Bretti Reserve Sept 2013

[Rick Petrie]

Originally Posted by glend

I will try to get along to this event. I see on the info for Bretti that it is dog friendly, are dogs allowed at these IIS events or are they seen as a danger to peoples equipment setup?

Hi Glen
A few of us have taken our dogs to these events before.
Providing that the owners are responsible for their dogs behavior and restraint around others equipment,(and particularly at night) I don't think it would be a problem at all. We should have our little guy with us also.
See you there.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by davenn

hey Allan

gosh is that Sydney skyglow in the distance ?

I really need to start getting to the occassional starparty around the countryside. Have been here too long not to have got to know a few fellow astronomers personally

Dave

Hi Dave,
Hope you can make it on this little trip.
No, we don't get much if any skyglow at Bretti at all.
I think there was a little cloud low on the horizon and some lightning off in the distance that night.
When the weather co-operates the sky is very dark there.

Originally Posted by glend

I will try to get along to this event. I see on the info for Bretti that it is dog friendly, are dogs allowed at these IIS events or are they seen as a danger to peoples equipment setup?

Hi Glen,
Hope you can come.
The farmer next door often runs a few horses and/or cattle on the field at Bretti. I don't know if this will be an issue for your pooch? But other campers have dogs there occasionally, without incident. There is certainly plenty of open space for it to run around (although preferably not at night time )

BTW: This is not a sanctioned IIS Event as such. It is just a bunch of us, getting away with similar interest. No rules. No Formalities. But general courtesy and mateship are appreciated.

See you there.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Am also crrently planning to spend november new moon at Chaffey Dam if anyone is interested

[glend (Glen)]

I thought it worth bumping this thread back up. This location seems to almost guarantee dark skies without skyglow, but I could be wrong about that given the mine operations to the south. Anyone who has been there before care to comment on relative darkness of this site, say compared to the Pony Club which seems too close to Sydney to me.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

I am (planning on) going for a drive up to Lake St Clair tomorrow (Sunday 14July) to check out the camp ground there.

Just northeast of Singleton it is probably a 2 hour drive from the Central Coast (maybe 3 hours from Sydney?)

We Plan to camp there overnight.

Anyone else been there?
Any reports?

It may be a bit too commercially developed for our Astronomy needs, but Jo wants to take a look anyway.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Let us know if its any good Allan.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Allan_L

I am (planning on) going for a drive up to Lake St Clair tomorrow (Sunday 14July) to check out the camp ground there.

Just northeast of Singleton it is probably a 2 hour drive from the Central Coast (maybe 3 hours from Sydney?)

We Plan to camp there overnight.

Anyone else been there?
Any reports?

It may be a bit too commercially developed for our Astronomy needs, but Jo wants to take a look anyway.

Well, it is a beautiful secluded spot.
The caretaker says they have had Astro groups there before on a semi regular basis.
And the facilities are quite good.
but at $22.50 (off peak) for an UnPowered site, I think it will only be for the dedicated few.
Other than the price, it is a similar setup to Chaffey Dam (but half as far).
The price does include "free" hot showers and "free" electric BBQs.
But I don't see it becoming a regular.

Couldn't comment on the skies as it was overcast all night.

But it was a pleasant trip.

Edit
Oh! They do have a small number of Powered sites for a few dollars more, but these are not on the waterfront.
And a light at each of the office and amenities blocks (2) are on all night, but these are all in one area (near powered sites).

[jakob]

Originally Posted by Allan_L

Well, it is a beautiful secluded spot.
The caretaker says they have had Astro groups there before on a semi regular basis.
And the facilities are quite good.
but at $22.50 (off peak) for an UnPowered site, I think it will only be for the dedicated few.
Other than the price, it is a similar setup to Chaffey Dam (but half as far).
The price does include "free" hot showers and "free" electric BBQs.
But I don't see it becoming a regular.

Couldn't comment on the skies as it was overcast all night.

But it was a pleasant trip.

Thanks for the report, Allan.
I bear this in mind for an outing.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Thanks for that report, a sopt ive heard of but not visited. Although i have been to Glenbourn which is a little futher on.

And Glend

As regards dark skies at Bretti, yes we are regulars there,, maybe 1-2 x yearly and skyglow has never been an issue.but the sky being so dark is as we cant see to walk around and kick our toes

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Its getting closer, and I am looking forward to a rest from work. Campfire cooking, good company and some nice weather should enable us to relax as we normally do. Roll on September....

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Anyone that has a chain saw they can bring to camp it would be appreciated. Need lots of firewood

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Arthur Alchin

Anyone that has a chain saw they can bring to camp it would be appreciated. Need lots of firewood

I don't even have a sharp set of Steak knives Arthur....sorry....

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Arthur Alchin

Anyone that has a chain saw they can bring to camp it would be appreciated. Need lots of firewood

I think I can borrow one for the trip.
Unless anyone else has already arranged for one?

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Soooooooo!

date revision or postal voting?

geoff

[absolut (Rob)]

Stupid elections...

I'm thinking we pile into a few cars and just go absentee vote in Gloucester?

Or postal voting... Gloucester is pretty close though...
http://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/#absent

I'm planning on a short trip to vote and probably grab some lunch/supplies.

Rob

[glend (Glen)]

The date/s has to stay the same from my perspective, as I have made plans to be there from Wednesday the 4th - but then again I don't have to vote (Canadian citizen, permanent resident in Aus, can't vote).

Can't you vote in advance, postal? Probably much less hassle than trying to get to a polling place.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Postal vote is the go I think. That way no precious relaxation time is missed.

Only one Moon cycle to go folks.

Thanks for that link to the AEC Robert....

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Inmykombi

Postal vote is the go I think. That way no precious relaxation time is missed.

Only one Moon cycle to go folks.

Thanks for that link to the AEC Robert....

yes, Geoff, I agree!
I already applied for a postal vote today. www.aec.gov.au
Not wanting to risk forgetting to vote in middle of camp.

Looking forward to it.

BTW I am off to sunny Victoria for a couple of weeks as of tomorrow.

al

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I also applied for a postal vote today.... Enjoy your trip Alan.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Yep count down for those interested in the end of winter camp out