Looking for clarification on where this is...? Homepage says Tenterden?? Is this correct or are we back at BlackLands?
Also, Who is planning on attending? I hope to get there probably Fri/ Sat...
Cheers
That is wrong (still). It is Blacklands. Woodlands is closed.
cheers - thought as much ..... John
I'll be there 8)
Cool - I'll be able to add some more to my hedge then... :lol:
Quote from: mickw
I'll be there 8)
In that case you need to get some extra beer in!
Mark
Beer got - Wouldn't want to get caught out if there's a shortage ;)
Mick,
Just a few words of warning about the beer, THIS IS A LONG ONE! ;) (4 Days)
I'll be there hopefully from Thursday (with another new tent) with Flis , who will be litter picking in an orange jumpsuit on Thursday, so the field is nice and tidy for Friday's arrivals.
See you there.
Tony G
I'll be there, Fri sat & sun.
Might have a new tent, stove, camera, ect ect.
Is blacklands the one near brighton?
~Mac.
Yes Mac it is.
I will be there!
ok
I'm planning to come.
Carole
I would hope to be there for one night, assuming I get over this cough, not sure which though.
QuoteJust a few words of warning about the beer, THIS IS A LONG ONE! (4 Days)
Oh crap, now I've got to resort to maths :(
OK, the sq root of 3 times 4 plus the weight of a large doner, I think I've got it - 7 8)
We just need 8 times as much beer - taking account of expansion and the thermal efficiency of grass - There, I knew could do it :lol:
Sod this, I need a beer :-? what I meant was :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Brother-in-law Syd wants to go ... if the weather is good .... with his caravan ... so I am told. He needs the co-ordinates for his Idiotbox ..... sorry .... TomTom.
So, can anybody help with this small problem, please?? I am sure he will be grateful.
Thanks, Doug.
PS. Rose and I will try to get down on the Saturday if we can. Will I need the trailer to tow for the beer?? :-?
Doug,
Here is the address with the postcode.
Blacklands Farm Campsite
Wheatsheaf Road (B2116)
Henfield
West Sussex
BN5 9AT
Tel: (01273) 493528
Tony G
Has anyone confirmed this with the campsite?
No problem ;), the site is open to nearly all (with exceptions). :-?
Tony G
Thanks for the info.Tony. I will give the postcode to Syd and he can enter it into his idiotbox
I`m very lucky when we go out. I have a Roserose and a map :)
Doug.
This DSC is it ok to turn up for 1 night, I have me kids Friday night and work on Monday, but could make Saturday night, if clear skys are around.
si
Simon,
You can come for 1 night no problem. Some people come just for the evening.
Carole
Coooooooooooooooooooooool ;)
It's a campsite - you can come and go as you please whenever you like
QuoteIt's a campsite - you can come and go as you please whenever you like
I thought they locked the gates at 11pm?
Mac.
Quote from: Mac
I thought they locked the gates at 11pm?
You could park just outside the gates.
They didn't shut them last time we were there - another camper drove back to their caravan at 4:30am!! I was still imaging.
Mark
Simon, don't forget to put the £5, one night charge, in an envelope & leave at office with your car registration number on.
I'll be there Friday hopefully around 14:00. Can''t wait really, it's beer o'clock all weekend and you get to do astronomy without a constant background whingeing noise. ;)
BTW I am trying to source a replacement DSLR beforehand so if anyone knows of a 350d+ that's on the market please let me know. I have enquiries in with all the local camera shops and my eye on the web.
Bring your busted one down, it'll give Mark something to do during the day and take his mind off poisoning us with weird french stuff ;)
Quote350d+ that's on the market
How much are you wanting to pay?
I got a reconditioned Canon DSLR on Ebay for £380. Not sure if they do 350Ds but if you've interested I'll look into the site. If they do it's reconditioned by cannon with a 3 months guarantee.
