New Zealand Astrophotography weekend

[Robby]

An update,

A few of you may be interested in this.. 1ponders?
We are organising an astrophotography get together in Taupo New Zealand on the weekend of 6-8th May 2005. It will be a small affair with about 15-30 participants.

The idea is to keep it very low key and cheap. So far we have dates and a venue. Dates above and the venue will be a deer farm 15mins north of Taupo. It's a great elevated dark site well away from hills so has a reasonable chance of being clear. Accommodation will be self-inflicted..!! with the options being..
Camping on-site: Tents/caravans/campers/farm shed.
Off-site in Taupo for those unused to the cold (night time temps below 0°C very possible).

I'll be sorting out a program soon but it will be low key with emphasis on actually doing it! We will have a few talks about processing, gear etc.

Anyone who is keen let me know.
I'll have a website up soon and let you know what it is here.

Cheers

[Striker]

Good to Hear Robby and keep us posted with the results....

P.S Do what you like with Paul (1ponders)......hehehe

Is Paul taking his LX200 to NZ ?.

[westsky]

Sounds interesting Robby I might see if I can get away that weekend.
I will have to check the frequent flyer points :-))
keep us informed.

David.

[westsky]

Robby, it seems the only flight I can get is to Wellington, is this close enough to Taupo? I know NZ is only small but still I thought I would check
I might have to stay over till Tuesday, hope you have lots of things for aussie's to do there.

David.

[Robby]

Hi David,
Taupo is a good 5hr drive from Wellington. If you can get to Palmerston North (2hrs north), I can take you the rest of the way and back again. There is a train that runs from Wgtn to Palmerton North every weekday that leaves wgtn at about 5:30pm.
I even have a spare tent if you need it. Bring a good sleeping bag though if you intend to camp.. Could be cold!
If you stay longer, Taupo is a great place to check out. Plenty to do there.
Let me know if I can help out.
Cheers

[westsky]

Thanks robby, I was thinking of hiring a camper van that way I have a bit of freedom and can do the tourist thing, it would cost about the same as flying to Taupo from Wellington so I should get it past she who must be obeyed with no problem :-)).

I will do some more research.

david.

[Robby]

That's an excellent idea if you can afford it David. Keep in touch and we'll make sure it all works out well. Plenty of room in a camper for any scopes you may decide to bring!
Cheers

[[1ponders]]

Good idea David.

If you're interested may be we could share costs. What days are you thinking of heading over. I can't leave til Friday morning and need to be back by Monday night.

I know that Freedom Air has a two for one price at the moment to Palmerston North ($347). We might be able to work something out.

[Robby]

Good point Paul,
I had forgot to mention Freedom Air!

[westsky]

Good idea Paul , I have been chasing a couple of free qantas seats but it looks like I may miss out. My oldest son was thinking of coming as well,I will check the Freedom fares and get back to you, leaving friday is fine with me and the return Monday night is good although we might stay a couple of days extra and do the tourist thing.
the camper vans are cheap in may, around $70.00NZ a day, a 4 berth would be large enough for 3 of us.

david.

[[1ponders]]

I'll check my work timetable and other commitments. I may be able to take a bit more time off and postpone my other things. Let me know how you go with the tickets.

[westsky]

Paul I just looked at Freedoms fares and now I see the details of the take a mate fare, I will talk to my boy and see how keen he is to go, I will have to tell him how bored he is going to be :-))
get back to you.

David.

[[1ponders]]

Ahhh an experienced father I see :D How old is your boy. Mine's 14.

[westsky]

Paul, mine are 15 and the other is 13(going on 25)
the deals done he won't come this trip but he conned me into a trip to Bangkok later this year to make up for it :-))
So the Freedom fares are a goer, and leaving friday returning Monday is fine with me.

david.

[westsky]

just had a thought, how am I going to pack a C8 and mount ?
I guess one ponders :-))

sorry been waiting a long time to say that.

David.

[[1ponders]]

First in best dressed.:P I haven't even started to think about what I'm going to take. Maybe just my laptop, 300D, ToUcam, maybe my EOS 500 for film and beg, steal, bum or borrow the use of an OTA. Hope there will be power available on the site. Decisions decisions :):confuse3: :confused:

Hey Robby what's the power situation at the site. I'd be cheaper for me to buy a new jump starter pack there than cart one over

[Striker]

I would recommend you buy a Battery Pack in NZ Paul......they dont have electricity in NZ yet....you should know that Paul.....lol

[Robby]

There is power on-site. No problems..
Cheers

[gbeal]

Striker,
we even have those baked bean tins connected with string, them things that women like to talk on all day.
Check also the Freedom in and out of Hamilton, as this is only a couple of hours away from Taupo as well.
Gary