My Tak and Stuff is Gone

[leon]

Hi Guys, I love you all, you have been the best friends that anyone would like to meet, ;) you guys have helped so much in my hobby. :thumbsup:

I have to say now though, that I have sold my entire imaging set-up, the Observatory is now just an empthy shell, yep right to the last USB Lead :sadeyes:

But guys, that is fine, I'm just over it, I'm 60 in June, and i have been doing this forever, probably before some of you were born, :shrug: and did it with film with horrific results. :eyepop:

Anyway as my siginiture shows I have purschased some mighty L Glass. :eyepop: :eyepop:

Alice and I are in the process of selling the home, the Caravan, and the SS. :eyepop:

We, alice and I have ordered a Fifth Wheeler from the states, and a IVECO Duel cab to do the job. ;)

We are going to travel this great Country of ours before we are to old, and you guys know I work in the Funeral Industry, so death can be anytime. :shrug:

I will not leave this site, ;) and check out you guys often. :thumbsup:

The buyer is from IIS, but I will not say his/hers name at any point, unless they decide too.

Cheers guys, talk to you soon.

Leon :thumbsup:

[astroron]

Hi Leon, I hope you have great travels and enjoy every yard/meter of this great land.:)
If you are up in Queensland's Sunshine Coast Give me a call or a message /PM and we could say hello in person:)
You never know we may even meet on the road somewhere in the future.
All the best :thumbsup:
Ron

[supernova1965]

And if you are passing through Mackay don't forget to let me know maybe we can catch up :thumbsup:

[AstralTraveller]

Leon,

Your news is slightly sad but really, really glad! You've let one passion go to pursue another and to move on to another stage of your life. It sounds like you have it all really well planned and so I expect it to be great success.

I hope you are taking a small scope with you, or even a compact big one! Once you get out under those outback skies the bug will surely bite. Even if you just have the occasional trawl through the favourites it will be fun. You'll kick yourself if you don't.

When we were young and unsure of what we wanted from life we spent some years on a working holiday; initially mostly holiday but later mostly work. It took 3-4 months to relax and slow down enough to really absorb a place. I realized I was getting there one day when I watched an ant trail long enough to get sunburnt - in July. Forget thinking you'll see everything. We've left areas after a year in the place and still had to forgo seeing or doing some things. I remember meeting a bloke in Darwin who was ten years into an around Oz and still hadn't got to the west.

BTW yep, that is awesome glass

All the best and stay in touch! :thumbsup:

[PeterM]

Hi Leon,
The great around OZ trip begins, good for you both. Lots of pie shops on the way no doubt. Hows about a pie eater guide to Oz? I hope you both have a wonderful adventure.
All the best.
PeterM.

[jjjnettie]

I'm really excited for both of you.:D
I hope you plan to stay a while in SEQ.
I'm sure I won't be the only one to extend an invitation to you both to come and stay a while. :gday:

[blindman]

All the best Leon,
I am sure you will have good time.
Enjoy!
(I can see many beautiful photos, will be posted soon......)
Neven

[mozzie]

have a great trip around this country of ours.stay safe and enjoy:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Nesti]

As decisions go, they don't get much better than that.

[Paddy]

Happy travels, Leon.

[Glenhuon]

Have a great journey Leon and if you stop in Geraldton WA, pop into Belair Caravan Park. Friendly folks, (and I'd love to say hello). :)

Bill

[I.C.D]

Leon,
I know how you feel I also turn 60 in October and what you are doing well be a great adventure .
But I do hope you have kept one scope to use, because when you get out in the middle of Oz and those clear dark sky's you may wish that you had kept one .

Ian C
;):D:rofl:
P.S.
If you are in the Hunter Valley area in mid October come over to the IISSC at Loststock you will have great time and meet some of the other members.

