Jackie at Rother Valley came over to speak to me at the last DSC before I left to say that for our next DSC she cannot put us in the corner as it is already booked. I thought this was a bit off as we had booked well in advance. She said she can only put us in further long the field and can only spare two pitches.
Personally I think if she isn't going to let us have our normal spot that we just decide to go and use Blacklands instead.
I agree. Do you think she has got the hump because of last week?
I wish they could get some hook ups installed on the other side of the gap so we can go further over as that large tree can be a problem at times.
Carole
I think it is because she got the hump. I'm all up for doing some recce's on other campsites in that area personally as it's not ideal to be honest. I'm sure if we look around we could find better.
She may have bookings for two weeks and we will only be booking one or two nights so this may stop her from getting long bookings so she will be losing money
Well I will be away on Holiday for August DSC and at Kelling for September. I am up for trying a different site.
I did have a great weekend, shame you lot turned up. ( Just joking ) :lol:
julian
I wasn't planning on going to DSC in August as I only get back from holiday on the Friday, and going away again Sunday, but if it's going to be Blacklands I might do another one nighter so I can get some southern horizon stuff.
Carole
I'm going to start hunting for alternate camp-sites. If anyone has any ideas let me know please.
Well that sounds odd. you used all the pitches you booked, didn't you?
Quote from: Mike on Jul 30, 2012, 10:07:46
Jackie at Rother Valley came over to speak to me at the last DSC before I left to say that for our next DSC she cannot put us in the corner as it is already booked.
Sounds like sour grapes.
Let us just hope the weather is OK, or something major doesn't happen to make those people cancel, because you never know what is around the corner, like the drought we have encountered over the last few months. :brolly:
I think a new venue is called for.
Tony G
Thinking about it, we only book for up to 2 nights, but others would book for a week, perhaps, as Julian said
To be honest I'm surprised Jackie whould even consider setting aside that prized corner, with electric hook-ups, just for 2 nights during peak season. She could fill the area with families down for a week. It's especially the case now our numbers have dwindled so much from the good attendences we had in the past.
Do you remember the days before Rother Valley when we used to have to send an "advance party" to "secure" an area of camping that we could "corral".
Happy to consider other sites, but the ones with facilities usually also have bright lights.
Do we need DSCs every month - maybe we should have a few and intersperse them with unofficial camps?
Why have our numbers dropped so much? Maybe it's only a temporary aberration. Having said that, I can't make next DSC and then September is Kelling Heath.
Mark
You are right in all you say Mark. A big reason for dwindling numbers is that most people who have moved, do not come any more, yourself being the exception
There are only 4 of us that have moved and 3 of us are now closer to Rother Valley.
The weather has not really been our friend recently either.
Having said that, I am hopelessly disorganised and can't get my arse in gear at the moment.
Mark - agreed it is understandable what she is doing. However there are other reasons I think we should look for an alternative site. It's just a shame Tuesnoad had such terrible facilities or i'd go back there. I'm sure if we look around we will find a better site. I also agree we have too many official DSC's and have already decided for 2013 to cut it back to quarterly like we used to. This may encourage more people to come as I feel at the moment a lot of people say (oh it's slightly cloudy, I won't bother, there is another one next month anyway). If people want to organise more in the intervening months then so be it.
Fay it is a shame that attendance is lower. A lot of the regulars, like you say, don't seem to come any more and it's not just those that have moved away. We need to encourage more of the newer members to come along or maybe start inviting another society or two?
Hi,
I think you will find the numbers have dropped bacause some of the people goto Kelling now and also a lot of us have moved to dark sites as well now so its kind of a moot point going to a DSC.
Personally if it was like the old day with Air Guns and more fun, I'd be more likely to go again.
Chris
Agree with ALL comments especially Mike's & YES I am one of those guilty of not attending - put me at the top of the 'Name & shame' list...
Tuesnoad was great - I could even live with the lack of facilities for a few nights - it was just the sheep poop that was the downer..
I think going back to 1/4'ly would be better & encourage more to attend
I don't remember 1/4ly DSCs only bi-monthly ones but the change to monthly came about because there was an unofficial DSC arranged virtually every alternate month to the official ones and it seemed pointless not to bring them all together.
I think it did work well for a while, but for some it was perhaps too much of a good thing.
Like John I agree with everything said - except about tuesnode, the owner did nothing for us.
Quotethe owner did nothing for us
Except let us... Fire bows & arrows & pellet guns & make laser patterns in the middle of the night & ignite thermite & let off Koom Fays... oh & don't forget letting dogs chase his sheep - Still has to be one of my funniest memories ever of a DSC when Chris was running round the field trying to catch Frodo...
