Yes, there is a picnic table down at the far eastern end on the little bluff overlooking the river. We usually camp to the right of that in ths flat area. There is a drop toilet down there you want to be on the river side of that and behind the rubbsh bin line. Its not usually occupied down there as the grey nomads like the river side on the north under the trees. One suggestion, try to get in between the two stands of trees , one to the north and one to the south east but they may have been cut down recently. Hope its clear for you tomorrow night. I'll be there Friday.
I will not be able to make it this trip.
Sorry.
Too many other distractions (obligations) to attend to here.
And with the weather uncertain, it is hardly worth losing brownie points over.
al
Moving to plan B. I just checked the aviation weather forecasts for Taree and Tamworth. Bretti still looks average but Chaffey Dam is fine. I would prefer an extra hour drive for the certainty of clear skies, so I am going to head for Chaffey Dam tomorrow afternoon so I can set up a few hours before dark.
If the Bretti weather changes tomorrow I will go there as originally planned.
The weather in Newcastle tonight is full overcast and rain, with the trend spreading up the coast. Looks like inland is the place to be again, away from the coastal weather.
As much as I want to go to Bretti, and catch up with the guys there, I don't like camping enough to go there and risk not being able to do any observing.
So I am going to head off to Chaffey Dam in an hour or so for 3 nights. It's only 1 hour extra drive than Bretti if anyone's keen.
Allan I will be staying home as the weather has me beat. Even if it is clear at Bretti tonight I am not prepared to suffer through another 36+C day up there, just geting too old for that. Good luck at Chaffey, and we'll catch up another time.
Hi Glen. I was just leaving and thought I would check the forecast again and they have all been amended. Bretti is looking fine now so I am going to head there after all. I hear what you are saying about the temperature, that's why I am leaving a bit later so I can setup when it starts cooling off. Might have to sit in the creek tomorrow with Bundy.
I should have stuck with plan B! Drove to Bretti Saturday afternoon, a thunderstorm went through and the sky almost completely cleared at sunset, for about 30 minutes. Then the clouds rolled in again for full overcast almost all night.
I decided to pack up and left for Chaffey Dam at about 7am. It was a pretty amazing 2 hour drive through some of the back roads. The whole place at Chaffey Dam was covered in prickles, so I camped right on the waters edge which was clear, so Bundy wouldn't get covered in the prickles.
Sky was perfectly clear and very transparent. Started alignment in the twilight and had such a great night using both my telescopes. The night passed so quick and I was shocked when I noticed the sun starting to come up.
Grabbed a few hours sleep and packed up. I think they were forecasting close to 40 degrees there today which is just a bit too hot for Bundy and I.
Geoff and Ulrich, sorry I didn't get to say good bye. I was crashing around packing up hoping to wake you guys to let you know I was leaving, but maybe you were having a port induced sleep in.
I thought you may have left for Chaffey, Alan. Bretti was totally clear that night as well. High transparency but the air was unsteady with much twinkling of stars. The daytime heat at Bretti really knocks the stuffing out of you. I won't be back til March next year.
My second real outing with all my gear and I learned that my polar alignments leave much to be desired - time to learn drifting!. The optics were great with gorgeous views of 47 Tuc and the Orion nebula. The 40 mm Paragon recently acquired from MortonH was an excellent match for the F8 Meade and the 13 mm Ethos was spectacular when unleashed.
Last night was largely clouded out until after midnight. I went to bed before then but Geoff persisted until the early hours and was rewarded with clear sky.
was great to meet Ulrich and share the new moon and a few bottles of port with him.
despite the mixed bag of heat, wind and cloud, we managed a couple of observing sessions that made the trip worthwhile.
we witnessed some amazing light shows as the evening storms passed around us.
the camp ground proved a popular spot as people started arriving quite early on friday morning.
Ulrich and i placed items covered with blue tarps around our area to reserve spots for those of our group who were yet to arrive. at least we saved room for Allan and Bundy to stay the night.
given the conditions encounted this month, i think november will be just too hot to handle.
Sorry Geoff, I had intended to come up but I've been there a couple time in really hot conditions (as have you) and coud not face another one given the marginal sky possbilies as well.
As to November, your probably right it maybe hot, but then again it could fall in a cool period. I know Arthur is planning on going. I've given up spuiking the next great trip to Bretti and won't be starting up a Bretti 2015 thread, it needs a new touch. I was glad that we were able to get four new Bretti breathern along this year: Ulrich, Edison, Dunk, and Astrojason. I will attend when I can .
Keep the faith guys.
Bretti is the best dark sky within reach of Sydney, bar none (on a good night).
I am sorry that I was not able to make it this month, at least for a couple of daze (pun intended).
And...
I am not ruling out November.
But, will take it as it comes, Assess, and Act.
