Pony Club 6th April

[Rick Petrie]

Hi all.
Any interest for next Saturday night?:)
The moon is up late so plenty of time to brush up on any equipment issues before IISAC.
Not sure about weather at this stage but we should look a day or two beforehand. Temperatures getting much cooler at night from now on.
Come on Phil you want to get that 'Wild Thing' out to show us.:P

[Allan_L]

Hi Rick,
I was hoping someone would suggest this Saturday.
I have booked my van in for some body work (rust cut out) from Tuesday, so hope it is back in time. Perhaps weather dependant.
But as now I am minding Danack's van too, I should be OK.
I still cannot believe no one from IIS offered to look after it for him.
So much for helpful friendly. So now I have two vans parked in front of my house.

[Allan_L]

Actually, I am staring to get more than just a little j@cked off at the PC not allowing us access to THEIR facilities.
Any chance we can check out Arthur's proposed alternate site?
Or any other site with facilities (ie toilet)

[gb_astro]

I'm keen.
I wonder if the PC grass has been cut.
It was pretty long last month.
Greg.

[Arthur Alchin]

Unfortunately 6th not good for me due to prior engagement but will speak with Sharon about the 12th or 13th if you like. She is willing and enthusiastic.

What do you think? I know that is the IIS weekend but there are a few of us not going for various reasons. We might have to get up there earlier in the afternoon to Sus out the place out but it sounds good

[Arthur Alchin]

Allan, I will send her a pm this evening for 13th is that ok??

[Allan_L]

Yep! Good on ya Arthur :thumbsup:
I will be keen to come along nice and early to check it out.

[sally1jack]

Sorry guys , i can't bring the new scope this month , Peter rushed to finish it for my trip to Coona , there were a few thing left to get right, so the scope has gone back to Peter's to complete, Maybe next time
phil :thumbsup:

[Carlz]

i may be in :) weather pending of course :) be good to catch up. Havent been in a long time!!

[MortonH]

I'm a strong possibility for the 6th if it's on.

[Fizics]

The 6th is out for me, but can do the 12th or 13th. Really keen to try out a new ep and can now drive my scope using the iPad or iPhone.

[Shano592]

If the weather holds, then the 6th is good for me. So far though ... not a super forecast.

Off to China on the 10th, so this is my last window for the month.

If the grass situation is desperate, I may be persuaded to bring the mower monster, to carve out a few alien patterns in the grass.

[Inmykombi]

Sorry folks, I cant make this weekend, I have a birthday in Taree to attend.

Maybe next weekend.

[gb_astro]

Looks like a no go from Sydney.
Rain and cloud all morning here.
It's supposed to clear a bit but with still a chance of thunderstorms.
Greg.

[Rick Petrie]

Reluctantly I am going to pull out as well Greg, as cloud and occasional rain persisting here, and likely to continue until late, and according to the weather forecast also.:(
Dam shame however, but there is always next time. baaahhumbug!!!!!

[GTB_an_Owl]

no go from me too

geoff

[Allan_L]

...still considering my options ... :rolleyes:
as
...its going to clear

[gb_astro]

.... :confuse3:

[Allan_L]

OK - no other interested parties - I concede.
:cloudy:

[Arthur Alchin]

Anybody for the PC next Saturday night??? If it fine I'm there, coincides with IIS

[gmbfilter]

I might be if the weather is ok
I can't go to IISAC

[Arthur Alchin]

With some luck we might catch up Saturday night, hanging out to see what you've done to the scope now :)

[Inmykombi]

Hangin' out for a night up at the PC again.

If weather is good, I am there.
Might bring the small scope though and not stay too late as I need to get up and go out on Sunday early with my Son to compete in our favourite match.

It would be nice to have some facilities at the PC though, just like we used to.
:confused2:

[Arthur Alchin]

Just don't know how we get around that. We need to put all our heads together

[Fizics]

I am planning to be there too.

[Arthur Alchin]

Ill probably get their late afternoon weather permitting, anyone got a key???

[Allan_L]

Weather permitting I too am intending.
I have a key.

[gb_astro]

Maybe we could talk someone into clearing out the junk that has been dumped in the old loos.
If we could just get in they might still be usable.

