Lostock:New moon in April

[Arthur Alchin]

Instead of going to pony club in April i have booked to have the Lostock Scout camp 'top house". If anybody is interested the can give me a call on 0411438858 for particulars. (it works out very cheap).

Have the place from Friday morning (24th) to Sunday afternoon (26th) unfortunately i will be missing the anzac march but have to get priorities right.

Easy access for Central Coast // Hunter Valley (upper and lower) Astro people

Arthur

[Inmykombi]

I am in Arthur.
One person.......me.

Good work in organising the times etc.

I'll pencil it into my Diary for those dates.

Its as cheap as chips and it'll be a great weekend away under the stars.

PS. we could always have our own private Dawn Service.

Geoffro

[Arthur Alchin]

actually that never "dawned" on me, good thinking

[Inmykombi]

I'll phone a few regulars too Arthur to see if theres any more interest in this weekend.
Is it locked in and booked ?

[Arthur Alchin]

i rang and spoke with Brian Atkins this afternoon and i can pick up the key on the morning of the 24th april

[Inmykombi]

excellent.
I just pm'd a few from the forum. I will try a few more soon.

Thx.

Geoffro.

[Arthur Alchin]

good work

[Inmykombi]

Not a lot of commitment from anyone so far Arthur.:(

It would be great to get a few of the regulars and the new members that visit the Pony club to come along.

Come on all you folks. how about it ?
Its a great opportunity to get away under a dark sky.:eyepop:

Geoffro.

[gb_astro]

Arthur, Geoff, I would like to go.
(Just realized it was school holidays.)

Greg.

[Arthur Alchin]

sounds great, is it a problem being school hols?

[iceman]

I'd love to, but just won't be able to get away especially considering the month after i'm off to SPSP.

Hope you have clear skies!

[Arthur Alchin]

I hope we have clear skies mike, thanks for your best wishes, sorry you can't make it. it should be good

arthur

[gb_astro]

Hi Arthur.

"is it a problem being school hols?"

No, school holidays are better for me.
I just did not realise that they were on at this time.

Greg.

[jakob]

I'm inerested to take part.
Will float the idea with management.
J.

[Inmykombi]

Hi Arthur,
Looks like only 3 or 4 innterested parties at present, including you and me.

A small group could be good. We can have more photons per person.:P

We should ask for a headcount to confirm I guess.

Geoffro.

[Arthur Alchin]

geoff
i have another mate who live on CC who is a bit of a "silent key" when it comes to astronomy. He may be coming up if he is not on call for work and bring his LX200 gps (12") which has only been out of the box 2 or 3 times.

I will warn him about how to watch for spiders and he removes the spider webs from the carton.

[cookie8]

Arthur
I would like to go but cannot confirm until closer to the date.
IIS2008 Lostock was all clouded out. I would like another shot at it.
Vincent

[hector]

I may be interested in attending and bringing the 25. I will have to look into work schedule.
Andrew

[Arthur Alchin]

just a note to anyone interested in going: i haven't organised any food or drinks so you will need to take your own, i will be taking a kettle type of bbq that everybody is welcome to use.

The house also has a decked out kitchen with fridge, stove ec

[Inmykombi]

Thx Arthur, I will make sure I take enough supplies.

It'd be great to have the 25 incher there too Andrew.

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi]

It'd be great to have you there Andrew. I'll bring more microwave fuses.;)

Just dont steal all out light with that light bucket.:lol:

Only 2 mnths to go and its all booked in at my end.


Geoffro.

[Arthur Alchin]

Just a note to some of the new folks, we have a booking for lostock scout camp for anzac weekend if you are interested, see the other replies for particulars

[Deeno]

Yes please.
Have some free time in April and would very much like to go

Deeno

[Inmykombi]

You can come along Deeno.... as long as you take that funny lookin' Cricket cap off....:lol: and bring some of that Anti-bacterial Anaesthetising Absynian beverage that I missed last time at Lostock.:drink:

Thanks for the eyepieces last Sat Night too buddy.

