It has been a while (June 2012) since I have been on the site. This has been due to a self enforced absence whilst I gave my all to a new career (contrary to popular belief I have not been in jail) Now I am bedded in with my new career I have the time and the finances to take up my stargazing again. As the title of the blog suggests, drinking fine malt whisky and browsing ads in the small hours may lead to some interesting purchases.

I last left you having sold my Evostar 120 refractor followed by a brief flirtation with a Skymax 102 which was also quickly sold. I feel now is the time to move up a notch and have been looking at my options. As I am predominantly interested in Planetary observation (with a little webcam imaging) I am looking for focal length. Currently on ebay there is a 10" DKD featuring a Dall relay lens. This rare beast looks magnificent and appears to have been lovingly restored. Huge focal length and one of only four of these scopes ever made so it wins hands down on exclusivity but probably would require an observatory building around it so that is not on my list. Next up an Ultima 8, a respected scope from the 90's but one I may regret lugging about on a dark sky camping trip. Some nice GoTo 10" dobs on the fleabay but again size could be a problem. Short tube refractors are out and long tubes need a huge mount to be useable !

Things may be clearer after another tipple :grin: and I shall report back in a few days the outcome of my whisky induced shopping exploits.

Its good to be back.....

Paul