I am hoping that I have enough money by next year so that I can pick up a decent 2nd hand refractor when I am in the US next year, after all, how am I going to observe the northern hemisphere otherwise.

Yes, I am going to Stellafane, but that is only three days. I am there for 6 to 8 weeks. Apart from my recent Canon 60D purchase (which I need for the states anyway), no other goodies this year