Expressions of interest: Lostock

[Arthur Alchin]

I have had the opportunity to hire out the Lostock Scout camp on a few occasions other than when Mike has booked it for the Ice In Space astronomy camps. and I will be doing so again for a few "weekdays" in Early to mid January if it is available (weekends are almost impossible to book at short notice).

For three days it cost $135 (shared equally between all) plus $3 per person per day, the more that show the cheaper the contribution.

Only thing is you need to supply your own food and drinks and camping gear (unless you sleep in the house: then linen and pillows are required)

Me, my LXD75 8"SN and MySKYwill be going regardless of whether anyone goes or not but am putting it out to offer, expressions of interest as soon as possible please as i need to book soon

Arthur Alchin

[Arthur Alchin]

I have spoken with Brian from Lostock, The new moon in January is the 26th (monday) and unfortunately Lostock is booked out till the 27/28th January. Earlier in the month will be good for lunar/ planetary viewing etc

Any other suggestions for a venue?? I have a shovel for a lattrene, a small generator and a solar shower (and of course all my other camping gear).

? Glenbourne Dam or mabe somewhere a little further north or west eg a property with a creek/river.

Arthur

[Wavytone]

Other sites I've used over the past 30 years:

1. Broke Fordwich - McNamara Park (camp there), though there would be others doing same.

2. At the tiny town of Rydal, just west of Lithgow, there is a conference centre of some sort, its very cheap for accommodation, has been used for astronomy group seminars with observing on at least 2 occasions I'm aware of; accommodates 20 peope. Low cost and quite civilised, beats camping. The XPT stops at Rydal (you need a booked seat) if you don't want to drive.

Rydal is so small you won't be worried by light pollution. Also has a showground on the hilltop for those wanting a wide open dark space.

3. Lake Lyell, should have a decent amount of water in it. There is a camping area there though the horizons are not good for stargazing.

4. Rylstone, has a good camping ground

5. Mt Kaputar, IMHO a truly spectacular place - only a few oldies know about this from the early '80s when there was a regular annual Christmas astrocamp there for several years. There is a level lava field in the forest the size of a football field perfect for scopes, and the sky at night is superb (altitude is 1450 metres). You can camp on the top (at Dawsons Spring which has permanent water from the spring, campsites, hot showers, some powered sites and a couple of cabins) or stay in Narrabri and drive up if the other half doesn't want to rough it. Lots of things to see and do during the daytime. As it's nearer to Brisbane the banana benders might come too. A good opportunity to visit the AAO, the Warrumbungles and the Australia Telescope on the way. NPWS would be quite pleased to see stargazers return.

6. There is a conference centre on Bells Line of Rd near the ZigZag railway. High and dark, quite civilised.

If Broke or Kaputar is the go then you can count me in.

There's a camp ground at Barrington Tops which should be OK this time of year, and places to camp around Gloucester, Dungog, Wallarobba though fairly boring places...