LOSTOCK 11th - 14th October ( alternative to Bretti )

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Hi all,
Arthur has very quickly organised an alternative to Bretti, due to an impending arrival of a motor home club on the same weekend as we had planned to go.
This Alternative is Lostock Scout property ( top house.)
The top house has hot water for showers, a kitchen with a stove and a microwave and fridges for storage with bunk style sleeping.

Thanks for getting this happening so quickly Arthur.

I am in for Lostock on the same weekend as we planned for Bretti.
Unfortunately this site is not free as was Bretti.
It will cost a small sum per night as well as a per person booking fee.
Typically we pay about $30-$50 each for a few nights....please correct me if I am wrong Arthur....

We need a head count please folks.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Lostock Scout Camp Site:
The site of the annual IISAC. (a preferred location selected over and again by Iceman himself)
Dark skies, close to Sydney (north of Maitland in the Hunter Region)
All the luxury of home, warm shelter, with electricity, water, toilets, showers, beds, full kitchen.
Very cheap accommodation, depending on numbers, could be a low as $25 per person. TBA.
Country location in farm lands very tranquil and relaxing.

This should be a small gathering, not formal in any way, plenty of fun, plenty of experience, perfect for the absolute beginner, or the experienced.

I recommend this 4 day (3 night) sojourn to all who can make it.
Even if you can only make it for one or two nights.

I am looking forward to it.
Please indicate if you are interested, would like further information (information on how to get there is included in the IISAC section of this website) or you can PM Geoff, Arthur, or myself to discuss.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Yep, i'm in and as an added token Brian has a working Bee the week before and has told me he will get them to slash the hill up behind the water tanks which is quite flat but higher than the house. it is outside the house fence but i will be looking very closely at this area. may need a few 25mtr extension cords to run from the house if we want power on the Hill (i have 1).

If transport is an issue PM Arthur.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Is anyone able to contact Jakob ?
He hasn't been back on line since he informed us of the Bretti situation.

I don't have his number but if anyone does have it, it may be an idea to call him and let him know of the changes, in case he is expecting to meet us at Bretti.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Don't have Jacobs number, can only hope he sees the thread before the date. Maybe one of the sydney guys might have it??. I think i will be tenting it up there but will need to take ropes and a couple of star pegs to keep cattle out of my tent

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Arthur Alchin

but will need to take ropes and a couple of star pegs to keep cattle out of my tent

Just leave your smelly old freezer boots out front....that will keep 'em away....

[vic4loc (Victor)]

I'm interested to come as well, been following the Bretti thread. Due to work can only make the Sat night, will be bringing along a friend who is interested in astronomy. Please advise how much is it for the night?

I'm thinking of taking a 1kVA generator for power, according to the spec, it is quiet, around 53db, sorry this is my first time planning to take along a generator, what is the ettiquette of generators at dark site? beside the noise.

Victor.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Hi Victor,
You are most welcome to come along with your friend.
There should be plenty of spare bunks available.

We generally take generators to Bretti, to recharge batteries during the day, but not generally to run equipment during the night-time observing sessions.
As you can imagine, a great deal of the appeal is to get out under the country skies and enjoy the peace and quiet.

That said, generators are rarely needed at Lostock as we have 240 volt power available from the house. Recommended setup is extension cords and a power board. Or 12 volt battery and inverter if needed. We can help set you up if necessary.

As to cost, I am not too sure, except that I recall it seemed way too little for the level of comfort and facilities. Perhaps Arthur can provide the exact cost details in advance. From memory there is a small fixed fee which is divided by the number of attendees (pro rata for days attended) plus a smaller amount per person (per night). As a guide, maybe $20 for the three nights.

[vic4loc (Victor)]

Hi Allan,

Thanks for your reply...

There should be plenty of spare bunks available.

There are bunks? we were planning for tents and camping

240 volt power available from the house. Recommended setup is extension cords and a power board

That is great, I have a 20m extension cord reel & power boards.

Reason I was thinking of the generator is that my batteries seems to only last for 3-4 hours max. I bought 2x 17AH batt., one is used to power the HEQ5 + dew heater, the other for the QSI & laptop when it runs low.

Victor.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by vic4loc

Hi Allan,

Thanks for your reply...

There are bunks? we were planning for tents and camping

Victor.

PM sent

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

I am just waiting for the verification letter from Brian to sign that outlines the cost but it is always cheaper than the bottom house. Last time it was a total of $100 for the four days plus $3 per person per day. Since then there has been a price rise but it was not very big, possibly $120-130 in total for the rent which of course we share between us all.

As all who attend are aware we have no indemnity insurance as we are a friendly group and consider this to be a social get together. This is a non profit, fun, expense only weekend. This is not an "Iceinspace" official event.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

All are welcome, If I remember correctly the house should sleep about 10-12 in bunk beds.
Or you can "tent it" outside if you wish.

Looking forward to this weekend.
I have one new mate coming along as well.

[warpsl (Jason)]

hello.what are the directions for the new site?and can i pay when i arrive?regards.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by warpsl

hello.what are the directions for the new site?and can i pay when i arrive?regards.

You certainly can pay when you arrive, no problems.

The road where we will end up is called Patterson River Road and the town is LOSTOCK.

Basically, we drive through Maitland to Lorn, Bolwarra, Mindaribba, Tocal and Patterson, Vacy to Gresford and turn at Gresford to get to Lostock.

If you have a GPS you should have no troubles.
If you don't, you can follow us up as we meet at the Northbound Twin Service Stations on the F3 Freeway at about 8.30 or 9.00am.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by warpsl

hello.what are the directions for the new site?and can i pay when i arrive?regards.

Here are some directions I found elsewhere on the site

Google Maps
Use the following Google Maps direction link which will give you directions from the end of the F3 all the way
through Maitland, Paterson, Gresford and then Lostock - http://tinyurl.com/6amy5k .

Using Whereis.com.au
Using the Whereis “Map and Directions Tab” and enter Lostock Rd, Gresford as your destination.
That’ll get you to the nearest town to Lostock, which is Gresford.

If coming from the South, head to Maitland.
• Follow the signs to Paterson, Vacy and then Gresford along Tocal Rd.
• Once in the centre of Gresford (East Gresford), turn left onto Gresford Rd, and follow this for approx
1.7km.
• Turn right onto Lostock Rd, where there’s a corner store on your right hand side.

If coming from the North, whereis takes you down the New England Hwy towards Singleton.
• Head along Mitchells Flat Rd (approx 12kms), which turns left into Gresford Rd.
• Follow this for another 30 kms (approx), until you reach the corner store at the intersection of
Gresford Rd and Lostock Rd.

Once you’re at the Corner Store:
• Head north on Lostock Rd towards Lostock Dam.
• Lostock Rd road becomes Paterson River Rd, and winds its way for 18kms through the mountains
and along the creek until you reach the turn off to Lostock Dam and Lostock Caravan Park.
• Don’t turn left there; continue straight towards the Lostock Scout Camp. The road turns to a well-
maintained dirt road, and travels for 6kms until your reach the Scout Camp.
• You can’t miss it once you’re there – you’ll see two farmhouses (top house and bottom house)

we have booked the Top House.

[jakob]

Lostock OK with me.

Arthur, thanks for quick organization!

(I was away for the W/E, only just caught up with the latest news)

Looking forward to dust-off the scope.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Looks like its all system go

A big welcome to all those who haven't been before

To those with a last minute decision to go u can either go directly to the house and we will all be arriving late morning or u can catch up at the twin servoos as geoff mentioned below. If u have a UHF CB we travel on channel 8 and go by the
General handle of "iceinspace pony club boys" (i know sounds a bit lame but it works)

Thanks Jakob, confirmed on FB, yes. Look forward to catching up

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

You Beauty, We have a few confirmed now.
Has anyone heard from Deeno ?

[Rick Petrie]

I am looking good for the Thursday and Friday night so far, have a function on the Saturday night though and will have to leave early.
Fingers crossed for the weather playing fair.

[jakob]

I'm aiming to leave Wednesday and stay at gresford o/n.
Anybody else?