Bretti Reserve Weekend October

[Arthur Alchin]

Ok expressions of interest! October 11th (thursday) to 15th (sunday). Like usual stack of fun. Very basic ammenities soneed to bring all stuff

Bretti reserve is soightly more than a half hour drive from gloucester. Hopefullyits not the long weekend ��

Ah: the long weekend is the 1st of october, you beauty.

Remember that a lot of "stuff" is taken by the regulars (generators, bbqs etc) thespot is free and boosts a beautiful freshwater river and a pit toilet.

[Inmykombi]

Sounds good to me.

It'll be a busy time for me though, but I would love to get away.
A dark sky, Camp cooking, sounds of running water from the creeks...very appealing.

I'll pencil it in and hope work does not have me running around like a one legged man in a butt kicking contest at the time....

[Rick Petrie]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Sounds good to me also.....locked in.

[Allan_L]

Sounds good to me too.
If I can find my way back in time.
Fits nicely between WA and FNQ eclipse.
Just check that it is not school holidays will you AA?
Or the place will be full as...
Al

[jakob]

Pls reserve a spot for me!!!
:)

[Allan_L]

Ok checked it myself now

Woohoo can't wait !!!!

:thumbsup:

[Arthur Alchin]

Hey things are looking good, im getting excited already, having trouble containing myself. cant wait to see Geoffro's new shower. :lol::lol:

[Arthur Alchin]

I have lost my 3 meter USB powered extension cable (camera to macbook) on one of our previous weekends, has anybody by chance found one lying around and put in their gear for safe keeping?

It has silver braided shielding covered with clear plastic, the female end is more bulkier than a normal USB extension.

I have probably dropped it at Bretti or Lostock and driven away without it :(:(

[Inmykombi]

Only 3 weeks until we get away again.

Sorry I cant help you with your cable Arthur.
I have a cable you may be able to use if I can find it to bring it away.

I think it may be better to set up camp a little more in the middle where we normally do, instead of where we camped last time.
The reason is that the trees were blocking the sky in some areas, and also the ground was a little too dirty and dusty.
I am open to opinions though.

Must be time for a roll call.:D

[Allan_L]

I am really looking forward to this :hi:
Trouble is: ...
I have been called in for Jury Duty from 2 October and there is a chance i may be still empanelled by the 11th.
Fingers crossed ...

Yes Geoff,
I agree with your observation,
It would be better astronomically to set up a little further away from the trees.

I hope we get a good roll up this time.
If anyone who is not coming this time, wants to pick up my key to the Pony Club, please let me know ASAP.

[jakob]

So am I :)

[Arthur Alchin]

OK got a new cable, active one at that: sorry Australia, Hong Kong and Ebay win again. Less than half the price here and that includes postage.

[Inmykombi]

I may have another mate ( yes....I have m ore than one ) coming along.
Johnathan doesn't have a scope, but is really interested in the night sky.

I hope he can make it....

[Allan_L]

Great News Geoff !
The more the merrier.

:thumbsup:

[AndyK]

Barbara and I will be trying our best to make it for the weekend 14th and 15th.
Unfortunately I doubt I'll be able to get the Thursday and Friday off work ... any spare leave is used up with a cruise to QLD in November for the eclipse.

[Arthur Alchin]

Getting close getting excited! Its the last 4 days leading up to 6 weeks annual leave, yes im excited. Do i need to take the boat??

[jakob]

I just noticed that the Central Coast Chapter of the CMCA (Camper-van & Motor-home Club) are meeting at Bretti from the 11th to 14th!
We may have interested company and Light pollution.

I'm still looking forward to meeting you all there. :D:D:D

[Inmykombi]

That sounds serious about the CMCA Jakob !!!!

If this is the case I may wait until another weekend.
I don't want crowds and light pollution etc. while there.

[Allan_L]

Hi Jakob,
Have you been to one of these gatherings?
What sort of thing do they get up to at night?
What time do they call it goodnight?
I wonder how many may be involved?

Maybe we can convince them to keep the lights off in exchange for us showing them the views through our scopes?

What do you think?
Do you think we could call the organiser to suss them out?

Al

[Inmykombi]

I cant seem to find much on the Net about this Group on the Central Coast.
Only a crazy "Wanderers" web-site with pop up adds by the bucket load.

Does anyone else have any information on them ?

[gb_astro]

Don't want to scare you guys but here is a photo of one of their national rallies. :( !!!

http://www.cmca.net.au/pages/motorhoming_information/rallies/images/26thNationalRally2011KalRally.jpg

Greg.

[Allan_L]

Greg,
That is the annual national rally.
Jakob is talking about a little monthly get together of just the small chapter of the Central coast.
Like Jakob, I am a member of CMCA, but I have never been to one of their rallies.

I will try to contact the organiser and get some facts.

[Allan_L]

OK>

I have just spoken to Barry Burfield, president of the Central Coast chapter of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA).

He confirmed that they are going to Bretti Reserve form the 11th October to the 14 October (Inclusive).
He expects about a dozen motorhomes to participate (maybe less as there is a bigger rally elsewhere at the same time).
He said that they will be arriving before lunch on the Thursday.
They normally camp about half way along the track near the river.
(However, he was unaware that the second toilet block had been washed away and said they may want to camp closer to the remaining block ie near our preferred site)
He said they will be erecting a large Marquee.
There will be lights on in the marquee probably to about 10:30 each night, at which time most people will then be heading for bed.
He said they are all "oldies" so night time activities are usually limited to a game of cards etc.
They will have generators and some vehicles may have outside lights (nothing new there).

I explained the conflict, and he said we were more than welcome to come along and share their fun and facilities. Hmm!

I stated that some of our members were considering cancelling if they (CMCA) were going to have lights blaring all night, Barry did not think that would be a problem.

I extended an offer to their members to come over and have a look through our telescopes (if we still go), this is usually a good ploy to make them aware of our requirements for lights to be minimised. He thought that was a good idea.

I hope we still decide to go ahead with Bretti this October, and hope that we can get some good quality dark observing done.

Let me know if you want more info.

[Inmykombi]

I may have to give it a miss if there will be a Marquee and lights etc.

I am sorry guys, but I go away for the peace and quiet and the dark sky. ( and the company of other that enjoy the night sky )
It would be quite annoying to have a large crowd so close, and with lights and noise etc.

Maybe next time for me.


NOTE:
I am looking at an alternative place and will advise if it looks OK for anyone interested.

[AndyK]

Well Barbara and I are also members of the CMCA.
Although we've never been to one of their gatherings we have a good idea of what goes on.
Nice people and very social ... but I honestly think they would just about take over the place.

I was intending to try some wide-field long exposures with the Canon 5D but I can just imagine a well-meaning but curious visitor wandering into the frame with their five million candlepower lantern.

We also enjoy the quiet and the dark so I'm afraid we'll be giving it a miss this time around.
Sorry guys.

[Arthur Alchin]

Ideas everyone, its not to late to change the venue, thinking caps on. I can get onto 1800 acres at manilla but we would have to take our water as its not a permanent river.

[Inmykombi]

I have been looking, but no alternative yet.
I'll keep trying

[Allan_L]

Lostock ?

[Arthur Alchin]

We have talked informally in the past about looking at other spots and as a group we are totally self sufficient, maybe this is what is needed to force our hand and look for an alternative. There is also a site 3 kms from Nundle township called "swamp creek" is riverside and has composting toilet.

Lat -31.4361 Long 151.143.

Downside: 4 1/2 hr drive instead of 3 hr. suits me but im only one of the group. Says 2wd and 4 wheel drive in on scenic gravel road ( 2kms)

[Arthur Alchin]

Ill give brian a call and get back to the group

[Allan_L]

These came up on a search for free camps.
May be a bit too far though.

Camp Glen Riddle Recreation Reserve
Glen Riddle Recreation Reserve is located 10.79kms SouthEast of Barraba, 33.05kms North of Manilla, 48.07kms SouthWest of Bundarra and 65.45kms South of Bingara, in the state of New South Wales.

or
Camp Eastern Foreshore Campground -Lake Keepit State Park

Arthur,
What is the story on your place at Manilla.
How long does it take to get there.
(I carry about 100 litres of fresh water in my van.)

[Arthur Alchin]

At short notice i have got the top house at lostock for that weekend. Does that suit???

Also Brian has a working Bee the week before so he said they will slash the hill up behind the water tanks (outside the fence) as it has a big large flat area which is higher than the house with more shy view.

I hope i'm not out of place organising this but it is very short notice.

[Arthur Alchin]

For future reference one of my friends from work has bought 1800 acres outside Manilla. They don't live there, i think they have future plans to but not yet.

She has offered the use of it to us it we want, just have to verify dates with her. It doesnt have permanent water but i am sure there will be somewhere around to get it and we usually take our own "drinking" ware anyhow.

She has shooters there at time which may be of interest to the participants that have scopes as well as scopes (EYHO Geoff :-) )

[Allan_L]

Thanks Arthur.
Maybe some others may come now that we have all the comforts of home.
Perhaps you should start this in a NEW Thread?

[Arthur Alchin]

tried to start a new thread but computer wouldn't play ball. If someone would like to start a new thread feel welcome, same dates but now the Top house rather than bretti, emphasising the elctricity, hot and cold water, showers, toilets and beds that are available

[Inmykombi]

I am in for Lostock.

I like the sound of the top slashed area. Maybe that will be better for observing and camping. Although he bunk house has all we need for a comfortable weekend.
I am OK with either the field or the top house.

Thanks Arthur for organising this at short notice.

[Arthur Alchin]

For anyone following this thread the venue has changed due to the expected arrival of a gaggle of motorhomes which will undoubtedly change all the positive things about a Bretti weekend. Therefore the venue has changed to the Lostock site. Have a look at the new thread that has been started