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brian nordstrom
16-08-2012, 10:03 AM
:) Hi all , I just got back from 2 weeks in Hamilton NZ , visiting my father in the last stages of prostate cancer , very hard to see Dad at under 50kgs and bed ridden , its gutting but as he said life will go on . :sadeyes:.
The main reason for this thread is that as I live in the NT and its been an awsome dry so far , it was a shock to get to NZ and feel how cold and miserable it is there at this time of the year , like 14 degrees max and in the 2 weeks there , there was only 1 fine day ( morning ) .
I also used the time to pick up my 2 cars in storage in Whangarei and move them to my sons place in Taupo , it was good to drive my 1971 R/T Charger to Taupo , rain and all .
I also picked up some astro gear that was packed on the back seat of my Charger , and gave my 6 inch f/8 saxon refractor to my 19 year old nephew who is very interested in astronomy and all things science . I will post a few more eyepieces on the classifieds soon that I brought back with me soon .
Here is a photo of my 6 inch set up in my sisters lounge complete with instructions written on tape for them to read as prompts , My nephew Troy has a small scope and the big 6 inch is a major learning curve , but it the 2 weeks he picked up how to drive it quite fast , now all he needs is a little clear weather .
Hope every one in Hamilton and in fact all of NZ get good , clear skies soon ,:thumbsup: .
ps. also a photo of my Charger in a servo in Putaruru at midnight , notice the rain !! and it was 2 degrees !! Brrrrrrr...
Brian.

Larryp
16-08-2012, 11:17 AM
Sorry to hear about your dad, Brian. You should bring the Charger here-worth a lot of money now!

silv
16-08-2012, 03:15 PM
Ja, that's so sad about your dad ending his life, Brian.

***

I recently checked historical meteorological data in NZ and found that Hamilton in fact is the location with the least rain in the past 10 years. That doesn't say anything re clouds passing over, though.

Cool that your nephew will have fun with the scope. The other side of the mount has space for stickies with Octane's drift alignment rule of 15... :)

gbeal
17-08-2012, 05:52 AM
Darn, if only I'd known, it would have been good to say hello.
Gary

brian nordstrom
17-08-2012, 12:04 PM
:) Thanks all , its a shame , but there is nothing that can be done now.
And Gary I thought about contacting you but the 2 weeks flew by so fast I ran out of time . When I come back for the funeral I will definatly get in touch , ok :thumbsup: .
thanks again ,
Brian.

gbeal
18-08-2012, 07:36 AM
Yes please, where you were is a short drive. We are midway Hamilton/Cambridge, near the airport.
Gary