Carole
I can get a 350d from London Camera Exchange (Lincoln Branch) for £209 + £7pp. And I found that my dead one was under a 6 month guarantee. So all will be OK for the DSC!
Yeah £380 is very expensive.
Unfortunately, my plans have changed & I will no longer be there. Good luck to all that go & fingers crossed for some cracking skies & images.
John
QuoteYeah £380 is very expensive.
Not compared to the price of a new one. I didn't want to take a chance on a 2nd hand one, whereas this was refurbished by Canon and has a 3 month guarantee which I felt safer doing.
Carole
QuoteYeah £380 is very expensive.
It's a 450D not a 350D... I think that's what you have isn't Carole?
Yes John, not sure how the prices vary with the different models of DSLR.
I've been stung a few times buying things 2nd hand - eg my SC3 which has caused me nothing but problems, so I preferred to spend a bit more and have a bit more security, but didn't want to pay the "new" price.
Carole
QuoteI got a reconditioned Canon DSLR on Ebay for £380
:o
If that was a 450D, then dont look at the next link.
Ebay isn't always your best friend, there are a lot of bargains out there, you just have to keep looking.
Brand new 450D £402
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-450D-Digital-Camera-Body/dp/B00131X8CC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257545181&sr=8-2 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-450D-Digital-Camera-Body/dp/B00131X8CC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257545181&sr=8-2)
Mac.
I was going to say that they are not that expensive new now.
Quote from: Mac
QuoteI got a reconditioned Canon DSLR on Ebay for £380
:o
If that was a 450D, then dont look at the next link.
Brand new 450D £402
Carol's included a lens so it can be used for "normal" photography and widefield astro as well ...
I know I say this every DSC but I really am going to try to get down this time, I have time booked off of work, I've found a place to hire camper vans, and my mate who can drive me is available, so weather permitting i'll be there.
One question, will it be easy enough to get an electrical hookup if we just turn up, or should i pre book one?
Daniel
:O)
I doubt there will be many in use at that time of year.
Do you know that there is a VW Camper van hire place at the campsite?
ooh, might have to give them a call about that, would save a lot of time trekking up to Luton where I'd be picking the van up from.
Thanks,
Daniel
:O)
I would like to rent one of those instead of putting tent up, will investigate
QuoteDo you know that there is a VW Camper van hire place at the campsite?
Yes sounds interesting, do you have any further info Mike, or should we just contact Blacklands.
Carole
Looking like a very windy torrential weekend, next weekend!
QuoteLooking like a very windy torrential weekend, next weekend!
Bugger.
Anyone got a kite some string and a key?
Hi all,
This is the website for the campervan company which is based at the entrance to Blacklands.
Good Luck.
http://www.vwkampers.com/ (http://www.vwkampers.com/)
Tony G
£350 is a bit dearer than £10!
Is a lot but then they are expensive to buy and insure. Did you see the price of the second hand ones?
I was only thinking of using it in the field
It's worth giving them a call.
It's only going next door
You won't be putting any mileage on it
You won't be taking it on the road
It's out of season - only astronomers are daft enough to spend a weekend in a field in November
Yeah they might let you have it a lot cheaper. It's worth a try.
Have sent them a mail
Had a reply from camper van. For 3 nights £100
Bargain.................
Bit different from £350
Oooh Luxury ;)
So it will work out at about £40 a night with an electric hook up
I'm guessing it's a 2 berth - that would be nicely comfortable for you and your kit - and dry - and warm :)
2 berth means 2 VERY friendly people or one and a puppy ;)
It's worth it just to try it out
I am thinking this weekend may be off, what do you think?
I am toying with the idea Mick, wonder if they are heated
I thought that sounded a little expensive to be honest. You'd get a b and b with breakfast for about that this time of year...
well it is £200 off Ian, although it would not be going anywhere. Not the same to go off site to sleep etc, best to stay with the group
I'll be going regardless, might even go on Thursday.
