So, as i think I mentioned, I have been selling a slew of Doctor Who books on eBay (and making then a fortune in fees). This has resulted in my wonderful new 200P EQ5 setup.

First impressions...its heavy. Second impressions. Assembled it is nigh on immovable...good.

So i've been feeling the motions of it, blancing tubes and weights. Practicing slewing. Collimating (the secondary was awfully out, the primary not too bad). Setting up, breaking down. Checking out the polar scope. Mavelling at the silky smooth feel of a crayford over my R and P in the 130.

Reading how to use setting circles, reading how to polar align. Reading it again. Printing it then reading it at the scope. Fiddling, thinking I understand it. Having a doubt, reading it again, fiddling some more. Being fairly sure i have it sussed.

Setting up, waiting for clouds to clear so that I can at least get ONE LITTLE STAR to test my collimation and align the (huge) finderscope. Breaking it down. Swearing at the wife about the blooming country I live in!

Then starting a run of 0000 - 0600 shifts with the distinct possibilty of lovely skies taunting me on my cctv cams,

Then facing the chance of clear skies when i have my 6am starts and need to go to bed when it is still light.

My poor thunderchild needs first light....

I never thought I would be wishing the summer away but PLEASE can we have some nice clear skies...as dark as you can make them. Roll on a nice clear and especially DARK winter...

:mad:

I can sort of assuage my frustration with the RA drive I have coming tomorrow... hang on...I'LL BE ASLEEP.

DOH :iamwithstupid: