Hi Malcolm,
Very nice report. Looks like you made hay while ... well while it was dark anyway.
Well done in particular in seeing spiral structure in M74 -- a tough assignment and I've always found it a difficult target to see much detail in. Though NGC 2997 and M74 are very similar in so many ways, it is much easier to see spiral arms there than M74. Maybe it has to do with the elevation it reaches in our skies?
As a matter of interest, what are your thoughts on the Snake Valley site? How dark is it? Sounds like you all had a great time -- and when it boils down to it, that's what its all about!
Thanks for posting your observations much enjoyed
.
Best,
Les D