Had dinner last night with Peter Read (SDM), and a few other guys (John Bambury, Andrew Murrell, Gary Kopff) + some of the wives.
Peter is up in NSW doing some modifications to some Obsession telescopes for 3RF - 4x 18 inch and 2 x 25 inch telescopes. He is fitting dew systems, mirror thermometre, wire stalks, wiring truss poles, etc. It was nice to finally meet Peter, and see some of his handywork.
Peter is working hard to develop his telescope-building business in Australia. He said to me that his aspiration is to leave some fine telescopes in the hands of amateurs in Australia. A lot of vendors are interested in making a buck first, and worry about the cause of astronomy second (or third). Peter clearly has his heart in the right place, with the cause of astronomy coming a clear first.
As for my scope, all is in readiness, pending receipt of the mirror from OMI Taurus. The mirror is expected in Australia sometime in January. Realistically, probably not in time for Lostock, but now that it is so close, I can wait a few more weeks (so long as someone else will let me use their scope at Lostock!!??
).