Very early Notification

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

For all those long range planners out there ( I'm sure this thread will fall off but I will recommence it if so)

Chaffey Dam was an excellent "end of summer" camp this year so looking at planning another for the last week of February 2014 as the new moon is the 1st of March. At this stage I will be planning to go up on the Tuesday the 25th and returning the 2nd march.

I realise that it is early, but hey, Xmas is only about 11 or 12 weeks away.
EVERYONE IS INVITED as usual
Thoughts please

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Sounds good to me Arthur.
Although Joanne is not so keen this time.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

She didn't enjoy the peace and tranquility?? Or was it the, yes , people

[glend (Glen)]

I will plan to attend Arthur. I seem to recall this had some discussion up at Bretti, can you refresh my memory - are dogs allowed?

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by glend

I will plan to attend Arthur. I seem to recall this had some discussion up at Bretti, can you refresh my memory - are dogs allowed?

Facilities and activities at Bowling Alley Point Recreation Reserve (Chaffey Dam)
Number of sites:
200
Camping Fees:
$5 per car per day, payed at the honesty box when you first enter the campground.

Hot showers are $1

Bookings:
Self serve booth at campsite.
How to book:
There are no bookings required, and given how big the camping area is, you should always be able to find a spot. Campsites on the waters edge are at a premium in the school holidays in summer, but most of the time you should be able to get one.

Toilets:
Flushing Toilets
Pets:
Pets are allowed with conditions
Water Availability:
There is usually drinking water available at this campsite. Please take care and it may still be advisable to boil water before drinking.
Camp fires:
Fires may be allowed in built fire places. Please check local fire bans and rules.
Barbeques:
Wood barbeques are available. Bring firewood and check firebans.
Swimming:
You are able to swim in the lake nearby.
Fishing:
There are fishing spots at or near this campsite.
Picnic Tables:
Yes.
Horse Riding:
No
Canoeing / Kayaking:
There are canoeing and kayaking spots at or near this campsite

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Well covered Allan, we should add that the generators are taken by a few of us and we can charge people's batteries for them ( in an electronics sense that is)

[Allan_L (Allan)]

reminder to keep this week free

[glend (Glen)]

It is on my calendar, thanks Arthur and Allan.

[Allan]

There are some interesting posts on IIS about how good the observing sites around this part of NSW are. The higher elevation is a real bonus. You guys certainly know how to pick them.

Being the end of summer I may leave the port at home this time and substitute for beer.

[absolut (Rob)]

Hi Guys!

Pencil me in for this one, I'll be doing my best to be there!!
Haven't been to Chaffey in 20+ years!!

Thanks Arthur + Allan!!

Rob

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

The thread hadn't fallen over, thanks a Rob for finding it wherever it was. Hopefully we might pick up some sky buddies from all around nsw, esp the hunter New England, north coast and Southern Queensland. Everyone is welcome

Arthur

[jakob]

It's in my dairy!

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Be nice if we could spread the news to those in Southern Queensland and everywhere for that matter, the more the merrier I say 😄

[glend (Glen)]

Arthur, there are IIS members on the north coast of NSW as well, like glenc for example.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

How do we get the message through to them? I'll leave my mobile number on here if anyone wants to contact me about the event

0400372814, and it's Arthur 😄😄

[glend (Glen)]

Maybe it would help to call it as a Star Party type event with a name like Lake Chaffey Astro Camp, or New England Area AStro Camp/star party, etc as "Very Early Notification" title doesn't tell people anything and can be missed by people browsing the New Posts in the forum unless they make the connection to the sub-forum it's listed in.
I've tried to search for users by area/region and that doesn't seem to be possible for a normal user. If you were really good with SQL you might be able to write a script to pull out user location data but that's maybe going too far. Best bet might be good publicity.

I will PM glenc and see if he knows of others in the northern NSW region.

Update: I have had a message back from glenc and he is going to let others in his area know about this event. Arthur can I suggest you edit your original post title and give the event the name of your choice. Cheers

[glend (Glen)]

Re the site at Lake Chaffey, I saw in a couple of site reviews that mention "Limited fresh water. BYO advised". Does anyone know just what limited means?

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by glend

Re the site at Lake Chaffey, I saw in a couple of site reviews that mention "Limited fresh water. BYO advised". Does anyone know just what limited means?

That seems odd, considering it is a freshwater dam.
I believe Rick (and others) were pumping water direct from the dam, not sure but I assume they boiled or filtered it before consumption. (recommended, especially considering many of us also swam in it!!!)

Perhaps the caution simply refers to a lack of taps at the camping sites?

But the amenities block had fresh water showers etc..

Sorry Glen I can't be more definite, because my van travels with 100 litre water tank and we used that exclusively for drinking cooking etc..

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

I guess it would mean "Tank Water" Glen - at the amenities block

i would think the shower and toilet water would be straight from the dam

geoff

[glend (Glen)]

Thanks Allan and Geoff, yes I was referring to drinking water, I can imagine that dam water would have to be boiled before drinking (as cattle are allowed to graze the shore in places) and even Warragamba Dam water has to be treated. Agree there might be limited tank water that might be drinkable but I will just plan on bringing a larger drinking water supply.