Blue Mountains - February

[Wavytone]

I'll kick this off by suggesting while the 14th is obviously a good opportunity, the 7th of Feb should not be overlooked even though it might only be truly dark for 3 hours, after the January experience.

As for sites... I'll volunteer Wentworth Falls (Kings Tableland) or Hargraves (if perfect weather) if Katoomba airstrip isn't available.

Thoughts ?

[mental4astro]

I'll contact the Airfield, Wavy.

Got an itch, eh?

[AG Hybrid]

Sounds good to me. Hope to be there. Chip in for beer fee as usual for the airstrip?

[Wavytone]

Yep... couple of things I want to try but 7th Feb looks like my only chance.

Nice idea re the 30th Jan but I'll probably pass as I hope to be XC flying in the Hunter, weather permitting.
The 14th Feb is also out for me - being both Valentines day and Chinese New Year, a double whammy....

[mental4astro]

Sorry for not getting back sooner with info on the Airfield.

This week's storms had caused havok on local infrastructure, and I hadn't been able to phone Rod. My concern was that him being out there isolated something may have happened. My concern after close to a week had me call the Police out at Katoomba on Friday night. Well, Rod got a real surpise out of this unexpected visit! May have even scored a student out of this too with one of the Police officers looking to take up flying!

The storm had blown out the two land lines at the Airfield and knocked out one of his mobile phones. All is otherwise good. A previous storm saw lightning strike the main hanger, which blew apart one of the girders.

After all that, Rod has again kindly made the Airfield available to us for Saturday the 13'th. Valentine's day is the next day!

I'll try not to be late this time, :ashamed:. I'll make my mobile number available to anyone wanting to come, if you like, should any last minute things happen, :rolleyes:. PM me. Not necessay as a requirement to come, only a courtesy on my part.

[Wavytone]

Well I think we can safely scratch the 7th, the weather is going to be awful, as usual.

[pvelez]

This may be a dumb question - is there power available at the Airfield?

Pete

[AG Hybrid]

Sounds good ALex ill see you there. You bringing the yard cannon?

[mental4astro]

Pete, the Airfield is all BYO. Some bug repellant doesn't go astray either, even though the bats do a good job at eating the ones we attract! (really sounds creepy, doesn't it!)

Adrian, no, the Cannon isn't ready yet for first light. Will be bringing my 10" and Hickny's 13.1" Odyssey. I'll have a go at sketching this time, something I haven't done for a long time, and really enjoyed when I did.

[mental4astro]

Oh, well :sadeyes:.

I'll be here in Sydney getting together with Hickny to chew the fat and design his new scope and enjoy a home brew, :thumbsup:.

Mental

[mithrandir]

Even if it was clear at the airfield, I'd still have to be at home waiting for the garage to flood again. :mad2:

[hickny]

Mental4astro and I are thinking of Friday evening as a possibility on the airfield. I have commitments Saturday. Anybody got any say with the gods for long range weather control?

[Wavytone]

Peter/Mental,

Any advance on this re tonight ?

Here at Granville (10am) blue sky with fluffy white things. The Katoomba webcam looks like its stuck in cloud at the moment, will check again about 4pm. I could get up there by 7 or 7:30.

[mental4astro]

Hi all, Wavy,

Peter and I are looking at getting there around 8, 8:30, depends on traffic.

[Wavytone]

OK I'll am for that, gives me time for dinner.
Which reminds me there's a fish cafe in Katoomba at the bottom of the main drag which isn't too bad.

[Wavytone]

There's cloud, damned cloud, and ... effing rain...
A night to stay at home, again.

[mental4astro]

I'm too tired to go for a 'maybe' up at the mountains.

If things clear around 8:30-9pm, Hickny and I will head to the oval at Randwick Girls' High School.

You are welcome to join us there.

Mental.