Quote from: JohnP on Jul 31, 2012, 14:15:45
Still has to be one of my funniest memories ever of a DSC when Chris was running round the field trying to catch Frodo...
He is a reformed dog now!
QuotePersonally if it was like the old day with Air Guns and more fun, I'd be more likely to go again.
I agree,
every month for the DSC is too much, I personally think that when it was 1/4ly it was much better
as there seemed to be more enjoyment, Fires, shooting, ect, and yes if it nice then an UDSC could be arranged.
So i am one of the ones that have moved away, but for me its nearly a 400mile round trip
and to do that every month with an 80% chance of cloud, doesn't seem
worth justified it to me.
If it was every 3 months then yes i would more then lightly to put the effort in to get down there, come what may with the weather,
The other problem for me, is that i have to book A/L for every camp, as I work Sundays, so thats another
thing that I have to consider.
4 days A/L per yer for DSC is no problem,
12 is a bit much.
Although for the last two years I had virtually no free weekends due to the amount of work we had for the Olympics.
Mac.
If it's going to be quarterly then would it be a good idea not to pick the dates that clash with Kelling in the Spring and Autumn.
Carole
Good Idea Carole.
Mac.
I think quarterly is a good idea. Also a memorial DSC to Tuesnoad is in order just to make sure we remember the levels of sheep shit and how bad the loos were correctly - you never know there may have been changes! It was very dark which is the main criteria for a DSC site.
BTW if you feel driving for hours to Kelling is a substitute for a good DSC, I would only do it if the weather could be guaranteed. Any one for Herstmonceux?
The trouble is now some of us are only set up for hook up, and a memorial DSC at Tuesnoad and Herstmonceux don't have hook up, unless things have changed at Tuesnoad. I didn't mind the sheepshit, it was the lack of hook up and the mud that put me off.
Carole
So as in the previous thread for the last DSC, it really didn't make any difference sending the dates to Jackie, as she has let the corner out next month anyway, so us cancelling shouldn't have made a difference either.
In reality we go to DSC for our benefit, and if the venue, or the weather is not favourable then it is our right to cancel, as it is Jackie's right to say that she has booked our usual area to someone else.
I just hope that those people are willing to camp there over the winter.
I have now just stepped off the soapbox and tend to agree with most of the responses concerning reverting back to either once ever couple of months or once a quarter, but if they fall on the same time as Kelling, this should not stop a DSC from going ahead as our DSC are planned around moon phases as much as what Kellings is, and so it would be up to the individual to choose. If the two camps do go ahead at the same time, and it is found to be a cast iron certainty that say Kelling is going to be a wash out then you have the opinion of attending the more local DSC (unless you haven't booked :-?) whilst your vehicle is still filled to the gunnels with camping and astronomy equipment.
Can we buy a field? or Squat on a plot of land :cheesy:
Tony G
Quote from: Tony G on Aug 01, 2012, 18:13:55has let the corner out next month anyway, so us cancelling shouldn't have made a difference either.
Seems to me that she had kept the corner free for the July DSC, and then DSC was cancelled. Once bitten... :ferret:
So will august DSC be at Blacklands? we will have to book soon as will be a popular time.
I think Rother will still be ok in the off season, if you want to swallow, as it does suit us.
Also when the weather is forecast to be bad, other campers also cancel or dont turn up, and Rother could have an emptyish site if that august weekend is a washout, anyway.
Quote from: Rick on Aug 01, 2012, 18:32:17
Seems to me that she had kept the corner free for the July DSC, and then DSC was cancelled. Once bitten... :ferret:
Even more reason to find somewhere else.
Wouldn't it be terrible for 'our corner' was to be given to someone else everytime the weather (which our hobby realise quite a lot on) was that bad that we had to cancel, and that music festivals nationwide were being cancelled, campers and the rescue parties themselves were being airlifted to safety from flooded campsites, flooding like has never been seen before, because if that is the case there is no reason to issue Rother with dates with our present weather as we will never get in that corner. :-?
Tony G
Today I had the following email sent by Jackie at Rother Valley....
"Dear Mike,
Further to our conversation on Sunday I regret to say that it is unlikely I can save you your preferred pitches in our busy Summer months. I am still holding two pitches for August, but would need a firm commitment and payment of a deposit to continue to hold these. ( which I assume you won't want to do as your hobby is so weather dependent)
As you are aware we are a small family run business and we have to make ends meet which believe me is extremely difficult at the moment. I just cannot justify holding pitches for you on the off chance that you may come for one or two nights. I have turned away week long bookings from regular customers in the past in order to hold you pitches only to find the day before that you are not coming.