[gbeal]

God on ya Leon, and you will always be close anyway, keeping an eye on the goings on.
Gary

[acropolite]

Good luck with your travels Leon, take a leaf out of GlenC's book, make good use of those binos and remember, you have a snooker title (or was it 8 Ball) to defend here in Tassie. :thumbsup:

[MrB]

Dude, when I read the thread title my heart sank, I thought someone had nicked all your gear!

Have a great trip 'round this fine land.
My grandparents went 'round in the mid-late 80's, they loved it so much they went back 'round twice more!

And for all those wondering who bought the gear....
It was me!
.... yeah I'm dreamin'

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

Not before I was born Leon :lol:

60! you are a spring chicken yet :thumbsup:

Good luck with it, and do carry a pair of good binoculars, because when you get under those outback skies, you will be glad of them.

Cheers

[lacad01]

Leon, all the best with the treck. Hope you and your wife have a fantastic time exploring this beautiful country of ours. I also initially thought that someone had pinched your gear but good hear it's gone to fund a new adventure :thumbsup:

[Scorp56]

Hi Leon,

Best wishes to you both,
have a great adventure!!!. I am sure you will have a ball.
Thanks for your wonderful images. They are inspirational:thumbsup:

Safe travelling

Cheers

Peter

[telecasterguru]

Leon,

To you and yours, happy travels.

Frank

[mental4astro]

Happy travels mate!

[Omaroo]

Good on you both Leon. Have a great time travelling our land. It's something that I fully intend to do one day too. If you're coming through Cooma at some stage, look me up and you have somewhere to stay and chill in your van by the river - any time. I look forward to your tales! :thumbsup:

All the best.

[Jen]

:eyepop::eyepop: LEONNNNNNNNN................ I felt so sad when i first started to read this thread but i feel so happy for you too ;) but you should at least have the binos tucked away under your pillow for when your travelling around this lovely country with beautiful dark skies :thumbsup:
Wow would have been sad to see it all go :rolleyes: :sadeyes:

Hope you and Alice have a wonderful journey around OZ and make sure you put Swan Hill on your map of places to go i have an acre here so your very welcome to pop your new home here for a few days :thumbsup::thumbsup:

All the best Leon and yes please keep in touch cheers xo :wink2:

PS i think i have a bit of an idea who the lucky new owner is :)

[gary]

Good luck Leon.

[Octane]

Leon,

You and Alice are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime.

I am so jealous of where you're about to go! One day. One day!

I look forward to seeing many, many images of your impending trip.

Catch up soon, mate! : )

H

[gman]

Safe travels Leon.
I have travelled a far bit around Oz but mostly on restricted times so I couldn't stay too long in any one place.
Some places and people can't be described accuratley to do them justice. They need to be experienced.
My only bit of advice is to take note of the impending weather as the Oz outback is unforgiving.
Best of luck :thumbsup:

[Ric]

Happy trails amigo.

It's been years since I've travelled Oz but I still have great memories and plans to visit places I've missed.

I hope you and Alice have a wonderful time and drop in for a cuppa if your passing by.

Cheers

[xstream]

You and Alice will love it Leon as we have discussed before.

Don't take too long to catch up to Anna and I and I'll have a coldie ready in the fridge for you! :cheers:

[erick]

Enjoy your travels, Leon :thumbsup:

[renormalised]

Geez Leon, that was a bit premature...a slightly longer chassis and you could've incorporated the tak and gear into a mobile observatory on the back of the rig!!!:):P

See, you have to think creatively about these things:):P

Seriously, though, have a great trip...and don't get too lost:):P

[GrampianStars]

Good Luck Leon :thumbsup:
When heading west I remember that the stars on the Nulabour throw shadows
from horizon to horizon :eyepop:

[wasyoungonce]

So...what grab'n go scope are you taking with you;)

[TrevorW]

All the best Leon have fun on your trip

Cheers

[GrahamL]

Have a great time :).. are you going to do both the islands.. NZ .. to ?

I still think you need to consider something bigger , as they don't look very comfortable on the inside :P

[leon]

Gees Graham you are a hit, :lol: love it, yep mate ours is probably not that long, but i reckon 11 meters will do it for us :eyepop:

And to all you wonderful people, thank you for your comments, we, Alice and I will have an adventure we have never experienced.

Phil I might be there one day to challenged that, but mate I can't remember if I won or not. :shrug: :shrug:ask John. :lol:

Anyway people, the deal is happening on Friday.

The unit comes from America in 2 months, it will take 2 weeks to be converted to Austalian standards, being gas and electricty, an so on.

We expect it to be here in August, as will the IVECO. which is on route from Italy, yep we ordered that as well :rolleyes: :rolleyes:, and paid the dolars :D

Our expected date is probably September 1st, :) :) we have paid the dollars, as deposit as we speak, and then owe probably $130,00.00, :scared::scared: which we have. ;) it is all good :thumbsup:

Man i am excited :D :D :D :D.

Leon :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

It all good guys I still have some L Glass Left ;),

Yep and someone has my Tak, but that is OK, life moves on and nothng lasts forever.

[wasyoungonce]

meh...September for far travelling north ...rainy season. Best to go in may onwards with ..dare I say it...the nomad tide (as the locals in katherine used to say)!

[leon]

Hey mate I have no intention of going North, how silly would that be, half my brothers and sisters live there I know what it is like.

Mate i'm going West, close to the Coast.

leon

[ngcles]

Hi Leon & All,

Good on you mate and I hope it brings you both great happiness.

Having dragged a van (18 ft) around most of the east coast I've gotta say that is one big sucker. Have fun. No regrets! :thumbsup:



Best,

Les D

[mill]

Leon have fun and do take a pair of binoculars with you as a minimum.
PS: Who is silly enough to buy a Holden :P:P :rofl::rofl:

[dugnsuz]

Happy Trails Leon
The help you've given me in the challenging hobby of astro-imaging is worthy of great note! But, you are a humble guy who would negate any influence in another's journey.
Regardless of your humility, I have always valued your input into my astro-imaging life! It has meant a lot.
All the best for you and Alice's future plans.
Just keep a pair of binoculars handy mate!!

As you always say when I compliment you...
"Jeez, you're a prick mate!"

But not this time leon - All the best...let me know when you're down my way.
Doug

[wavelandscott]

Leon,

Best Wishes for a great "adventure of lifetime"...Safe Travels Amigo!

[Paul K]

All the best Leon, and safe travel....:thumbsup:


Paul

[Matt Wastell]

Have a ball Leon!
Travel safe!

[Liz]

Sounds exciting Leon, am sure you and Alice will have a ball travelling around this big beautiful country!! Good on you. :thumbsup:

[leon]

Nice pic Dougie, ;) will definitly see you in SA, :thumbsup: i do know where you live. :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[ChrisM]

Leon, best of luck with your new direction, and thanks for your words of encouragement along the way.
Chris

[leon]

Yep, the deal is done, ;) we paid the depiosit today, it is all happening, we expect it to be here by September 1, how cool is that.

Leon :thumbsup:

[DavidU]

All the best to you and the missus. Great to meet you at Snake Valley.

[pmrid]

Good on you Leon. It takes a lot of cajones to make a decision like that and to follow through. Best of all possible wishes to you, your partner and your adventures.

peter.

[spacezebra]

Hi Leon

Good on you! I hope you and Alice have a great trip - wishing you all the best.

Only 9 months till my next adventure - Canberra here I come.

Cheers Petra d.

[RB]

Good on-yah Leon.
All the best to you and Alice and safe travels to you both.

Mate this is only a hobby, nothing beats spending time with your loved one, wherever that may be.
Hope you'll still visit the forum now and then to keep in touch.

BTW the 180mm L ...... rocks !!! .... and your other glass isn't too shabby either. :lol:

[danielsun]

Hey Leon , I wish you all the best mate and hope you and Alice have the ultimate life experience with your travels.;) I hope that when you get back and decide to stay put again that you will get right back into the astronomy again.
All the best wishes and have a great time.:hi:

Cheers Daniel.:)