Seems to be a lot going on for a lot of astro folks over the next few months so probably the next time we can get an Astro camp together might be September.
The new moon in September falls on Wednesday the 5th so maybe a sejourne starting the 4th till the 8th might be a goer if if suits most of us.
The venue this time: Bretti Reserve so it will be very cool and you will need the usual winter gear. We do the big camp fire thing so if someone has a chain saw it would come in handy.
I believe there is a new amenity shed up there but as I haven't seen it i can't comment but i will take a trip up before that weekend to sus it out. For those who haven't been before the skies there are majestic with very little if any sky glow.
It's is a great place, about 3 hrs drive from the central coast (heading NNW).
Comments welcome from everyone.
Ps won't be around for the may pony club, I'll be viewing the northern skies from London (someone tell me there's no sky glow there )
Sorry about the delay, am currently in Paris and just checked my iceinspace for the first time in days.
Every one of these weekends we have organised has occurred Robert without a hitch, bar one but at the last minute we snagged an alternate venue which was great also, one which we have used at other times.
these "camps" that show on this forum are open to ALL from wherever to attend, even though the thread is usually started by the "Pony Clubbers" the camps are for all to attend, a way of meeting fellow astro hobbyists (like ourselves) from all over.
I will be there, sounds like a great spot. I will need definite dates so I can organise the time off. Will there be some more information forth coming on here? I know very little about this one. Cheers
Welcome aboard, as the camp gets closer the thread usually becomes far more active.
Bretti is a great spot about 30kms up the thunderbolt way from Gloucester. It is a free spot and all camping gear is needed. When there we are blessed (for the want of a better word) with a clean, fresh, and very cold water river and toiets.
Suggesting setting up camp on the wednesday gives us up to the sunday which covers the new moon well. (5days, 4 nights). The people who attend are a great and friendly bunch who are not adverse to to the odd BBQ and ALE. We usually set a traditional camp fire that burns like the olympic torch for the duration.
A few of us take generators (yes very quet ones) so we can charge batteries etc. please feel free to post any questions on the thread as i am sure they will be answered by one of the regulars. The spot is about 10 acres.
Im quite happy for folk to ring me for info but not until after next weekend as i a currently in Paris and the call costs are expensive.
I believe there is a new amenity shed up there but as I haven't seen it i can't comment but i will take a trip up before that weekend to sus it out.
Geoff(1), Geoff(2), and I went to Bretti Camp in May for a few days after the eclipse. (No that is not in reference to the title )
YES.
The GOOD news is that I can confirm there is a NEW Amenities Shed. Very Nice. Caters for wheelchair use, and people on crutches. It even has a water tank connected to a hand washing basin. It is still a pit toilet design. But very modern.
The BAD news is that it is right at the base of the entrance - that is: as far as possible from where we normally set up camp.
But of course, the UGLY old toilet shed is still there, close at hand to where we generally camp.
I really need to start getting to the occassional starparty around the countryside. Have been here too long not to have got to know a few fellow astronomers personally
I will try to get along to this event. I see on the info for Bretti that it is dog friendly, are dogs allowed at these IIS events or are they seen as a danger to peoples equipment setup?