There's going to be at least one and a half decent nights so I can practice buggering stuff up with no distractions.
Probably heated. but even if not, the gas rings will work ;)
Email them
Well, Mick, If weather ok, I may go thursday, but it is looking torrential.....at the moment
Quotelooking torrential.....at the moment
That's the benefit - no water running under the tent and nothing to put away wet and dry in the garden 2 weeks later ;)
Unless the weather is extreme, i'll be going anyway too.
Better get some extra beer then :lol:
£100 for 3 nights still sounds a lot to me... !!!!
Quote from: JohnP
£100 for 3 nights still sounds a lot to me... !!!!
It probably costs them that to remove the mud afterwards!
Having second thoughts about going, the only weather forecasts that don't say there will be rain say there will be heavy rain every day/night :(
It's way too early for the forecasts to be accurate. Wait until nearer the time and I guarantee they will have changed from today's forecast.
I probably can't be there Saturday night but if Friday night is clear, I'll certainly be there.
There are usually excellent breaks between bands of heavy rain.
Mark
Quoteexcellent breaks between bands of heavy rain
They would be the beer breaks ;)
Quote from: mickw on Nov 10, 2009, 08:57:17
Quoteexcellent breaks between bands of heavy rain
They would be the beer breaks ;)
But Mark, would you have enough time to take your cover off your scope before the next downpour, according to the weather forecasts on the web, and Mick I'm sad to say this, but if these were beer breaks, it would be a dry weekend (drinking, that is ;))
Decisions, decisions........................., do I stay at home, and do some odd jobs around the house like re-roofing the East Wing, or do I go by the Maldives weather forecast, where it show clear skies and lovely warm weather, and continue with the plans and head south to Blacklands. :-?
Tony G
Well I am probably not going, really fed up about it, but Ian said perhaps we could have an extra DSC in january. If the rain looked showery, then ok, but it looks solid rain.
I'll try to organise going down to that field in Hartfield for a reckie, perhaps we can do an UDSC there instead and try it out Fay.
Carole
I'll make my final decision on Friday - it should then be apparent when the gaps between the rainbelts will come.
In any case, it's tempting to go down there, curl up in a warm tent and sleep solidly for a day or so.
You have WARM tent now ? :o
What! is it not raining in Hartfield this weekend. :-? ;)
Tony G
Quote from: mickw
You have WARM tent now ? :o
No, but the sleeping bag is.
QuoteWhat! is it not raining in Hartfield this weekend
I didn't mean this weekend Tony, what I meant was if this weekend is not viable due to weather then we could try Hartfield another weekend to make up for it.
Carole
I must agree that this weekend is looking like a potential washout. It would be easy enough to reschedule one for January if people don't go to this one. I think we should do that anyway regardless. For 2010 I am going to plan official DSC's every 2 months instead of 3 commencing in January.
That would be great Mike
QuoteI think we should do that anyway regardless. For 2010 I am going to plan official DSC's every 2 months instead of 3 commencing in January.
:cheesy:
That sound excellent.
I agree, there certainly seems to be a call for it. Then if one is a washout then it's not so long to wait until the next one.
Carole
Great idea Mike, there certainly seems to be enough interest for having them that often.
DSC every 2 months is a great idea Mike.
We can "infill" with UDSCs to cover the remaining months!
Mark
Mark,
Was going to say the same thing, as this is what we have done for the past months.
Tony G
PS.................This is the first one I've missed, :cry: and so I'm a bit disappointed, but if no-one is going, that makes me feel a bit better. :)
I'm now pitching the new tent up in the living room, while I take the roof of the East Wing. :boom:
QuoteThis is the first one I've missed,
Technically you haven't missed one if it doesn't happen ;)
SO I won't be missing one either :D
Still no change in the forecast - Wind/Rain :(
Definitely not going :(
Blimey one every month.. I get enough grief & earache trying to get to two a year.. I am obviously going about this all wrong....!!!! So any hints & tips from all you regulars on how to make this a little less painful....?
John
Why ain't no one down here yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tony G
Quote from: mickw
Still no change in the forecast - Wind/Rain :(
Definitely not going :(
I'm still seriously considering going to DSC this weekend if it looks like there will be reasonable night-time gaps between rain belts. The wind rules out the C11 so it'll be widefield only.
I'll have to take extra French pastis.
QuoteWhy ain't no one down here yet
Tony, save a good spot for Mark and I'm sure he'll share the Pastis with you :lol:
QuoteWhy ain't no one down here yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Tony mate you down on the end of that pier in Dover again.....!!!!!!
John,
With regards to your dilemma, the trick is NOT to tell her. What you need to do is tell your wife you are going down to the shed to sort it out (this has to be done on Friday morning) Bring a tape recording of hammering and banging and put it on loop, but make sure you have all your equipment ready to lobe over the fence at the bottom of the garden, or even ask your neighbour for assistance, and then enjoy the whole weekend with friends in the country air. Return Monday, turn off tape, and walk into the house and shout 'Honey, I've finished'.
As this will not work all the time, there is also the other angle which is 'Honey, how about you and I going away for the weekend, out to the countryside, just you and me' and if she say no just tell her that you will lose the deposit and so you will go on your own (at no point mention the campsite or the deposit is £5).
If your wife takes you up on the offer (as Flis does sometimes) see this as a bonus as you will have someone to cook and wash up for the weekend. ;)
If you need anymore information on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Tony G
Tony - It is obvious from your post have that you are highly skilled at this art - perhaps you could give a talk at a members evening one month - I would certainly pay you a small retainer to learn your enlightened ways. Thanks for the hint & who knows I might be able to make the next DSC...
John
PS - I have no problem with inviting 'wifey' down for the weekend the only issue is that there is no way I would leave any of the kids at home & as we have no nearby family I could dump them on etc. the only option would be to bring all 4 of them.. As I am sure a seasoned DSC camper like yourself would appreciate the weekend has now transformed from a chill out, relax, enjoy myself weekend to a bloody hard work, major expedition, expensive type of weekend....!!!!! grrrrrrrrrr...
PPS - Another problem my tent only sleeps 4....
PPPS - Not sure you lot would appreciate 4 kids running around scopes etc. etc. but I suppose thinking about it I could always send them down the corner of the field where Mike is camping & let him take care of them for me... I know he loves having screaming kids just outside his tent.... ;)
PPPPS - Do you think your techniques would extend to a week away as I still have to tackle the issue of Les Granges 2010....Yes I know its is still 10 months away but nothing like thinking about these issues early.
Dear John,
In reply to your PPPS, you can now buy spikes that you drive into the ground, which is usually used to tither dogs, which with a little initiative could be adapted to control the childern, as Chris does with Frodo.
&
In reply to your PPPPS, just leave the tape on loop longer, and over the next 10 months record some different sounds.
Good Luck
Tony G
PS....................I have plenty of tents if you every need a second one, and free of charge. ;)
Seriously guys we need to make an official decision on the DSC for this weekend so we can change the website notice. As the weather forecast is for rain all weekend and severe weather warnings for severe heavy rain and flash floods have been given for most of the rest of the country I would suggest that we officially cancel it and if the odd crazy person (lubed up with Pastis no doubt) wants to go down on their own then that is up to them. I doubt there will be many people there this weekend.
What do you think?
Quote from: JohnP on Nov 12, 2009, 11:41:10......I could always send them down the corner of the field where Mike is camping & let him take care of them for me... I know he loves having screaming kids just outside his tent....
Oh I love kids. Especially your little angels ;)
Quote from: Tony G on Nov 12, 2009, 09:31:24
Why ain't no one down here yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not really down there just in case I did convinced anyone, and am unlikely to be this weekend.
