Letters from Kelling Sept 2018

[ApophisAstros]

Arrived ok , 165 minutes journey time from Orpington!
Roger

[ApophisAstros]

Well just got scope  and tent up and the heavens opened
Roger

[MarkS]

Well just got scope  and tent up and the heavens opened
Roger

Have a good time!

Mark

[Carole]

When Roger says the heavens opened, he meant rain not a heaven full of stars.  It's been really wet so far, with some thunder this afternoon.

I managed to get about 7 short RGB subs last night dodging between clouds, but got fed up with that by about 3am and went to bed.  Its clear right now 22.55 but looking at Sat24 I don't think it is going to last for long and by the time I uncover everything and get started it will have probably clouded up again. 

The booking system is worse than ever this year, Apparently they didn't open the bookings until Thursday morning and there was a huge queue at 7.30 am.  By the time I got here at 2.30 on Thursday my pitch had gone for next year and they were offering me pitches down in the trees.  Luckily they managed to find me a decent one eventually, but every-one is moaning about it, and many saying they are not coming any more.

Might have to seriously consider whether the hassle is worth it after next year.

Carole

[ApophisAstros]

Still no Imaging last night as too wet /too late to set up(obsy  tent maybe a consideration) , the guidescope fell off under the cover , can only think it was the severe wind rattling it free !
Overcast but thankfully no wind . Hopefully traders will cheer me up if I have funds.
In the severe wind and rain yesterday I caught a peek of a couple setting up a tent , they did very well ... considering.
Roger
NB Not up to Alistair Cook quality but working on it.

[Carole]

Cloudy night last night. Roger has gone home. 
Fingers crossed for some clear sky this evening as forecast
By BBC weather.

Still only done 7 x 150sec RGB images on the first night. Not much to
Show for a kelling visit.

Carole

[ApophisAstros]

https://www.facebook.com/ApophisAstros/videos/387600191774768/
Link to video taken with iphone 8 plus
A great ramble down to view the Steam Railway as it went by, with Roy and Sue.
I was happy to get the tent up and leave Kelling as so rainy and windy most of the time, shame there isn't anywhere further south with the same facilities. Alas i have booked for next year , although am going to rent a campervan for the 4 days.
Roger

[Carole]

Well Sunday night was wall to wall clouds as well so you didn't miss anything Roger.
Did not manage any further data than previously reported on the first night. 

Going back to the booking system I mentioned earlier.  That huge queue at 7.30 on Thursday formed 1 1/2 hours BEFORE Reception opened.  Sue and Roy and another person I heard about got there at 9.15am and had to queue for 1 3/4 hours to book for next year!!!  I arrived at 2.30 on the same day and was being offered pitches in the trees which I refused.   Somehow they then suddenly found me a decent pitch in the red field.

Some one on SGL posted this photo of the queue:


It really is getting quite ridiculous, especially when you see empty pitches not being used and the rumours are that Astro groups are making block bookings as well now, not just Loughton and the Deaf people - every-one was moaning about it and I notice some of the regulars were not there this time and many people talking about not going again.

So sad that such a great event has become a victim of its own success.  I suspect a bit better management and a redistribution of those unused pitches would improve the situation, but are they bothered?

Although I have a pitch for next year, I think if this trend continues, it might be my last time, and just use Cairds in September in future. 

Carole

[ApophisAstros]

I really didn't enjoy tenting , too windy there imaging would have made it slightly better but cant wait to go next year with a rented campervan , pitch paid for so just gotta pay for van.
Roger

[doug]

If I may suggest ... where Rose and I camped (glamped) this summer near Salisbury, the skies were very dark and all the pitches are on flat ground. Decent facilities but no shop there. The site is called Summerlands, it`s at Coombe Bisset, and they host other Astronomical Societies for their Astro camps.

If anybody is interested I will bring a leaflet along to the next Observing evening or Meeting for people to see; or you can look up the site on Google.

Just putting my tuppence in; the journey is only about two hours long and is easy.

Doug.

[doug]

Here is a link to the Summerlands campsite ....enquiries@summerlandscaravanpark.co.uk

Doug.

[Carole]

You posted up the E Mail address Doug, but I managed to find it:
http://www.summerlandscaravanpark.co.uk/

Sounds like a nice site Doug, but really the point of Kelling is that lots of people from all over the country can meet up, chat, and share ideas etc and it creates a unique atmosphere, but I agree we probably need another camp for such a star party to accommodate those that can't get into Kelling, and the Summerland site only has a capacity of 20.

Carole

[doug]

Summerland has a "rally" field below the main site which can be used for Astro functions. It`s quite large and I have seen a lot of caravans in it. Just to let you know.

Doug.

[Carole]

Does the Rally field have hook up though?

[doug]

I believe there are two but you need to check it out. Email them; they are really nice people.