Bretti interest for the May New Moon

[Rick Petrie]

Are there any people who are not going to SPSP interested in a trip up to Bretti around the 29th May.
I know some people are going in August to Bretti, but maybe a May trip can be organised as well.

[glend]

Yes Rick, I would be interested. I will have my refractor build completed by then and I have a new NEQ6 mount to learn to drive via wifi.

[Inmykombi]

I would love to go. I shall work hard at leaving about 4-5 days free to get away.
Possibly Wednesday To Sunday. How does that sound ?

Geoffro.

[Allan_L]

Sounds good to me.
Looking forward to getting back to Bretti again.
dark skies, good company, cold nights.

[Allan]

I am on holidays again at the end of May. So depending on how I feel after the SPSP, I might spend a few nights at Bretti with you guys.

I am learning that 2 to 3 nights observing/camping is the best way for me to spend my time away. Every time I do 4 nights away I end up sick of the whole camping thing. Might be better if I had the 5 star luxury that some of you experience.

[absolut]

I'd seriously consider packing light and trying to be there for a Saturday night.
Packing for a 1 night trip is pretty easy: snacks, beer, scope, tent, freezer suit. Easy! :D

I'd drive up Sat to arrive early arvo and head off Sunday lunchtime.
More nights would be nice, but leave is a bit hard to book at the moment. :sadeyes:

Praying to the weather gods... I'm dying to get a decent, clear, crisp view of Mars and Saturn while they are still near/at opposition!!

Eagerly awaiting an awesome forecast! :D

[Shano592]

Definitely interested. Hopefully work will be clear enough to allow it for me. I can't remember the last time I got the scope out for a good look up.

I think it was the PC event with the 20+ scopes.

[Inmykombi]

I am desperately trying to get through a huge workload at present. I am even working weekends to try and catch up.:screwy:
All of a sudden there is 2 weeks work ahead of me that shows no sign of abating.. Here's hoping.
geoffro.

[glend]

Geoff there is at least two and a half weeks till the new moon - you'll be right.

[Inmykombi]

Hi Glen,
The trouble is I have 2 weeks worked booked up already and that doesnt include parts I am waiting on for some Urgent jobs.

When this sort of thing happens in my work, it usually creates a backlog for over a month.
I could Clone myself, and send the Clone to work so I can go camping....

I will try hard mate don't you worry about that.

[Inmykombi]

I have written the dates in my diary. Camp cooking, clear nights....can't wait.

[Rick Petrie]

How much are you paying the 'clone' to do your work?
Great that you are now coming, no backing out now that your locked in!!!:):):)

[Allan]

Hi Guys. Big announcement in my life. I have decided to change aircraft at Qantas and am off to fly the A380. I have a course that starts in 3 weeks, and it usually takes about 4 months to get through. These courses are pretty full on, so life as I know it will be on hold for a while, so no Bretti camps until later in the year for me.

I will still go to the SPSP, but that will have to be my last serious observing for a while. I will see you all on the flip side.

[glend]

That's great news Allan. The stars will still be there when your ready. Hope Qantas is paying for it all.
Say now, where is this course? May have to get some scope stuff from overseas.

[jakob]

Congratulations!
Should be fun.
:thumbsup:

[Rick Petrie]

Congratulations also Allan.:thumbsup: Could you take us all for a 'joy flight' when your finished. I'm sure Alan Joyce wouldn't mind.:P

[Shano592]

Hi Allan,

That was going to be my next question to you! Good luck, I hope you ace it!

See you later in the year.

[Allan]

Thanks guys. I could organise a joy flight, but at about $20000 per hour we might need to pass the hat around first.

[Inmykombi]

Good work Allan, I hope it all goes well for you.

[absolut]

I hope your training goes well!.. :thumbsup:

We will miss Bundy... and I guess we'd miss you too! :P

[Inmykombi]

Allan ,don't forget to keep us up to date as to how the training is going.

Work is still crazy for me. It hasn't been like this for a long time. I am still good for Bretti though, but I may be a bit frazzled by then, and not much good for anything other than making damper and watching the stars. No serious conversations will be entertained as I will be switching my brain off for a while.:screwy:

Geoffro

[glend]

I really hope this great weather holds onto till the end of next week. Bretti will be very nice with warm days and cool nights. Rick when are you planning on heading up there? Allan? Others?? The moon will be completely around to the day side so all the nights from Wednesday on are great for astronomy.

Unfortunately, my son has not sent down the Canon so I can't start imaging up there, visual only again.

[Inmykombi]

I may leave as early as 5 am and get to Gloucester for some supplies when the shops open. I will try and snag a good spot for us all.
I would just like to drive without much traffic and just cruise along at at steady pace.
If we get a good fire going, I will make damper again, and look forward to some camp cooking around the fire.
A nice bottle of port may even work it's way into my luggage. :D

[Rick Petrie]

I am planning on leaving Wednesday morning and getting to the Twin servos for breakky and a coffee fix around 8am before the traffic on Wyong Rd. Are there any others going who would like to meet up there?
Looking forward to this, so hope the weather plays fair.
Should get to Bretti around lunchtime or just before.
Cheers Rick

[glend]

Rick will the Satellite TV be setup for the Origin games? I hope to be there on Wednesday as well.

[Rick Petrie]

I won't be taking mine as SWMBO is staying home this time and wants to record and watch some shows at home!
However, I had watching SOO also in mind, and contacted Allan L who is taking his box. So we should be good.
"Carn the blues"

[Fizics]

Hi all, very interested in going to Bretti this time but there are competing events- :juggle:
House renos - but I have managed to organise jobs and tradesman so I can get away
The state of origin - seems that is taken care of thanks to Allen and Rick.
The AFL - can't miss Swans vs Geelong on Thursday. Unfortunately they won't change the time for me:rofl:

So-----

Allan L will it be possible to watch the AFL on your sat tv :question:

[Allan_L]

Thursday? Yeah, I think that can be arranged. ;)
(I have been desensitised, as my son played AFL for the local team)
...And my (NRL) team is playing Saturday 5:30
Any other requests?

[Shano592]

And don't forget .... NRL isn't a real sport. It's really just touch footy for steroid abusers.

:P

[Inmykombi]

Getting excited now. I will start packing tomorrow for the early departure on Wed morning. I feel like doing some camp cooking this trip as well.
Anyone who has some firewood is advised to bring some along, or buy a bag like I will in case we can't find any up there.

Damper and chicken legs with veggies cooked around a camp fire sounds like a plan to me.

I need a break to try to regain some sanity from the past weeks.

[Shano592]

Geoff, you want to borrow this reducer? You are welcome to swing by the office in Tuggerah on your way out if you want.

It sounds like you might get some great views with that scale of darkness.

[Inmykombi]

Thx Shane, but I may be too Early for a pick up.
I will be leaving about 5 am here.

I will wait till we catch up at some stage.

Thx for the offer though, I am interested to see how it goes.

Geoffro.

[Allan_L]

5am?
Seriously Geoffro !!!???

You are starting to worry me, I am supposed to be the Obsessive Compulsive in our group ! :confused2:

Well, then, I might leave Tuesday !!! :P

[Fizics]

Very good thanks Allan.

I plan on arriving early Wednesday afternoon. Looking forward to it.

[Inmykombi]

Yes Allan 5 am. Sorry....I want to get away from phone reception as quickly as I can so I can have a good break. Also need to stop at Gloucester ( if that's how you spell it ) and pick up supplies. Yes maybe a bit obsessive compulsive....but I do like getting away early more and more these days like I used to years ago.

I will try to pick a good spot for all of us.

[Shano592]

Swing in today if you like, Geoff. I will bring the reducer in with me.

Check your PMs.

[Allan_L]

Apple Charlotte acquired
thankyou Rick for the reminder :D
... (note to self, don't leave it at home, like ...:rolleyes:)

So...
looking good for an early start tomorrow ("This time for sure, Rocky...":P)

[Inmykombi]

I am almost all packed for an early departure.

See you folks up there.

Safe driving.

Geoffro.

[glend]

I am packed as well and will be leaving as soon as the garbage trucks empty my bins.

After a solid week of galaxies in April at Lake Glenbawn I am leaving the dob at home this time, and will be coming to grips with the world of NEQ6 tracking and trying to do some imaging with my Canon DSLR on the refractors. Less weight to haul around as well, which my back likes.

[Rick Petrie]

Packed ready to go and plan on now leaving at about 8am.
See yaaaawl up there, and Al at Wyong for coffee at about 8.45 at twin servos.
Cheers Rick

[Allan_L]

That's a big Ten Four good buddy! [in best "Convoy" voice]
Packed ready to go, except fridge stuff.

[jakob]

I wish I was with you!
Enjoy your trip.
:sadeyes::sadeyes::sadeyes:

[Inmykombi]

Another great trip with friends. We had a terrific spot again, and 2 nights of pretty good observing. I want to go again in August....

[Shano592]

August would be great, but cooooooold!

Tentatively in for then, if I am close to home.

[Rick Petrie]

Great photo Geoffro :thumbsup: and yes it was an excellent trip to Bretti this time. Two out of four aint bad.
Thanks to all who came and to Allan for the Fox and the Apple Charlot and everyone for the Port etc. etc.. Nice of Jakob to turn up after all, and to meet Bella.
Great time was had by all I think.
Here's to the next one.:)

[GTB_an_Owl]

here, here!

geoff

[jakob]

Yes a great break from drudgery!
Good shot Geoff, I think I posted my pics to the wrong thread.
Here again:
I took the Rainbow as I pulled in at the Car park at Mt Wilga Hospital on the way home.

[Arthur Alchin]

Hey they **** of Geoff's is so good.

Maybe it should be aptly be called " The Milky Wave"

Enter it in a comp, what a winner :)