Geoffro.

[jakob]

I intend to come with my Campervan. Just to undestand, the "top house" is not the place we normally stay?
Would we still observe from the fied below the road?

Looking forward to some clear skies, Jakob.

[Octane]

I would so love to come, but, that is the weekend (24th) that I fly off to New Zealand for two weeks. D'oh!

Arthur, if this is a success, what's the likelihood of organising another event, perhaps after the SPSP 2009?

Depending on the cost, it would be great to have several weekends (or long weekends) up there, if possible.

Regards,
Humayun

[charsiubau]

Hi, Ken and I are from Canberra and we attended IISAC 2007 (didn't make it in 2008) and loved the dark skies at Lostock. We will be in the general area for a function on Saturday night so wondered if we could join you for just the Friday night?

Cheers
Bronwyn

[Arthur Alchin]

At this stage there appears to be about a dozen people coming ( i will be staying in my tent) therefore there should be well and truly enough bunks to go around. The kitchen is well utensilled.

At present the cost is $75 to be shared between all those who attend and $3 per person per day (quite cheap), just bring food, drinks, bedding (pillows/ blankets/ sheets and towells).

There will be no problems having other weekends but this just depends on the property being prebooked by others.

Also we wouldn't go there the weekend that Mike books the Iceinspce weekend because that is the ultimate annual get together.

Arthur

[Arthur Alchin]

I tried to get the bottom house bur brian told me it had been prebooked by another group.

I have only been to the top house before to turn on the water but it appears to be higher and more clear of the trees and surrounding hills. i guess we can set up our gear wherever we want and long as we don't infringe on the people in the other house.

Arthur

[Inmykombi]

I hope the lower house has " lights out " early enough to allow us to keep our night vision. It would be a shame if they stayed up for hours with a campfire or the like....

I'll be there with bells on....( well a red torch anyway ).

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi]

Hi again Arthur,
How many bunks are available ?

It looks like I am coming by myself. No one else in my family wants to come along.

Still looking forward to this very much.

Geoffro.

[Allan_L]

If there is any space left, I will check with social director if I can get a leave pass that weekend?

Will have to get the address and general hints on what to bring what not too please?

[Inmykombi]

Hi Arthur,
How many bunks are available ? Will there be enough for everyone ?
Or I can bring a tent along.

I intend staying both nights from Friday to Sunday as planned.:D

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi]

Hi,
I think you are welcome on the Friday night.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Geoffro.

[Shano592]

Sounds like a great event, however ...

The new scope arrives in that week, and I shouldn't open the package during that period, for fear of invoking the new scope curse.

Anyway ... I have to pack for an overseas trip in early May, so setting up a new scope is not high on the agenda at that time.

[Arthur Alchin]

According to Brian there are about 15-20 beds in the house and i am sure at this stage not many are being reserved

Just to be on the safe side i am going to put my tent / sleeping bag and inflatable mattress in the car, i don't mind the roughing it bit if it comes to that.

Definitely looking forward to the W'end event, just got to start praying for fine weather, hopefully better than IIS08 by what i hear

Arthur

[Deeno]

Looking forward to it!!!!
Will aso bring camping stuff

[Rick Petrie]

I'm in, but is there enough bunks left? Can I reserve one? If not I guess it'll be move over Deeno?????? after some of that Jungle Juice stuff. :help:
Does anyone know how many starters so far?
Hoping for some good skies????

[Arthur Alchin]

no need to reserve bunks, think there will be enough to go around

[Allan_L]

Keep a spot for me too, please.
Bunkhouse I guess, as I was too slow to jump on inmykombie's tent!

(Is it just me, or does anybody else see the humour in inmykombie in a tent?)
Is that an oxymoron (spellin??)

cheers
clear skies

Allan

[Arthur Alchin]

yep,oxymoron

[Inmykombi]

The tent wont fit in the Kombi. :(
Maybe the kombi can fit in the tent ????:shrug:

I'll have to set it up outside if theres no bunks left.

