The next Deep Sky Camp will be held between Friday 22nd May and Monday 25th May at the new venue of Woodlands Park Campsite.
Address is :-
TENTERDEN ROAD,
BIDDENDEN, KENT
TN27 8BT
TEL: 01580 291216
Note that if you require an electric hook-up then you need to ring them ASAP and make a booking as spaces are limited.
If you DON'T require a hook-up, then you do not need to make a booking, simply turn up on the day, pay at the gate and pitch up.
Please note that this is a commercial campsite and therefore you are personally responsible for paying your own pitch fees.
The campsite has a very nice set of showers and toilets and a camp shop and is all very civilised.
Also note that we will not have a communal tent (unless everyone wants one, in which case everyone would need to chip in for the cost of an extra tent) and there will also be no communal meal. This time on the Saturday night I suggest we all roll along to the nearest pub (walking distance) and have a nice meal and a few beers there instead.
I have booked my hook up and sincerely hope I will be fit enough to be there after having had to cancel Kelling Heath.
Also that I will have a working laptop for imaging.
If I am only partially recovered would the rest of you mind helping me with heavy things?
Thanks
Carole
I'm sure there would be enough of us to assist Carole.
Mike will we be ok for all getting next to each other?
that's what I like about you Fay, you're really friendly :)
Friendly & posh, Ian!!
Fay it's a 10 acre field. There will be plenty of room.
So who's going?
moi
there you go, talking all posh again Fay.
I'll be there, unless one of the kids gets ill, again...
Me too
Er, that's me going, not talking posh :oops:
and me
Ian, I am glad you always notice my finer & best points! :lol:
I,m finking abuot it.
Tony G
:lol: :lol:
I should have my mount all sorted by then, so I'll be trying my best to get down there
Daniel
:O)
makes a change to come by horse I suppose ;)
Ian you are in top form lately!
Yeah! How about a new career as a stand-up comedian?
yeah right. Do you think it might be a symptom of having too much time on my hands? Please don't tell my wife, she'll get me decorating :o
Should be able to get there.
wont know untill closer to the date.
Mac.
I was hoping to go but Ian is wobbling about on 2 crutches and I am not sure if I will be able to leave him on his own! He has torn his ham-string muscle - very painful.
Delphine
Highly unlikely I will be going as Hospital say another month at least before I will be able to drive again.
Unless there is any-one going down just for the evening/day who doesn,t mind giving me a lift there and back.
Carole
I'm planning to come for at least part of the weekend.
Mark
I might be able to go after all. Am in discussions with Sue about sharing a car and tent. Carole you are also welcome to share my tent if someone can drive you there.
Delphine
Oh no..............................
An all girl tent :(
It'll end up like St. Trinians :o
that is until the first big hairy spider is spotted :D :twisted:
You mean they'll be bringing big hairy spiders as well ? :o :cry:
we'd better make sure someone is...
That's Fay OUT then!!
Quote from: Carolepope on May 08, 2009, 17:18:05
That's Fay OUT then!!
and if we time it right, she'll be out at 3am ;)
Behave, Ian!!!!!
Just come back from Spain. Driven home by an aging rocker, it was like Colonel Kurtz driving us up the Mekong, windows open, all hair flowing in tendrills & loud classical music on the radio!!!!!!!!!
I've booked the last pitch with a hook up, see you all there on Friday 22nd after work.
I'm looking likely for one or two nights. Would be grateful for a spare 13A socket from one of those with hookups ?
Damn, did we have to book pitches this time?
Daniel, you only have to book hookup pitches. I hope we will be able to charge our batteries ok, if we do not have a hookup!
I'm sure those with hook-ups would let you plug in your chargers. After all it will cost them no extra.
Im just praying my bloody mount is fixed by then!
Just had a phone call from Woodlands to say they have had some more hooks ups installed. There are currently 4 available - so get in quick if you want one.
(I was coming down with Delphine and had rquested one but Delphine can't come now, so I'm just coming down for the day with Doug and Rose).
Carole
I just went in to book a hookup & they have all gone.
That was quick!
They only take hookup bookings for at least 3 nights on a bank holiday anyway
Fay
Sorry Fay, I was told I booked the last pitch with a hookup on the 8th (see below). You are welcome to charge batteries or even plug in your hair dryer as long as I'm not imaging at the time! I suspect that those with hookups will be much put upon, and those without put out if all the sockets are taken.
How can we make sure we are all at the same end of the field? It's quite big looking on GoogleMaps.
Can we organise an email to the site with the names of all those with hookups booked so we can ask to be pitched near to each other? Let me know who you are and I will do it.
Duncan, I was just thinking of this. How do we know we will all be in a cluster?? I will get down there around noon Friday & if there is no one else there, could end up pitching in the wrong part of the field. Also, as bank holiday, should we say how many are going anyway?
The part of the field where the hook-ups are is not near where the non-hookup's can camp anyway. Plus, there is a light on a pole near there. So you guys will be some distance away from the rest of us unfortunately, though not too far away.
Last time we were about 100 yards away from the caravans/hook-ups in the corner of the field.
Fay I plan on getting down there about 2pm.
Damn, it's not looking good weather-wise, not looking good mount-wise either! :cry:
Looks like Mike, Fay and I could arrive about the same time. Looking closely at Google Maps shows hookups all up the left (west?) side of the field. I will ask how hookup pitches are allocated. I can get there quite early if it's first come first served. Am I right in thinking that the top end of the field (north) is where everyone without a hookup will be aiming to pitch up?
For charging batteries etc. you could just park your car near the hookup with the battery charging on the floor.
You could then pitch your tent in the group at the other end of the field ?
I think "Metcheck" is broken - It's not forecasting rain for the weekend :D
Mick - Knowing your reputation, let's set the record straight now...
Deep Sky Camp is NEXT weekend OK ?
So DON'T drive all the way down to Biddenden this weekend !
Got that?
Biddenden ? I thought it was Cudham :oops:
QuoteLast time we were about 100 yards away from the caravans/hook-ups in the corner of the field.
Just had another look at Google Earth, would I be right in saying that the intention is to "try" and get set up in the lower right (South East) corner of the top field behind the trees/pond ?
This looks to give better protection from stray lights and I assume the bottom field next to the road is nothing to do with Woodlands.
Mick,
If we were to set up where you say, wouldn't the trees to the south obstruct the southern horizon. :-?
Tony G
The best thing do to is to get down there around the same time, meet up, take a look and decide where we are going to go then.
It might be an idea to take a fishing rod and a flag,
once you've decided your location, hoist the flag
so at least we will be able to locate you.
Sadly i wont be able to make it, as i've been lumbered at work to work over the bank hols.
but i might try and get down on saturday for a visit.
Mac.
PS. I''ve jsut been upgraded to 16meg Broadband for free :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: 8)
Is there a "Master Plan" (that doesn't involve 16 meg :evil:) For a meet on Friday ?
Time or whatever ?
Location or whatever ?
(Stoppit Mike, I know it's Biddenden in July ;) )
If you are going on Friday then try and get down for about 2pm then you can meet up with Dunc, Fay and I.
If not, PM me for my mobile number and call us when you are at the site.
Mick, may I be so bold as to ask, if you are not using your leisure battery, can you still put it on board in case I have power problems, as I usually do?
Thanks,
Fay
Mike - I should think I would be OK to get there by 2, but I'll PM you anyway "just in case" :oops:
Fay - Not sure if I'll be using it or not, but I'll be bringing it anyway and you'll be welcome to use it.
Thanks Mick, don't forget to bring yourself! :lol:
Oi don't you start ;)
Hope the field is not full up tomorrow!!!! Tuesnoad here we come!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure that once the, Learner Sheep Dog, airguns, bows and arrows, thermite, khoom faye and farting starts there'll be plenty of room :twisted:
Has anyone got any of that red acetate sheet for laptop screens? I have done everything I can to redden the screen but some programs have bits beyond the reach of themes, NightBar and so on.
I know there was a thread a while back about it. If so could they bring it to DSC tomorrow and we can arrange a suitable barter or exchange of pecuniary instruments.
I don't understand the big words in that post but I do have some red acetate somewhere. If I can find it i'll bring it with me tomorrow.
you've got to watch those pecuniary instruments. They're expensive and easy to trip over in the dark.
You know if you stand on one though. It sounds like a set of deflating bagpipes.
I've got a car load of expensive and easy to trip over in the dark! And that's just the guy ropes :-)
Wow! Have you seen the weather forecast? 8) 8) 8)
QuoteWow! Have you seen the weather forecast?
#
I can't beleive anyone would fall for it..................... :roll:
Be quiet of the weather devil's will turn up!
I do have 2 litres of Cuban Rum to share.....
Chris where's your report from the field? You're there now aren't you?
Nope not there, could not get tomorrow morning off work :-(
I should arrive around 7:30pm this evening.
Mike, I'll give you a ring this afternoon so you can let me know where in the field you are.
Mark
Should be there at or before 6pm, will bring the binoculars so I can find you.
Quote from: Space Dog
Be quiet of the weather devil's will turn up!
Too late. Sorry :oops:
Report from Headcorn Internet Cafe:
Well we are all sat in the field sitting in the sun, drinking a beer. The weather is glorious and the skies last night were so good everyone was up until sun-up.
If you were considering coming down, please do so as we are having a great time.
Well we are still at the field and 8 of us are staying tonight. Last 2 nights have been fantastic - clear all through the night and fromw hat we can tell tonight will also be clear. The weather is scorching hot and it couldn't be better :)
Mike,
Should we (the day visitors have paid) last night? Not sure how the money side is being done at the Woodlands site. You had gone to bed early so we couldn't ask you.
Let us know and we can pay anything we owe in arrears.
Carole
Mike,
The guy didn't collect my money either so if you could pay anything I owe (I'd refund you at the next meeting) then that would be great.
It looks like you had another fine night as good if not better than the first and tonight looks like it'll be the same. I'm looking forward to some cracking images from Chris, Fay, Jim, Dunc and whoever else has managed to get down there.
Bar the small town of tents that sprung up it looks like a much better venue for DSC than Tuesnoad.
Thanks
Robert
Gutted I missed yet another DSC, this time I couldn't arrange my mate to bring me down in his car, my mount's now fixed though, so at least I can do deep sky imaging again. looking forward to seeing the images you guys have taken, I'm thinking of heading to sixpenny handley some time soon, If anyone wants to tag along, tell us, the place has the darkest skies in southern britain except for deepest cornwall.
Daniel
:O)
Quote from: RobertM on May 24, 2009, 17:54:26The guy didn't collect my money either so if you could pay anything I owe (I'd refund you at the next meeting) then that would be great.
Tut tut! Naughty boy!!
No internet access at the field so only saw this message when I got home. You'll have to post them a cheque.
DSC May 2009 Mick & his Winnebago, and Frodo's bed
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3562332311_cd1ce29b9d_b.jpg)
Mike & Ian outside Ian 's new tent
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3562332335_8b4cf532ec_o.jpg)
Fay Chris Jim & Sid outside "The Pikey"
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3562332303_f2544332a9_b.jpg)
Panorama 2
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3562332365_766758445b_b.jpg)
Panorama one. The setup changed a couple of times during the weekend
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3562332369_942114ae04_b.jpg)
Panorama 3
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3562332355_37a25ed9d5_b.jpg)
QuoteFay Chris Jim & Mick *Syd* outside "The Pikey"
Quaranteened & cured, Mick :lol:
Strange..............................
We all look surprisingly sober :o
Crikey (being careful not to offend)
Just did me sums and there were 12 overnight attendees and 9 member visitors to DSC :o
Then there was about 8000 campers that were getting "involved" - OK might not have been 8000, it was dark and I may have been p#ssed.
Stunning weekend though :lol:
Phew! I though someone took pictures of me asleep, got away with it.
Mick, put your photo's on, you have some good one's there!
I am totally exhausted, today, like a zombie hope I survive the day!!!!!!!!!!!
