Well, it may seem a trifle on the desperate side but Skippy is giving us a clear night this Friday. Yes, I hear you say, don't count your chickens (photons in this case) etc, but I believe this is the first clear night since Moses went A-over-T down the mountain and I don't plan wasting it.
Yes, I also hear you say, it will be an 83% Moon rising about 10.30 p.m.. BUT I DON'T CARE.
If you want to take a chance that the new moon in December will bring you some clear skies, go ahead. I have a nice bridge I'd like to sell you. For me, I'll be digging out my moon filters and rolling back the roof. Any takers?
Peter.
I think Pete's got cabin fever and is grabbing at straws
They are forecasting rain again all next week
Cabin fever eh. Well, yes, probably. I doubt that I'm alone in that.
BUT, notwithstanding the above, I'll be having another crack tomorrow (Saturday) night when your friend and mine, Skippy the Mexican kangaroo predicts clear skies and good seeing.
Peter
I had just enough time to get set up before the high cloud came back - but I had started a sequence so I carried on for a few shots through the cloud. How desperate is that? Still, here is the result showing at least that the HypeStar will work if I ever get some clear sky and a chance to do a proper collimation.
Peter
Well, it's next Saturday folks but nobody is predicting anything but more of this cloudy weather. On the assumption that this proves to be an accurate guess, I will leave open the possibility of the weekend of the 11th in lieu.
Peter
4th or 11th should be good for me too. Fingers crossed for clear skies!
Looks like the 4th is definitely going to be out. But even if Skippy is wrong, I have to make some duty visits in the name of domestic harmony that will mean I'm out anyway.
So it's the 11th or bust. Fingers crossed.
Peter
That's a huge chunk of sky in the hyperstar pete, what is it again, F1.5 or something?
One of them qhy12's might be the shot for that, with really short exposures
Well, good intentions don't seem to cut much sway with the sky gods. Tomorrow night looks like a mess and so does every night up to about 5 or 6 days from now so it will be new year before we get another chance to assemble at TCH.
I hope you all have a great Xmas with your families and friends and that there are some nice bits of kit under everyone's tree.
As Ric said, to be expected.... with this continuous cloud cover we may not see a clear night until Autumn
Many thanks for all your hospitality over the year, Matt and I always look forward to each new moon night.
All the best for Christmas and the New Year and to all the other 10Chain Hill visitors. I hope we all have a safe and joyous time and many clear nights in the New Year!
I have returned the synguider and ordered a QHY5 (again - shouldn't have sold my first one....) 