I just wish I had a kombi....One day maybe....;)

Hopin for great skies too...

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi]

Just noticed that out little Lostock trip is right in the middle of the Lyrid meteor shower.:D
I hope its a beauty as I have never seen a good meteor shower.

Geoffro.

[Arthur Alchin]

is the best time to view the M.Showers from MN onwards and from the radian???

Never seen on either

arthur

[Inmykombi]

I really dont know Arthur.

I just hope it will be a good night with a good count per hour for the Meteors.
In the darker sky, if they are around we'll see them I reckon.


Geoffro.

[charsiubau]

This is Bronwyn and Ken from Canberra again. Just letting you know we are still planning to come to Lostock for the Friday night on the assumption that we can get a bunk each, as we won't have camping gear. We'll ring Arthur closer to the date to confirm arrangements.

[Arthur Alchin]

there appears to be no problems with beds and probably won't be, but i will be taking my tent and bed/ bedding just in case.

I am very happy to doze off in my nylon house if needed to free up bunks inside

[Rhino1980]

Hello guys,
I live in the Hunter and was hoping to pop up for a few hours one night just to see what the site is like and meet a few people. Unfortunately I won't have my 10" Newt/EQ-6 by then :-(
Cheers
Ryan

[Arthur Alchin]

sounds good, chuck in your pillow and a blanket or two in case you get tired so you can have a snooze before drining home, heaps of bunks

[Rhino1980]

Great! Weather permitting I'll probably wonder up on Saturday arvo with the wife.

[GTB_an_Owl]

the owl has permission to attend

BUT who will look after the pony club visitors ?

geoff

[Arthur Alchin]

I am sure we have some dew up lostock so spent yesterday making a pulsating DC voltage controller for my home made nichrome wire dew heater, develops about 13 watts.

Got kit from Jaycar, took more than the 60 minutes that they suggested to make it but in the end it works well, figure don't want the scope to get "dewed up"

In the end cost a lot less than a kendrick dew heaer and controller which incidently isn't available for the 200mm LXD 75 S/N anyhow.

I used to dabble in electronics years ago, the pack didn't say to allow another 2-3 hours for trying to see the colour bands on the resistors because of increasing age and reduced resistor size.

[Arthur Alchin]

do i have to supply hay and chaff for the pony club visitors??

[GTB_an_Owl]

that not exactly what i meant Arthur

will we have a keyholder who is staying home to accomodate anyone who wants to go to the pony club that weekend is what i was saying


geoff

[Arthur Alchin]

oh u mean the pony clubbers who are staying on the coast, not the ones going to lostock, now i understand hehehehe

[Arthur Alchin]

by the way Geoff, in reply to your proper question, i don't know who will hold the key for the PC :shrug: ??

[sally1jack]

Just spoke to Peter Read & there is a chance I will have my scope for the 25th:D so if thats the case I will come up sat arvo.I dont have a tent so its the car or a bunk if there is any. One small problem is that its my wedding anniversary:eyepop:, but ill sort that little one out, & try to bring my manhood with me :prey:
Phil

[GTB_an_Owl]

here's hoping then phil

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

Glad to see you've got the priorities right Phil.:P;):rolleyes:
Be good to see you up there with the baby Hughie.:thumbsup:
Cheers mate:)

[Inmykombi]

Good one Geoff.

I plan on leaving on Friday Morning, If we leave together we can chat on the radios again.

That is assuming you can put up with my chatter.:whistle:

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi]

Woo Hoo. It'll be good to see this scope of yours Phil.:eyepop:

I know what you mean about the " Manhood bit ".

I have....along with many other mates have booked a Surfing trip on the Mothers Day weekend..:doh:
We didnt realise when we did, but we better watch out as well.:lol:

Geoffro.

[Arthur Alchin]

geoff if you are going on friday morning will you be on channel, i regularly scan and Tx on uhf 5//11/18// 29 and 40, can probably go to duplex (ch 08) up near gresford.

Go by my old call sign of the 1970's "Sierra Tango 60" (once had an old Midland 13-892 and always ran on LSB)

[Inmykombi]

Hi Arthur,
Yes , Both myself and Geoff ( OWL ) are usually on channel when we drive away to star parties.
Channel 8 sounds good for starters ( simplex ) and then maybe Duplex at Gresford as you said.
We could meet you at the Twin servo's on the F3 if you like and grab a coffee for the trip, and then travel together.

The towns are as follows.

Through Maitland, Paterson, Vacy, Gresford then Lostock.
This may help those who have never been to Lostock before.

Where-is.com is a good help also. Just find Gresford and then expand the map and go south to Maitland. That way it'll be easier to find the way.

Geoffro.

[Arthur Alchin]

i will be leaving home about 9ish on the fri morning, will give u a call on 8 (simplex) when i am leaving home and will stop at the twin for a cuppa, I am a regular visitor to lostock these days (so it seems) so directions for me are easy.

The Directions mike set out under the IIS astrocamp heading to the left of here are good also.

I will be scanning 5/8/11/18/29 and 40 so will keep an ear out for u. do u and geoff have a handle u use??

definitely looking forward to the W'end, just hope the clouds stay away.

On the way i will pop into the caravan park and grab the keys to the house.

[Allan_L]

Hi Arthur,
Looking forward to the weekend.
What time you planning on arriving?
I am thinking if I leave straight from work I should get there about 5:30 Friday?
From your experience, would that be appropriate?
Or should I plan on taking the whole day off?

How many folks do you think are coming?
I should imagine there will be plenty of space on the observing field.
I hope the others who booked the other house arn't all night party owls!

Do people usually bring their own generators, for battery pack recharge?
Or use whats available in the house?
I saw them mentioned re SPSP information.
Hopefully this wont be as formal - sounds like some serious dudes go there -behaviour demerits for tripping a car interior light?

cheers
Allan

[Arthur Alchin]

Hi allan

I have taken the whole day off myself (and would do so everyday if i could) as i go and get the keys and turn on the hot water etc.

The house has 240 volt power and there is no problem with charging batteries, maybe a long extension lead if you have one would come in handy.

i will bring a couple of those powerboard things.

you can suit yourself where you set up, personally i like to set up before dark i sort of get my bearings and it makes me feel comfortable

the only thing i don't have is some red lights for the house if anyone can help out

also i i remember i will take the weed eater incase a bit of grass needs to be trimmed

[Inmykombi]

Hi Arthur, Geoff and I dont really have proper Handles for the radio, If you want to call me just call for " Kombie" as some operators used to on CH8 Repeater here in Gosford whe it was working.
Or just ask for Geoff 1 or Geoff 3. ( I am Geoff 3 if I remember )

I have a red light I can bring for the house. Dont worry about that, I can bring it. Its a small fluoro that is red and relatively dim compared to some other lights so it should be well suited.

[jakob]

I just caught up with the thread (i'm currently in Moree).
Looking forward to the weekend, don't know when I will arrive at the camp. I will probably use putty road this time.
Thanks for all the planning an preparations.
Cheers Jakob.

[Inmykombi]

It'll be great to see ya there Jakob.

We should have a great time.
I have all my gear cleaned and ready as a good Amateur should.:P

Geoffro.

[Allan_L]

Having been devastated to mis out on InmyKombie's tent for sale (for those who dont read the Non-astronomy for sales section - have a look, I have a nice set of speakers and a kyak for sale.)

I have today gone out and bought myself a new tent (- attached to some wheels :) ).

So I hope to christen it by dragging it up to Lostock 24 April.

I assume camper tent trailer thingys are permitted???

If so, there is a chance I wont need a bunk after-all, if they are in short supply.
If not --- D'oh!

But I will need power for my CPAP machine anyway, if there is any sleep time that is!!
(THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sleep apnoea sufferers probably should not get into astonomy :sadeyes: ).

