We have a DSC coming up 23rd to 25th May. This might be a good chance to try out one of the new campsites that Carole has been checking out lately?
Sounds good ...
Cairds Campsite:
I have sent a message to Cairds Campsite, but as it is another bank holiday I don't hold out a lot of hope of him having space.
Tuesnoad
As discussed with Mike yesterday, I also got in touch with Tuesnoad and the owner finally got back to me yesterday to say that he has replaced the portacabin with one that doesn't stick out so much and there is now a single loo and sink but no shower. No lights will show on the field provided we shut the door before switching the light on, plus I discussed the issue of electricity with him and he said he would be prepared to run a couple of extension leads from the office to the field for us to share if we think this would be enough power for our needs. He also said we can use the concrete entrance and he would be happy for us to go back, though the cost would obviously be more if we are using electricity. I said we would not want to come when it is wet as several of us got stuck in the mud in the past. Anyway Mike thought this was worth considering as we would have the field exclusively. However the owner is away for this DSC and he doesn't want us to try out the electricity for the first time without him being there.
RUNNING WATERS HOLIDAY PARK
Lydd Road
New Romney
TN29 9SE
There is also the option of another camp I found when I was staying at Mark's over the UDSC when I went round sussing places out. I went to Romney Farm and saw the light in the middle of the camp which they won't turn off, but while I was driving away towards New Romney I stumbled on another campsite laid back from the main road, at least the field we would be using is laid back. I went in and sussed that out.
The owner says he does not advertise which is why we have never seen it on camp searches, it also means it doesn't get booked up at holiday times - indeed that was a bank holiday and there wasn't a single tent in the field. But in the Campervan field there were a number of campervans' (There is a small stream where the trees are). He does however get the field booked up on occasions from campers from Europe.
The layout is much like Mark's garden with regards to trees and sky line, and there is no light at all in the field with a small stream running along the tree line on the East side. Hook ups all around with a large portacabin to the North end with 2 gents loos and sinks one end and 2 ladies loos and sinks the other end. No shower at present but one coming soon.
If you take a look at this on google earth it is the field NW of the campervan field as in this picture. I am not quite sure if it is far enough away from the main road, but Mike and I both thought it was worth a try. If you look on google Earth it shows a pylon, but I am sure the Owner said there were no overhead wires.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xVNvdyg_PHI/U3Md_TFMJVI/AAAAAAAAAxU/ffvFdHc9IlY/w957-h556-no/Running+Waters.jpg)
We could also ask Rother Valley but being a bank holiday they could be booked up.
Mark took a look at his dark sky map and said that Cairds was the darkest, and that Running Waters showed up as being the same as Romney Farm.
I am happy to contact Cairds and Running Waters to see if they can accommodate us if that's what you would like to do. I certainly would like to go somewhere on DSC weekend.
Carole
Running Waters looks a good bet to me.
The power wire is like at Micks as far as I can see and so not higher than the treeline anyway so not a problem.
I'd like to try Running Waters.
Most of the New Romney streetlights (+ other nearby towns) now get switched off after midnight GMT (i.e 1am BST) under Kent County Council's new lighting policy 8)
It'll be interesting to take measurements of the effect.
Potentially a few people from Ashford Astro Soc could also be interested.
OK, I'll give running Waters a ring to see if there is space and how we book.
Carole
I have rung Running Waters and they can accommodate up to 20 pitches. However what I forgot to mention is it is a flat rate all year round at £20 per night (including electric).
Are you OK with this price?
Carole
£20 per pitch per night?
Ok with me. Count me in.
£20 with a hook up isn't bad, Blacklands is £18.50 on bank hols.
The A259 is a busy road so headlights might be a problem - never been there at night, it's way past beer o'clock.
Chinese, Indian and Fish and Chips in town - All average compared to London :-?
Sainsburys also local for the essential cases of beer :beer:
QuoteA259 is a busy road so headlights might be a problem
That's my main concern, but as it's not directly next to the main road and there is a hedge in the way, I thought it was worth trying.
Carole
I'm in. I can use the T.T for the fist time.