Can those that went to the DSC please give your opinion of the weekend, campsite facilities, what cheesed you off, what was good, etc.
Thanks.
Well, it was a good, interesting , weekend.
I thought it was a good site & it would be better under normal circumstances & not a bank holiday.
The facilities were good & cleaned regularly, lights were not too bad. There is a light behind the cabin that was dumped in the middle of the field, which hid it, so not sure how much it would intrude if it was not there.
It was not too far.
Well I guess I can't really comment too much as I was only down there for a few hours on Sunday night.... however, my initial impressions....
1. A bit too busy for my liking (but I guess would be a lot better during week on non-bank holiday especially towards end of season)
2. A lot of lights so couldn't really get dark adapted for visual stuff - probably not an issue for imaging
3. Lots of smoke from BBQ's etc. but again probably bank holiday weekend related.
4. General equipment concerns with all those people walking around etc.
5. Facilities looked good although to be honest this has never really bothered me much at either Pennies or Tuesnoad but that's probably cause I am a dirty 'bar- steward'....that can go without a shave or shower for a night.
6. I guess being a public site would be difficult to participate in the traditional extra DSC activities... shooting, koom Fay, Thermite.... etc.. etc...
I still think that Pennies field is best I have been to. If I had to choose between Tuesnoad & Woodland's for imaging I would probably say Tuesnoad even though the shit really annoys me....
John
I only came for the day and my impression was that it would be a good camp if we were away from the trees and there were less people there. There was a lot of light coming from passing lamps and neighbouring tents/caravans which will hopefully diminish if we went at a quieter time.
We were also a bit disjointed with Liz and Duncan being separated. Would like to try this camp out of season, do you think they might open up for us if we went say the weekend before and/or the weekend after it opens to the general public? I guess we would need to give them a minimum fee to do so.
I quite liked the passing interest from Jo public.
Carole
QuoteI quite liked the passing interest from Jo public.
Well I would say on the Sunday night I was there if Jim had got a £1 for everyone that looked at Saturn through his scope he'd be well on the way to financing his next astro buy... :-) I'd say it's OK when you are setting up/ aligning etc. but would be a bit of a nightmare if you were imaging & had all those people walking through etc.
We are considering the purchase of a Minitron Video Camera for public sessions. That way the scopes can all be protected behind windbreaks or something like that with one scope hooked up to the Minitron going to a monitor so the public can see what the scope is looking at. That way imaging scopes would be protected. The majority of the public come in the earlier part of the night so it is not usually a problem.
Also, this was an unusual weekend in that it was a Bank Holiday plus there was good weather, which is pretty rare. The last time we were at Woodlands was in a July weekend and pretty much had the whole of that corner of the field to ourselves. There was also no problems with lights or bbq smoke. We'll just make sure that we don't do a DSC on a BH weekend from now on.
I liked the camp, clean and tidy despite the number of campers and we have an ally in the warden (with his lovely little 'scope) so we should be able to reserve whatever spot we want. There was quite a lot of skyglow from the Maidstone direction (north east). There seemed to be less from Ashford at Tuesnoad.
The public interest was nice and tailed off after the kids went to bed. On an ordinary weekend it would be better. It was a good thing I had my windbreak to set up my scope behind as there was no other OAS bod for 50 metres! I won't be booking a hookup pitch again. Where's a good place to buy leisure batteries?
I think if the scopes were behind windbreaks and a little further from the trees (next to the chalet?) it would be an improvement as there would be less interest (out of sight...) and also passers by with lamps would be less intrusive.
A definite place to return to.
I thought the venue was great for the facilities (especially for the women of the society), and for letting ordinary campers see the delights that so many take for granted (and I don't mean drunken astronomers) the heavens above, but like what was said earlier, we have done without the shower block and toilets up until now.
We also have to consider the noise towards other campers, because as we are aware of the younger variety of the human species (Finlay) during the day and the evening, many people must be aware of us late into the night, (as we experienced on the 1st night), and so have to respect that its their holiday aswell.
I personally think that we should still be looking at other avenues to hold our DSC's, as we are more able to do what we want, and not disturb anyone, whilst still enjoying our usual activities i.e. shooting, fireworks, campfire's etc.
But all in all, a good venue and would be happy to use Woodlands until maybe we find a alternative.
Tony G
PS................ This is getting mighty close to the (my) leisure battery thread for replies....... :evil:
Who is Finlay?
I like what Jim said, he said that DSC Camp suffers from institutionalised tourettes!!!!
QuoteWho is Finlay?
Finlay, I'm your daddy now.
Finlay you've broken it now.
Finlay that's not yours.
Finlay get out of there.
Finlay stop crying.
Finlay do you want some peach.
Ring any bells ?
Certainly pulled my chain :twisted:
oh I know now, the one who was going to throw Teddy on the fire!
the only finlay I know is a fire engine.
Thinking back, I think the families around us were remarkably tolerant considering...
When I first drove onto the site I thought it was a refugee camp and almost went home again. But as it turned out, that many people wasn't the problem I thought it might be. I suppose the question is, how often are DSCs going to clash with bank holidays? Especially sunny ones ;)
I think after a while we might miss the freedom to do silly things, but not coming home covered in sheep sh1t is a big plus.
Throwing teddy on the fire - I forgot that :D
The kid has potential :twisted:
crash!
there goes the longest thread record. Sorry Tony, you're history now mate...
Ding Ding Ding - dick alert
How do I post actual "pictures" here.?
I've only done links as below.
:oops:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Mick.Welham/DSCPic#♦ (http://picasaweb.google.com/Mick.Welham/DSCPic#%E2%99%A6)
I had plans for captions, but as the pictures don't work, am having a beer and sulking
Woohoo !!! :D
QuoteTony, you're history now mate...
Tony ?, Tony who ? :lol:
Mick, you have some beautiful professional looking pictures there!!! Especially, Jim, Cris, Ken
Quote from: Ian on May 26, 2009, 18:59:16
crash!
there goes the longest thread record. Sorry Tony, you're history now mate...
Ian,
See you are wrong (some administrator you are :roll: ) if you check the stats, the leisure batteries thread actually had 123 replies.
Tony G
DOH!
I'm not helping matters.
Tony G
QuoteMick, you have some beautiful professional looking pictures
So why don't they appear like yours, as an actual bleedin' picture ?
Has anyone noticed that "professional" has all the letters, except e and d to spell pissed ?
Where's bleedin' admin. when you want them, probably checking out "Chat" or "Technical" for smut :roll:
I have just tried to put one on here but did not succeed.
Mick, what brought on this profound realisation regarding the word "professional"?
Hope it is not an indication of your current state! :lol: :lol:
Oh bugger, the forum is broken :(
Probably something that Doug did :roll:
I have these inspired thoughts occasionally, like when I discovered what Dark Matter really is and how folding space is achieved etc.
Unfortunately I usually wake up too soon and forget what the hell I was on about :(
And yes - yes it does, but needs more work
:lol: :lol:
sorry, suffered from a bout of premature congratulation there. Still, every little helps...
Quote from: mickw on May 26, 2009, 19:04:52How do I post actual "pictures" here?
You follow the instructions in this thread (http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=1837.0). ;)
Rick it don't work :(
If anyone is interested, they'll just have to follow the link :(
Quote from: mickw on May 26, 2009, 20:16:15
Rick it don't work :(
If anyone is interested, they'll just have to follow the link :(
Ah. Looks like there may be some hot-link scuppering going on...
Testing...
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmYagEf8I/AAAAAAAAAS4/3fzrV67JFuI/s720/DSC%20(7).JPG)
Anyone scowling at you?
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmRYKnAjI/AAAAAAAAASY/QMvl_t_kUTg/s720/DSC%20%2814%29.JPG)
Thanks Ian. That works... at the moment, anyway. Just a question of using the "Copy Image Location" (or equivalent) option...
Thanks Rick - Strangely I remember explaining how to do this before :oops:
Quote from: Fay on May 26, 2009, 19:25:01
Mick, you have some beautiful professional looking pictures there!!! Especially, Jim, Cris, Ken
Thanks Fay ;)
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Blame Fay for this...