Don't know if the wife will be coming, but as I haven't told her about the new pourchase, there could be a chance I may need to become a permanent resident :help:

[Inmykombi]

Hi alan,

Maybe you better get familiar with the inside of the "tent with wheels " in case you have to spend a lot of time in there. :lol:
As long as theres room for a beer fridge all is OK.

[GTB_an_Owl]

Arthur

is there any reason you didn't book the house for the sunday nite as well ?

geoff

[charsiubau]

Hi guys
This is Bronwyn and Ken from Canberra again. It turns out that we can't come to Lostock on the Friday night after all. The logistics of trying combine this with the function we have to attend on Saturday were too difficult. Sorry about this. I hope the weather is kind and you all have a great time.

[Inmykombi]

Hi Geoff,

I could only have one day off work at present, being the Friday. Back home on Sunday for work Monday unfortunately.
But Arthur may have more info about your question for the Sunday night.

[sally1jack]

How's the weather lookin for lostock ??? :rain: you should be right as my scope is now delayed a week:sadeyes:, I might still come up sat night
Phil

[GTB_an_Owl]

i was forgetting monday is not a holiday

bummer Phil

hope you can make it anyway

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Sorry to hear your light bucket scope is delayed Phil.

Your welcome to look through my inferior SCT if you wish:lol:

And Geoff, it may be a holiday somewhere in the world....Just not for me.:(

Geoffro

[Arthur Alchin]

I think i will also take the little tasco newtonian with me to play with, i must also remind myself to get a stack of AA batteries for the mysky.

weather forcast off the weather channel (scone being the closest) shows friday night clear and ? showers saturday, i can hardly wait t will see how correct they are.

[jakob]

You are wellcome to help me find targets to look at. Looking forward to clear skies!

[Allan_L]

Well, it should be a holiday and I am taking it off as a Public Holiday in Protest !!!

weather be kind !!! :stargaze:

[sally1jack]

Thankyou Jakob, I might take you up on that , i'd like to have a look through your meade :thumbsup:


Im with you Allan i like these 3-4 day weekends :)

[Inmykombi]

What say we meet at the Twin Servo's on the Freeway at about 9-ish or so on Friday morning ?

We could have a coffee and then get going..??

Geoffro.

[sally1jack]

I'm going to try to come up sat arvo scopeless:sadeyes: can anyone let me know how to get there? or a link to show the way to sct alley :doh:i mean dob alley;)
It will be great to catch up :thumbsup:
P.S is there bunk space avaliable?
Phil

[Inmykombi]

Hi Phil, The towns are as follows.

Maitland, Paterson, Vacy, Gresford then on the Lostock Dam.

Here is a link to Whereis.com.
Hope it helps.
Geoffro.

PS....should be bunks available.

http://www.whereis.com/?id=70A30E09F913C8

[sally1jack]

Thankyou Geoffro :thumbsup:

[Inmykombi]

No worries.....I hope. I have only been there once, and I cant exactly remember how to get there.
I will be consulting the map frequently myself.

See ya there.

[Allan_L]

Longitude and Lattitude anyone ???
I trust in the fates and GPS navigation !

anyone done a head count?

Weather report is fine for one and a half days at least.
Hope that carries over into the nights too!!!:prey::campfire::astron:

Allan

[GTB_an_Owl]

-32.310755 151.437875

should get you there

geoff

[Arthur Alchin]

Mike has good direction details of the drive on ISS

Whereis and Travelmate have maps/ directions you can make and print out.

Most GPSs can find it, use Paterson River Road, Gresford as your starting point and just drive for what appears tobe an eternity (it's not really).

When you reach the turn off to the Dam (don't take the turnoff) it tells you a) you're on the right track and b) you have about 6-7 kms to go

For those with UHF CB, Gresford has a repeater on Channel 8 (duplex) so give us a call if you want as the channel will be monitored all weekend.

[sally1jack]

Thankyou Arthur :thumbsup:

[Arthur Alchin]

Nobody has done a head count as yet to my knowledge and i am not sure whether one is necessary at this stage, i do know that some are taking their own bedding tents / vans etc (me for one if it is needed)

As we are supplying our own tucker and drinks should be no dramas (but we must be mindful of murphy's law).

Remember that lostock has no mobile phone coverage or landline therefore communications is not possible although there is a public phone at the Caravan park, satelite phone or CB might be the only way to go

[cookie8]

Hi Arthur
Considering joining you guys this weekend at Lostock.Just have my 400d modded by Eric so can't wait to try it out under dark sky Likely staying for both nights. I need a bunk bed though,any chance?
Cheers
Vincent

[Inmykombi]

Hi Vincent,

I think there should be bunks available. I'll take my tent in case.

Lookin forward to seeing what your camera can do..

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi]

Thats a mighty long phone number there Geoff.

What time would you like to meet at the Twin servo's ?

About 9.30 10 ?

Geoffro.

[GTB_an_Owl]

do you expect me to be even out of bed at that time geoffro ?

but i guess if you insist - 9 / 9-30 sounds like a good time for a coffee

and NOoooooo - it's not a phone number

Allan_L came round for a fitting to-nite - and we made sure he won't be cold on the weekend :whistle:

geoff

[Allan_L]

Thanks Geoff,
But with all that gear, I think i'm "gona need a bigger boat"

can't wait. :prey2::campfire::stargaze::astron:

[sally1jack]

Who ever is doing this rain dance had better stop soon otherwise i'd better bring the cards
phil

[Inmykombi]

Looks like its the Twin Servo's at about 9.30- 10 am folks.

I'll look forward to meeting eveyone there and having a cuppa before we head off.

Geoffro

[gb_astro]

Just noticed Weather Underground gives forecasts for Lostock Dam.
Can't get much closer.

http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/95772.html

Greg.

[Allan_L]

Good one Greg!

At last a bit of favourable news. :thanks:

May be worth the trip up afterall.

But I dont think I will be in the 9:30 at Twin Servos group.

Here's hoping
Al

[gb_astro]

Hi Allan.

Yes, after a depressing week, just maybe...

If I ever work out how to get all my gear in the car I will
probably be there late afternoon.

Greg.

[Rhino1980]

Hey again. Are all you guys still going, the weather forecast for this area is pretty dire with the worst apparently coming on Sunday? We are going to see how Friday is and if its its miserable we'll give it a miss...

[Arthur Alchin]

i have arranged to pick up the key between 1230 and 1300, will catch you at the twin servos, i will keep an ear on channel 8.

look forward to seeing everybody

[cookie8]

HI Arthur & Geoff
I won't be able to join you guys afterall. Still can't get over this lingering flu. What a shame.
CS and have a good time
Vincent

[GTB_an_Owl]

all the major stuff is packed

geoff

[Inmykombi]

I will be there without a doubt.

Arthur, I will need to be re-imburse you for the fees paid for the accommodation.

See ya at the twin Servo's.

[gb_astro]

Change of plans for me.
Looks like Friday is out but Saturday is still good.

Greg.

[jakob]

I'm packing now. I may be at the Servos but I know the way and will be at Lostock some time. I'm not keeping up with the freeway trafic with my camper anyway.
See ya.:P

[Deeno]

Kind of ready to go........
Won't be early enough for the twin servos

Looking forward to getting there!!!

[GTB_an_Owl]

i was just about to ask what time you were leaving Deeno

geoff

[Deeno]

Fair question.
Probably leave around 10....ish

[Inmykombi]

All packed now.
Just a thermos of coffee to make and I'lls ee you at the twin servos.

[Allan_L]

you guys are too organised.
If i am there and setup before dark that will be a win ! :)

getting excited now

[Allan_L]

hey deeno,
what do you usually do for dinner up there?

[Deeno]

Basic camping fair.......

Cans/baked beans etc

Noodles....

Maybe some snags.......

