Bretti Reserve Star Parties 2015

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Sorry to hear you are having problems Glen.
Hope you are back on your feet soon!

Just checked long range forcast...
not so good for 10/11/12 June (showers nightly)
also 15th.

Looks like I may defer to week commencing 15th June afterall.

But as per our experience lately, I expect multiple changes to these forecasts, daily.

One thing for certain, Freezer Suits Mandatory

[Allan]

I see they are forecasting snow at Chaffey Dam tonight. It was very cold at SPSP considering the 3000 feet altitude, but I was toasty warm. Thank god for Geoff's suits.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Doesn't look like good forecast for next week either.
Do you have an alternate plan Allan/Glen?

[glend (Glen)]

I am still unsure if I could go regardless of the weather, however just had a look at the extended forecast and there is a fairly large rain mass showing as building over central Australia heading our way, along with the usual High Pressure coastal cloud. The Accuweather Extended forecast for Gloucester shows shows/cloud/ etc throughout next week. I can't see how we could get away from that even with a more western destination, but these things do change and bear watching for the next few days.

Thankfully, I have been able to image for the past few nights before the moon rose. Allan-L maybe the Pony Club is an option for this Saturday but I can't tell from the forecast i have seen.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Doesn't look like good forecast for next week either.
Do you have an alternate plan Allan/Glen?

Weather Channel paints a very bleak wet picture over the entire State (plus some).

JULY

(Also, as Glen says, Pony Club this Saturday is an option)

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Pony Club might clear after midnite according to 7Timer

as far as Bretti goes - if you never ever go, you never ever know

7Timer is changing daily (as usual) for Bretti
i think we just have to get ready to go and wait and see
we can always sit under an awning and deplete our alcohol supplies for a couple of days

geoff

[glend (Glen)]

True that Geoff. Let's wait and see what happens over the next few days. The New Moon is not until mid-next week - fingers crossed.

[Allan]

I am keen to watch origin next Wednesday anyway. So Thursday is the new plan for me. The moon is not a problem for a few days, plus on Saturday is the nice conjunction with Jupiter and Venus.

With all the moisture around this might have to be an inland trip.

[uwahl (Ulrich)]

Have fun guys. I am off for a 4 month trip, first to central Queensland then NT, WA and SA. Back end of October.

Other than the cracked plastic motor covers the only other problem arising from the bull attack was a slight misalignment of the main screw holding the mount head to the tripod - easily fixed by loosening some bolts and realigning. Having had a look at the guts of the mount I now know why it is so heavy. The cradles / brackets holding the motors / gears etc are SOLID thick aluminium / steel.

I will be taking the scope with me. See you all in November.

Ulrich

[Allan]

Have a great trip. Post us some photos as you travel around.

[glend (Glen)]

Looking at the most recent extended forecast on Accuweather this morning and Bretti (Gloucester area forecast) is not looking good next week until some improvement around Thursday or Friday for a day or two. However, when I switched to look at Tamworth area the forecast was much better, plenty of sunshine/clear skies from Thursday onward. Of course the Tamworth area has Lake Chaffey, and a potential new site north of Manila (Glen Riddle Reserve).

[glend (Glen)]

I now have to be in Brisbane on Sunday the 21st for a family matter and I will be driving up, so it looks like I am out of any June New Moon astro activities.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

June is looking like a washout for me as well.

My daughter has just bought her first house (well unit) in Adelaide and I may be helping transport some of her stuff over the next couple of weeks.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

so am i going up next thursday on my own ???

geoff

[glend (Glen)]

Geoff, I believe Allan is going up on Thursday or that was his plan if you look further back in this thread (post 208). "So Thursday is the new plan for me"

[Fizics (John)]

I am tied up next week for stocktaking and with poor weather reports its no go for me. Got my eye on the pony club for next month.

[Allan]

I'm still hoping the weather co-operates by the end of the week. Definitely giving Bretti a miss this time though with the weather pattern as it is. I will be heading inland this time.

I will be up for Bretti again come July new moon if the weather co-operates. I hope we can get a quorum then.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

looks like i am out too for this trip(june)

have to save my pennies for an impending knee operation

geoff

[Allan_L (Allan)]

My (younger) brother has just suffered a heart attack,
working out at the gym.
Luckily the gym is in the same building as his doctor and he was transported to Gosford hospital, and on the operating table quickly.
He is now being looked after by Reggie and crew in the Coronary Care unit.
But I will be ferrying my parents to and fro for the next few days.
Still watching weather and considering Bretti towards end of this week, but no guarantees.
After that I am off to Melbourne and Adelaide to help my daughter move into her new home.
I will be back in time for July Bretti from 13 July (weather dependent).

PS: Sorry for the inclement weather guys, I bought a boat (small tinnie) about half an hour before this rain started last Wednesday.

[glend (Glen)]

Allan sorry to hear about your brothers health problem, I hope he has a speedy recovery - and stays away from the gym for awhile.