There is a working tap on an outside wall of the new building.

Greg.

[gb_astro]

Arthur, is this not happening?

Greg.

[Arthur Alchin]

Rick, Allan and myself did a trip to Sharon's on Sunday, her offer was great but the venue was inappropriate for several reasons. (1) access was dodgy for all but 4wd 's. (2) the paddock was to much grade, probably ok for tripods but not dobs and (3) the tree line wind break occluded to much sky.

As I have said her offer was great and I have thanked her dearly for offering the venue but I think there would be problems that would be unappreciated by most

In the meantime I have sent an email to Gosford council asking if they can assist us in locating some "public land" west of the F3 that we could utilise for our meetings. Currently I am waiting a reply

[sally1jack]

Arthur i have contacted Gosford council before & talked to a guy he was nice enough but he didn't know of anywhere that would help us, i asked especially around mangrove dam area & he said it was all fenced off.
I not trying to deter you quite the opposite but i think private property is probably our best bet , but that comes with a whole new set of problems eg no facilities , numbers of people etc.
I can see you have a new 16 incher & i'm sure you would like to get it in some dark skies consistently as i would.
I was talking to the guy at wyong tennis club & he said the courts where going to be pulled down some time in the future , he then said that because they where a club with members they had to build some more somewhere in the shire for the members, so i don't know if a club where formed ( i can already hear the groans ) it may assist us in getting a dark site on the coast .
I think the a site should entail - dark skies better than the P.C or why move.
- reasonable distance from freeway it may have to be a bit further than P.C
- facilities if possible

The only thing that might have all of these is a sporting ground somewhere .

This is just a thought , i would be glad to here some feedback
Phil :thumbsup:

[gb_astro]

Pity about Kulnara Arthur but thanks for your efforts.

Problem with tennis clubs is they often play well into the night with some pretty intensive lighting. Other sporting venues want their security lights on.

Otherwise agree with Phil above but we definitely need some working loos if we are not to become a men's only club.

Greg.

[sally1jack]

I only really meant by tennis clubs is that them being a club the council had to find them somewhere to play , so if we were a club they maybe more likely to find us somewhere to play
phil

[gb_astro]

Oops, ok I get it.

[Arthur Alchin]

I received this today, i would like to speak with this gentleman about his description of the PC as a "community asset" and whether we are at liberty to have access to the building, it is worth a call although it may well be in vain, feedback please everyone :)

"Thank you for your attached email in regard to the use of Council land for astronomy purposes.

I note that your group has been sharing facilities to some extent with the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club. Council does not support single use facilities and as such would not support the allocation of a specific facility to your group for the periodic use which you describe (once or twice per month). Accordingly, I would encourage your group to negotiate an agreement with other Community Groups, in particular the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club in an effort to utilise existing community assets.

Should you wish to discuss the matter please contact the undersigned on 4325 8905."

Regards
https://bay166.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=32d7cad7-a196-11e2-8a99-00215ad7dbba&attindex=0&cp=-1&attdepth=0&imgsrc=cid%3aimage001.jpg%4001CE35F 4.5F6FAE10&cid=01074bb0750b4cd3&shared=1&blob=MHxpbWFnZTAwMS5qcGd8aW1hZ2Uvan BlZw_3d_3d&hm__login=aalchin&hm__domain=live.com.au&ip=10.42.136.8&d=d5499&mf=0&hm__ts=Wed%2c%2010%20Apr%202013%201 2%3a07%3a00%20GMT&st=aalchin%25live.com.au%407&hm__ha=01_5b34c16d88d830e450f4ec09f 4eda5c5c4963bb0cda643e1d00612527ad3 3ec8&oneredir=1 (http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/)
Sean Cumming
Property Services Supervisor | Corporate Services
Gosford City Council
www.gosford.nsw.gov.au (http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au)

PO Box 21 Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 43258905
Fax: (02) 4322 4428
sean.cumming@gosford.nsw.gov.au (sean.cumming@gosford.nsw.gov.au)

[Allan_L]

That sounds encouraging Arthur.
So, if that means we have permission to use a Council owned site, I would think that we have some legal right to expect the use of any toilet facilities at said site.
Irrespective of whom has caused those facilities to be installed. (especially as they have caused the pre-existing facilities to be decommissioned.)
Alternatively, we may have a similar right to erect our own facilities.
I wonder How much would one of those porta loos be.
and how much for Kenny to empty it for us.

[GTB_an_Owl]

before we go off half cocked AGAIN

we have permission from "The Board Of Trustee's" to use the grounds of "McKenzie Park" - ( Council has no control over McKenzie Park - it and other facilities on the mountain are controlled by "The Board Of Trustees")
the "Amenities Block" is owned and licensed to the "Pony Club and Jump Club"

any "Permissions" to use those amenities has to be negotiated with those two entities, although i would think an initial attempt would be to the Pony Club Secretary whose address may be obtained from this link
http://www.mangrovemountainponyclub.pcansw .org.au/

so if someone is up to making a phone call or lodging a letter to the committee - please feel free to do so

please keep in mind (but for god's sake don't mention) that i think there was some friction between the two clubs as to who owned what or had the right to use what in the beginning.
they also did not want us to use it while it was still incomplete.

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

7Timer forecast for Sat has turned sour :mad2: :(

still few days for it change for the better i hope

geoff

[Arthur Alchin]

Until we can get a consensus of opinions I will sit on the side and as a group we may be able to work together towards a common goal. If I'm not wrong i think we all want a dark space with water, Electricity, shelter and a toilet. Shouldn't be unobtainable.

Weather permitting see you all at the pc Saturday night
:)

[gb_astro]

Speaking of 7timer has any else noticed that
the Seeing forecast for the PC is almost always better at midday than midnight?
Seems a bit stange.
Greg.

[Arthur Alchin]

Anyone making a guess as to what tonight will be like???

Eager to get the scope out for a date, it always insists on being in the back seat.

Will probably get there about 1600 hrs weather permitting :)

[gb_astro]

Looks like it will be clear at least until midnight.
A lot of cloud predicted for Sunday.

Greg.

[Inmykombi]

Sorry people, I dont think I will go tonight as I have a nasty sinus infection which is turning into a chest cold. I probably shouldn't cough and sneeze on you all.:sadeyes:
Bummer, as I was really looking forward to this weekend too.
Anyhow, have a good night to those who go.

Geofro

[Allan_L]

Doh!
My van is back in the workshop.
They did a great job repairing some nasty rust spots.
But it seems they cut the water pipe somewhere, so being a pressurised system, water leaks profusely inside outside and in-between.
Still hoping it may be ready today :confused2:
Weather ? :shrug:
Other transport alternatives :question:
overall > :sadeyes: :sadeyes: :sadeyes:

[gb_astro]

Allan, don't you have use of that camper van you are minding?
Greg.

[Allan_L]

Yes Greg, but I am not sure I can fit the dob and base and assorted paraphernalia into it - with it full of bed and camping gear.
Also not sure that it would survive the rough roads up there.

I might see how Jo's I30 goes with it.
Or i might bring binos and chair.

Planning on arriving around 17:35 (ie sun down)

Weather is still uncertain.

[gb_astro]

I should get there about 4:30.
Weather is looking good all night according Weather Underground.
7Timer is showing ok until midnight.
Greg.

[GTB_an_Owl]

sorry to say another Geoff is dipping out
earning some brownie points by taking the missus out for dinner

was her birthday on wednesday

geoff

[Fizics]

I will try to get there by 7, just getting over a sore throat see how it goes.
Have a good night.

[Arthur Alchin]

It is nice up here, not to cold and cloudless, no wind

[gb_astro]

Only five in attendance.
Good company as usual.
No clouds until about 9.30 when some weird clouds to the south appeared to be trying to imitate auroras.
Dew became too much around 10.30 so gate shut just after 11.

One problem was that someone had left a bright light on in the new PC club house.
Luckily Arthur had some garbage bags we managed to sick over the windows to mostly black it out.
Might have to add tape and blackout material to the emergency kit in future.

Greg.

[Irish stargazer]

I went to IISAC on the Saturday. Had good viewing up until about 11.30pm before hitting the sack

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8646111355_e286c663bc_h.jpg

[gb_astro]

Impressive Milky Way there John.

Greg.