[RB]

Have a great w/e guys and safe driving.
Hope you have clear skies and I look forward to reading your reports.

Unfortunately for me work won't all me to travel atm, so I'll catch up with everyone next time.

Cheers

[Rhino1980]

G'day fellas. Just a quick note to say thanks for making us feel welcome and showing us heaps. It was great to look through different size scopes and different eye pieces and get an idea as to what is capable of what. Hope to catch up with you all again soon.

[h0ughy]

how did you guys go with that cloud that came over and the wind that followed with the clear skies?

[GTB_an_Owl]

well Dave - we were literally blown away with the conditions at lostock this trip
BLOWN AWAY being the operative term
friday was cloudy - got a bit of a look in later in the evening - then the bloody hurricane hit

my scope decided to do some unattended Parra- observing - didn't negotiate the landing too well - but survived pretty much unscathed

Sat evening started out great - no cloud - seeing was ok for a while -
then the tornado hit
don't think anyone survived past midnite

i got wise and put the scope away this time before i retired but left the base out on the paddock - them nice fella's that stayed up a bit later stopped it all from blowing into maitland and bought in in out of the wind

fun weekend - great company - more later

geoff

[sally1jack]

I thought i was going to bring you blokes good luck for a while,What did that fisherman tell me again????:P,Got sick of standing at 45 degrees lucky it wasn't too cold :windy:
On my way home a cow was on the road & wasn't moving until it descided to charge my car:eyepop: lucky it missed.

Great night good to see everybody & thanks for the views,I'm sorry to say from next saturday night there will be 6 week of bad weather as my scope is arriving ;)
Cheers Phil

[h0ughy]

wow i hope no major damage was suffered by anyone

[Rick Petrie]

Great weekend but I think the jet stream lowered itself to ground zero a few too many times during our stay. The big bad wolf huffed and puffed and nearly blew our house away. The house was literally creaking, rattling and groaning in a few of the gusts.(who was that snoring all night?)
Apart from the elements the weekend was a great success as we had some periods of very good seeing in the "lulls".
You could see Sally1 Phil drooling after looking through Greg's new SDM. Very nice scope too by the way Greg and thanks for the views. You've gotta be happy with it so far.
Deeno was the only soldier to brave the elements for the whole weekend on "Lostock Heights". Has to be one of the ten best drift aligners I know of.:whistle::whistle::whistle::P
Cheers to Arthur for his foresight in arranging this get together and I'm sure it may become a regular type event. Was nice to meet you both Ryan and Rebecca and I hope you enjoyed it.
Thanks to all for the good company again.:thumbsup:

[Inmykombi]

Hey Rick, I'll swap you the pair of Tasco 10 x 50 Binos in my car for a ladder thats at your place OK.........;)

Well I had a great time there despite the poor seeing conditions and the "Hurricanes and Cyclones".
The wind was blowing the hardest I have seen for a while mainly after midnight.
We managed to get some observing under nice dark skies so Icant really complain at all.The seeing was terrible for planets and pinpoint stars, but the Nebs and clusters and doubles looked OK.
The quantity of Doubles I " discovered " was later thought to be directly proportional to the amount of Bundy Rum I consumed on Friday night.:P
The Milky way on Saturday night was stretched right across the sky....simply beautiful.
Meteors a plenty too, with me seeing about 20 in an hour and a half on Friday night.

And that scope of Gregs was amazing. I like the filter flip mechanism too.
Very nice indeed.
Thx to Jacob for the look thru ther 16 incher too. WOW...
Great to see Phil and Ryan and Rebecca too. Ryan and rebecca's scope gave some very sharp star cluster views too.

Deenos tarp became 4 seperate tarps after the weekend too, I saw him chasing one part up the hill early Sunday morning....:lol:

Great company, some dark observing and a few laughs... Ill be back...

A special Thx to Arthur for organising the keys and the weekend. Hip Hip Hooray... Oh and thx for the Hotdogs Friday night as well Arthur.


