Moving to Riverland, South Australia

[pgc hunter]

It's official, house is sold, I am outta here. Moving to Renmark, settlement will be in early September, from then on I will be a South Australian with some very dark skies at my door step :D I will be living on a houseboat, it's an affordable property in this hot bubble and has all the comforts of home, with a fridge for beer, a kitchen with double sink and an outlook to the river, 4 burner gas stove, oven, shower, washing machine, enough deck space for the Weber kettle and a flat top 4 burner bbq for frying Man vs Food style burgers while drinking beer under the moonlight. The town itself also has many important facilities, including KFC, a new Hungry Jacks, a drive-thru bottle shop, clear skies and no more Melbourne Cloud ever. The houseboat has all the comforts of home without the over inflated price tag of a regular home. The rear has a lounge where I can sit overlooking the back deck and the river while lounging infront of the TV and watch the moon rise at the same time while watching Family Guy while drinking beer. I've already picked out some dark sky sights, a couple of which are here in the pics.

This is a fulfillment of a life long dream to be based at some truly dark sky sites. I cannot wait to observe the grand spiral galaxies we have here in the south, and also northern objects like M31 and M33 will be not only be seen under dark skies, but will be some 4* higher in the sky. I also look forward to observing some of the more obscure northern galaxies. Cannot wait!

Look out for a few goods both astronomy and non astronomy in Icetrade very soon :thumbsup:

[dannat]

With your rep I'm pretty sure you'll drag the clouds with you, Melb is heading for many clear winters:
Good luck sab

Ps use a small frac to take up raptor spotting from the boat

[pgc hunter]

I think I've already spammed the region with my Melbourne Cloud this winter LOL

The region is seeing some truly craptacular weather this winter...

[BilliGoatsGruff]

Haha so this is why we're having so many cloudy days and nights!

[Rob_K]

Drool....

[webtubbs]

It's a beautiful part of the world, the Riverland. I grew up in Taylorville, across the river from Waikerie, and spent most days on the river with a fishing rod in hand. I still have plenty of family there, as you would expect with a surname like Taylor :)

[PCH]

I love your list of priorities sab - KFC, HJ and bottle-o, lol

Your boat sounds very impressive too mate. You gonna be going alone? I thought from earlier posts that you still lived with your folks?!

[goober]

Congrats Sab. I've spoken to the mets at work and they'll redirect some deep lows your way regularly ;)

[Ric]

Hi Sab

Looks like a great area :sunny:, all the best with the move.

Don't scare the locals with those Chilli Chicken wings. :D

[AstralTraveller]

I visited Mildura a few years ago and camped south of there for a while. Nice area. Pity it will get washed away soon.

Living on a house-boat sort of reminds me of a joke made by a Canadian folkie at the Cobargo Folk Festival. He started by saying what a beautiful country this is and how nice the people are (hey - butter up the audience). He then went on to announce that after 6 weeks here he is now a proud Australian home owner! After the applause dies down he added that home is a 1998 Toyota Hiace Camper van. "It's real nice, it's got everything you need and you get to change your yard every day."

[pgc hunter]

Thanks guys! The folks are also moving onto their own houseboat. We've visited the area several times and I've driven houseboats a couple of times and enjoyed it alot. The sky is not like here in Melbourne, it is a deep blue and the sun burns like hell! Can't wait to hunt down some of our famed spiral galaxies that are nothing but a barely visible mote here in this light pollution. PCH, if there was no KFC I wouldn't move lol

Another bonus of living on a houseboat, you can drive your residence basically right up to the town centre, no need for designated drivers on a night out :D

[Suzy]

Hi Sab :hi:,
That sounds such a super life! And the area looks so beautiful.
I had a big chuckle over your "important facilities" and I'm with you on that one :lol: . Except I'd swap the HJ for Maccas.
Ooooh what an exciting time for you.

But wait.....

We'll have to find something new for you to whinge about :P, let's face it, I've never heard so many negative remarks in so many different descriptions, said in so many colourful ways about the weather :P:lol::rofl:.

Hmmm your selling stuff hey? I'll have to keep an eye out :D.

[pgc hunter]

lol don't worry Suzy, there is a Maccas there so all your bases are covered! Don't worry, I'm sure Melbourne will spread its polar oceanic manky slate-grey infection over the area from time to time. :lol: I do have a facebook page about weather, I should post my Melbourne Cloud™ rages there shouldn't I? Just need more members to make it fun.

[pgc hunter]

This is it. The buyers were approved finance. I have less than a month here before it's time to go.

Here's a shot I took from my parent's boat looking at my houseboat. Apparently the boat in the foreground belongs to a single girl around my age ;)

[Ric]

Better see if she is into astronomy. ;)

[rally]

Sab,

Knowing your strong gravitational pull of all things anti astronomical !

Did you consider the extreme levels of dust ?

Ask Fred about the dust in his system and all the other scopes up there !!

[el_draco]

Polar alignment and tracking are gonna be a BEEEECH!:P

[Dave47tuc]

Hi Sab,
Well you have come a long way haven't you! since we first met all those years ago when your parents introduced you to me at the local astronomical society meeting ;)
Back then you showed me some of the best Deep Sky sketches I have ever seen.:thumbsup:
Still a very fond memory I have of you. :)

I wish you and your family all the best on your move and may you enjoy better skies and the lifestyle your looking for. :)

David.

[BilliGoatsGruff]

I think (don't quote me) that they don't like people mooring their houseboats in front of the Renmark Club. Not sure about the grass area across from the hotel though. Mum mentioned something about all the houseboats being moored at Jane Eliza where she normally takes her dog swimming, but I can't remember what exactly. It seems I'm cursed with a goldfish memory :shrug: Would be worth looking into though.

[SkyWatch]

Hi Sab,

Just noticed this thread, and I thought you might like to know that the Astronomical Society of SA has a sub-branch in the Riverland. Most of the members are based in Loxton, and one guy has an observatory at Wunkar, west of Loxton.
If you want to touch base, the coordinator is Tim Vivian, Ph: 0417 800 225
Email: riverland@assa.org.au
I think Tim runs the Loxton bakery- so a good contact to have! ;)
All the best on your move.

- Dean

[raymo]

Sorry to disillusion you PGC Hunter, but you can get done for drink
driving a houseboat.
raymo

[pgc hunter]

I don't believe in Equatorial mounts ;)





David Mate! It's been a while! Appreciate the kind words, I really do. I've been wondering myself what you've been up to. I still remember our observing night with the guy with the big Obsession down at the Mornington Peninsula. Can't believe it's already been 7 odd years. I also remember asking some kid to hand me a 31 Nagler he was playing with way back at one of the Briars Observing nights. lol! As soon as I settle in, you will be coming up and we'll chuck some steaks, chops and wings on the Weber, crack open a slab and watch the moon rise over the water while we catch up. Ofcourse I'll take you out to the dark sky sites I have scouted out so make sure you bring your toys :thumbsup:




I've heard that they allow houseboats to park for 48 hours or something to that effect at the wharf infront of the Hotel. Not sure about the Renmark Club. In any case, the club is a minute walk from the Hotel. Jane Eliza Landing is where the Liba Liba houseboats are based, familiar with the area, holidayed with them 4 times.



Cheers Dean, I might check them out once I settle in. On paper Loxton looks like it's far at 40km, but I've done the trip and it takes surprisingly little time to get there. Cheers for no traffic and traffic lights!



I know, I'm no stranger to houseboats and am well aware of the drink driving rules. I also never suggested I was going to drink drive a vessel.

[raymo]

It wasn't meant to be a serious comment, just a little bit of light
humour.
raymo

[pgc hunter]

No dramas! Just looked like a serious post, that's the thing with forum posting, there is no clue if it's humorous or serious unlike in personal interaction. All good mate!

[raymo]

I'll have to remember to put an appropriate icon at the end of any future
humorous posts.
raymo