[Kokatha man]

Well, well, well - actually John, quite some posts back I enquired as to whether the Pelican cases were similar to the Bunnings "equilavent." And it was "a couple of busted nails at first" not "skins his knuckles everytime he opens it." (please be factual at least John, refer posts: 23/01/08 @ 9.29 & 10.16pm)

The joke about "are they some sort of weird accessory from the Mawson Base souvenir shop..." was just that, light-hearted humour: only someone with a very thin skin and over-inflated opinion of themselves could possibly have twisted an honest question posted with a humorous introduction, into something they saw fit to reply to with what was unequivocally a sneering, pompous response!

Subsequent posts by others confirms the tenor of your reply! Again, and admittedly in an attempt to gently chide you about this tendency by lampooning; I introduced the substance of my last post: I, and I am sure others, value some of your contributions John; but despite the pervading tenor of omniscience in them you are neither the most knowledgable nor experienced of amateur astronomers.

I am sorry, but I feel many of your responses that seem to refer to the cost of your personal equipment impart an air of superiority which is not only off-putting but actually quite misplaced: but I must add that despite this I think you have many valuable contributions as well.

I personally will desist now in adding further to this thread, and genuinely express the desire for a spirit of mutual respect towards each of us in our postings.

My best regards to all, Darryl.