Pony Club- September 2009

[Rick Petrie]

Hi All
Just thought I would start a thread for Sept.
I know most people will be going to PC on the 19th as this is the New Moon.
However as I, and maybe some others are not able to attend this night, are there any other people out there who would like to attend on the 12th.
The moon doesn't rise till about 1:30am Sunday morning so should be able to get about 7 hours in of dark.
Come on all the regulars, I know you want to.
Cheers Rickapoody.:)

[Allan_L]

Hi Rick,
You certainly got me nailed.
If the gate is open, I will generally try to get there.
(subject to change without notice by interjection from social director)

But I am keen.

[Redshift]

:thumbsup:I think I can make it on the 12th. Been looking forward to it since my first visit last month.

[gb_astro]

I'm in for the 12th if we can find a key holder.

Greg.

[Deeno]

Count me in.

Had a ball last time

[Rick Petrie]

No worries Greg, I have a key.:thumbsup:
Where's that hoot owl. He might also be going?
RB? Bones? Geoff's? Rod? Phil T? etc.etc.?????

[Rhino1980]

Ahoy there blokes. I should be right for the 12th. Hope to see you there. I have had no scope time since last I attended!

[gmbfilter]

Trying to quietly sneak away!!!

[RB]

Don't know yet Rickie, I'm not sure if I can this time.

I'll try though.
Had such a great time last time.

:)

[GTB_an_Owl]

i'll give you one thing - you blokes are KEEN !

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

Maybe a stogie could pursuade you to the dark side?:P

[Rick Petrie]

Does this mean that you're Not?

[GTB_an_Owl]

not what ?

geoff

[gb_astro]

Geoff, I hope that's not a weather forcast?

Greg.

[Rick Petrie]

Not keen?
So we'll see you there then?:)
My long range says it will be fine.
Can you confirm this mate?:shrug:

[GTB_an_Owl]

have NO idea whether i will be there yet :shrug:

and even less of an idea of whether the weather will be nice or whether it will be weather :whistle:

geoff

[Allan_L]

Long range forecast is looking good so far !!!
Could be a record crowd. :)

[Rodstar]

I will try to get along on the 12th. By 1.30am I am ready for bed, anyway.

[sally1jack]

Thanks for the call rick i'll be there :thumbsup:
I hear ya rod , i must be gettin old 1.30 & im ready for bed too .
Phil

[airspaceman]

Yes I'm there.

Andrew.

[Rodstar]

Mate, I think having a brood of children may be part of our problem??!:P

Will be good to see you. Have been wondering how you are getting along.

[Arthur Alchin]

is anyone going to the pc on the 18th ???, working night duty 12th.

Otherwise will catch up on channel 8 uhf on my way to lostock camp on the thur in oct

[bones]

Would love to go but can't commit at this stage. I'll see how I go on saturday.:whistle:.

[Arthur Alchin]

actually i think next saturday week is the 19th not the 18th, the night of the new moon

[Inmykombi]

I cant get there this weekend ( 12th ).

My Dad is coming down from Qld. for a visit, and staying a few days.

Maybe the following weekend.

Hope all you folks heading up there have a great time. But dont use up all the fun for those heading up the next weekend.:lol:

Cheers.

[Octane]

This weekend's a write off for me. Running a marathon on Sunday. The following weekend is a maintenance weekend at work and I'll be working. :S

See you boys at Lostock.

Regards,
Humayun

[jakob]

I'm planning to test my Argo tomorrow.
Hope to have some company at the PC!

Who is unlocking the gate?

J.

[GTB_an_Owl]

the conditions on sat nite look absolutely atrocious - i don't think we should bother turning up :whistle:

geoff

[RB]

:lol: @ Geoff....change the AA's in the weather station mate.

Well looks like I will be there, I want to get my Argo Navis setup on the EM200.

And the arm twisting from Rick and talk of stogies had nothing to do with it. :P

[Rick Petrie]

Did you get the Argo N fixed or has it completely karked it?:violin:
Looks like there will be plenty available for a loan!! :juggle:

Sorry you won't be there due to the weather though Geoff.:whistle:

[GTB_an_Owl]

the Argo is getting some very professional and loving attention from a wonderful makeover lady i believe Rick

when it comes back it will be as good as NEW

don't know whether i will bring the scope or not
i have to go to sydney sunday to see my neice before she flys back to america - so i will be leaving early me thinks

geoff

[Rhino1980]

What time is the gatekeeper arriving?

[bones]

Hey RB. From the coast it looks a bit smokey up the mountain way. What's it like up there? Where is the fire in relation to you and the pony club? How is the smoke affecting visibility? It'd be good to get a 'smokey' update throughout tomorrow some time too.

[RB]

You beat me to it Tony, I was actually going to post about it tonight.
It got quite smokey up here this arvo, I don't know where this fire is or whether it's a backburn or a real one.

Seems close in any case.

I'll keep you posted tomorrow.

:)

[Rick Petrie]

Hey Tony, I think all the smoke is RB doing a back burn on one of his stogies!!! :lol:
RB is definitely, in this case, the right man for the job to give us updates.:poke:

[Rick Petrie]

I can get there about 5:30 ish, Ryan.
I don't know what time Mr Owl will be there, but could we arrange to pick up the red hats off you Geoff, if your watching this space, and get the number to ring the guy to kill the light on his house. Ta mate.
Will also have to keep an early update on the smoke situation before heading up.
Cheers Rick

[GTB_an_Owl]

remind me in the morning to ring Dave - Rick

don't know what time i will get there - but will try to be early


geoff

[Rhino1980]

G'day Rick, sounds good. Pending a good 'smoke report' I'll be there probably 4.30 0 5.00 or so.

[RB]

Oh rest assured Ryan, we always use good quality cigars. :lol:

[norm]

Count me in, if I'm not too buggered during the day!:thumbsup:

Norm

[Deeno]

Looks like the weather will be crap...
A horrible high system keeping the clouds at bay
To clear for a night at the PC!

[Rodstar]

Now, now Deeno, let's not get too cocky...you know what happens then, don't you??:cloudy::P

[GTB_an_Owl]

just look at 7timer gentlemen - just look at 7timer :sunny:

how come there are so many of us online at the one time ????

geoff

[ausastronomer]

I am making one of my rare PC appearances tomorrow night. I will be bringing along SDM #33 and giving it a sample of skies darker than Killarney Vale.

Cheers,
John B

[GTB_an_Owl]

maybe we should rename the pony club to "SDM PARK"

how many do we get to visit ? quite a few i think

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

Bump!

[iceman]

I'll be there tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wooooo hooooooooooo!

[GTB_an_Owl]

done

geoff

[RB]

:jawdrop: :welcome: You can find out how to get to the PC: Here. (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=274483&postcount=1) :P

[Rick Petrie]

Are those fires looking to be a problem RB? Or were they only isolated backburns yesterday?:question:

[RB]

Last night and this morning, clear as a bell Rick !

I'll keep you updated through out the day.

:)

[RB]

Also just a reminder that you can check out the local weather conditions up here, updated every 15 min, including the web cam shot of the western sky at:

http://www.mangroveweather.com/

:)

[Rhino1980]

I can't wait. Time to pack the Turbo up and take her for a blast down the F3 and then have a great night. Life is good! See you all there dudes!
Rhino

[GTB_an_Owl]

better turn the camera on then RB ...................

geoff

[RB]

It is on.

Might need to refresh your browser Geoff.

LOL I even got up on the ladder to clean the front lens.

:)

[Deeno]

Sky is a lovely shade of blue:thumbsup:

Your forcast sucks though:question:

Forecast: Showery, becoming less settled

[RB]

Yeah the forcast is generated by the program and is constantly updated but sometimes it's not always accurate.
I mainly use the data to see what is/has happened and not rely too much on the forcast.
It's good to have though, I suppose it will become unsettled and showery sooner or later. :lol:

The web cam is good, it gives you an idea of what the sky's like here.

Are you going to image tonight mate?

[Redshift]

Have a great time observing tonight. I'm battling with the flu so I'm grounded.
:fight:
See you all there next time.

[GTB_an_Owl]

ok - working now

geoff

[Deeno]

Nah

Its already set up in the backyard. Hope to do a bit during the next week or so.

Just going to bring the dob and make a few more entries into the books.

[GTB_an_Owl]

rain forecast for monday afternoon or tuesday Deeno

mine is saying forecast not available

geoff

[RB]

Only a very slight smoke haze along the horizon atm, nothing like yesterday, so should be great for tonight everyone.

:)

[iceman]

Great, thanks for the directions! Will there be someone there who can help me setup my scope? It's been sooooooooo long!

