geoff
your right - I can't wait. I acquired my scopes during the last year, so I haven't had a chance to use them in Oz yet. I can't wait to get them down to the holiday home in gippsland for some really dark skies.
Orion is now just visible on the southern horizon - it looks very weird! They don't know what they are missing...
Having said that, I must admit polaris kinda is handy for a beginner like me.