*Forgot to mention - Pics by me and Mike*
Jeff - To beer or not to beer, that is the question.
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmTBqUelI/AAAAAAAAASg/0q7ui5IsJWs/s576/DSC.JPG)
Miriam - Jeff, stop thinking about beer
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmUCqKeyI/AAAAAAAAASk/8kex6XZC7sM/s576/DSC%20%281%29.JPG)
Mike - Don't touch my beer
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmYagEf8I/AAAAAAAAAS4/3fzrV67JFuI/s576/DSC%20%287%29.JPG)
Mike - He nicked my beer
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmXk42CEI/AAAAAAAAAS0/qB-Afwv6ngA/s576/DSC%20%288%29.JPG)
Chris - I'm going for it tonight - Big time
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmWCMf5OI/AAAAAAAAASs/7EdH8A36s-o/s576/DSC%20%285%29.JPG)
Tony - Did you touch my car ?
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmSVGdelI/AAAAAAAAASc/GDYRq2j7L-A/s576/DSC%20%2810%29.JPG)
Jim - But everyone balances eggs on top of tea bags and bacon don't they ?
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmXFw-FbI/AAAAAAAAASw/PyGYzUvUl7M/s576/DSC%20%286%29.JPG)
Mark - I'm going to poison them all with my weird French booze
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmU8xk-nI/AAAAAAAAASo/FvPD0kwVXuM/s576/DSC%20%282%29.JPG)
Dave - I wish I'd tought of that
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmZQJCk1I/AAAAAAAAAS8/pW7Qhq1YJm0/s576/DSC%20%283%29.JPG)
Ken - Suckers - This is DSC and you always get poisoned
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmdVZKDyI/AAAAAAAAATM/IYgpOWWAFXg/s400/DSC%20%284%29.JPG)
Mick - I have no idea of who I am or how I got here
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmaGHSrxI/AAAAAAAAATA/jUY0eHRn8tU/s576/DSC%20%289%29.JPG)
Fay - Nobody knows how much booze is stached in my tent
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmcGq8SRI/AAAAAAAAATI/wG46Zi4bahQ/s576/DSC%20%2812%29.JPG)
Liz - Please get me out of here safely
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmbCzdDwI/AAAAAAAAATE/iTQirSFLWI4/s576/DSC%20%2811%29.JPG)
Ian - How can I make red wine, beer and Marks weird French booze go bang
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmeewHkrI/AAAAAAAAATQ/utitBvVjHHw/s400/DSC%20%2813%29.JPG)
Chris - Nap time
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmRYKnAjI/AAAAAAAAASY/QMvl_t_kUTg/s576/DSC%20%2814%29.JPG)
Various cool pics taken by Mike of some sky divers - they have been severely cropped so that images are more than just dots.
For the anoraks - My Sony Alpha 100, ridiculously heavy Konica Minolta 400mm courtesy of Duncan
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmeuE39fI/AAAAAAAAATw/VEAEAAk1IDA/s128/DSC%20%2815%29.JPG)
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/Shwme7hu2LI/AAAAAAAAAT0/Qd4ntsByPb0/s640/DSC%20%2816%29.JPG)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmfLA0YDI/AAAAAAAAAT8/gBSb6MhBjFE/s576/DSC%20%2817%29.JPG)
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/ShwmfoiAUPI/AAAAAAAAAUI/DgukWUNZ9Qo/s640/DSC%20%2819%29.JPG)
that'll be Miriam Mick...
Still not quite got worked out how to make that lot go bang, but I'm thinking still...
Thanks Ian
Done and done :oops:
Would Cuban rum help ?
Mick,
Those are excellent close up shots and I love your wicked sense of humour in the comments!
Mark
Hilarious!!!!
you did look just a little sinister Mark...
Fantastic - I would have loved to see the same set of photo's taken Sunday morning..... :-)
Great shots, John
My impressions on Woodlands:
1) Good on-site facilities: showers, real toilets and washing up facilities.
2) Toilet block is too bright and difficult to avoid. Other random bright lights are annoying.
3) The sky seemed to be almost as dark as Tuesnoad
4) Having Joe Public there was good and bad. It's always gratifying to show members of the public the rings and moons of Saturn for the first time - the look on their faces speaks volumes. But it can be a little annoying for imagers with too many people milling around - especially people wandering to the loo with bright torches.
5) The busy Bank Holiday weekend gave us little space for manouevre until we reorganised ourselves into the "OK Corral" on day 3.
All in all, it was a very successful DSC. I thought it struck a good compromise between dark skies and good on-site facilities. Hence, it is likely to encourage other OAS members to come along, which is a good thing. I would be very happy to go back but for hardcore imaging I prefer Tuesnoad.
Mark
John, I said there should have been before & after pictures!!!!!!!!!! That would have been a scoop!
Quote from: MarkS on May 26, 2009, 22:06:17Those are excellent close up shots
Thanks Mark ;)
Ken asked me to post these for him.
(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10047/Cris_and_Liz.jpg)
(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10047/Chris_asleep.jpg)
(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10047/Ian_and_Cris.jpg)
(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10047/Fay.jpg)
Thoughts about Woodland
1 The facilities seemed pretty good and clean although I didn't find the shop.
2 The "Warden" was very helpful trying to get us all together
3 Woodlands could be warned about any future visits to arrange similar.
4 Good dark sky
5 Public was a mixed blessing, leaning towards a problem with imagers possibly ?
6 A visit during good weather with the school holidays (avoiding Bank Holidays) might give a better idea of how crowded it can get.
7 As Carole said, Woodlands may let us in "out of season", but they did stop us before as the field was boggy - although there might let us use a non boggy area, especially after a couple of visits.
8 As John said, extra curricular activities would be difficult. Although teddy burning on bonfires made of trees seemed acceptable
9 The toilet block lights were pretty bright - we were going to do an after dark recce to identify any "good" areas to camp - did anybody actually remember ?
10 I liked the place, but I was not imaging
Did anyone get a picture of Chris with his eyes open?????
Yep,
Robert with your camera outside the pikey ;)
Here are a few pics I did....
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/DSCMay09Panorama1Small.jpg)
Panorama of the 'village'
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/Fay.JPG)
Fay
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/Chef.JPG)
Chef
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/FayandJeffJPG.JPG)
Fay and Jeff waiting for a sausage
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/Frodo.JPG)
Frodo's already had his sausage
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/WhatThe.JPG)
I don't think I want to know what's going on here
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/ChiefNerd.JPG)
Our illustrious leader
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/BinoHolder.JPG)
Ian finds an alternative use for a pair of expensive binoculars
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/StrangeSpider.jpg)
A weird spider I spotted on a piece of wood
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/MrTomatoeHead.JPG)
Mr. Tomatoe Head
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/OhDear.JPG)
Oh dear!
(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/DSCMay09/Ian.JPG)
That's better.
Frodo's is getting better looking by the day!
Awful pictures of me, as usual, Mike you look like deputy dawg!!!!
QuoteFrodo's is getting better looking by the day!
Fay I think you should stick to alcohol, water is not good for the eyes.
We could always buy some of these and go back to Pennies Field....
http://www.firebox.com/product/2351/Shit-Box?itc=169&src_t=nwt&src_id=250
who needs pennies field?
We could get several for the communal tent and sit round playing plop trumps. http://www.firebox.com/product/2201/Plop-Trumps (http://www.firebox.com/product/2201/Plop-Trumps)
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Just had a thought
I remember at least one BBQ at DSC - yum yum, although poor Frodo
Who do I owe something to :oops:
Mick,
No worries about owing anything, me and Chris found the burgers and sausages at the front of your camper van, near the bin store, and thought they were yours. ;)
Tony G
Doh.
No wonder I'm losing weight :(
I'm starting to look so frail ....................................
QuoteNo wonder I'm losing weight
Better start drinking some more beer & eating a few more Doner's then... :-)
more of Donna's what John?
Ian :roll:
Donna is a major donor of doners, I thought you would have known that.
I'm off to the beer shop :)
:lol: :lol: