Blue Mountains- April, Katoomba Airfield, 17-4-10

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

So far the Spooks haven't made me a guest at Guantanamo Bay, so I'll continue on my merry way.

Katoomba Airfield has been made available to us for a Saturday, April 17 session. Thank you Rod.

With daylight saving ending, I believe, before then, I'll be looking to get there before sunset, say around 5:30, 6pm.

As always, everyone is welcome to join us.

If things are really good, and it gets too late for a safe return home, the Airfield's meeting room is available for us to crash in. Just bring a pillow and blanket.

I'm trying hard to get Odessius finished before this date to make its first light, but we'll have to see. Family, work and stuff has a knack of getting in the way of the best laid plans of mice and men.

I'll see about bringing some chillie popcorn too, Rob.

Mental.

P.S. The Airfield is accessed via Medlow Bath. Turn off the highway into Railway Parade (at the only set of lights at Medlow Bath), then left into Rutland (also called Grand Canyon Rd). The Airfield is 4km from this intersection, with the last 3km now a good dirt road. On entering the Airfield, turn left and proceed past the 'No Entry' sign and turn right at the hangers. We set-up on the main east-west runway.

[mental4astro]

Oh, and as ususal, the hat gets passed around to make for the "fee" of a case of Tooehy's Old, :).

[Wavytone]

Now you've got their attention, they'll probably turn up at Katoomba, which means we'll ALL have ASIO files soon.
Lock & load the photon torpedos and set phasers to stun.

Should see you there.

[mental4astro]

We could make out we are a new religion praying to our extrasolar deity and we are using perscribed idols, icons and cultural methodology, and we are on sacred ground- a dark site! Reckon it'll fool 'em?

[AG Hybrid]

I will try to be there with my enormous little 6 inch reflector. With the way weather works and going to dark sites as of late. I wouldnt be surprised if the weather was crystal till the 16th and then we get hit by a low weather system on the 17th. :/

[Wavytone]

I'm be more inclined to find an old flashgun, couple that to the back of the scope, and launch some photon torpedos.
If asked say we're signalling the mothership.

[En1gma]

You have a way to get me to come aye alex ;)

let's hope this weather is good and I'll be there.

Rob

[eclipse]

Assuming the weather is good we will be there.

Les and Deb

[Wavytone]

Should bring dual 7" Maks :)
You can blame me for the clouds this week, but I timed the new acquisition to coincide with full moon.

[mental4astro]

Wavy, I've managed to get my hands on the RKE set from the school for "The Showdown", :thumbsup:. Gunsmoke here we come!

The mount for Odessius is comeing along. I just might make it for the 17"th. Fingers crossed.:work: :confuse3: :juggle:

[Wavytone]

OK the good news is I will be there weather permitting, but the bad news is I have a broken foot and have a choice of crutches (erk) or wheelchair (hmm). Should have a willing nurse :D to push me around :rofl: so you'll get to do much of the comparing, Alex.

[mental4astro]

If the nurse is good looking, no contest, mate.

Told ya those wheel boggies are too heavy to lift on your own. You just wouldn't listen!

Get well soon Wavy.

[sasup]

I'll try too, if weather holds

[mental4astro]

If the weather holds for us, the Airfield is still 'go' for us this Saturday.

Mental

PS: Odessius WILL be there, Woohoo!:party:

[En1gma]

You know im in.

I have a good 200 objects for you to find with your scope.

I will just use the argo, I'll give you coords :)

Rob

[En1gma]

If this is anything to go by, tonight might still be OK to get some views in.

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/nsw/central-tablelands/katoomba/detailed-forecast

Rob

[Wavytone]

Mmm.. just check the Katoomba webcam before setting off. If it's looking a bit doubtful, Alex - give me a ring as I'll be in the mountains at lunchtime.

Looking good so far.

[sasup]

Im hoping to come up. Whats the best time to show up???

[En1gma]

I will still be there. I'm an optimist

hope you get well with the foot. Oh. And it is possible to loop the loop. Sooooo awesome

robert

[hickny]

We'll be arriving sometime around 5pm to 5:30pm hoping to set up just as it gets dark.

[mental4astro]

Leaving now, see you there soon.

Mental.

[sasup]

I im very sorry to say that I cant come again

[En1gma]

Sooo. Here we are in the airstrip and the earth is teasing us

it's the icelandic volcano I tell ya.

But the homebrew here is good

rob

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

Myself also. I have to finish putting together this go-to EQ5 yet, and learn how to use it. Determined to get there though.

Cheers

[Wavytone]

Well rot my socks.

Spent a lovely day in the upper mountains, with a perfect sky as the sun set then no more than 5 minutes later a sea breeze rolled in bringing cloud cover with it. A few sucker holes until I finally gave up and went home.

I'll bet it cleared though about midnight.