Julian
Mick, it's close enough for you to drop in and say hello :)
I'll bring the Kraken and Ameretto that was left behind at my place last time. Also some Pastis.
The hedges and trees are plenty high enough to prevent direct headlight glare but they might cause some kind of glow in the south if the air is damp. It's still worth a punt.
Kraken ?
I'm intrigued :o
Perhaps a visit is in order :beer:
yes i would be interested
Sorry to be the bringer of bad tidings but I'm pretty sure I can see a line of overhead cables going right through the middle of the field, if it's the one your arrow is pointing to Carole.
Take a look at streetview. There are powerlines, but they're relatively low. Wouldn't use the field to put radio antennas in, but unless you park just wrong they shouldn't get in the way of the sky.
As said earlier I am sure the Campsite owner said there were no overhead powerlines, but as you say they do show on google Earth. I have requested that we are alllocated the side opposite the trees to give most sky line.
So that's:
Me
MarkS
Duncan
Julian
Fay
Mick???
I'll find out what the booking procedure is and how we pay and ask him about the power line while I am at it. I don't actually recall seeing one, but the pylon is still there.
Carole
QuoteMick???
Only to wake the Kraken ;)
Quote from: MarkH
Sorry to be the bringer of bad tidings but I'm pretty sure I can see a line of overhead cables going right through the middle of the field, if it's the one your arrow is pointing to Carole.
My best guess is that it runs underground north/south across the field.
It doesn't appear in Google street view from the gate:
(http://www.markshelley.co.uk/webdisk/RunningWatersField.jpg)
The satellite image shows a line along the ground - possibly a trench - the 3 cables cannot be seen leading from either post along that direction but they can be seen very clearly on all other posts leading in both directions.
Mark
I'll ring him in the morning to clarify.
The pylon appears just above the trees on the right of Mark's photo, but wires do not appear to be emanating from it.
Could it be that there were wires there once and now there are not?
Carole
Quote from: Carole
Could it be that there were wires there once and now there are not?
Yes, I reckon they've now run that section underground. It would be far too dangerous having them running overhead across the middle of the campsite - imagine accidentally touching it with a carbon fibre tent pole :o
Quote from: MarkS on May 14, 2014, 22:16:33
It would be far too dangerous having them running overhead across the middle of the campsite - imagine accidentally touching it with a carbon fibre tent pole :o
:twisted: :boom: :abducted: :angel: ;)
Tony G
Quote from: Tony G
:twisted: :boom: :abducted: :angel: ;)
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I will go and look this mornng
I don't want to commit until I know the mount is working as I'm sure that will just tempt fate. Do you know if the site allows dogs? Also is it £20 per pitch with no additional supplements for more people?
Unfortunately no dogs is the one and only rule he gave me. But I will double check that out and I am pretty sure it is per pitch, but again I'll check that out. Price definitely includes electricity.
Carole
Thanks Carole, if it's no dogs don't worry about checking the extra headcount cost. I was thinking of bring the family down to try out our new tent but we won't have somewhere for the dog to go so it's a mute point.
There is no cable going across the field, it goes along the fence line shown here -
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-am-p3voa-jM/U3R_UBEhOxI/AAAAAAAABww/3TTDdS8SbG8/s720/Untitled.jpg)
Not much different to tree height and should be easily avoided.
Additional - Lydd Airport is about 3 miles to the South - runway approx SSW to NNE - Usually light aircraft or small commercial/corporate, can't recall hearing anything at night and certainly no "heavies".
Bonus - It's getting near the time of year for the Battle of Britain mob to start their "trips" in Spitfires and Hurricanes so keep cameras handy during the day.
Right I've done my bit - time for a beer :beer:
Thanks Mick. Have just rung the site but the Owner is not there at present. I was able to ascertain that it's no dogs, but the lady (wife?) I spoke to said if it was one small well behaved dog on a lead they might make an exception.
Mick's done the biz on the power lines.
He's going to ring me back this evening as regards booking and whether there are any extras to pay (i.e. per person) which I don't think there was and neither does his "wife".
Quote from: mickw
There is no cable going across the field, it goes along the fence line shown here -
No overhead wires across the field - excellent. I would still bet that a cable runs underground across the field to join up the posts on the north and south.
Wife got a message through to Owner and he's just rung me back.
As you say no overhead lines, he got them taken out and run underground.
£20 per pitch which includes Tent/Campervan/Caravan and car and 2 people. Any more than 2 people it is £2 per person per night.
We don't have to book or pay in advance, just let him know how many are coming and pay when we get there.
He will allow one small dog who is well behaved and on a lead and you pooper scoop it up.
Carole
All sounds great. Thanks Carole and Mick for doing the recce.
We won't be able to join you for this one so have fun!
No problem - only 10 minute drive
QuoteWe won't be able to join you for this one
Thought you would have been fed up with Ukraine by now :roll:
Loving it! Right now we are having a sing-song around the campfire.
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/1/25/1390647438623/Black-smoke-rises-during--001.jpg)
:lol: :lol:
Quote from: mickw
Usually light aircraft or small commercial/corporate, can't recall hearing anything at night and certainly no "heavies".
No heavies apart from the odd Chinook or two 8)
how many nights is everyone doing?
Friday and Saturday Nights. If conditions are good then possibly even Sunday as well.
Three nights if weather and van is ok :cheesy:
I'll be doing 3 as well if the weather is good.
Carole
Quote from: MarkS on May 15, 2014, 21:31:12
Quote from: mickw
Usually light aircraft or small commercial/corporate, can't recall hearing anything at night and certainly no "heavies".
No heavies apart from the odd Chinook or two 8)
:lol: I forgot the Chinooks, oh and the occasional jet fighter - low, loud and fast
I will be there for two nights, three if the weather looks promising. Looking forward to it already!
so dont have to book? i saw the site advertised somewhere, he could get an influx
Well he told me he could take up to 20 people.
He is reserving the side opposite the trees for us.
If any-one would prefer to book for peace of mind then this is the number:
01797 366427
Len Phillips
You can pay when you get there.
Carole
Weather is not looking very good for the weekend :(
Sunshine and showers. There's plenty of time for them to come up with a new sensible forecast :)
Saturday is looking OK on yr.no
Agree with Mark, trying to be optimistic.
Carole
I'll be pitching my tent Friday night and bringing appropriate liquid entertainment in case rain stops play. I only believe what I can see or feel when it comes to the weather these days. Why can't they go back to seaweed and pine cones? Save a few billion. Any pubs in New Romney? I know a night club called Mick's isn't far ;)
QuoteI know a night club called Mick's isn't far
:lol: :lol:
QuoteAny pubs in New Romney?
I know the area slightly as my in laws used to live in NR some years ago.
There's definitely at least 1 pub in the high street and another half way down station road. I am sure there are more.
http://www.the-ship-hotel.co.uk/
A few more:
http://www.yell.com/s/pubs-new+romney.html
Also a miniature railway if any-one fancies trying it out.
Carole
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I think New Romney is the pub capital of the world, if you have a takeaway after every pub, it's unlikely you'll ever get home let alone out of New Romney 8) :beer:
Really looking forward to this weekend.
I can smell Saturday morning's fry up already!
Mark
Weather forecast on yr.no shows rain for Friday night clear for Saturday night.
Carole
What's the address and post code for the site.
wondering whether to just take ioptron etc. any advice?
Quote from: julian
What's the address and post code for the site.
See beginning of thread:
RUNNING WATERS HOLIDAY PARK
Lydd Road
New Romney
TN29 9SE
Quote from: Fay
wondering whether to just take ioptron etc. any advice?
I was tempted to do the same but since I had get everything together last night (tonight is OAS meeting) I decided to pack scopes, mount etc in addition
hope a food establishment is near as not cooking dinners
QuoteSee beginning of thread:
But that's four pages back.
Thanks Mark
Just curious
Do campers (or fake campers) HAVE to go in the camper field or can they set up with the tents ?
I will be in the fake camper field. on my own :cheesy:
Mick will be in the Camper field.
Carol will be in the office section.
