Blue Mountains - Katoomba Airfield July 6

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Spoke with Rod this morning. Road has some erosion, but not too bad. The rain's been constant but not torrential, so not too much erosion. Even with standard 2wd cars, it's just a matter of taking it easy - you wouldn't be flying over any damaged road, even in a 4WD, that's for TV. The road substrate is firm, not sandy, so it is never a problem of getting stuck. It isn't a road surface that needs 4WD.

[Wavytone]

Put it this way - if I can get there in a very low sportscar, there's nothing to worry any of the rest of you. Common sense applies.

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Yeah first time I went there Peter told me it was the worst he had ever seen the road. I drove my Carolla and was totally fine. Thanks for confirming the road is ok Alex. Good peace of mind, now all we need to worry about is the weather which according to the weather reports is looking good!

[MortonH]

Sounds good. Only the weather can stop me this time!

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Originally Posted by Wavytone

Put it this way - if I can get there in a very low sportscar, there's nothing to worry any of the rest of you. Common sense applies.

Lower than a Mini?

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Have been driving here and there around Sydney recently and a 4WD is sounding all the more attractive as our proper car...or at lease something with plenty of suspension travel and good damping and I thought SE UK roads were bad

[Wavytone]

Yes sure mine is lower... Front spoiler scrapes often enough round town and I take it very easy on dirt.

[Steffen]

But surely not so low that it couldn't run over a Mini without touching…

Cheers
Steffen.

[mr bruess]

Originally Posted by mental4astro

<sigh> OK, I will. I didn't want to bring it up. See the government ad below...

Don't believe me? Read of my experience: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...0&postcount=26

A horrifying graphic ad about the dangers of the Drop bear.
The Australian Tourist never tell or warn about these dangerous bears.It is because of the fear of loss of business.

[Wavytone]

Originally Posted by Steffen

But surely not so low that it couldn't run over a Mini without touching…

Hehe a mini could drive over mine like it was a big speed bump !

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Not so sure about that, I almost grounded the Mini on a shopping centre speed bump at the weekend

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Mmmmm, the long range forecast for the Katoomba has an overnight minimum of -2. I HAVE to remember the matches...

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Mmmmm, the long range forecast for the Katoomba has an overnight minimum of -2. I HAVE to remember the matches...

Awesome. Haven't experienced sub-zero temps for 7 years!

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

My thermals arrived from that Kathmandu sale. -2 Degrees?? Bring it on!!!

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

The heated vest is charging.... where can I get heated undies?

The scope might not care about frost/ice, but I do

[Wavytone]

Meh... Beanie, gloves, good pair of thermals, thermos with tea and sugar hit (choc or energy bars).

Dunk as indicated earlier go find a boutique that carries sweaters made of merino mink, ideally Lothlorien. Marvellous stuff with a shell over the top. There is one in Leura, on the Mall, next to the roundabout at the south end of the main shopping strip.

Mmmm frost... A few sheets of newspaper over the car windscreen are a good idea, saves scraping the stuff off.

[Wavytone]

For those coming to Katoomba - if you have a premium eyepiece around the 35 - 45 mm focal length please bring as I'd like to do some comparisons - specifically interested in Panoptic, Pentax, Explore Scientific, Masuyama.

Not interested in the budget ones (GSO, skywatchers, Orion, WO etc)

See you there.

[mr bruess]

Originally Posted by Wavytone

For those coming to Katoomba - if you have a premium eyepiece around the 35 - 45 mm focal length please bring as I'd like to do some comparisons - specifically interested in Panoptic, Pentax, Explore Scientific, Masuyama.

Not interested in the budget ones (GSO, skywatchers, Orion, WO etc)

See you there.

I've got the 35mm Panoptic so I will bring it if I come next time.

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

A 50mm plossl using Pentax glass any good for you Wavy? I couldn't see any abberations in my fast newts or refractor with it!

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

All I can offer you wavy is a 30mm ES 82°. Might be a bit short on the focal length?