Orpington Astronomical Society

Society => Announcements, Meetings, Events => Topic started by: MarkS on Apr 15, 2012, 18:46:52

Title: April DSC
Post by: MarkS on Apr 15, 2012, 18:46:52

Anyone going?  I plan to be there ...
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Carole on Apr 15, 2012, 21:34:30
I'm going to Kelling Mark.
Was going to Dymchurch if you remember - but it got cancelled.

Carole
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Kenny on Apr 15, 2012, 22:19:48
Depends... I'm supposed to be on a hot air balloon ride if the weather holds.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 15, 2012, 23:23:24
I'm at Kelling too.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: mickw on Apr 15, 2012, 23:26:45
I thought everyone was going to Kelling  :-?
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 16, 2012, 07:21:53
Due to getting older this week I'm at home drinking beer this weekend and finishing me chicken coop.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 16, 2012, 07:23:02
Actually if your handy with a drill and fork you can come here and help me out then image at night if clear, I can take a few cars.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: The Thing on Apr 16, 2012, 08:21:26
I am not at Kelling.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: doug on Apr 16, 2012, 08:48:28
Rose and I are at Kelling....... but don`t like the weather forecasts......  :(

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Delphine on Apr 16, 2012, 10:14:04
Ian & I are at Kelling but don't like the forecasts either. 
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 16, 2012, 11:29:33
Yeah it looks crap. Good job there is a pub on the campsite.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Carole on Apr 16, 2012, 11:52:12
It certainly does look awful.  I might not bother to go all that way and all that effort packing/driving/unpacking/pitching for crap weather. 

Carole
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 16, 2012, 12:58:27
I have a Pub 27 paces from my house!

A brewery 1 mile.

I have parking for 4.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Sue on Apr 16, 2012, 13:36:02
Chris, thank you for the invitation, I would say that your pub is a lot closer than the campsite bar is to our pitches! But do you have a steam railway nearby?   ;)

Carole, where is your sense of adventure  :)   Roy and I are planning to travel up to Kelling on Thursday morning, we are ignoring all weather forecasts and will make the best of it whatever the conditions.(In addition to the scope I will be packing hot water bottles, full wet weather gear and sunglasses!) It will be much more fun than going to work  :D
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Carole on Apr 16, 2012, 15:42:37
Hi Sue,

It is one thing getting unexpected bad weather and another going knowing it in advance, not my idea of "adventure". 
After the wind of Last April and then the horrible rain and wind at Salisbury in October I think I have had my fair share of rotten camping weather this year without adding yet another to it. 

I will watch the weather forecasts and make a decision before Thursday. 

Carole
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 16, 2012, 16:36:53
Quote from: Sue on Apr 16, 2012, 13:36:02
Carole, where is your sense of adventure  :)   Roy and I are planning to travel up to Kelling on Thursday morning, we are ignoring all weather forecasts and will make the best of it whatever the conditions.

Hear Hear !!!

:D

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Sue on Apr 16, 2012, 16:47:40
I can see your point Carole, so fingers crossed for a better outlook by Thursday.

Cheers, Sue.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Fay on Apr 17, 2012, 08:12:10
So is just Mark & Duncan going to DSC?

I think it may be a full crew in May
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: MarkS on Apr 17, 2012, 08:56:32

Actually I may give this one a miss - I have lots of things I should be doing at home :-(

Good news is that the patio is now finished so I have a bit of tidying up to do.

Mark
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 17, 2012, 11:39:42
Was it done by Patio Doors the Irish builder?
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Fay on Apr 17, 2012, 11:56:01
I have the floor tiles going down today!! i wont be able to clear up until I come back from Kelling
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 17, 2012, 12:59:47
Do you have your waterproofs?
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: MarkS on Apr 17, 2012, 16:46:54
Quote from: Rocket Pooch
Do you have your waterproofs?

For the kitchen?  Or for Kelling?  Or both!
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 17, 2012, 19:15:03
I think the essential kit for Kelling is :-

A) Waterproofs to walk to the pub
B) Beer money
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 18, 2012, 07:37:21
I think to walk to the pub, toilets, showers, car to tent etc...
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: mickw on Apr 18, 2012, 08:09:11
Just had a quick look at last years Deep Sea Camps, it was June before anything really constructive was achieved before then it was rain, wind and clouds all the way, apart from the snow.

That was at Rother, Blacklands, Kelling and France (Chris)  :-?
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Carole on Apr 18, 2012, 08:54:43
Well I have now gone down with a sore throat and feeling wretched, so I think that and the weather combined knocks Kelling on the head. 

Hope you all have a good time those who go. 

Carole
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: MarkS on Apr 18, 2012, 10:19:23
Quote from: mickw
Deep Sea Camps

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 18, 2012, 10:33:59
I have a roof rack for Larry now, maybe I should put the scope on that, Mick hows your Larry?
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: mickw on Apr 18, 2012, 11:02:16
I'll be OK when I get my fillings put back and my hearing returns  ;)
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 18, 2012, 11:52:09
Hey there are some Keilling pitches being sold on astro buy sell for this weekend.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Carole on Apr 18, 2012, 13:47:42
QuoteHey there are some Keilling pitches being sold on astro buy sell for this weekend.
Yup, mine, thought I'd give it a bash.

Carole
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Sue on Apr 18, 2012, 16:16:35
Sorry you are poorly Carole, hope you feel better soon. Good luck with passing on your pitch. I must admit I was waivering this morning - my enthusiasm rather dampened when I went down the garden earlier! However still on course to set of first thing.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 18, 2012, 22:07:22
The weather forecast isn't looking quite so dire at the moment. I still fully intend to go though may only take visual kit as I doubt very much the conditions will be conducive for imaging.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Carole on Apr 18, 2012, 23:00:02
I'm definitely not going regardless now as I am feeling pretty lousy and tucked up in bed most of the evening with a fluctuating temperature.

