Orpington Astronomical Society

Society => Announcements, Meetings, Events => Topic started by: Mike on Jan 18, 2010, 10:00:04

Title: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Jan 18, 2010, 10:00:04
The cancelled DSC for January has now been re-arranged for Friday 19th to Monday 22nd February 2010 at Blacklands.

Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 09, 2010, 21:50:40
So who is going?
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mac on Feb 10, 2010, 06:15:50
YUP. + dog.

Fingers crossed i might have the bits for my 10" as well as my W/O.

Mac.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Fay on Feb 10, 2010, 08:21:10
Planning to
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: doug on Feb 10, 2010, 08:54:21

     Rose and I will try to get there for an evening`s peering .... Rose will have her Pulse to tell her (and me) where everything is.

     Doug.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: MarkS on Feb 10, 2010, 08:59:18

I am, unless the weather is similar to that which caused cancellation of the previous two DSCs.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: mickw on Feb 10, 2010, 09:01:46
Me too  :D

Although as I'm typing it's starting to snow  :-?
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Carole on Feb 10, 2010, 09:27:40
QuoteI am, unless the weather is similar to that which caused cancellation of the previous two DSCs.
ditto

Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: RobertM on Feb 10, 2010, 12:00:44
a possible ditto from me too...
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Tony G on Feb 10, 2010, 14:54:44
I'll be there from Friday for the weekend,(NEW TENT) :roll: that is as long as I'm not the only soul down there due to the weather,(but that might not deter me) but then, if there is no one down there, then there is no one to tell me if I'm doing something wrong. So if I'm looking at Saturn and call it Jupiter, then for that weekend, and that weekend only, I'm right, and no one can tell me any different. ;)

Tony G
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: MarkS on Feb 10, 2010, 15:48:18
Quote from: Tony
So if I'm looking at Saturn and call it Jupiter, then for that weekend, and that weekend only, I'm right, and no one can tell me any different.

If you're looking at Saturn and think it's Jupiter then your optics are in serious need of collimation!
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Fay on Feb 10, 2010, 16:00:19
NOT ANOTHER NEW TENT!!!!!! :surprised:
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: doug on Feb 10, 2010, 19:05:41

     Is this one of those tents that you remove from a matchbox, give it a flick and it unfolds into a marquee, Tony??
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mac on Feb 10, 2010, 19:10:33
Wrong way round fay.

Its one of those, you put a match to it and it fits in to the matchbox. :D

Mac.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 10, 2010, 19:28:50
I'll be there. Barring any serious road conditions. I don't care if it's cold or snowing, just as long as it isn't dangerous to drive.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Tony G on Feb 10, 2010, 21:24:28
Quote from: MarkS on Feb 10, 2010, 15:48:18
Quote from: Tony
So if I'm looking at Saturn and call it Jupiter, then for that weekend, and that weekend only, I'm right, and no one can tell me any different.

If you're looking at Saturn and think it's Jupiter then your optics are in serious need of collimation!

Exactly what I mean, someone has started picking on me already, and we're not even there yet!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cry:

Fay, this is a new tent only in use, I got this last year, but never used it, and because Flis may be going on Saturday, the pop up tent wouldn't be practical.

Tony G

PS.........................Only joking Mark ;)


Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 17, 2010, 10:15:48
Please read the other threads. This DSC will now NOT go ahead at Blacklands as it is closed. Instead it will be at Stairs Farm...

Map Ref 188/478353

Stairs Farm entrance gate is just past the south end of Hartfield High St. at the bottom of Jib Jacks Hill. From Tunbridge Wells take the B2110 through Groombridge and Withyham. Go through Hartfield High St. and bear left towards Maresfield at the large oak tree. The site entrance is about 30 metres on the left, just before the 30 mph limit sign. From Forest Row, go through Upper Hartfield and turn sharp right at the oak tree just before the start of Hartfield High St. From Maresfield (B2026) the site entrance is on the right just before the junction with Hartfield High St. There is a coded padlock on the main gate for security and all site and local area details will be found in the green newspaper box. The Club site will be found just up the farm track behind and to the right of the barns.

From Orpington it is only 22 miles or 45 mins driving and is a pretty straightforward route. Follow the instructions from Tunbridge Wells if you are coming from the North.

Click this for directions from Orpington High Street - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=High+St,+Orpington,+Kent,+United+Kingdom&daddr=High+St,+Hartfield,+East+Sussex+TN7,+UK&hl=en&geocode=FR4FEAMdYpoBAClDLBVDYKzYRzEH08FIyvo_1A%3BFVm9CwMdW6wBAClFi8pU8VvfRzGXCL3aae1o-Q&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=51.245777,0.086666&sspn=0.435415,0.764236&ie=UTF8&ll=51.241286,0.085144&spn=0.435456,0.764236&z=11

Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: mickw on Feb 17, 2010, 12:12:25
Entrance is actually just round the corner in Jacks Hill (B2026)
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 08:54:13
OK I now have the padlock code so I will PM it to all of those persons who have put their name in this thread - http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=5804.0 - to say they are going.

Just a reminder that you will need to bring the necessary amount of cash with you as I will be collecting it on day 1 of your arrival. The owner of the field is coming on Sunday morning to visit and collect the money.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 09:03:10
Stairs Farm information leaflet can be downloaded from HERE (http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Media/StairsFarm2010.pdf)
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 17:27:48
Another message from jackie the owner....

"As the ground is extremely marshy following the constant wet weather I would ask that you keep the caravan and camper van located on the hardstandings nearest the gate, and not the hardstanding located at the rear of the barns by the toilet block. Additionally please can you keep the cars also on the hardstanding areas."

i.e. KEEP OFF THE GRASS !!!

Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: mickw on Feb 18, 2010, 17:48:00
Can only see the 5/6 hard standings near the barn on Satellite  :-?
Are there others ?

Doug, Carole ????????????
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Tony G on Feb 18, 2010, 20:56:03
If there are people camping down there already in caravans on the hardstanding, where are we going to set up if we are restricted to certain areas. :-?

Tony G
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mac on Feb 18, 2010, 21:17:35
QuoteIf there are people camping down there already in caravans on the hardstanding, where are we going to set up if we are restricted to certain areas.

Good point, but i think the hard standing is refering to the caravan and motor home,
as for the tents, i believe they want us to park the cars on the road bits.

Mac.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 21:42:38
There will be just 1 other person in a caravan on the site this weekend.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Tony G on Feb 18, 2010, 21:43:41
How do cars pass each other without getting bogged in, with the comings and goings of society members and the members of the public who are camping. :-?

Tony G
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 22:05:45
Once you're in, you're in. Forever.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: MarkS on Feb 18, 2010, 22:17:32
Quote from: Mike
Once you're in, you're in. Forever.

Yep - they change the combination so you can never get out ...
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Carole on Feb 18, 2010, 22:44:57
Flippin heck, here is another chunk of posts since yesterday I seem to have missed.

Can we try to stick to one thread only for DSC, I keep missing things with "show unread posts since last visit" not working.  I have to check ALL the posts that have been made in each section, to see if any new ones have been posted, and sometimes I miss some, especially if there are other new posts in the same section.

which is why I didn't respond to this Mick
QuoteDoug, Carole ????????????

C
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: MarkS on Feb 18, 2010, 22:47:44
Quote from: Carole
Can we try to stick to one thread only for DSC,

But Carole, we're trying to go for the record for the number of threads on one subject.  AND you already know it because you replied:
http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=5815.0
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Rick on Feb 18, 2010, 22:51:30
Quote from: Carole on Feb 18, 2010, 22:44:57Flippin heck, here is another chunk of posts since yesterday I seem to have missed.

When things get busy you're more likely to miss things, so there's also a list of latest posts at the bottom of the forum home page...
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 22:51:53
and you still haven't replied on the other thread so i'm not telling you the code :P
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Carole on Feb 18, 2010, 22:52:37
In anyswer to your question Mick, there are 5 hardstandings (for Vans and caravans), plus 12 tent pitches in the main field.

Looks like wellies and snorkels are needed.  

QuoteAND you already know it because you replied:
, I know Mark, but was getting muddled jumping backwards and forwards from one thread to another.

Please can we stick to:
One thread for chat
One thread for voting and saying who is coming

We currently have 3 threads going.

Quoteand you still haven't replied on the other thread so i'm not telling you the code
Oh bum, I'll do it now.


Carole
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Fay on Feb 19, 2010, 08:14:06
Is it called Camp California, as we may never leave?

I wonder how far away the hookups are from the hard standing where the cars are left?

Will the ground be too soft & muddy to hold the tent pegs?
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: mickw on Feb 19, 2010, 08:30:32
I could bring an air bed - we can use it for a life raft  :lol:
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Mike on Feb 19, 2010, 08:34:19
I've got a sailing dinghy. I'll bring that.
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: MarkS on Feb 19, 2010, 08:59:35
Looks like tonight will be clear all night :-)

Could be some sleety showers tomorrow afternoon though.



Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Carole on Feb 19, 2010, 09:43:21
So where are we going to sit then, no communal tent and Mike's only bringing a pop up tent. 
Mick's van maybe!!!

:cheesy:
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: mickw on Feb 19, 2010, 10:24:37
Without wishing to get too technical................
F~c# Off    :cheesy:

More like the Haywaggon maybe
Title: Re: Deep Sky Camp - 19th to 22nd February 2010
Post by: Carole on Feb 19, 2010, 12:20:34
Hmmm, referring to your post on "Blacklands closed"
QuoteI've had terrible wind lately 
Perhaps not your van!!!

:cheesy: