October New Moon Camping Trip NSW

[Allan_L]

Rick Petrie has just reported in on a potentially great new Dark Sky Site in the New England Region of NSW.
The Glen Riddle (Free) Camping reserve.
It is situated about an hours drive north of Tamworth.
Between Manilla and Barraba.
Probably about a 5 hour drive.

According to Rick:
The area is large Flat and green,
Low Horizons
Few trees
"modern" drop toilets, (compared to some places)
Sorry NO Showers are provided but
water is available (not for drinking (unless boiled) but good for camping showers etc),
no cow pats in sight (but cattle may be grazed there apparently)
very few other campers at the moment (in school holidays!!!),
It is on the west of the ranges, (so they have not been effected by the recent coastal rain),
Dark Skies - no big towns (closest small town is Barraba: pop 1150; is 15k away)
Supplies available from Barraba shops - only 15k away,
YES phone reception,
NO fixed lights,
dog friendly.
Suitable for camping or caravans etc.
Fireplaces, picnic tables.
It sounds too good to be true.

I am putting out for Expressions of Interest for the October new moon.
Lets go and put it to the test.
New Moon is Tuesday 13 October.
I am proposing to go Monday 12 October {probably for 5 days, more or less}
(Any later than October and it may be getting a bit hot for camping by then )
This would (for me at least) be instead of Bretti.
Glend has already expressed his interest in Glen Riddle also, subject to the response.

Iceman has said there are no further IISAC trips planned, so this may be a good substitute. But it is totally INFORMAL and Free.

[Camelopardalis]

Looks interesting Allan :thumbsup:

Should only be about 5-6 from here too.

Pencil me in as a maybe, if not this time around hopefully some time in the future.

[MortonH]

Sounds like a great spot. Won't make this one - my wife and daughter both have birthdays that week, but hopefully next time.

[Rick Petrie]

That's not a bad idea Dunk.
It could be a meeting spot for people from Qld as well as NSW.
I'll definitely be going occasionally as my son lives in Manilla just down the road.

[glend]

Just confirming that I am a 'maybe' depending on forecast, my health, and family demands.

[GTB_an_Owl]

i'm going through a "doctor appointment phase" at the moment as well
my fridge has broken down on the freezer side
i have the van pulled apart inside for a renovation - money is tight because of the doctor thing
as always i Want to go (anywhere) for a new moon camping event

would be nice to try out the new site - the 5 hour drive may be compensated by the option to fish during the day - but 5 hours away is pushing the envelope

if you never ever go - you never ever know

having apparently not many trees, it may be more of an autumn or winter site than a summer option (or fishing season)
may be an opportunity to meet more IIS'ers from further afield
pet friendly
same facilities as Bretti
has phone reception and i guess internet
having more options as to where to go monthly must be a plus (including coolah)

surely as a group we can work out a calender of events (perhaps including a pony club event)

so at the moment, i am a maybe for anywhere

geoff

[jakob]

I'm interested.
Looks good.
I would probably look for 3-4 nights min.
Rick, thanks for finding it.

[uwahl]

I'm in Port Pirie at the moment and will not be home til 26th Oct. This site looks interesting but I will probably not get up there before Xmas.
I have had some fabulous dark sky sites on my trip. Every time I set the scope up an instant que formed with Saturn being the favourite and Omega Centauri a close second. I have totally missed Winter. Four months of almost cloudless skys and warm weather.:D

[Shano592]

Great find Rick!

Too busy at the moment to go any further afield than the back yard (and maybe the PC if they haven't changed the lock!).

I'm with @Uwahl, in that things don't look especially hopeful for a trip before Christmas for me.

If I get a spare couple of days (nights), then I may make a solo run to see for myself.

For those playing Pin the Tail on the Campsite, the coordinates are 30:27:0.8 S, 150:41:34.0 E (according to WikiCamps), which puts it just east of the river crossing bridge on Pera-Linton Road.

[GTB_an_Owl]

GTB Weather (7Timer) for Glen Riddle

http://weather.gtbonline.com.au/index.php/glen-riddle

geoff

[Camelopardalis]

Given I'd be looking to head out in the next couple of days, the weather is looking too iffy to head south this time around :sadeyes: it's looking better going north :shrug:

[Allan_L]

Hopefully we'll catch up some time soon Dunk.

[Camelopardalis]

Hopefully :)

[Allan_L]

This trip is currently still GO for Launch.
preparations progressing.
plenty of spots still available for those interested

Just a reminder:
My plan is Monday 12 October to Friday 16

[GTB_an_Owl]

yes a bit of promise there from wednesday on

(take the fishing rods)

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

As I said to you Allan, I will have to give this one a miss.:(
Too many trips up there is biting off a bit more than can chew at the moment.
Will definitely look forward to getting there though soon. I am sure the spot will show great promise. Catch everyone soon and safe tripping.:)

[jakob]

Looking forward to see you.
I'm leaving later today (Sunday) and have a stop on the way.

[GTB_an_Owl]

I am doubtful at this stage

still work to do on the van and still waiting to get my fridge back

looks like good weather for wed/thur/frid nights

geoff

[Allan_L]

Nearly packed.
I expect to be on my way by 10 this morning.
Probably arrive campsite around 4 (allowing for breaks).
I may be tempted to stay the weekend if anyone is thinking that timeframe.
Hopefully there is internet reception at the site so updates may be possible.
:rover2:

[Mighty_oz]

Looking forward to what you guys say about this, looks like a nice spot according to Wikicamps. Enjoy the skies.

[jakob]

Internet ok, Telstra .
Nice spot, a bit windy atm.

[Camelopardalis]

I'm mulling over a sortie from Wednesday, if they'd still be any of you guys still there :D and weather forecast permitting of course ;)

Storms sweeping up northern NSW and SE QLD next 24 hours or so.

[Allan_L]

Optus reception is ok
Sky at the moment is brilliant.
Will reserve judgment for the moment.
Quiet.
Frogs are singing.
Nice ambience.
Was a bit windy today, but still now.
Very dry.
Mmmm
:hi:

[Camelopardalis]

Sounds good.

Is there any running water at all? I'm jist trying to judge how much deodorant to bring :lol:

[Allan_L]

Running water. Non drinking according to the signs.
I intend to use it for showers.
Clouds creeping in now.
Lightning in the distance.
Tomorrow may not be the best.as expected.

[Camelopardalis]

Thanks Allan! I'm hoping it passes as forecast and we can back to business.

[Allan_L]

Some sporadic cow pats.
Cows free to roam but haven't seen any on this side of the creek.
Ground very hard and dry.
Not tent peg friendly.
Flies in abundance.
Patchy overcast at the moment

[jakob]

Plenty of space!

[glend]

It looks like a great spot. Is that blue sky from today? I am cursing my injured foot for keeping me away. It's great that you have internet access, and can provide onsite updates. It would be nice to get one of those farmer gate webcams setup there so that at any time we can check out the conditions.

[Allan_L]

Jakob has asked me to print a retraction.
Tent pegs go in ok if you have the right kind.
The Aldi nail like tent pegs work great.
Also, sky is clearing.
We got zero rain.
Who knows what next.

[Camelopardalis]

According to BOM's radar, there are a few brewing to your west, as there are here.

I'm making some preparations, and will check the forecasts before heading out tomorrow. I still don't have the green light from the finance director, but I reckon my scopemobile should be able to do there and back in a single tank...

[Allan_L]

Overcast but few stars shining through.
Seems to be thininy out
No rain to speak of.
Looking good for tomorrow.

[glend]

Looking at the Namoi radar it seems Manila just had some rain, but its clearing from the southwest of you.

[Camelopardalis]

Right...I'm loaded. Aiming to be there late afternoon :D

[Allan_L]

Ok found the cows.
Dairy cows from the look.
They like the shade of the few trees.
And they are about but no nuisance.
Virtually no water in the river/ creek/ dam.
So don't bother with fishing gear.
Water for washing comes from a tap. Handy.
This is not a family holiday spot with absence of water in the creek.
The jury is still out for me.
Hoping for amazing skies for the rest of the week.

[Rick Petrie]

No jetstream tonight over you guys, so if it has cleared for you there, should be some good seeing to be had.:) Let us know.

[GTB_an_Owl]

sorry guys
i am not going to be able to make it

fridge is still at the repair shop and my petrol budget has been moved to the timber budget for the van
taking longer than anticipated as well, but getting there

enjoy the rest of your stay

geoff

[glend]

Well guys how is it going up there? Did Dunk find you ok yesterday? Did you get a clear night with good seeing? It was a good night down here but nothing like a dark site...grrrr.:shrug:

[Allan_L]

John (fizics) arrived about 3.30 but stayed in town overnight.
Dunk arrived on sunset (still running on Qld time).
Sky cleared nicely and was dark, with both LMC&SMC clearly prominent even during early twilight.
Milky way horizon to horizon.
No dew .
Nice, but atmosphere got a bit wishy later.
Tonight is going to be the pick of the week 😉

[glend]

Good luck up there tonight guys. Does anyone up there have a Sky Quality Metre to benchmark the spot?

[Allan_L]

Cracker of a night.
I left the observing field at about 4 this morning.
Jakob and Dunk are still imagining.
No SQM.
:D

[glend]

Sounds great! If anyone is staying for the weekend, the Orionid meteor shower starts tomorrow night going to Wednesday. Location is NE after mid-night - but you probably already know that. Allan even without a SQM your experience can estimate relative darkness, so how did last night compare with your past dark site experiences?

[Camelopardalis]

Allan is spot on, and I was certainly imagining at 4am...imagining that I was in my bed :lol:

I like the site...it's got the basics...it's a bit of a drive but the road is sealed right up to the gate, it's a little undulating but fairly level, only a few trees tickling the horizon. And the horizon is low all round. It's certainly dark here, I've not discerned light glow in any direction. And it's been very dry. Only the slightest hint of dew last night by 4am, and the seeing was either very good to excellent. Given my heritage, I'm not sure what excellent looks like ;)

The facilities seem to be kept well maintained by the local council, and it's only a 10 minute drive into town.

Good site, good conditions, good company :D what more could an astronomer ask for? A little water in the creek would be nice, and an autonomous driving car would solve the remoteness...but I guess it goes with the territory, as they say...

[Camelopardalis]

As for darkness...given my life experiences, I'd never seen the Milky Way stretching up from Perseus through Orion and Canis Major all the way down to Carina...although I appreciate that is somewhat dependent on being at the right place at the right time. The Magellanic Clouds have been particularly obvious regardless of altitude, not sure if any of this gives any meaningful indication...it was a long night :lol:

[Rick Petrie]

I just knew it would be a good spot.;););):thumbsup:
Sounds like a keeper for future treks.
Keep having a good time you guys.
Can't wait to experience for myself.
Cheers

[Fizics]

Eating fresh apple pie turnovers from the local bakery in the middle of the night was a real treat.....thanks Duncan. Kept thinking about them on the drive home.
36 degree temps all the way home. But should say there is excellent shade at the site and cools quickly in the evening.

[Allan_L]

Cools quickly alright.
I was in shorts and T at 6 and freezer suit by midnight!
Another top night so far tonight.
Homeward bound tomorrow.

[glend]

I've just locked up the home obs after another good night here, but with the cloud appearing down to the south and the forecast, and the moon, I think that's it for awhile. Hope you guys get at least one more good night if your staying on.

[Camelopardalis]

Another great night, albeit with a cloud-induced intermission for us hunter gatherers. Seeing was decent, matching the previous night IMO.

Took a slightly different route home but took about the same time. Haven't had the energy to look at my images yet :lol:

Appreciated the company and thanks for patching me up after my long trip ;)

[Allan_L]

Well that was a great week.
Great weather.
Great company.
Very nice spot.

The water level is down to virtually nothing (it is reportedly around 6% at the dam proper). They let it all out for the sake of the cotton farmers.
Very important for the area and major force behind the dam originally.
(It is said they "own" the water).

The reserve is VERY well (even over-) maintained by the council with three visits per week to clean toilets and replace toilet paper, empty bins, mow grass (what little there is) and other general maintenance. And it shows.

The weather is very Dry. Low humidity every day. Dew was none to speak of. Even the big thunderstorm produced little more than 17 drops per sq meter. Perfect for astro. Clouds occasionally passed over, but disappeared quickly.

No light was evident in any direction.
Horizons were down to single figures in all directions.

It was a long drive (5 hours plus breaks from Wyong @ 90kph on average)
The road up there was great, Limit of 110 for a lot of the way, and bitumen right up to the front gate.
And at half way between Sydney and Brisbane, it opens the possibilities for a wide range of participants.

It was great to see Dunk (currently on assignment in Brisbane), but like a true Qlder, he refused to adopt this crazy southern time adjustment. This made synchronization interesting with conversions to and fro the norm. :)

It was hot during the day, but there was a big covered picnic area that provided great relief. It got cold very quickly after sun set.

I regard it as a great alternative site, especially if weather is an issue at other sites, but it would be too hot November to say February inclusive (IMHO).
I think once a year (or thereabouts) it should be programmed in, with plenty of advance notice. Other times, maybe, if nothing else is showing promise.
I am eagerly awaiting Aldi selling those strong straight tent pegs (that look like huge nails) again, so I can be better prepared for our next visit.
Summary : --> :thumbsup: