Pony club boys and all others interested: Bretti Jan 2011

[Arthur Alchin]

I am going to request 6-11th Jan 2011 off work for a trip to Bretti if anybody is interested in going, the new moon is the 4th.

Would be nice to go to a property somewhere but at short notice this might have to suffice. Might have to make a circle of the wagons to keep light out that"s all.

[Allan_L]

I am registering my interest, however, there is a good chance I may be in Melbourne at this time.
Watch this space

[Shano592]

I too will register my interest at this stage. We'll see how we go, once it gets closer.

[Arthur Alchin]

Have secured the 6th to the 10th of January off: will be going to Bretti yippee.

[Inmykombi]

I am in at this stage.
It will depend on my work and how busy I am, but I would love to go and will probably need another break by then.

Keep this thread going and I will keep an eye out.

[Arthur Alchin]

Hi all.

It is only 23 days till a few of us push off to the Bretti Reserve and try and find a spot to plant ourselves.

For those who have not been there but are mildly interested: There are two "very" fresh water rivers that come together there with resident platypus. The swimming is wonderful (bring the LiLo). The site has pit toilets which are very functional and i will have a shower tent for those who want to bring a solar shower to heat up water ($10-15 @ BigW or camping stores, the showers only need 2-3hrs to get very hot): I have a pump unit to power shower head.

The skies are amazing and staying at the site is free. I will try and arrange some plastic screening in the event that we need to block off any caravan lights etc. Sky glow is minimum

Also very important: I will have my "sine wave" generator (1kW) for charging batteries and running computers and some "red lights" if required but you can bring your own if you have one (the more the merrier). As some can attest: I usually carry electronic repair tools (someone always has something that needs fixing: thats Murphy's law isn't it)

[jakob]

:):D:P:eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::thum bsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Arthur Alchin]

ripper Jakob

[Allan_L]

19 days woo hoo !




Arthur,
Is that 6 to 10th inclusive?
Just realised the 10th is a Monday.
So are we heading home on the 10th (or the Sunday?)

I am OK either way.
Just wanting to let Joanne know.

Is it time yet to ask the wise what 7 timer predicts?


19 days !!! Woo Hoot!!

[GTB_an_Owl]

7timer is only good 3 days out Al

geoff

[gb_astro]

Here's a 28 day rainfall prediction for the Hunter region:

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/long-range-forecast/28-day-rain/nsw/hunter

:(

Greg.

[Arthur Alchin]

Hi Allan, i will probably return home the 9th Jan (sun) except if it exceptionally good up there. (beforehand if Greg's prdeictions are correct)

Now Greg, as far as the rain prediction, being the ultimate optimist that i am i am going to focus on improving the 25% risk of no rain and make it higher :-). When it comes to camping I work for it, I owe it to myself and nobody (esp him upstairs who "makes" the weather) is going to deprive me of it.

[Allan_L]

WOW Greg!
that is a SUPER SUPER :(


and even a potential
:sadeyes:

[Inmykombi]

If its sunny up there, do you think it will it "as hot as " or will it be bearable ?

I am hoping it may be a little cooler up on the mountains.

I know I am a woos, but I hate the roasting heat....:P

PS I'll be heading home on the Sunday....

[Arthur Alchin]

I have been up there when it has been pretty damn hot but the river cools you down

[Arthur Alchin]

For those travelling on the Thursday morning from the Central Coast and Sydney a few are planning on a rendevous between 0900 and 0930 hrs at the twin servos at nth Wyong and working Channel 8 UHF (CB).

For anyone coming from else where or who may already be at Bretti try Channel 8 and listen/ try for the "pony club boys".

Weather wise: by hook or by crook i'll be there except if it is pouring rain.

[Allan_L]

ditto:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: :reindeer:

[Rodstar]

Hope you guys have a great time, I can't make it. However, I am considering a Pony Club trip next weekend. Anyone keen? I will start another thread about it so as not to hijack this one.

[Arthur Alchin]

Those with larger scopes should be able to see Comet Hartley moving through Canis Major a few degrees east of Sirius. It is about magnitude 10

[Zincberg]

Ok guys, as posted on another topic, I am currently AT Bretti reserve.. Well, not right now.. (absolutely ZERO optus coverage out there). I unfortunately can't stay around till you guys come up.. And will be home before you all leave, but I thought I would give an update to help some of yOu prepare a little bit.
#1 find a toilet alternative, I have used some terrible, smelly , revolting pit toilets in my life.. But these are exceptionally bad.
#2 bring some screens... The main area of tge camping ground (the river side) is also the "tree" side and is pretty restrictive towards viewing anything to the north... So I found a quiet spot up the hill on the south side a bit. Tge only downsides are there is not protection from the sun (and it has been HOT!!!) and that you get every flood light from the goons on the northside pointed in your direction. So I have trapped off an area and it's all good now.
#3 bring every dew heater/shield that you own.. It is MEGA humid here and dew starts up at about 9:30.. And is really thick.

Someone might want to bring a whipper snipper, the grass is long and itchy.

I will post some photos when I get back on Tuesday to give you some planning forethought. Had 2 AWESOME nights viewing so far.. Fingers crossed for tonight, I'm going for some polar alignment!!!:thumbsup:

[Arthur Alchin]

Thank you Andrew

I have the Thetford Porta Potti in toe and ready to roll (with it's own little tent. As well as shower gear.)

Also have the weed eater and rake under control (usually travel with that in toe).

Yep dew heaters travel with me and the gear.

Thank you for the report. The big question if you get a chance is is there much of a crowd up there?

We usually park ourselves down near the river crossing at the far extreme end of the reserve down near the fence, not the causeway you pass on your left as you are going down the hill into the reserve

[Inmykombi]

My bad back better get better before Thursday or I'll be missing out on the trip.
Unless I have a volunteer or two to put my tent and tarps up.
I will promise to provide suitable liquids for the work....;)

Geoffro

[Allan_L]

I am happy to help a mate in need!
... especially if disposal of liquid assets involved ;)
Let me know what I can do to help get you there...
... I mean to help make your stay more comfortable :D

[Arthur Alchin]

leave the lifting to us guys Geoff, don't want to see you miss out when it can be prevented by a bit of help from us with the tent and scope etc.

[Inmykombi]

Thanks Arthur and Alan,

I may have to sit on my chair and give the orders as to what to do next.;)

My back is feeling a little better but I would be very grateful of some help with setting up my tent and tarps.

" geez......I better get plenty of brown fizzy liquids " and maybe one or two for you guys as well....:lol:

So what about a head count or do we know how many are comin' ?

[GTB_an_Owl]

as much as i have been dying to join you lot at Bretti, i must again decline.

a big thankyou to Arthur for the offer to be my taxi, but, i have a swollen left hand/arm due to a medication conflict, a couple of jobs that need doing, and looks like the boys going to the PC need a keyholder anyway.

sorry

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

I too can not make Bretti either or the Pony Club.:(
I hope you guys have some nice weather and skies, and I will definitely miss the company and the opportunity for some really dark sky.
Next time for sure.:)

[Zincberg]

Hey Arthur,
Yes, there were some crowds...mainly around the end of the recerve you were talking about staying in. In the whole lower sectiong of Bretti, there were maybe 40-50 tents set up? each one with enough lighting to light up the Opera house.
That being said, we had a HUUUUGE storm hit on Monday night that saw a lot of the tents (mine included) deconstructed..and a lot of the "city folk" picked up the remnants of their campsites and left.
I sat out the storm..and came back yesterday, there was no point in staying.. it didnt look like there was an abundance of clear skies heading that way.

Anyways...hope you all have fun with it all, and hope the skies remain clear for you all.

[Allan_L]

Still Packing :jump2:

[jakob]

Sorry guys, I'm unable to join the fun :(:(

[Inmykombi]

Sorry to hear that you cant make it Jakob. We will miss your scope spinning around showing us the wind direction....:D

Please leave some spare photons for us if you take your 16 inch Lightbridge to the PC next weekend.

Catch you next time somewhere.



I ams till packing too. Twin servo's at 9 am it is........

[Allan_L]

That is very disappointing Jakob.

We will miss your company. :sadeyes:

see you next time :hi:


finished packing ... time for bed
twin servos 9:00

[Allan_L]

Three intrepid souls made the trek to Bretti.
All had a wonderful time.

...hmmm!
That about sums it up I think.

Plans already under way for the next episode.

[jakob]

I was hoping for an extended report to compensate the people staying at home?

[GTB_an_Owl]

so was i Jakob - so was i :(

geoff

[Allan_L]

There was a great crowd at Bretti.

Our telescopes did not go un noticed.

and an eager crowd gathered, encouraged by the friendly warm Pony Clubbers in attendance.

Many oohs and ahhs were heard.
Many thankful parents enjoyed views of Jupiter, crescent moon, and other assorted rarities, and "Iceinspace" was promoted continually.

A few new enthusiasts were unearthed, and I expect new memberships to increase dramatically.

It was a truly enjoyable experience sharing with so many people the joys of this wonderful hobby.

that accounted for about two hours on friday night... the rest of the time in pictures
:rain: :sunny:
:fishing:
:drink:
:argue:

:violin: :campfire:
:fight:
:cheers:
:cloudy:
:gday:

[Inmykombi]

Well....I had a ball in the company of Allan and Arthur.
Despite the rain being on then off then on again all the four days, it was still loads of fun.
We did have about an hour or two of stars on Friday night, but it didnt last, and you guessed it.....more rain again.
But plenty of rest and no mobile phones.....yesssssss....

Next trip it would be great to get a few more, even if the weather is not so good, as we c an still swap stories and ideas.

See you ALL next time.


Geoffro.