:lol: :lol:
Well when I went to suss out the campsite I had my campervan with me and he saw it, and so it must have been pretty obvious to the owner that I would be camping in the tent field with the campervan. Actually I am not even sure it's classed as a "tent field".
I just told him we needed a dark field with hook up and not too many trees and he walked me through to the field we are going in, away from the big campervans.
I don't recall any hard standing though.
All the campervans in the field by the house were very large ones, much bigger than transit vans.
Carole
I plan to arrive this evening some time around 7:30-8:00pm.
See you there!
Mark
I should arrive around 4.30pm.
Yr.no is now saying it will be clear until about 10.p.m. so just abut enough time to polar align, then Saturday should be clearing after 10pm right through until 4am.
Hope it is right.
Carole
Quote from: Carole
Yr.no is now saying it will be clear until about 10.p.m. so just abut enough time to polar align,
Tonight looks unlikely to be suitable for "proper" imaging but I'm going to have my DSLR at the ready on the iOptron just in case there are a few gaps in the cloud with possible meteor sightings tonight. Or I might polar align the mount and then I can just attach the camera.
Mark
I will be there about 9PM
julian
I have arrived. Nice day bit windy. Tents and vans together. Nice field and nice man. Low washing line in garden as I drove thru
Quote from: Fay
Low washing line in garden as I drove thru
The vans are higher than your 4x4. Could you measure the height of the washing line to check that the vans will have headroom clearance.
Too low for me. Lady came out and lifted it. It may be down by tonight.
It will be down after I get there.
How's it going guys? Lovely weather right now.
Lovely day. Me carole and duncan at moment julian and mark at 8. Clean toilets and shower no one else here until tuesday then 40 dutch
Have a good time you guys, I envy you so much. Wish I could be there. :D
Apparently guys in the UK with simple DIY 'radio telescopes'are picking up around 20-25 meteor pings per MINUTE at the moment! :o
Stood outside for a while. Can see plenty of stars but didn't see any meteors.
Cloud coming from south and NW No meteors
Quote from: Mike on May 23, 2014, 21:54:02Apparently guys in the UK with simple DIY 'radio telescopes'are picking up around 20-25 meteor pings per MINUTE at the moment! :o
Most likely using rigs tuned to the Graves Space Radar on 143.050 MHz and antennas pointing south(-ish).
Yep that's correct.
Morning campers. No doubt you are waking up a little soggy this morning but how was it last night? See or do anything?
As would be expected I am only one awake. Ppuring. Julian arrived at 12 30 a bit late in his hi tec van. Did not see anything. Waited to see if any difference when street lights were turned off at 1am but did not notice anythinh. I went to bed the others stayed up having some medicinal
Have a good one Fay & all - Thanks to Mick I'll be doing my worktops - - John
Mick paid a visit today. Lovely sunshine between the occasional showers. Hoping for a good sky tonight.
Looks like a good site and a possibility for out of season DSCs
I rushed home, after a clap of thunder, to save my TV from another lightning strike - I got soaked getting to the front door and as soon as I got indoors it stopped raining :!
Aaaaaahhhhhhh. :D
Last night was mainly clear. A very respectable SQM reading of 21.15 at Zenith was obtained, reducing to 20.8 at the southern tree line (altitude 10deg approx) where Scorpio appeared. Milky Way was also discernible right down to that level - Julian picked it up very nicely on a 20sec widefield exposure. Since we don't get proper astronomical darkness at this time of year it is quite possible it may get even darker there.
Some light pollution was obvious from the Littlestone/Folkestone direction. Ashford was quite obvious just west of north and another area of brightness, possibly from Camber. The glow from New Romney itself was no problem possibly because it is behind the main tree line. None of these were problematic, epecially since the southerly direction is so dark.
Headlights from the road caused no problems at all but there are some nearby streetlights in two directions which may become visible when the leaves drop from the trees. Plenty of power outlets (20 in all) so electric will not be a problem. I don't know if any streetlights were switched off at 1am but it didn't seem to make any obvious difference if they were.
All in all I think this is a good imaging site and we all had a great time.
