This one looks like a possibility - near Lydd :-
http://www.norwoodfarmnewchurch.co.uk/
That's the one Dee & I went to in September:
(http://www.markshelley.co.uk/webdisk/NorwoodFarm.jpg)
The sky quality was very good but it did have very bright lights outside the toilet block and lit bollards along the internal tarmac road.
OK that's a no then. I'm compiling a Google Map of potentials. More will be added over time. I'll add your comments.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116836630893893363332.000486c7286a4f8f47927&t=h&z=11
Add this one:
http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/siteseeker/aspx/details.aspx?id=6300
On the coast (literally) between Bexhill and Eastbourne so it should should have pretty dark sky due South.
I came across it some time ago during a Google Maps mile by mile search of the Kent/Sussex English Channel coastline.
Just had a word with David Warren at Telescope House (they manage Stars Farm). Since they don't have facilities (other then B&B) there are no overnight stays. However, he did make a couple of suggestions:
1) Hind Leap Warren in the Ashdown forest. This was the site of the first UK dark sky camp and has a very good southerly view down to the horizon. It should also have campsite facilities.
Website: http://www.londonyouth.org.uk/centres/hindleap.html (http://www.londonyouth.org.uk/centres/hindleap.html)
2) Gabriels Farm Edenbridge. This is that place that Telescope house are hoping to negotiate astronomy only weekends for their newly set up society. It could be we can organise the same or possibly share the weekend which David thought seemed quite a good idea.
Website: http://www.gabriels-fishery.co.uk/ (http://www.gabriels-fishery.co.uk/)
Robert
Added. Thanks.
Rother Valley (http://www.rother-valley.com/) is "recommended" by the Need-Less Night Sky Simulator (http://www.need-less.org.uk/night%20sky%20simulator.html) i.e. it gets its own symbol on their map (if you zoom in).
Mark
That looks like quite a nice find.
Might be worth a try.
Mac.
On another thought, how about trying to purchase some land as a society with a lottery grant?
Might also be worth a look.
If there are enough of us it might be worth purchasing alone or 50:50 with the society?
Here are a few.
http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/land-for-sale.asp?id=9969 (http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/land-for-sale.asp?id=9969) 30K 3Acres
http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/land-for-sale.asp?id=11497 (http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/land-for-sale.asp?id=11497) 5Acres no price
http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/land-for-sale.asp?id=9459 (http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/land-for-sale.asp?id=9459) 40K 2 Acres.
How about a begging letter to Mr £89'000'000? :lol:
Mac.
I've toyed quite seriously with the idea of buying a reasonable observing site. There are a lot of problems with this. You need to go there regularly not just once a month. This puts a tight limit on how far away it is, and with rising petrol prices that distance is getting smaller and smaller. Also, almost any land will need some form of up keep. This may well require specialised equipment. Then there's things like the maintenance of boundaries and how to remove undesirables and the crap they leave behind when and if you mange to eject them........
Believe me, the list is a long one.
That said if you're serious and the price is right, I might well be up for it
Quote from: MarkS on May 18, 2010, 05:12:52
Rother Valley (http://www.rother-valley.com/) is "recommended" by the Need-Less Night Sky Simulator (http://www.need-less.org.uk/night%20sky%20simulator.html) i.e. it gets its own symbol on their map (if you zoom in).
Mark
So is Romney Farm (which should have better skies but which has a dirty big orange streetlamp in the middle of the field). I think Rother Valley needs a recce.
I have enquired about the lighting at Rother Valley and got this response :-
Thank you for your enquiry.
We have very limited lighting on the site. The main camping field and alcoves in the wooded area do not have lighting at all. These areas are approximately 200 metres from the Toilet Block.
I hope this information is of help.
regards
Jackie
Sounds good to me. How about we give it a go for uDSC in June?
Rother Valley sounds good, but they talk about tents pitching between the trees. Also limited hook up. Some of us are now hooked on hook up (excuse the pun).
Think we need to talk through our needs with them.
Carole
Well we also have batteries so can do it the 'old fashioned way'. Mac has a genny and we can always run long cables from a hook-up if necessary.
QuoteMac has a genny and we can always run long cables from a hook-up if necessary.
Yup Genny is available whenever. (it runs for 7 hours flat out. (2kw))
I've also got 100M of cable (Thanks Mr G) Available for a long extension as well.
Mac.
Quotetents pitching between the trees
There is more than one field
Looks like just one to me Mick :-
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=116836630893893363332.000486c7286a4f8f47927&ll=51.008503,0.611914&spn=0.003365,0.006346&z=18
But it is a huge field with part of it extending into the forest so you could camp in there if you wanted to.
