I will be coming to the UK in May this year and want to do some observing. In particular I want to complete the Messier Catalogue with the objects we can't see here in Australia. Where is the best place to do this? I also want to buy a cheap telescope to enable me to observe. What is the best one to get. It can't be too big or too heavy.

I am an active member of the South East Queensland Astronomical Society and own a few telescopes 102 Skywatcher mak, Celestron 8" dob and have the use of Celestron Nexstar 11 with Stellacam II so am no novice to observing. Can anyone offer some suggestions please?