to book them for 3 or 4

nights and couldn't because of the 'one night' stayer booking it first.
Exceptions are accepted if you are in a shared bunkhouse with others staying more than one night.
Alternatively, the campsite is available for one night if that's all you can stay.

*Alcohol is allowed, but 'drunkenness' will not be tolerated. Offenders will be asked to leave.

* Aerosols of any description (Aeroguard, deodorant etc) are TOTALLY BANNED on the observing field. Stray spray could (and

has) permanently damage optics.


Snake Valley Astronomy Camps are fun, low key social events. A white light ban is in force (as expected), but due to the

nature of our camps, imagers and observers are all mixed in together having a great social astronomy experience.

Red Lights (Red LED Head Torches, etc) are acceptable.



THE BUNKHOUSES
The 12 bunkhouses range from 2, 4, or 6 bunks up to several with 8 bunks (4 sets of upper and lower bunks).

They have mattresses, but no bed linen. You will need to supply your own sheets, blankets, doona's, and pillows. Or just

throw a sleeping bag on the mattress.


CAMPING
The observing field/camping area is on a very gentle slope to assist drainage, bordered on the west by trees and the

road, and on the east by the lake. Plenty of room for a lot of people to camp and set up.
240v power is supplied.


SKY
Very dark. There is a faint light dome visible low in the east, coming from Ballarat, Melbourne and Geelong.


COOKING
The kitchen is fully equipped.
All cutlery, cooking utensils, pots, pans, jugs, you name it, it's probably there!
Microwaves, grillers, enormous gas ovens and stove top, 3 fridge/freezers.
All you need is your food.


SHOPS
There are supplies available locally.
3k - Snake Valley General Store: Basic groceries, petrol etc
closes 12:00 Sat, shut Sunday

5k - Linton Store: Basic groceries, petrol, hot fish & chips, hamburgers etc.
Open 7 days till 8pm

12k - Smythesdale: Supermarket, petrol, shops.
Open 7 days

20 minutes - Ballarat


LOCAL SIGHTS: Nimmons Bridge, Computer Museum, Jubilee Gold Mine Historic Reserve, Sovereign Hill, etc.

FEES

(to allow more people to attend the camp some people may have to share a bunkhouse)


Bunkhouses (per person)*
2 nights $60.00
3 nights $80.00
4 nights $95.00

Campsite (per person)
1 night $25.00
2 nights $50.00
3 nights $75.00
4 nights $90.00

Children under 5 y.o. - free

Saturday Night Feast - adults -$20.00 - under 15 yo -$15.00

The fee for the Saturday night feast goes to assist the local CERT Team. (Community First Responder Emergency Response

Team).

Have fun,

Martin.

[rcheshire]

Hi Martin.

Persons 1
All nights
Bunkhouse
Sat night feast.

Many thanks

Rowland.

[barx1963]

Thought this pop up soon!

Name: Malcolm Barker
How many people:1
Number of nights:2
Which nights:Friday and Saturday
Bunkhouse or camping: Bunkhouse
Saturday night feast: Yes Please!

Malcolm

[mill]

Thank you Rowland and Malcolm, you are both booked in :thumbsup:

[Varangian]

Name: John Stevens
How many people: 1
Number of nights: 2
Which nights: Friday and Saturday
Bunkhouse or camping:Camping
Saturday night feast: Yes

[Nico13]

I'm in.

Name: Ken Nicholas
How many people: 1
Number of nights: 3
Which nights: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Bunkhouse or camping: Camping
Saturday night feast: Yes Please!

[byronpaul]

Martin,

count me in!!!!

Name: Paul Byron (byronpaul)
How many people: 1
Number of nights: 3 (perhaps 4 if SHMBO gives the ok)
Which nights: Friday to Sunday (and hopefully Monday)
Bunkhouse or camping: Caravan
Saturday night feast: Yes

Can't wait :P

[Greenswale]

Here we go again!

Name: Wren
People: 1
Nights: All
Bunkhouse please
And a big YES to the feast!

[mishku]

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Where's Jen???

Name: Mishku
Persons: 2
Bunkhouse: Yes
Nights: All
Saturday Night Feast: Lordy, yes!

Looking forward to seeing you all!!

M (still a princess!) :)

[Forgey]

Hopefully I'll have the 4WD working properly so in anticipation of the car working.

Name: Paula
How many people: 2
Number of nights: 2
Which nights: Saturday (hopefully friday too)
Bunkhouse or camping: Camping
Saturday night feast: Yes please.

Cheers :)

[alistairsam]

Hi Martin,

I'm in as well.

Name: Alistair Samson
How many people: 1
Number of nights: 2
Which nights: Saturday, Sunday
Bunkhouse or camping: Camping
Saturday night feast: Yes

Thanks
Alistair

[Jen]

:eyepop: wooohooo thanks Paula for letting me know I have some catching up to do :D count me in guys your not getting another peaceful camp EVER haha

Name: Jen & Drew
How many people:2
Number of nights:4
Which nights: all of them I'm not missing out on the clear nights hehe
Bunkhouse or camping: Camping
Saturday night feast: Yes Please! Nom nom nom

IS IT MARCH YET :D:D

[Paddy]

Yip-yooo! Hopefully no mishaps will stop me this year.

Name: Patrick Kavanagh
1 person
2 nights
Friday & Saturday
camping - Roma is looking forward to the trip
One vegetarian Saturday feast.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

[chaffingbuttock]

I might be interested in attending with my girlfriend. We're both noobs in the field though. I bought myself a mount and at the moment am pondering which telescope / accessories to get. That probably won't happen before march at this rate though, as we are going overseas in feb and we're moving house too.. To summarise - is this the sort of star party where we might be able to look through other people's gear and pick through peoples' brains or are we expected to bring our own (gear, not brains)?

cheers.

[Jen]

Yep sure is Matthew I would suggest going to a Star party before buying any scope I wish I did :) there is plenty of friendly folks there that are more than willing to give you advice and look through a few scopes including my 12" dobbie :)

[byronpaul]

Matthew,

certainly if you have your own gear then that gives you more opportunity to explore the skys in your own manner, but the Snake Valley camps are very friendly and informal and most of us spend more time bouncing things off each other, looking at or through everybody else gears, etc.

These days, there is a higher percentage of imagers at the SV camp, but there are still plenty of visual people and gear as well.

There are also a few other people that lob without gear so don't let that turn you off. To the contrary it's probably what you should do before you invest your hard earned cash on gear that you perhaps shouldn't have.

The March camp will have some pretty good gear there so you'll get to see the difference between what you get for a few hundred dollars vs gear with a few more zeros.

Hope we see you there.

[Big Dave]

Name: Maximus Pavaloti
How many people: 1
Number of nights: 3
Which nights: Friday to Sunday
Bunkhouse or camping: Camping
Saturday night feast: Pav Please

[Jen]

:lol::lol: lol @ Dave

Nice pavs :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[desler]

What's all that coloured stuff on top of the Pav Dave?

Daz

[niko]

Eric...oh, Eric....?

surely you are due for a visit.....?

I''m in fir it all!

niko

[erick]

Trying to work a miracle so I can come down..... :shrug:

[Jen]

:clap::clap::clap:

Hey I didn't see you put your name down dazza :P

[danielsun]

:thumbsup:Wow, Already heading for March! :)
Well I'm definitely in and the boys mentioned last time that they may want to come so i'll have to confirm them shortly.
If they do I will have to work out how i'm gonna fit us all in the car with the gear! :question:



Name: Definitely me plus maybe Andrew and Ryan
How many people:at this stage 3
Number of nights:4
Which nights:All
Bunkhouse or camping: Bunkhouse
Saturday night feast: yes please.

Hey Eric, hope you can pull some miracles and we see you there.:thumbsup:

[niko]

Daniel - it'd be great if your kids came - remember though you are going to have to buy the RC cars so they can fit in!!!

Eric - am making representation to false gods in order to create miracle

[Jen]

I have to go dew heater shopping before this camp yayyyy more gear to cram in my little car :)

[mill]

You don't need any dew heaters Jen, just stop dribbling on Johnny :rofl::rofl:

[mill]

Everyone who made a booking is booked in :)

[danielsun]

[QUOTE=niko;931570]Daniel - it'd be great if your kids came - remember though you are going to have to buy the RC cars so they can fit in!!!

Doohhh!!! Your right!! More gear to buy and fit in!!:rolleyes:

[Jen]

[QUOTE=danielsun;931689]
:lol:
Douggie is going to need a bigger van for all his RC toys soon :rofl:

[Jen]

Mmmmm I could reply to that but I will save it for our midnight giggles :)

[danielsun]

His car and van will be chockers with RC toys and parts so he will have to pitch a tent to sleep in. :lol:

[desler]

Im in Jen, and yes save some entertainment for when your wondering around paying sheepish visits!

[Jen]

:D:D:D
Yayyyy see you all soon :)

Is there any planetry imagers going this time round I'm in some desperate need of some lessons :P

[desler]

Lessons in what exactly ??????????????????????????????????? ????

D :-)

[Forgey]

If i can fit the dob in the car with the heq5 and ota i'll be happy to help ya jen with what i know (which isn't a hell of a lot lol)

I'll bring the neximage camera with me anyway jen and you can have a play!

[barx1963]

Jen
I have a DMK41 camera that I use for Solar that will be not in use at night. Your are welcome to have a play with that. It is mono only and I have no imaging filters but its there if you want!

Malcolm

[Jen]

:lol: Oh Dazza your a funny bugger :P Im a good good student honest :innocent::whistle:

Thanks Paula sounds like fun :D

Thanks Malcolm i have always wanted to see what those cameras are like :thumbsup:

Looks like i have heaps of toys to play with :) i also have a Webcam and my 500d so which ever camera that will give me a pic of a planet before i leave SV i will be one happy astro chic :D;):P

Is it March yet

Jen waves to Ken :hi: i miss you on IIS

[DarkStar]

Hi Martin, this would be my first time at an astro camp.

When you say "casual visitors welcome" does that mean I can just turn up with a boot load of gear and find a space to set up?
Is there a fee for a casual visitor?
If arriving or departing while it is dark, is there a suitable parking area to use where white light won't affect anyone?

Thanks
Paul.

[mill]

Hi Paul.

Yes you can just come over and setup.
Parking can be done in front of the camp houses but jou have to keep white light to a minimum.
There is no fee for a casual visit..

Cheers,

Martin.

[Rob_K]

Count me in! :D

How many people: 1
Number of nights: 2
Which nights: Fri, Sat
Bunkhouse or camping: Bunkhouse (if available)
Saturday night feast: Yes please!

Cheers -

[Hagar]

Forget the miracle and just go for the impossible.
Looking forward to catching up.

[Cam]

The little ppl and myself would like to come camping for the 4 nights again and attend the Sat night feast. Thanks Cam.

[Keltik]

Name:Trevor
How many people:1
Number of nights:2
Which nights:-Friday and Saturday
Bunkhouse or camping:Camping
Saturday night feast: Yes

[mill]

Sorry people but due to a wrong booking, the camp will not proceed :(
The November camp will be a go ahead and i will advertise this when the date nears.
I am very sorry for those who have booked their holiday's to come to the March camp but please come to the November camp.

Regards,

Martin.

[mill]

SVAA 'Roughing It' Mini-Camp

2 Nights of Great Astronomy
Friday 8th and Saturday 9th
at the SVAA Club Property
ONLY $35
Only 10 people can attend.
Stay one or both nights (arrive Friday, leave Sunday)
INCLUDING - BBQ dinner both nights
with salads and Desert.
Sorry, no showers or accommodation available. Rough it in a tent.


PM me if you want to come.


Martin.

[byronpaul]

Martin,

oh no your kidding :( :( :(

Can't wait till November.

No chance of an alternate weekend ????

[byronpaul]

Martin,

PM Sent with urgency !!!!!

I'm in for the mini camp

[Cam]

Im still in..Hope all is still ok after the fires

[rcheshire]

I'm for the mini camp, but will take the option of attending only to make up numbers. If, after all, there is a spot remaining. Itinerants OK?

[Jen]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO............. :( :( :(

I look forward to this all year :sadeyes: :sadeyes:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.............

Jen can function quite a few days with no sleep but Jen and no shower arrrrhhhh :help:

Can't we change the date, what about the school :help: oh man this sux I can't wait till November noooooooooooo :sadeyes:

Is heartbroken :(

I will have to back to you on that Martin :rolleyes:

[Varangian]

Hi Martin, this doesn't affect me as I was staying those nights and camping anyway.

Hope everything is ok out there?

[Big Dave]

:(
Damn had it all planned. Anyway lucky I had a Plan B option that same weekend.

See ya all in November.

Does that mean 2 Pav's in November?

[Cam]

Just a thought. If anyone wants to come that usually stays in a bunkhouse and doesnt have a tent I have a spare tent you could borrow. (4 person dome tent)

[Forgey]

bugga was looking forward to this. Bring on November!

[mill]

Sorry Jen but the biggest problem with changing the date is that people can easily say to their boss that they want to cancel the holidays, but it is harder to change the holidays to another date.

[Jen]

NOOOOOOOOO........ There must be something else we can do :(:(



I have a good boss I can change my date :)

[mill]

I know what you can do to get your shower :D
Get a shower tent and shower in that ;)

[Jen]

I get this sad sad news 2 days after I have quit the ciggies arrrrrhhhh I need to scream :tasdevil::tasdevil::tasdevil:

:sadeyes:

[Forgey]

Deep breaths Jen !

[danielsun]

This is devastating news! :( I would be up for an April camp or any other time camp but I guess its not an option. :(
Oh well, 2 nights is better than none.

[mill]

all spots have now filled.
Thank you for booking.

Martin.

[barx1963]

Martin
Are you able to pop up a list to let us know who is booked in?

Malcolm

[mill]

And the winners are:

Paul Byronpaul
Niko Niko
Doug Hagar
Daniel Danielsun
Malcolm barx1963
Cam Cam
Paddy Patrick
John Varangian
Darren Darren
Rowland rchshire

And Ken and me.

[Jen]

:(:(:(

[Cam]

Sausage fest haha.. Just kidding. I hope your going to bring the new dob Malcolm

[barx1963]

Cam
Yes I am bringing the 20", complete with taaaall Ladder to use with it.

Malcolm

[danielsun]

What!! No Jen!! :eyepop: :(

[Jen]

:sadeyes::sadeyes: I wasn't quick enough Daniel :(

I hope you guys have a great time & clear skies xo

[Exfso]

Have a great time guys, my shoulder is still Stuffed, so cannot drive that distance let alone handle astro gear. :sadeyes:

[Jen]

Hope to see you in November Pete fully recovered by then i hope :thumbsup:

[Exfso]

Thanks Jen, hopefully fixed by then, if not I am well and truly knackered I reckon.

[Cam]

Im going to have to pull out of the camp :( The date for my operation is the 4th of March and I wont be walking for a while. Glad I made the last club night. Sorry to muck you about but I guess someone else can use our spot. Cam

[barx1963]

Sorry to hear that mate! Hope the op all goes well. Might see you at a club night before November.

Malcolm

[Cam]

Thanks Malcolm.. I'll get back up there as soon as I'm able

[mill]

I hope the op goes ok and hope to see you on a club night soon :thumbsup:

[Cam]

Thanks Martin

[niko]

good luck with the op Cam - hope to see you soon

niko

[Jen]

Hope u have a speedy recovery cam :P

[Cam]

Thanks guys. I hope so too. Dont want it to be too long before I can carry the mount outside lol. I better start feeding the lil ppl up more :lol:

[danielsun]

Hey Cam, that's a bugger your gonna miss the camp, but at least you'll get fixed up and be all brand new for November.
All the best mate and hope all goes well.

Cheers Daniel.

[asimov]

Sorry to be off topic Daniel, but where the hell is Ken? I've sent him a few PM's the last 2 months but no reply. Is he ok or what? Thanks.

[Cam]

Thanks Daniel. Kens probably busy on the harley owners forum lol

[Jen]

G'day John :hi: :D
Yep he is ok last time I heard anyway :)
He doesn't come into IIS anymore :(

[Cam]

Hope you all had fun.. Where's the pics???

[Paddy]

It was great fun indeed Cam. It was a pity to have so many missing from the camp, but the mini-camp was fantastic. As always lots of laughs and some very late sessions with good skies on Friday night in particular. The views were outstanding especially through Malcolm's 20". Saturn was stunning and there were some great DSOs to browse. A great little landscape photography excursion to the tower near Linton with Daniel, Martin, Malcolm and Jen.

If only it were a little cooler!

Thanks Ken and Martin for a great weekend. Is it November yet?

[barx1963]

Sorry the reports may be a little slow as we are all probably very sleep deprived. Weather was hot and stayed warm through the night. On Friday I only wore a light jumper from about 1am. Friday night was a cracker once the cloud disappeared with very good steady air and good transarency. As Paddy said views of Saturn were superb with Enckes division being seen and Cassinis looking like someone had drawn it on with a pencil, the crepe rings showed up and Enceledus was visible. Sat night was not as good with Saturn only just showing the Cassini div.
Nevertheless DSO's were excellent both nights and I think I racked up 30 new galaxies with lots of galaxy clusters inhabiting the view. I have posted a report in the observing reports section.
The AP guys were their usual quiet reserved types and Jen was there to keep everyone in line!:P

Malcolm

[danielsun]

Had a great weekend and even though as Patrick said with many missing, it was a blast.The clubroom site was great.:thumbsup: Niko had us in stitches the whole time and it was good to venture over to the visuals now and then and take in some awsome views of Saturn and Sombrero on the big Dobs.:thumbsup:
The excursion to the lookout tower was great.(BTW, Nice shot Patrick.:thumbsup:) and the BBQ dinners were Yum. Great to catch up again and cant wait for November.
Here are a couple more pics and a tower one with Patrick included.
Big thanks to Ken and Martin.:thumbsup:

Cheers Daniel.

[Logieberra]

Is there any truth to Ken no longer on IIS? Was hoping to visit SVAA during Easter, coming in from Ballarat :(

[niko]

by way of clarification - that's me riding the new 12" like a bucking bronco - nothing more sinister or perverted!

also, those sausages look cooked well enough in that photo what form of madness let them cook on for another half day past that point!

Great fun once again but oh, sweet lord, was it hot.

thanks to all yet again for the fun and friendliness

niko

[Paddy]

You could contact him via the club web site (http://ballaratman.wix.com/svaa).

[Jen]

:welcome: hi guys i must have to admit that no bad booking is going to keep jen from missing being around some awsome people, I just couldn't stay away :D hehe i had to crash the party :lol:
Wellllllllll...... I decided to put my story in of an awsome weekend as soon as I got home after only having 5 hours sleep all weekend :P and I have just looked back and it's not here lol lol I think I must have clicked the cross instead of submit doh! :rolleyes:
Great company the skies were kind to us most of the time had plenty of laughs :rofl: I got to see the sombrero galaxy through Malcolm's 20" which was fricken amazing :thumbsup: char grilled dinner was great :P I did miss our usual crowd though, It was short but sweet we had just as much fun but oh boy it was so hot during the day and not being able to have a shower was the only downfall but so worth it :D
Once again i learnt heaps more things and our friendships just grow and grow at each and every camp my little astro family I love you guys :)

Thank you xoxo
IS IT NOVEMBER YET :P

[barx1963]

Thought you had been a bit quiet Jen! Glad you enjoyed the view in the beast!
Malcolm