There is also a pub and restaurant directly opposite the campsite entrance and the Kent & East Sussex Railway (steam) is literally next door.
On their website they talk about a main field with pitches around the perimeter and a poncy area for tents in the trees.
The pics on the website seem to confirm this
Perhaps they are talking about the quirky bit bottom left (SW) in the trees
It is as I said. One main field with pitches around the perimeter and the field extends into the trees to give more secluded spots.
Pitches are cheaper than Blacklands per night inc. hookups by approx £2.50 per night.
QuoteIt is as I said
Sorry, just read that line again - I got distracted by the word "pub" below ;)
Rother Valley looks good as long as the steam trains aren't puffing smoke and steam out while we're trying to image! Shame I can't go until the next official DSC.
Steam trains are posers, they won't be out at night when nobody can see them ;)
Bit like me really :oops:
Is it the field near the brewery? Calm down Mick!!!!
Quote from: Carole on May 18, 2010, 10:26:55
Rother Valley sounds good, but they talk about tents pitching between the trees.
These don't look to bad, compared to Kelling Heath,
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/4619011921_958d9ab246_o.jpg)
I think Julian would have to say that his pitch was ideally situated at Kelling Heath, and this was at the astronomy weekend recently.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/4619011891_0fb90f2f79.jpg)
:-?
Tony G
Julian moved his equipment to another field to image
I bet he didn't get a rebate, and paid the same tariff as people with pitches without the trees. ;)
Tony G
Quote from: Fay on May 18, 2010, 20:47:44
Is it the field near the brewery? Calm down Mick!!!!
Look, you know I'm not supposed to have too much excitement :-?
But yes, I think it is :D
Only reason I mentioned tents pitching between the trees, is to make sure that is not where the tents are expected to go. i.e. do we have a choice?
and where are the hook ups in relation to tents?
I can run the Astro stuff off the 12V, that's not my concern. My concern is my camping fridge as I am fed up with food going off. The 12V lasts less than one night with the camping fridge, I've tried it, so I don't suppose Mac will be keen to run that off his Gennie.
This does sound like a good possibility though.
Carole
Carol you should get hold of a fridge that uses gas. My one can be plugged into 240v mains, 12v DC or calor gas.
I take a picnic coolbox, half fill it with water then freeze it solid for a few days in a chest freezer. Freezer packs are no good.
This keeps everything cool while camping for up to 4 days. Oh, and cover it with a damp towel while camping - the water evaporation effect helps keep the outside cool.
Beer and wine can be kept cool in contact with the ground underneath the lilo - plus you'll never be short of something to drink during the night!
When we were young and went camping as a family (in farmers' fields) my dad used to dig a hole and seal it with a wooden lid plus the removed turf - this kept our food cool. But modern campsites probably don't like you digging holes.
Mark
OK, I am not keen on going back to Tuesnoad because,
1/ it has no facilities
2/ my batteries never survive
3/ i have got all the equipment for hookups
4/ Shitty field
Bit concerned you may offer to pay to have his drive in done! It would mean that Tuesnoad would be the new site!
Blacklands, is a bind when there are a lot of people making smoke etc etc, but i would not think just £12 a night extra is a reason not to go there and return to basics.
Ok, I know, if I don't like it, then I don't have to go, but I love our little group :cry:& would miss going away with them. I would probably struggle to Tuesnoad for 2 nights, but would not be keen.
Perhaps Rother will be found to be suitable. As I said on other post, I cannot make the June date
Not that I am in a position to comment as I am not one of the regular DSC goer's but does anyone know if Tuesnoad still has sheep in field...it has been a while since we were there????
The big 'stopper' for me at Tuesnoad was the ship shit - used to pee me off kneeling in it at night etc. in fact the tent I used at Tuesnoad still stinks of it.... Toilets etc. not a problem (but I guess blokes requirements are different to women)... Things I like not many other campers, freedom to mess/ have fires etc. & of course skies. I would definitely be up for going there again if sheep poop was sorted...
What's the story with Pennies - used to love that as well great location & handy for Headcorn etc.
Straw toilet at Pennys!! Then again depends on how earthy one is :lol:
Fay we have no intention of going back to Tuesnoad. I personally have no intention of fixing his driveway for him, he should do that himself. If others wish to put in the money and effort that is up to them. The next uDSC will be at Rother Valley and if it is better than Blacklands we will use that from now on.
There are many other campsites out there and it is just a case of trying each one until we find one that is suitable for our needs and that we like.
We will also still have the ongoing search for our ideal site, i.e. a field with adequate facilities where we can pretty much do what we like.
Good to hear it Mike!
Comments on various things above.
I agree entirely with Fay's reasons for not wanting to go back to Tuesnoad and would only consider going there again if he fixed the entrance and installed a shower and hook up. Funnily enough the sheep shit doesn't bother me. But then I didn't end up kneeling in it.
QuoteFay we have no intention of going back to Tuesnoad
:D
QuoteCarol you should get hold of a fridge that uses gas
Mike I only bought this fridge very recently and looked at the ones that use Gas, and apart from being about twice the price, I felt they would take up too much space in my car.
I would need to re-charge my batteries like Fay.
I hope the UDSC goes well, I won't be able to make it as I can't get out of the open day as I'm the one giving the talk, and don't really want to drive backwards and forwards.
Carole
A possibility for out of season DSCs would be to convince a site owner to allow us access and turn the facilities on. Within reason, we may also be ignored if we do not try to burn down to the earths core with thermite or to equal Meteor Crater with something that goes bang.
Somewhere like Rother Valley seems promising as they also have hard standings which would not cause damage to their pitches by cars, caravans or motorhomes, I think tents would cause minimal damage anyway.
As far as having access to full facilities during the in season months, we will be stuck with a bona fide campsite anyway.
Although another possibility for toilet facilities would be to hire a couple of Porta Shithouses for a farmers field, although electricity would be unlikely.
Mick - campsites are not allowed to be open for the entire year. I can't remember the exact rules but they have to be closed for several months of the year. Some poxy law to prevent persons from living in a tent all year round or something.
QuoteMick - campsites are not allowed to be open for the entire year. I can't remember the exact rules but they have to be closed for several months of the year. Some poxy law to prevent persons from living in a tent all year round or something.
Quite correct, but the amount of time is set by the local council.
And can be as small as 1 day!!
Mac.
Quote from: Fay on May 19, 2010, 12:18:13
Ok, I know, if I don't like it, then I don't have to go, but I love our little group :cry:& would miss going away with them. I would probably struggle to Tuesnoad for 2 nights, but would not be keen.
Ok so the sentiment here seems to be facilities, but get charged per pitch, so thats easy, we allways have Blacklands as a back anyway. I'll do what I did last year and visit some sights at night and see what they are like.
Can I assume electricity is a must?
I would like hookup Chris, as I have sorted myself out that way now.
I think the "Must" for electricity will end up biting us in the arse.
Not all campsites have hook up at every pitch which means there would be a need to book really early in the warmer months to make sure you get one, and possibly the winter also.
Nobody started out using mains power, and still have/use batteries, this is a relatively new thing.
I think hook ups should be preferred rather than essential.
And yes I would prefer hook ups, but can live without them.
I think it's couterproductive to rely on hookups. You all have batteries and we have access to a genny if Mac is also attending.
Hookups should be something that is a luxury rather than a necessity otherwise you will severely reduce your potenital list of sites.
Quotegenny if Mac is also attending
Well how much can we run off the Genny Mac? Can I run my small fridge off it and charge my camera batteries?
Carole
Carole, your fridge would likely be well insulated and therefore keep it's temperature well overnight without power. Either that or go for Mark's method.
QuoteCan I run my small fridge off it and charge my camera batteries
If there is no hook ups and Macs genny is taken, I would guess that other people will also want to use it and a refrigerator would be considered a low priority.
There would be a lot of hours needed to charge all the batteries, anyway, see how you get on in June
QuoteI think the "Must" for electricity will end up biting us in the arse.
Not really.
If you have converted all of your setup to run on mains (Me + a few others), then a small inverter will allow you to run from a battery overnight.
OK I might need to invest in 2 batteries, one for the dew heaters and laptop, and one for all the other stuff.
As for the genny. As said earlier, The genny is available even if im not there. (pick up required).
There is also 100m of cable so a long extension is also available. (genny away from everyone!)
The only problem that you need to take into consideration is the noise.
Public campsite, Genny running all night (yes its quiet by genny standards.)
Genny running all day, probably not a problem, and its 2KW so will charge at least 1 battery :cheesy: and probably 20ish. at a push. (assuming 100W charger)
It only takes 8 hrs to charge most car batteries from flat normally on trickle, even less with a fast charger.
And you probably wont totally flatten the battery imaging. (well most of us wont)
So order of prefference for the genny will probably be.
1) my kettle ;) its only a 1kw,
2) Running the scopes.
3) Charging batteries.
4) Other. (microwave, dishwasher, Stereo, Plasma TV, heaters ect,ect)
Mac.
But what will I do with my blow heater :o. It was so nice not to wake up with Icicles hanging from my nose, and a healthy glow to my shins. :D
Tony G
QuoteBut what will I do with my blow heater
Tony, stick a battery label on the side, or even telescope and move it up the pecking order,
Dont think anyone will notice. ;)
Failing that just label it as Mac's Kettle. Numero Uno.
Mac