Snake Valley Part I (Thanks)

[davidpretorius]

A big thank you from me to the following people:

John, Ken & Anna:
Thanks guys for organising the event. When nothing goes wrong, you know the time and effort has been put into organising. Thanks Anna for sorting out my daughters' clothes after she had fallen in the lake. Now that was fun explaining to the wife the next day!!!

Geoff & mr Tuc & Bird:
You experts are to be commended. Obviously you know your stuff, but you patiently listened to my questions and requests and took the time to answer them fully. Paul Davies once said that "Whats the use of knowing all the stuff inthe world if you can't communicate it to a beginner" You guys can and did!!

Darren, Mr Tuc, Bird, John:
Darren thanks for collimating the secondary and sorting out the pinching. The other guys, thanks for the primary work. It made such a difference!

John (with anna's eyepieces) & Steve H
Thanks for taking the time to bring your naglers over to my scope and letting me look thru them. I really appreciate it as i realise the value of these items. (Report to follow in a later post)

The rest of the team:
Thanks guys and girls for making it a great event. Regardless of the last nights brilliant viewing, the event was a success. I would recommend to any noobie to come along next year.

To Follow:
Part II: Special event summary
Part III: Collimation & Temperature considerations
Part IV: Observing summary
Part V: Registax tips
Part VI: Top 10 tips
Part VII: A guide for beginners in choosing a scope & eyepieces.

[ballaratdragons]

Well said Davo!!!!

I have so many people to thank it would be a very long list. But most importantly John & Anna because there was no way I could've put the camp together without their help.

Not only did they become partners in the organising and running, but they also become my very good friends. I am very greatful to the both of you.

Dave47Tuc for the assistance in the smooth running of the Program & your talks. Your friendliness seems endless and contagious and thanks for the help in setting up my scope!

Geoff for assisting before the event, and for the offer you made. A true Gentleman and friend, and for the Mirror-cleaning demo.

Davo P for assisting before the event and your reviews and reports, your calm & collected attitude and your warped sense of humour.

Steve for your wicked sense of humour and for the loan of all your DVD equipment. And for being very nice to my boys when they slept at the camp. They liked you very much!

Darren just for being the way you are. You are a funny bloke, and you ran around making sure everyone was OK and gave help when needed! Thanks for staying till the end too.

Toni (Darrens wife) for cleaning, sweeping and mopping of all the buidings. The manager certainly appreciated the great job you did, and so do I.

and everyone else for being so friendly and sociable!

I hope I haven't left anyone out. I didn't mean to.

[Starkler]

:ashamed:
I dont deserve to be called an "expert" alongside Dave and Anthony as I have only been in this for a few short years, but it was a pleasure to help out others where I was able :)

Now who was it that owned that little tasco 114mm f4 that Bird and myself spent so much time on centre spotting and collimating? I would have loved to see the results of our efforts.


It was a great cooperative effort by many helpful and freindly people that made it the success that it was. Not just recommended for newbies ;)

[janoskiss]

That was Peter (toetoe) with the f4.5 Tasco, Geoff. I was really hanging to see the results myself. Would love to know how you go with your scope, Peter.

But I gotta tell you, all this friendly warm and fuzzy stuff is beginning to make me sick! :mad2: How about a good ole fashioned punch-on between the Dobbers and Gotoers next year?
:fight:
(Non-goto EQers can be referee this time.)

[Dave47tuc]

Many thanks to all :)

[toetoe]

Thanks for a great few days and nights from myself, also thanks from Graham who came down with me.

Geoff: Thanks for your help on my little Tasco.

Anthony: Thanks for having a steady hand for the centre spot.

Steve: Your collimating eye piece played a big part, thanks.

Dave: I will always have a laugh when i see a Banana Lounge, great talks, thanks.

Ken, John & Anna a great job, thanks.

To all that i met, it was a pleasure.

I have not had a chance to try the Tasco out yet :( but with all the time that was spent on it, it would have to be the best 114 reflector around.

[bird]

I can only reiterate what others have said - it was a very well organised event, full of friendly, interesting, if slightly deranged, people :-)

I had a real blast, it was lots of fun to listen to other peoples experiences and see how they did things. The venue was great, and the seeing was simply stunning on Monday night. All I can remember from that night was walking around repeating "awesome..." all the time like a 15 yr old with their first scope...

Bird

[ballaratdragons]

Haha! That sounds like me in my backyard most nights :lol:

From listening to the comments during the viewing, I have learnt to appreciate my dark site even more. I AM very lucky, and I will never under-estimate the troubles you guys have with light pollution again.

[janoskiss]

Part II, III, IV, ..., Davo? :poke: :D

[ballaratdragons]

Steve, Davo wore his typing fingers out doing that Non-tracking DSO report/How To :rofl: .

[janoskiss]

No excuse, Ken. He's still got a lot of work to do. We're still only in report 1 of 7. :lol: