Well i'm back and i've had a kindy nap so here is a sort of report. I think i can happily say everyone had a ball last night. I was only there for the one night. But i left a satisfied person. Excellent layout at the campsite with really top shelf facilities. Steve took us all under wing as we arrived to guide us around and make sure we were well looked after. It was great to catch up to the gang and put names to faces (thanks for the stickker JJJnettie). We had a feed and then rugged up for the chill descending on the valley.
The setup field was across the road from the camp and had an excellent, clear view of the sky. The expected horizon trees were there but they did not impact on the viewing. Once the sun had set the skies came alive. The darkness was absolute and the Milky Way glowed above us.
I ran my eye through the new Dob and got to bag Saturn, Mars and Jupiter within the Solar system plus many of the old favourites of M42, Eta Carinae and more clusters than you can poke a telescope at. The contrast and definition of objects was fantastic and Jupiter was new to me. It was especially good to see it through Steves 12 inch. I did keep a record of items viewed but it is well and truly damp after the dew rolled in.
Thankyou to everyone who let me make free with their telescopes and an expecially large thankyou to everyone who had anything to do with the organisiation of this event. Ive included a couple of happy snaps from the obs field while i was setting up.
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http://www.aulro.com/app/data/500/me...5042008195.jpg