(Official)
Tony G
Tony, you said spikes mate. Consider yourself on the watch list...
:police:
Note also, pastis can be used to control kids. I find when I drink a bottle, they go much quieter. I also notice that the entire world swivels 90 and gets stuck to the left side of my face.
Well not that I was going anyway but in view of everyone's opinions regarding weather probably best to officially cancel it then if anyone does go it can be another UDSC...
John.
Yes, I think you should officially cancel this weekend's DSC - it's probably the only way to get the sky to clear ;-)
You have to mean it though - you can't just pretend to cancel it - the sky isn't stupid enough to be fooled by that ruse!
Mark
I agree Mike
OK i'll send a message to the Forum Pirates to change the website. DSC for this weekend is now officially cancelled.
Severe Weather Warning
The Met Office have issued the following warning:
Fri 13th Nov
There is a moderate risk of severe weather affecting parts of Wales and southern England on Friday. Heavy rain is expected to spread northwards, accompanied by strong to gale force south to southwesterly winds, with gusts of more than 60 mph in exposed areas. Rainfall totals of 20-40mm are likely, and in upland areas 50-75mm could occur locally.
Sat 14 Nov
There is a moderate risk of severe weather affecting parts of Wales and the southern half of England on Saturday. Severe gale force west to southwesterly winds bring the potential of gusts as high as 60 to 70 mph, which could bring large branches or even trees down. In addition to the wind some more falls of heavy rain are likely during the first half of Saturday, with further accumulations of 15 to 20 mm in places on top of already saturated ground.
Nuff said !
Website updated...
Quote from: Mike
Severe Weather Warning
A tent in the middle of the field will be safely far enough away from falling branches and roof tiles. We just need to securely anchor the plastic cows and camels. If the water levels rise too much, we can seek refuge on Noah's Ark.
Mark
That's true. i forgot about the Ark. We could have our very first floating DSC.
Guiding might be an issue though :-?
Yes, forgot about the Ark!!!!!
QuoteA tent in the middle of the field will be safely far enough away from falling branches and roof tiles.
Its not the branches im worried about.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44029000/jpg/_44029901_gall_flood1_ap.jpg)
(http://pictures.directnews.co.uk/liveimages/flooding_1411_18472340_0_0_7006279_300.jpg)
(http://blog.silive.com/weather/2008/03/floodingAug.jpg)
(http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/4611-6/hurricane+katrina+flooding+photos)
(http://www.wsmweather.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Flooded-Campsite.jpg)
(http://www.door-county-camping.com/images/peninsula-flooding-2006-1.jpg)
(http://www.lifeaftercoffee.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/ireland_flood.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1HPLiIrTVug/R1SdcVFdSJI/AAAAAAAAAF0/jaoJoDmprQs/s1600-R/flood-w_MC-and-CG.jpg)
Im gettting flashbacks of glastonbury 05!!!
I'm getting flashbacks from Winter DSC 2007.
Particularly the beer drinking pic.
Well, I took a drive down today, and spotted this man near the middle of the field, and think he is from the Croydon AS spying on us, but he didn't read the website this morning saying that it had been cancelled.
Serves him right. :) :) :)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/4098732992_c7d37cfdd7_o.jpg)
Tony G
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: how funny!! His guiding won't be too good
Is that what they mean by wavelets ?
Quote from: Tony G
Well, I took a drive down today, and spotted this man near the middle of the field
Brilliant picture Tony!!
He must be short of brain cells!!!! :roll:
QuoteHe must be short of brain cells!!!!
Exactly he's forgotten his battery. 8)
888
WOUK77 EGRR 130433
NATIONAL SEVERE WEATHER WARNING SERVICE
FLASH WARNING OF
- HEAVY RAIN
FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
- BRIGHTON + HOVE (SEVERE)
- E SUSSEX (SEVERE)
- KENT (SEVERE)
- MEDWAY (SEVERE)
- W SUSSEX (SEVERE)
OUTBREAKS OF HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT THE AREA THIS MORNING, GIVING
RATES OF 15 MM IN 3 HOURS IN PLACES. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE
EXTRA CARE AND REFER TO THE "HIGHWAYS AGENCY" FOR FURTHER ADVICE
REGARDING TRAFFIC DISRUPTION ON MOTORWAYS AND TRUNK ROADS.
ISSUED BY THE MET OFFICE AT 04:31 ON FRIDAY, 13TH NOVEMBER 2009
We had a narrow escape!!!!!
It's beginning to look more hopeful for Saturday night ...
Mark did you forget your medication again ? :D
QuoteIt's beginning to look more hopeful for Saturday night ...
Quack, quack !!!!
QuoteIt's beginning to look more hopeful for Saturday night ...
Mark you didn't tell us you's been down there & taken a self potrait on the arc now did you.... :lol:
(http://www.jpastronomy.co.uk/graphics/oas/duck.jpg)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8358530.stm
Quote from: Mike
It's way too early for the forecasts to be accurate. Wait until nearer the time and I guarantee they will have changed from today's forecast.
You were right Mike!
Mark are you seriously still going down?
Is anyone still going down for that matter?
Quote from: MarkS on Nov 13, 2009, 14:06:04......You were right Mike!
Except they changed for the worse !
Quote from: Mike
Mark are you seriously still going down?
Until this morning I thought I might still go down Saturday but even if there is some clear sky (which is quite possible) it's going to be far too windy to do any imaging. Therefore, reluctantly, I've decided not to go.
But I might consider a UDSC 11-12 December.
Mark.... Part timer or what.... ;)
PS - Haven't you got an UDSC in France next week..... :)
Well all I can say is its bloody wet out there just took me 3 hours to do a 1 hour drive to pickup my camera because people forget how to drive when its a little wet...
Quote from: Space Dog
a 1 hour drive to pickup my camera
You've got your camera! :-)
THE camera ? :o
All I can say is that it must be a bloody good camera to cause all this bad weather ;)
ah ha must have been the telescope that did that.
Quotemust have been the telescope
No..................... :o
Have you been on a spending frenzy ;)
Ahh of course. That will explain it all then.
There should be a change to the constition -
New purchases can ONLY be made at full moon :roll:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8358530.stm
QuoteWest Sussex Fire & Rescue Service advised people to go up to the first floor of the premises.
In a tent that would be where ? :o
Quote from: JohnP
PS - Haven't you got an UDSC in France next week..... :)
Yep. Glad we booked the tunnel and not the ferry.
Found a cool new weather site - http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Orpington/hour_by_hour.html
QuoteYep. Glad we booked the tunnel and not the ferry
don't tunnels flood? :lol:
Yeah I think i'd rather risk the Ferry
QuoteFound a cool new weather site
Looks great - Now book marked.... cheers
Oh dear, Oh dear
Even the Norwegians seem to be mocking us :(
Well, looking back on it now, and witnessing the slight damp weather this morning, I'm glad that the DSC was cancelled.
But re-doing the roof on the East Wing was a bad idea. :roll:
Tony G
PS.................Its raining at present.
Yes I certainly would not want to be in a tent in a field in West Sussex this weekend.
Holy crap! Have you seen the rainfall predicated for tonight and tomorrow morning?
http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Orpington/hour_by_hour.html
Holy rainfall, Batman, that looks really serious, i think they just raised the level again!!!!!!!
nice and clear tonight. Ideal for a DSC I reckon...
Yeah I was thinking that about an hour ago.
Just walked home from a friend's house.
Orion looks great, there's no rain and the wind has completely died. :evil:
Mark - it's only 12.05am - there is still time!!!!
Well I set up at about 5pm, polar aligned, but then the clouds rolled in.
So doesn't look like we missed anything.
Carole