During the Summer months we have families that wish to book one or two full weeks and they pay a deposit. They will come regardless of the weather as it is their main Summer Holiday. I just cannot afford to turn this business away.
I hope you understand and are able to find an alternative spot that fits in with your group's requirements. Obviously we will always welcome you if we have space, but the pitches will need to be booked when you know you're definitely coming.
Regards,
Jackie"
Comments please.
I think it is a fair comment.
We have had a good run of having particular pitches reserved for us, I don't think we've had it elsewhere (tuesnode doesn't count).
This is probably where the monthly DSCs have bit us in the arse, the odds of us blowing out a DSC due to the crap weather is obviously quite high with monthly events.
I would suggest that we try and part company amicably, I assume that Rother Valley would still be willing to accommodate us in the winter months (ad hoc) as would Blacklands (open all year).
And for those who don't know, I would like to thank Mike for initially negotiating the allocation of the pitches at Rother Valley
I agree. I think I should reply to say thanks but we will find an alternate site and will use Rother in the winter (ground conditions allowing). In the meantime I say we revert to Blacklands and look for another site.
I'm also up for going back to Tuesnoad (if he will let us). I've still got an 85Ah and a 110Ah leisure battery so can run off that and can put up with the lack of facilities.
I've already started looking for other sites in the Rother Valley area and have emailed a few.
Mike
I think that was a fair letter from Jackie. we should not burn our bridges, and we can use it in the winter months.
Blacklands is usually quite a full place with tents all over the place, in summer, although a nice site.
I fully understand Jackie's E mail and personally I am surprised this has not happened before now.
Rother Valley for the Winter and elsewhere in the summer sounds good.
But will we not be in a similar situation with other summer camps?
Campsites with no hook up counts me out I am afraid.
Happy with Blacklands.
Carole
Quote from: Mike on Aug 02, 2012, 19:18:27
I've still got an 85Ah and a 110Ah leisure battery so can run off that and can put up with the lack of facilities.
Tuesnoad it is then! and I still have some Thermite. :twisted:
Tony G
I can understand the E-mail response, but I cant believe that they have turned away weekly campers.
Its not as if the field iscompletly packed with standing room only.
On a different note, Rather then looking for a campsite,
how about looking for a farmers field, like you used to do with pennys.
I've always got the Genny for those who cant live without their curling tongs and hairdryers
mains for the computers, and at least you can charge your batteries during the day.
Mac.
QuoteI've always got the Genny for those who cant live without mains for the computers
That's a nice offer Mac, but you're not always at camp, plus I am totally mains operated these days, Mount, DSLR cabled battery, Laptop, dew heaters and camping fridge.
My Leisure battery died a long time ago and not keen to purchase another one, in any case it isn't up to running the camping fridge for more than a few hours and then I have nothing left for running the astro kit. Plus I have started taking a mini electric cooker with me of late.
It would be great if Tuesnoad now had power, though I would hesitate to go there if it is muddy after the last experience.
Carole
Your all too soft now thats the problem we dont use Electricity any more....
I think that was Norwood Farm it's only a couple of miles away.
http://www.norwoodfarmnewchurch.co.uk/ (http://www.norwoodfarmnewchurch.co.uk/)
so will it be explosions, khoom fays, lasers & shooting for all at Tuesnoad, or Blacklands for imaging,this month?
Wasn't there a Astronomy society who tried to organised an event around Romney Marsh, does anyone know where it was? It might be a suitable venue.
I also remember something about Ashdown forest we have a link in the forum http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=2626.msg10198#msg10198 (http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=2626.msg10198#msg10198) also this
http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/99013-ashdown-forest/ (http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/99013-ashdown-forest/) I can't access Facebook from work but I think Edenbridge & District Astronomers seem to do something there. www.facebook.com/.../Edenbridge-District-Astronomers/123432501 (http://www.facebook.com/.../Edenbridge-District-Astronomers/123432501)
The Romney Marsh event was at Norwood Farm but it was over the same weekend as Kelling and it got called off due to lack of numbers.
I believe the Edenbridge group go to a site where it is chalets not camping.
SGL and the astro camp is invite only although the car parks around the forest would be OK for visual, not sure I'd feel comfortable setting up all the kit when there's no kind of security.
Ivor the Romney Marsh site would be a suitable venue except they have an annoying light in the middle of the campsite. When the Dymchurch star party was organised they had taken over the whole camp and it could be switched off, but at other times that's not possible, which from our point of view is a real shame.