Photos to come..

Geoffro.

[Deeno]

What Bizarre weather! :confuse2:

Both nights showed signs of promise but, delivered very little in the way of conditions even remotely conducive for good observing.

Friday night started calm and clear with some very poor seeing. Then the temperature rose almost 10 degrees in fifteen minutes, the humidity halved closely followed by a nor-wester that had me chasing the dust cap of the 10" across the paddock:rundog:....in the dark...with a red light torch.

Saturday showed even more promise until the nor-wester kicked in again with as much venom as the previous evening.
Fortunately the only victim was my poor old tarp. It copped a battering on Friday night. Saturday night has left it beyond repair.:violin:

Still managed to make friends with my new HEQ-5, which was the primary goal for the weekend. Looked like I had coaxed a reasonable polar alignment in the end. It should be a lot easier next time without the hurricane.

Thanks for making the trek to 'Windy Lostock Heights' and the lesson on the finer points on collimating a Newtonian Rick. You have now made my list of "Top Ten Collimators in Australia". Perhaps the World.........maybe even the known universe......:poke:

Anyway, Lostock is a beautiful location and really enjoyed a laugh with some terrific company. I still had 'just' the best time.

Thanks Arthur
Hopefully we can do this on a regular basis?

Cheers
Deeno

[GTB_an_Owl]

love the ghosting effect Deeno

how did you do that ?

geoff

[Deeno]

They are a HDR image (tone mapping to be more accurate) made from nine separate bracketed exposures and blended together.

[Rhino1980]

Did you use Photomatix for that? Looks great.

[gb_astro]

My first time at Lostock, beautiful scenery on the drive up there
in the late afternoon and the darkest site I have been to for some time.

Really enjoyed the company and the Saturday night sky was pretty impressive to the naked eye with the Milky Way dark lanes very obvious.

Thanks for the comments on the SDM, it's working out well.

And Rick, thanks for the Argo tutorial.

Greg.

[Arthur Alchin]

:welcome:Glad everyone had a great weekend (except for the wind and initial cloud).

:shrug:I will have to reclimb the learning curve :help: (curse) for the LXD75 because it got me so frustrated i was about to scream (the higher velosity wind blocked the noise coming out of my). Also there were times over the weekend when i was glad i was upwind on some occasions.

Thankyou all that came, it made a great weekend.

It is interesting when you think that Jacobs reflector is mounted on a Turret rather than a base, maybe rotational locks should be installed to stop it turning into a wind turbine (hehehehe)

[iceman]

Great pics and reports. Wish I could've been there. It was certainly very blowy at home too!

Does the rest of the site look the same? I bet the water hole was cool!

[GTB_an_Owl]

don't know about the water hole being "cool" Mike - but it was sure "full"

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

upwind you say Arthur !

i wasn't that good was i ?

geoff

[Deeno]

Yup. Sure was.

Sounds like you guys enjoyed yourselves.
I hear you have some interesting plans for your next purchase?

[Rhino1980]

Hey Deeno, an EQ6 PRO and a Skywatcher 10 inch Newtonian are the next goodies we plan on purchasing. After looking through a 10 inch aperture at Lostock the deal was sealed! And yeah we had a blast!

[RB]

I wish I could have come up too, but glad you guys had a good time, even though the weather was so vicious at times.

Deeno nice pics as usual mate, very nicely done, they have a natural colour and look to them even though they are HDR, well done mate.

:thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

some photo's

[jakob]

Thanks for a geat weekend in good company!
:thumbsup:
At least the Cobwebs were cleared out of the scope!

Here are some snaps.:rofl:

( Thanks for the push to get me on the way.....:help:)

[norm]

Sounds like you had a good time fellas - relaxed atmosphere and camaraderie:thumbsup:

If there is another session b4 Lostock 09 I'd be interested!

[Inmykombi]

Finally got the photos organised.

Thx for a great weekend everyone.
Arthur really can play that Acordian as well.
He played some lovely Irish music which was great.