The Kelling Heath trip

[Carole]

Hi Every-one, only 12 days to go!!
but will the skies clear up!!!!!

Some details and just to remind you of the rules (below).

Saturday Lectures

Deep Sky Observing, CCD or Visual? Why not mix both? By Dale Holt

Talk by Andrew Robertson - Title to be confirmed

Traders Attending 2010

Astronomia Astroparts
Atik Cameras Green Witch
John Clark Astronomy House of Optics
The Widescreen Centre Peak to Valley Instruments
Altair Astro Stay Focused EU/Astrosource UK/Astrotrader (hoping to collect my Pier)

*Please Note Red field pitch numbers and layout have changed for 2010. See booking page for details and maps*  SEE POST NUMBER 3!!!

The etiquette rules:
Guidelines

When you attend the Kelling Heath star party, consider these few simple steps to help everyone enjoy the event.

Come Prepared

The site is within a mile of the sea so make sure you dress warmly and if coming alone, make a thermos of tea and bring some snacks for sharing

Lights
Flashlight - Remember to bring a red light if you plan on wandering around the site and arrive before dark so you can familiarise yourself with the site.

Car- If it is clear and you arrive after dark, consider parking your car in the main car park and walk to the observing field. This way, your lights will not affect those people out observing.

If you're car is parked on the field, try to remove fuses or cover lights that may come on unexpectedly with tape; for example, interior lights or indicators when locking/unlocking your car.

Smokers- Please be careful when lighting up. Shielding the lighter flame is best; it's amazing how bright lighter flames are and this will ruin dark adaption of those around you.

Toilet blocks- The lights inside are left on but the windows and lights outside are screened, so not to light up the sky.

Noise - Everyone's taste in music is different so please don't play music loud.  Try to keep the noise/music down after midnight and before noon the next day. As people up to the early hours observing may still be sleeping.

Misc

Rubbish- The site is of scientific interest so please use the bins provided near the toilet blocks.

Laser pointers- These are discouraged from use on the observing fields.  Due to the amount of people in attendance they present a danger and risk of causing blindness through careless use.  They may even interfere with 'astroimagers' nearby.

Children- Are more than welcome to attend but need to be supervised at all times, there is a lot of trip hazards and expensive equipment setup on the field.

Computers - Please can these be shielded from those trying to observe.  Try placing a box around the screen so as to minimise the light finding its way to other observers.  It's amazing how bright a computer screen is at night and it can seriously hamper visual observers' enjoyment of the event.

Enjoy

The reason for star parties is for like minded people to get together, socialise, share knowledge and enjoy the night sky from a dark, hopefully cloud free site.

By considering these simple guidelines, everyone can enjoy the beauty of the north Norfolk night sky.

[Carole]

Any-one fancy doing any nature walks during the day?

"We have miles of woodland and heathland trails for walking and cycling, or simply enjoying the diverse range of wildlife and the many species of birds."

"Woodland walks
There are footpaths throughout our 250 acres. Enjoy the beauty of the Norfolk countryside and panoramic views of the Weybourne coastline. Self guided leaflets are available to guide you through the glorious range of habitats, wildlife and history of Kelling Heath."

More info
http://www.kellingheath.co.uk/red-squirrels-butterflies-and-bees-id130.html

Carole

[Carole]

Hmmmm,

Bit annoyed as they have re-arranged the pitch numbers which means we are not together.  I went to a lot of trouble to make sure we were together when I did the booking.

From what I can see, Robert and Doug and Rose are next to each other, then one row up and 1/2 a pitch along is Sue and Roy, Delphine and myself, then next row up and 2 more pitches along is Mark and Fay.

Now:

-------------------------------------------------------------Mark, Fay
---------------------Sue/Roy, Dephine, carole---------------
Robert, Doug/Rose--------

[Fay]

oh that is not good Carole, are you going to contact them?

[Tony G]

Fay,

I think you need to explain to Mark where the toilet block is, as you remember what happened at Blacklands when he was pitched near you. 

Tony G

[Fay]

Yes, don't want him sleepwalking!!!!!

[Mike]

Oh he didn't mistake your tent for the toilet block and pee all over you did he?

[Fay]

Mike! remember it is Easter Sunday     

[Carole]

oh that is not good Carole, are you going to contact them?

I doubt there would be anything I could do because months ago when I did the booking I had a job to find a group of pitches near each each which was why we ended up in two adjacent lines.  I am sure it would be sold out by now.

If I get time in the week I might give them a ring, but I don't hold out much hope.

Carole

[Fay]

So have we got to have different numbers, Carole?

[Tony G]

Surely, if they are moving all the pitches this late on, they could have still move them, so you are still together, and inform other campers that their pitches have moved, or are they trying to squeeze more people in at the last minute, as this was supposedly booked up months ago, and if it was full, then why are they moving anyone?????????????????

Tony G

[Fay]

I am thinking we may not have hookups now as well

[Fay]

I have just rang Kelling, the pitch numbers are the same, but in different locations as they have made more larger pitches which moved everything around. All camping plots have hookups.

[Delphine]

Hi Carole & Fay

I think the arrangement of pitches might not be as bad as it looks.    The pitches in front and behind overlap so it might be a better arrangement than being spread out in a long line.  The pitches were pretty wide last year and we were very spread out.  We might be able to put all our telescopes in the middle of us this year.   Maybe.

Cheers Delphine

[Carole]

Sorry I didn't reply to some of the above, I keep missing posts because "show unread posts since last visit doesn't work. Looks like you've sussed it out Fay.

We might be able to put all our telescopes in the middle of us this year

That's what I had in mind when we were in two rows back to back, but we're not back to back with the new arrangement.

Never mind, the most important thing is the skies and the weather.  Bought myself a fan heater and some dew heaters yesterday so hedging all bets!!

Carole

[Sue]

I am sure it will all work out ok. Folk from other groups were very sociable last year. Not all surrounding pitches may be taken anyway so perhaps could spread out a bit too. At least we won't be pitched too far from the 'facilities'!

By the way Carole I found your original e-mail but should we have any paperwork to show on arrival?

[Carole]

I think I had better send out all the receipts again to be on the safe side.

I won't send them to Mark and Fay as I re-sent theirs in the last week or so.

So look in your E mail every-one.

Carole

[Sue]

Just found this! Geology walk at West Runton on Friday afternoon. Been to the area several times in the past but never coincided with these before.

http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk:80/default.asp?Document=200.60.40.22.08

[Carole]

Looks great, but would have to set out really early to fit it in.
I don't think some-how I would make it unless I packed the car the day before.  

Are you planning on going on it Sue?

Carole

[Sue]

Yes, but I see you have to book so, with fingers crossed, will ring this morning. We are staying with friends in Suffolk on Thursday night so will be half way there on Friday morning.Roy has ordered a tripod (will take binos camera or small telescope!) to be collected from Norwich on route but think we can make the north coast by 1 o'clock.

[Carole]

Weather forecast looks like some clear skies and some daytime cloud for Friday, and Sat with both nights clear, but Sunday looks like rain during the day and party clear at night.

This is one site I use and is normally fairly accurate albeit american
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=sheringham&searchType=WEATHER

Metcheck says much the same.

Fingers crossed.

Carole

[Mike]

So guys... What was your first night like ?

[mickw]

Word from KH is that it was also good there.

[Mike]

Do they not have WiFi there? We do at uDSC

[mickw]

Peasants 

[Mac]

Peasants

Yup we've got them as well as deer

we've also got Pheasants.

[Carole]

We could hear pheasants all around us and one wandered into the camp.

I saw a roe deer run out of the woods at one point. 

Carole

[mickw]

And nobody had a gun ?

What kind of DSC is that