The one in Ashdown Forest is at the home of one of our members.
Carole
I'm getting confused now. Which is the one with the light, Norwood Farm or Romney Farm. Have we sussed them both out?
Carole
This image is Norwood Farm (I was camped furthest from the lights - there's no way to avoid them):
(http://www.markshelley.co.uk/webdisk/NorwoodFarm.jpg)
I believe Chris has been to Romney Farm - it's the one with a bright light in the middle.
So both as bad as each other from that point of view then.
Carole
weather is going to get better so we have to decide on DSC because of booking a suitable place, if Blacklands
I need to decide before Sunday as I will be in Hungary from Sunday to Friday (will arrive DSC on Saturday if it is on).
If it's on I'll book for Saturday only and take a chance, then if it's clear I'll book Sunday night while I am down there (if I can).
Carole
I've told Jackie that we understand and that we will use an alternate location. I've asked her to let us know, out of season, when the corner becomes free again and we will then book it up (as long as she doesn't ask for a deposit).
In the meantime I suggest we use Blacklands or any other locations people can offer.
so will we book Blacklands as individuals or as a group?
I've already emailed the guy at Blacklands to tell him we would like to come down that weekend. I guess we should book individually also so he knows the numbers coming.
thanks Mike. so who will be going?
I'm going.
I've already booked for Saturday.
Carole
I have just rang Blacklands & there are no hookups left. did you get hookups, or did you not ask?
Ahhhh.... He hasn't replied yet so that poses a problem.
Fay are you sure? Leon just replied with...
QuoteHi Mike,
No need to book individually, if you could just fill out a booking form and
put your approx. numbers of people, tents, and electric hookups in the
additional info box that will be great.
Best
Leon
Spoke to keith I think. Perhaps u got the last one. He said none available for that weekend
When I E Mailed him last night this is what he replied:
QuoteHi Carole,
The electric hookup is fine at that time, as it is before the Friday of the bank holiday weekend (from when all electric pitches are booked).
So don't know if that means there were one or two only left, but I made it clear to him that I was coming with the OAS group and that hook up was required.
Unless he has put all the remaining hook ups aside for our group and didn't realise you were part of it Fay.
If all else fails is it possible to share? Certainly I won't be using my pitch until Saturday. I also wonder if he has splitters like they have at Rother.
Carole
Can I take a few mobile phone numbers so I can ring you guys before I leave on the Saturday as you may know whether it is possible to share and or/ I still have a pitch with hook up left. I don't want to ring the camp as they will not know about the sharing aspect.
Could perhaps Mike and another PM me their up to date mobile number.
Thanks
Carole
i said who i was with
Just rang Keith again, he said he is sure he will be able to sort us out, where we usually go. anyone else who goes will have to ring him
Thanks Fay
you're welcome. i think he was thinking it was bank holiday weekend.
I can't make the Friday night but I hope to come along on Saturday.
I hope to make Friday or Saturday night this time ... God Willing !
well done Robert & Mark! did not think you could make it Mark. don't forget to let them know. don't want you in the wilderness!!
I can't make DSC as I am in menorca. Just got back from the beach. :D
Oh shut up Julian!! :lol:
Leon at Blacklands has confirmed that we are all booked in and have hook-ups.
thanks Mike
Can't make it either sunny here and 27c and clear every night.
The forecast for this weekend is looking really good at the moment. Clear both Friday and Saturday nights. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
I hope so, as im kayaking in Cornwall, :cheesy:
Mac
Hi, Sorry I will not be meeting up with you this weekend, I booked in at Rother Valley in my caravan. Hope to see some of you at Kelling.
Have a good weekend.
Nigel
Nigel,
Go for the corner!!! go for the corner!!! and put dabs on it until we get down there next month. ;)
Tony G
Who's going then?
i'm going
Yep. The forecast is looking really good. Especially for Friday night.
I'm not going to be able to make it yet again :cry:
I hope those of you that get there manage have some excellent skies !
Robert
Fay is down there already
She has been put to the right as you go in the gate (I think where the bird in the shower used to be) - NOT near the toilets
Cars can't be left by the tents either, they must be moved to a parking area although it's nearby.
Fay would also like someone to bring her a spare towel (or similar) to soak and cover her cool box which doesn't cool any more.
Have fun chaps, the weather is looking really promising
I take it there are hook-ups in that area?
I should be down at about 6.30-7.00pm.
Yes there are hook ups so Fay will have the opportunity to blow something up :boom:
There are 4 hook ups
More than 4 hookups. They were in a big green box
Just got back from holiday last night. Planning to come down today, is there any chance of hook up or share of power for me otherwise no point in me coming. Do you still need a towel Fay or will it be too late by the time I get there?
Carole
Carole there are plenty of spare hook-ups.
Hookup ok. yes please a towel if poss
OK, will start packing (not that I've finished the unpacking from yesterday yet!!!)
Carole
Who else is coming down today?
Fay I am bringing down my camping fridge for you to borrow, I won't be doing any cooking but I just need to put a couple of things in it myself.
carole
Our visitors stayed longer than expected so I won't be able to make it tonight.
But if it stays clear I'll probably try imaging at home.
Mark
Well by now everyone should be on their way home, I popped down there on the bike, not a great move considering how hot it is.
Had a good overnight stop at Blacklands. Because of the hot weather and school holidays it was pretty packed with the inevitable fires, and torches around not to mention cars driving in and out with headlights blazing and unfortunately they put us right by the entrance which meant we got the full impact of this, plus the security lights which came on each time a car or person went past. Mike has had a word about a different location next time.
Only Mike and Petra, and me and Fay were there last night and only Mike and Petra and Fay on the Friday night.
Really damp last night, and this morning it looked like a fog had descended on the camp and the sun did not shine through until after 10am.
We were all imaging, so fingers crossed for some results - watch this space.
Carole
Cool glad some imaging got done despite conditions. I got home late yesterday after a day at the beach with the kids & set up. Last night was tons better than Friday night. Got a bit of imaging done - Actually fell asleep & didn't wake up till 3.30am so got more subs than I had planned.. :-(
Look forward to seeing your images - John.
well it was so hot!!!! on the friday there were so many fires they must have worsened the ozone layer! lanterns, smoke & car headlights everywhere. it was like the night before Agincourt!
Friday was not too good a sky. I was stressed, as evening fell, because of the above. Any way, had a go but my subs looked very foggy so gave up. went to bed, or tried to, around 11.30, went to get in bed & it was all wet!!! my hot water bottle had leaked!!! had to throw the sleeping bag into he outer tent part, pillow was wet, bed was wet. so had to pad the bed out with clothes so I was not laying on too much wet. put my thin thermals on & slept in the duvet, which i had taken in case it was cold!!!! 8)
Saturday night, dew was around when it was still light, it was like there had been a down pour as the evening went on. Bed was wet again this morning due to it touching the side of the tent!
Was doing 1200 sec subs of the veil. cygnus was at the zenith , i dont think,my dew band was working as subs were coming out with large dark circles in the centre. deleted 3x1200. guiding was very good but suddenly veered off, which is what happened on the next two subs, so more deleted. it is a big loss when doing 1200 sec subs!! that is the trouble. would have been a good capture, i will put one sub on, but did not end up with many. Camera was en route to going into mount, also.
cool box plug blew up before i went to DSC, so was a bit worried about food poisoning. put a couple of ice packs in there, and then a bag of ice on saturday.
So, have to check out dew band & the coolbox.
Chris picked me up so I could see his new home, chickens & veg, very nice indeed, enjoyed the visit
Blimey fay all in all not too good then - I think Tuesnoad would have been better... :-(
Quote from: JohnP
I think Tuesnoad would have been better... :-(
Packed campsites are not really ideal - not much you can do at peak times, though. Funnily enough, on my regular Sunday morning cycle ride I happened to cycle past Tuesnoad this morning - just one solitary caravan in the field. No electric hookups though.
I managed to set up here at home last night but had lots of technical problems with either the DSLR or long exposure cable not being recognised. Traced it to a broken connection in the LX lead - which I then re-soldered. Started imaging at half past midnight. The sky was a bit milky with a very average 20.85 on the Sky Quality Meter. Milky Way was bright but only visible down to 15 degrees above the horizon. Temperature was 20C which is far too warm for a DSLR so I'm not going to get any good results.
Nevertheless it was good to be imaging again after so many months. Really looking forward to Kelling Heath next month.
Mark
QuoteReally looking forward to Kelling Heath next month.
Yes at least you don't have to worry about car lights and torches etc (unless you haven't got your DSLR LCD turned down properly :oops: :oops: - won't forget that in a hurry!!!)
I was wondering about that strange fog we had this morning. Could it have been a sea mist that had come inland, or is that not possible that far from the coast? I don't think I have encountered anything like that before during a heat wave. But at least it meant we weren't roasted in our tents.
Carole
I think it could be the heat and so much moisture the night before
Quote from: Carole
I was wondering about that strange fog we had this morning.
A local phenomenon I guess.