[RB]

Yep, I'll bring an extra extension cord in case you forget your's. :P

[xstream]

Oh and don't forget to ask .com half way through the night how Jupiter looks! :question: :P

[Allan_L]

:rofl::rofl::rofl: That is soo good!

[gmbfilter]

RB
Looks like you have got your own eclipse.
Can you do one for me please
See you tonight!

[bones]

Thanks for the update RB.

[bobistev]

Hello everybody,

I presume it will be alright if we rock up (with my wife and 6yr old son) and try and have some looks through some of the scopes there?

Robert

[Rhino1980]

Thanks guys, had a Bonza night and had the chance to truly christen the scope. Saw stuff I haven't seen before which is something that really makes your night.

Thanks Robert for the Macedonian food, it was ace! Hope your young fella enjoyed himself and that it triggered you into your first purchase.

Andrew (airspaceman): Stellarium is the name of the software you asked me to remind of and I tried to demonstrate what 322 kilowatts at the back wheels is like but I left traction control on and it bogged down 1st, 2nd and 3rd! Serves me right for trying to be naughty.

Always good to see you all and catch you next time :-)

[bones]

Another great night at the PC last night. Conditions were great while I was there.

:welcome:to Robert & his family. Ryan good to meet you and have a chat. To all the regulars as always the social was worth it. Phil (redshift), sorry you couldn't make it. Get well mate.

I can't make Lostock so for those who are going, clear skies, no wind, and a great time for all. If the PC isn't on or I can't make the PC on the 19th, I'll see you in November.

[Rodstar]

Well thanks especially to Norman, Greg and John B for letting me have a night off, and take in the views from SDM Alley!

Also enjoyed catching up with everyone - especially good to see the Iceman back, and also to catch up with RB and Phil. Also stole some nice views through Deeno's, Joe's, Rick's and Geoff's scopes (thanks lads).

I especially look forward to seeing how Geoff's 18"JMI scope comes into full throttle as it is tweeked and the glitches are sorted out!

Mike, I hope your Milky Way widefield comes out nicely.

[Arthur Alchin]

hey guys is next saturday night a goer??

[Rick Petrie]

The spring has sprung and it bought a nice clear balmy night for us all.
Great roll up with a lot of regulars and a welcome to Robert and family, we hope you had a good mix of scopes to look at and maybe decide on a new purchase down the track. SDM's were out in force with excellent views as usual, thanks guys. Good that you made it down Ryan and gave the gear a good workout.
Thanks to Mr filter for lending me your 'collimating mallet' to use as a counterweight on my scope as I had a 'Doh' moment and left my weights at home.Thanks to Phil for allowing me the privilege of your super duper EP's in my scope and to all those for bringing so much food and a special thanks to Mr Owl for all that he does in the background to make things a little more comfortable for us all. Cheers all.:thumbsup:
See yaz at Lostock.

[gb_astro]

Thanks everyone for the good company again.
Very pleasant to just stand around in that warm weather.
For most of the night the seeing was pretty awful so for the sake
of the newcomers there, it can get a lot better than that.
Also great to catch up with my fellow SDM'ers, including John's excellent new 14".

Greg.

[GTB_an_Owl]

yep - another great pony club (SDM Park) gathering

seeing conditions were woeful - but the mild weather allowed a great social evening
though mind you, Deeno said his 5ml eyepiece was working on Jup at one stage during the evening

I too, hope Robert and family got a fair idea of the scope they will eventually purchase, and hope we see them again

all up, counting the 2 kidleys and 2 wives, we had 21 people - great effort considering new moon is not till next weekend

AND YES ARTHUR - SOME OF US WILL DO IT ALL AGAIN NEXT WEEK
(well, those game enough to ask for a leave pass again)

it is an absolute pleasure to be part of one of these nites where you can observe through such quality scopes, glean knowledge from their owners and see targets you can't see in your own scope

great to see the iceman was able to follow his own directions on how to get to the pony club - but i suspect the reason he bought Jacob along was to help him find his way in case he got lost - did you get home ok Mike ?

our Jacob made some headway in understanding how his Argo catalogue 's work apparently and supplied the coffee machine seeing as how Geoff was not there - thanks Jacob

until next week

geoff

[Deeno]

Great night.

Lots of good company, didn't think the seeing was too bad overall. Not to often I get reasonable views of Jupiter with the 5mm TV radian.

Whats with this growing trend of turning up minus a telescope? Not that anyone minds.

I'm keen for next weekend if anyone else is?

[bobistev]

Thanks to everybody for the warm welcome last night.
We had great time looking through the different scopes and chatting with all the nice people there, the weather was quite collaborative making the whole experience even more pleasant - it was well worth the drive.

Still summarising the scope impressions and aligning them with expectations - one gets very spoiled looking at all those beautiful astro photos from around the web, but the thrill of real-time engagement with the skies weighs in against that.
I think I will need more observing mileage :)

[airspaceman]

Thanks Ryan (Rhino1980) I will download the softwere it looks good. The beast sounds like its got some herbs. Thanks to everyone for a top night. All I need now is an Argo checking out the budget. So far Im good for next weekend see what happens. If not see you all at lostock.
Andrew.

[jakob]

I had a greate night! :thanx:

Good company, good pies and little smoke!

Thanks for all the help provided to get me to understand the Argo.
Great tool!

Till next time.:)

[iceman]

I had a great night! Thanks for the company, and thanks for the directions RB ;)

It was great to be out amongst it again - checking the dates on my imaging laptop, it was January this year when I last captured an image through my widefield telescope! It's been that long!

Last night was a good equipment shakeout before Lostock - and i'm happy to say everything went well. I didn't forget anything, nothing broke down (except the battery on my compass) and drift aligning was completed very quickly (considering I just eyeballed it for south).

I think I need more nights out like that to help rekindle the enthusiasm again. Had a great night.

Thanks to Jakob, Greg and Norm for the top views through their scopes. Greg's servocat driven 14.5" SDM is magnificent.

See you at Lostock!

[gmbfilter]

What a great night
So many people I did not get to talk to everyone
Two rows of observes what a sight
Thanks John B re the " ins and outs " of star testing

And thanks to everybody who helped with the what star is that?? and where's Arcturus?? M30 ? questions.

[norm]

Ditto to the above. Great night indeed and good to catch up with the regulars and some new ones.

Thanks heaps Phil for the time on the 17mm and 13mm Ethos.:thumbsup:

Clear Skies Norm

[Inmykombi]

Well it certainly sounds like I missed a great night.
I am definately in for next weekend ( 19th ).

Who else wants to join me at the PC ?

Cheers.

Geoffro.

[iceman]

Here's a quick star trails at the end of the night while packing up:

http://www.mikesalway.com.au/2009/09/14/star-trails-at-the-mangrove-mountain-pony-club

[sally1jack]

Thanks to everyone for the views, had a good night , i dont think i have seen so many people at the P.C. I like that shot Mike of the star trail & the P.C looks like we were having a blast or something illegal
Phil

[Allan_L]

Hmm! I was wondering about the red lights driffting off into space ???

I don't remember anyone being that high ! :rofl:

[Rick Petrie]

I think those SDM's are spoiling everyone!!!!!:poke:

[Inmykombi]

Just found out my Wife booked a dinner with friends a few weeks back, which means I cant go this Saturday either.:confused2:

[Redshift]

I think I can get to PC on the 19th - if it's on.

[Arthur Alchin]

I'm on for sat night if anybody else is, is the a gate "Key" per coming???

[RB]

Well I had a wonderful night last Saturday at the PC.
Always great to catch up with the regulars and to meet the new visitors.

Great to see John B (thanks for the views thru the scope) and Mike S (great star trail, now waiting for the mway widefield).

It was a very good turn out, looked like a regular full-on star party.

A big thank you to Rick for shouting me a lovely Cuban cigar, it lasted me all night, cheers mate and to Rod for the beer, hit just the spot, thanks mate.

And thank you to all who shared their scopes with me and allowed me to have a look through and for the great company and conversation.

Looking forward to next time.

:)

[JohnH]

Is it on on for the 19th? Looks ok....

http://www.snow-forecast.com/maps/static/aus/36/cloud

[GTB_an_Owl]

and why wouldn't it be ON i say

no floods or earthquakes predicted that i know of
no tornado's or hurricanes on the weather advisory
and i think the pie oven still works - well it did last week

so i will be there - still Argoless - but will probably bring the scope anyway

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

lets keep this one on top - OK

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

calling all Astronomers within a 60 Kilometre radius

Saturday 19th September 5pm to 5am

FREE entry to the Mangrove Mountain PONY CLUB

bring you own scope (or bludge off others)

Guaranteed live, naked eye views of the Horsehead

trust me

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

RB - will you close that other pony club thread for me

i don't know whether i am arthur or martha

all i know is i am going to the pony club sat nite

geoff

[Redshift]

All things being equal, I think I can be come to the PC tonight so count me in.

[RB]

Ok I've locked the other one so from now on your Martha ! :P

[GTB_an_Owl]

thanks RB

Martha appreciates it

weather to-nite looks promising

any early cloud should dissipate later in the nite

geoff (i mean Martha)

[gmbfilter]

Might have a spare argothingy....NGT...MAX should work with your encoders and cable
a bit dodgy, not like argo... but who knows!!! I ll bring it
What time you or anyone else be there??

[Deeno]

Yup!
Feelin' keen for a night out. Batteries charging.
Going to bring my imaging rig for tonights outing.

[GTB_an_Owl]

looking forward to it myself deeno

and yes - batteries charging
must put some beer in the fridge

i hope to get there about 5-30

geoff

[RB]

I've got the skycam working atm so you can keep an eye on what it's like up here:

http://www.mangroveweather.com/

Not sure if I can make it tonight, I've got a lot of work on atm.

Will know for sure later.

:D

[mithrandir]

Does Silverlight work on Linux and Firefox?:shrug:

[gb_astro]

Probably will not make it there.

In Sydney there is a nice golden bushfire smoke glow to the sunlight.
And I guess that is smoke showing on RB's webcam?
Any chance of a wind change blowing it away?

Greg.

[RB]

I know Silverlight works on Firefox (but you need to install it) but I don't know about Linux Andrew.

:)

[GTB_an_Owl]

no that is just cloud Greg

http://www.gtbastrowise.com.au/weather/cumulus/camera1/main.htm


geoff

[Allan_L]

I am packing.
Will be there before sundown. :gday:

I'll be bringing some party sausage rolls (if that helps with others' planning). (since no one liked my muesli bars last week :) )

weather looks ameliable here and now. But this critter is unpredictable.

Lets Hope for good seeing.

[mithrandir]

Andrew,



Found it. The Linux implementation is called Moonlight (much more astronomically applicable) and is managed by Novell.

Your skycam page doesn't load. I get a silver background and that's all.

Andrew

[Rick Petrie]

Hope all you guys have an excellent night.:stargaze:
Sorry I can't be there this time, but will be thinking of yazall.:thumbsup:
Till next one, cheers.:)

[GTB_an_Owl]

leaving in 10 min

see you all there

(think there are going to be a lot of disappointed people to-morrow if they don't come to-nite)


geoff

[Deeno]

....and I'm off (also leaving)

[bones]

Sorry guys, I can't make tonight. Still crook and coughing from last weekends adventure.
To whoever is going - have a good time. I see ya's some time after Lostock.

[GTB_an_Owl]

the early report

dewy early - but some good views of Jup - plenty of banding and detail

dew dissipated around 1 am and at 3 am we were resolving 6 in the trap with a 6 ml eyepiece in my 8" scope

closed up at 4-30 am

geoff

[RB]

Glad you guys had a good night.
I was too tired to make it last night.
Looking forward to the reports/images.





Thanks for the feedback Andrew, I'm not sure why it's not working for you.
I haven't had any other reports from visitors not being able to view the skycam.
I've tested the site on IE, FF v3.5 and Chrome.
Let me know if you get it to work on your system.

Cheers

Andrew

[gmbfilter]

Left too early again... should have listened to you
Thanks for letting me use your scope, GTB..was spot on as was the argo navis

I need to work out backup due prevention!

Always good to see everybody even if I leave early to go to bed!

[Inmykombi]

Dew ? what dew ?

There was no dew when set up my 4.5 incher about midnight.
The seeing seemed to get better as time went on.

Good to catch up as usual.

Next stop Lostock, unless we have a dress rehersal and equipment check the week before.

Cheers.

[gb_astro]

Thanks guys for a good night again although it was a bit of an
anticlimax numbers wise compared to last week.

Thanks to Allan and Geoff (Inmykombie) for letting me try some of their eyepieces in my binos.

Also looked like the smaller scopes were trying to make of a bit if a comeback.
After Geoff's 18" and Gavin's 10" got knocked out with failed or missing
secondary heaters the only other big scopes were Jacob's 16" and Allan's 11".
Next down was the anti-SDM group of Geoff's 8", Deeno's 6", Phil's 6", my 4" binos, Geoff's 4.5", and Joe's 3".
Good views in all though.

Greg.

[Redshift]

A great night last night. Some excellent views. Was pretty chuffed when I fluked M8 on my first attempt on the 6". Even managed a glimpse of Andromeda. Great stuff. Like Geoff says "why do we keep doing this?" I see you all have a real passion for astronomy. Good luck at Lostock to all going.

[GTB_an_Owl]

More details :

from a morning that looked like a roll up of 2 or 3 for the nite, we managed a total of 10 in the end

Joe arrived late - and left early
by the way Joe - we failed you on the exit driving course test for running over the red cone
you will have to book in again for your exiting proficiency certificate

on the other hand, Jacob had no trouble manoeuvring between Geoff's (inmykombie) van and scope when he was leaving us.

good to see our other Phil turn up and have an enjoyable nite finding stuff for the first time

a big welcome to Gaven from sydney on his first roll up - hope you enjoyed it and will return again.

I've been robbed !

all those 2$ coins you blokes promised to leave in the bottom of my scope for looking through it last nite were not there this morning when i looked

how am i going to pay Deeno for the lend of his Argo now !

fair dinkum !

i experimented with some "sit down" observing last nite (when i could get my scope back) - must say i spent more time at the eyepiece on each subject then normal i think
was still sore this arvo when i woke up - but in different places

had a bit of a squiz through Jacobs 16" during the nite and Greg finally looked at a target in his bino's that i could reach the eyepieces without needing a ladder - thanks fella's

you blokes didn't do a bad job on the party pies and sausage rolls either - we only had one left this morning when we left
and i must say i enjoyed Jacobs coffee last nite

as we left at 4-30 am, the pony club crew were arriving to prepare the food and stuff for there gymkhana day - first time we did not have to lock the gate - felt a bit strange

and YES - we did have live, naked eye views of the horse head .... true! :D

geoff

[GavYo]

Just want to say thanks to all for making me feel welcome last night and even letting me have a bit of a sticky beak through some of your scope setups when the dew pretty much made my dob unusable.

A lot of helpful advice on my next eye piece was gained, and hopefully I'll be able to sort out any possible dew issues for the next time I can make it.

Thanks Again.

[Deeno]

A very enjoyable night indeed.
Thanks for the views through everyone’s scopes. Jupiter through Geoff’s 8" dob was a highlight along with the surprise of Orion through Greg’s large bingo’s (size aint everything) and the Tarantula through Alans 11" Celestron was breathtaking. Nice setup!
Special mention for enthusiasm has to go to Geoff (inmykombi) for turning up with his 4" Newtonian sometime after midnight after a night out....

Cheers
Deeno

[Allan_L]

Thanks everyone for a great nite out again.
Left home before sunset, and returned home after dawn!
Then only Managed 2 hours sleep.
Whats that word for the walking dead, Zombie! Hmmm!
Two weeks in a row is a test for an old fella like me.
But starting to come good now. (sorry for the lateness of the post).

Nice to meet the new guys. (I know, I am still one of them!)

As always Geoff (Mr Owl) provided much of the entertainment. :)
Sorry to hear about your sore bits :). Thanks for the look through your scope. I liked your viewing chair!

Great to see everyone again.
Glad you could make it Greg.
Now to pay for my weakness.
Well financially I mean, I still haven't told Joanne about the new telescope (... finder scope, I mean :) ). Thanks for the extras Greg. Everything fits.

Glad to see Geoff (kombie) could make it. Nice grab and go that. Love that secondary fan!

Deeno, Jakob good to catch up again. Sorry for insulting your 16 incher Jakob, I still can't work out why it is so compact, but WOW nice feature.

The only thing "missing" was that unmistakeable cigar aroma!

Thanks to the Pony Club for the new toilet beside the clubhouse.
Hope it can stay. Much improved over the long walk to the dark pit.

Looking forward to Lostock!!!

And if I ommitted to make a personal invitation to anyone, sorry, but please read the thread entitled "Shearers accommodation" (started by Aurthur) in General Chat about a possible trip out West for a January new moon. Still got room for a few more starters.