Hi Mike & All,
Sorry to hear about that but as they say in the classics ... been there, done that ...
I should have known something was going to go wrong with this night. My wife was actually encouraging me to go ...
The weather in Sydney last Saturday was very deceiving. Mind you all I had to do was read the weather report that forecast increasing cloud and showers in the evening -- but noooo I had to be the weather forecaster myself and when it was still brilliant blue (as it had been all day) overhead at 5pm ...
After a quick phone conference with Gary (my observing colleague) I only finally managed to leave home on my third attempt. First time I got about 2 kms from home and was picking up some food when I realised I'd forgotten my "to-do" folder which has all my observing projects in it. After nipping home I set out again
The second time I was almost 10 km along the Heathcote Rd (about 12 km from home when I realised the stand the Argonavis sits on was also at home.
Turn around again.
I finally arrived at my site about an hour later than intended in almost complete darkness ... and it was pouring with rain. Gary and I retreated to the local sports club for 2 1/2 hrs for a beer or two while we waited. Almost at turn-out time ('bout 11pm) we headed back to our site where we where we stood around for nearly an hour hoping to see some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel -- no dice.
Very cranky drive home. More than anything else cranky with myself for not giving proper weight to a forecast and not packing the car thoughtfully ...
Woke up Sunday morning with ... the flu. Grrrrrr
Best,
Les D