Mark
Had a great couple of days. Thanks to Julian and Duncan for testing - condemning and then lending me some dew heaters when mine all packed up at the same time :!. (It wasn't the hub this time Mike), need to get myself some better quality ones before next camp.
Got about 3 hours worth of data, yet to be processed.
Yes was pleased with the site, there were lights on the toilet block which the owner switched off (again without needing to be reminded). We had the field to ourselves, so we need to ascertain whether he will switch the lights off if other people are there. But considering this was a bank holiday weekend and no other campers in that field, I think we do stand a chance of booking this up during the peak season, though as Fay says he does get big bookings from time to time.
Some-one also suggested that having a hard road into the field that maybe in the off season we could park on the hard standing and pitch our kit by the hook ups if the owner agrees. Might need to do a bit of tweaking to this plan as there would be some juggling of vehicles if any-one wanted to get out and the campervans can't be moved easily when they are hooked up and lots of loose objects inside, but I am sure we can find a way.
Mark's SQM readings are very promising and it's great as it has a Southern horizon.
QuoteToo low for me. Lady came out and lifted it. It may be down by tonight.
I think Fay must have driven accross the owner's "garden" as there is a hard road around the perimeter of the other field by which we had to enter. :lol: :lol:
Carole
campervans can't be moved easily when they are hooked up and lots of loose objects inside, but I am sure we can find a way.
Carole , when I had one I found I could cycle a move in less than five minutes no trouble including stabilisers and ramps.
:lol: :lol:i think it is quite funny, that i drove through their garden, across the lawn, and under the washing to get to the field! well the lady of the house did point that way!!
QuoteI could cycle a move in less than five minutes no trouble including stabilisers and ramps.
Mine is not a standard campervan Mark it's a partial conversion, the cooker is not fixed down and if in the middle of cooking will be too hot to move. Also my hook up is "thread it through the window" style, not unplug. You need to see the arrangement to understand.
As I say I am sure we can find a way.
Quotewell the lady of the house did point that way
Maybe she was just pointing to where the field was, not meaning you to drive accross her lawn and through her washing Lol :lol: :lol:
Carole
:lol: :lol: i think you are right!
Glad you had a good time guys and the campsite sounds encouraging. How do you think it compares (both in skies and facilities) to Rother Valley and Blacklands?
QuoteHow do you think it compares (both in skies and facilities) to Rother Valley and Blacklands
It has a good southern horizon which we can't get at Rother Valley. Mark was happy with the SQM readings, see Mark's post.
It's a little bit confusing as to how to get into the camp first time but once you've done it once no problem. The reason for this is the field we are using is locked due to gypsies invading in the past, so we all came in via the house driveway and then had to drive accross the grass onto the gravel campsite road and round and into the camping field. Or in Fay's case accross their lawn and under the washing line :lol: :lol: However there is an entrance and exit in the side turning beyond the campsite (where the gravel road leads to) = Spitalfield Lane.
It was a darn site quieter than Blacklands (pun intended :cheesy:), no interruptions at all, however we did have the field to ourselves. He has put a shower in each of the ladies and gents loos now.
No shop (but then there isn't one at Rother, but New Romney high street and pubs are not far away as is the sea (Great Stone is sand dunes, New Romney is pebbles).
Hope this helps as it's difficult to visualise unless you've been there:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NZr4OBxLUmw/U4MamkrkJ_I/AAAAAAAAAys/15Ka-Q0TI1E/w901-h746-no/Running+waters+with+info.jpg)
Carole
Great annotated image Carole. Julian could have used that for his late night arrival!
The horizons were good and as Mark said it was dark. So dark we got so dark adapted we thought is was lighter than it actually was! Meant we could see the bottles for a refill :) It was a nice field to sit in during the day with views to the hills north and west. You could even hear a steam train occasionally. The campsite was good, plenty of hookups even if the boxes they are in are rotten! The ground was nice and firm and flat, despite a fair bit of rain it all drained away immediately even after a deluge.
New Romney starts outside the gate and I clocked several pubs and takeaways amongst the many shops on the way to a good sized Sainsbury's at the far end of town so no problem with supplies.