Carole
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 19, 2012, 08:13:12
Weather looking a bit better still today. Less wind and rain. Low chance of clear skies though.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Delphine on Apr 19, 2012, 08:50:52
It is unlikely that we will be going.  Ian is recovering from a torn muscle in his calf and I have just got back from a warm Johannesburg and feeling the cold!!  If the weather dramatically improves we may change our minds.  Hope you feel better soon Carole.

Cheers
Delphine
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mac on Apr 19, 2012, 09:40:27
Sorry won't be there I'm sunning it in the canaries :cheesy:
But so far no clear nights.  :!
Mac
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 19, 2012, 15:27:32
Doug, Rose and I are here at Kelling and set up. It showered a few times on the way but was dry when we got here. The ground is nice and dry and so far no wind. Fay "Dark Horse" Saunders was already here when we arrived and Sue and Roy are now setting up their tent.

Looks like about 100 pitches are occupied so far and more people slowly arriving.

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mac on Apr 19, 2012, 16:26:57
It's sunny here with blue skies, 27 in the shade  :cheesy:
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: MarkS on Apr 19, 2012, 17:00:25
Have a good time, you all ...
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 19, 2012, 18:55:24
Looking a little better now.....

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5327/7093967091_66456c4d0c.jpg)

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 20, 2012, 12:05:23
Morning campers. We have a nice warm sunny day here at Kelling. Enjoyed a few beers and a nice steak and chips meal at the site pub last night.

Today a group have gone off with cameras ino the woods to take some pictures. Let's hope they don't get arrested.

I'm going for a little drive to the coast to have a look and pick up a bit of food for tonight.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/6949798002_9d6bd6e846.jpg)

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rick on Apr 20, 2012, 13:41:39
Bright and sunny here earlier. Chucking it down now, and some of the precipitation's solid...  :brolly:
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Carole on Apr 20, 2012, 20:30:47
Hope you're all having a good time at Kelling and the weather is not too unkind.  I am still not sufficiently recovered to attempt to come up there so will have to miss this one altogether.

Keep us updated.

Carole
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 21, 2012, 09:38:16
We are having a good time thanks Carole. Weather has been surprisingly good. It is another sunny warm morning today. No clear skies yet though unfortunately.

Get well soon.

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 21, 2012, 13:03:48
Just been for a walk around the trade stands. Some very lovely things on sale. Incredibly huge CCD in one of the Atik cameras (37.25mm x 25.70mm).

Some really nice refractors on the Altair Astro stand. Also found out they are doing a nice adaptor for their 60mm finder scope that I have on my RC that gives enough inward focus to use with a guide camera so I bought one of those. That will save all the weight of the rings and guide scope.

Found Julian haggling with Bern on the Modern Astronomy stand over a nice little 65mm refractor.

Lots of nice and tempting things for sale. If only I could afford them.

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Kenny on Apr 21, 2012, 13:38:11
My earlier post went walkabout. Where is Kelling?
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: mickw on Apr 21, 2012, 13:45:39
North Norfolk
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Kenny on Apr 21, 2012, 13:55:08
Is that Kelling Heath Holiday Park?
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 21, 2012, 13:57:25
That's the one.

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rick on Apr 21, 2012, 14:34:58
Quote from: Kenny on Apr 21, 2012, 13:38:11My earlier post went walkabout. Where is Kelling?

It went exactly where you put it (http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=8332.msg56606#msg56606)... ;)
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: RobertM on Apr 21, 2012, 15:08:19
Quote from: Kenny on Apr 21, 2012, 13:38:11
My earlier post went walkabout. Where is Kelling?

Well I thought you would have known.  You look like a Norfolk farmer in that garb :lol:
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: JohnP on Apr 21, 2012, 22:25:16
Worzle Gummage eat your heart out...!!!

(http://le-grove.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/worzel.jpg)


Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Apr 22, 2012, 16:34:58
Was clear down here all night last night, bit wet today though its just started raining.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 22, 2012, 19:21:25
Well it was another nice day in Norfolk. Apart from a few showers it's been a nice warm day.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7103016353_3dcf0c5075.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6956947180_1865d194b2.jpg)

The sky's are clearing right ow and clear skies forecast for tonight so hopefully I'll be able to capture a few Lyrids with my fisheye lens.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7103018939_602f871c2c.jpg)
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Carole on Apr 22, 2012, 22:05:13
Glad the weather has improved, just shows you can't rely on forecasts. 
It was clear here all night from midnight last night and I felt recovered enough to go out and do a bit of imaging in the POD.

Carole
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Delphine on Apr 23, 2012, 09:54:23
Glad you all enjoyed Kelling - hope the skies were clear last night.  It sounds as if the weather was better there than it was here!

Delphine
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Mike on Apr 23, 2012, 10:50:58
Yes we had a clear night last night. It wasn't conducive for imaging as clouds were scooting over periodically but it was ideal for visual. We had some fantastic views through Roys Takahashi refractor and eyepieces.

Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Sue on Apr 25, 2012, 06:51:54
Thanks to Mike we saw a good selection of objects. Roy is still talking about M13, he had never seen it before and it was the best view I have ever had of it. We will need more practise with our kit before the next camp!

Nice pictures Mike. We thought we saw a hare but no chance of taking a photo.
Title: Re: April DSC
Post by: Fay on Apr 25, 2012, 08:51:30
Had a good time. clear patches during the day & a few at night, but not for long.  I think only a couple of people on the whole site managed any imaging.

Good job Kelling has good facilities & I am thinking drained pitches, as no mud.