mapstar

Saddened to hear of Alyn's short time with us and still don't believe it. 

Watched many of his YouTube videos and even though I'm not a photographer always enjoyed his naturally gifted and enthusiastic content.

He will be sadly missed 

Cheers Derek. Hopefully the attendance will be good and I will be there as usual.

👍🏻

Excellent images John 

On 09/01/2024 at 08:18, mapstar said:

Will be booking this soon 😉

Booked as I left the spring one 😉

Back home from the camp at half 7 with a little traffic around Penrith holding me up half an hour. 

So the end of another Star Camp and really enjoyed the time at Drumroamin. 

Good to see old and new attendees and pleased everyone enjoyed it even though the weather has been challenging. 

When the clear skies finally appeared they were not forecast and gave us clear skies well into the early hours of the morning. 

Hopefully see you all in the Autumn for another great star camp. 

Nice images and time lapse from Lucas if anyone wants a taste of what can be achieved and seen from galloways dark skies.

Thank you to all 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

And finally we have some clear skies 

mad rush to set up the scopes next 😁

Good to hear from you Peter. Hopefully you are recovering well.

I visited Portpatrick a few years ago whilst up and was a good stroll along the front. Maybe try it again in the better conditions today. 

This mornings photo of Ian wandering down the field to maybe find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? 

It is improving especially now we can see blue skies  

Morning campers.

A very soggy field today after quite a bit of rain overnight. It isn't raining at present and set to improve during the day. 

There maybe a small chance of a couple of hours clear in the late hours of the day so fingers crossed.

Myself and Ian left the site yesterday to take in some views around the area. Kirkcudbright and the bigwater of Fleet viaduct.

Kirkcudbright marina

Maclellens Castle 

Bigwater of fleet viaduct. Completed in the 1860's and closed in the 1960's during the beeching cuts.

Around 70ft at the highest point and 900ft long 

No longer in use the structure was reinforced during the 1920's due to the original pillars developing cracks. Hence the unusual granite and red brick construction.

Time for a cuppa 😉

Morning all.

Strong winds over night are still raging but set to die off towards lunch time. 

A quick look out this morning and everyone's tents and gear seem to be o.k. which is a relief. 

Glad Alistair got home safely and hopefully Roy will have too. Thanks for supporting the event, even with the forecasted poor weather. 

The Galloway Hills looking very wintery 

So next it's on with the morning cuppa 😁

6 hours ago, wackyscot said:

Any snow down there Damian ???

 

No snow David. Just some sleet but the winds are extremely strong 

Had to resite the van to shelter the tent from the easterly that's whipping through the site at present. 

unfortunately we have a tent casualty. Ians toilet tent has had the pin loop ripped off. Fortunately there is no rain so his equipment is now stowed in the car and the tent is packed away.

Nice to meet Alistair (Grimly) and hope he has a safe uneventful journey home. 

12 hours ago, Physopto said:

Hope tonight is a good clear one.

You will need more robust guy ropes and pegging for the next 2 days. The lads will help you.

The wind is beginning to ramp up this .orning already.

Alistair is leaving today Derek so we are giving him a hand to drop the tent as he is worried about the high winds forecasted. 

I've made good my tent with the mods done to it over the winter.

A quiet start to camp this morning. Settled but cloudy weather over night 

Total cloud cover so the warm room it is for a wee swalley 

😉

3 minutes ago, Physopto said:

Ye Gods!

You nicked my spot 🤣

No that's John. All here (except Ian) with John o on the hard standing.

Apart from Ian 

Me and Lucas just arrived. First ones here but dry at least  

Just setting off. See you all about 1pm 😉

1 hour ago, JeremyS said:

It’s a strange source they cite for coming up with the best spots: “Stress Free Car Rental” website 🤔

🤣

2 hours ago, John O said:

My van’s electrics have been sorted so I’ll be there on Tuesday. Fingers crossed for some clear skies!

Nice one John. What was it in the end? 

On another note just found this 

Worlds best star gazing spot

2 minutes ago, Uplooker said:

I’ll be there😬

Great stuff 👏 

5 hours ago, Physopto said:

This is starting to be a disaster this year !

Sorry you will not be there Jim.

I still will need to see how the weather pans out as it is the first February meeting for some years. It will be a shame for first time attendees to miss out on meeting our regular members.

Struggling at present still as leg not getting any better. But I still have some hope to meet up with those there if at all possible around the 10th/11th.

Good luck all.

 

Sorry to hear Jim won't make it either.

As far as goes there is half a dozen still attending. I will be there no matter what. Just hoping for some clear skies

Hopefully we'll not need the luck but cheers Derek. 

Really sorry to hear you'll not make it for the party Derek and apologies for missing your call earlier. 

We'll try to do the greeting as well as you do Derek but they are big shoes to fill (especially your enthusiastic tent help)

Hope to see you and Annette later in the week, but if not We'll see you in the autumn .

This time next week I'll be hopefully all packed and ready for the off in the morning. 

Can't come soon enough and looking forward to being back up there milling about the campsite 😁

Just over two weeks to go.

Mods to the utility tent have been the priority. Large tent pegs for the guy lines and extra peg loops on the tent bottom.

Counting down. 

On 11/01/2024 at 21:57, Littleguy80 said:

The tail of Leo sat above the trees. From there, I was able to find Comet 62/P. A small but fairly brightly circular fuzzy patch. 

Nice report Neil and an enjoyable read.

I've posted rarely over the last few months and had a session on Wednesday the 17th. Unfortunately it didn't quite go to plan as I couldn't make it to my usual spot due snow and ice. The usual hour and 20 min drive turned into 2hrs.

When I did plump for a place to set up it was a 6hr wait until the moon dropped out of the sky for some decent viewing. By that time the -7°C and wind chill had taken it's toll and I was frozen to the core. Much like my milk and extra water for hot drinks. I called it a night an hour before the moon dipped.

I did manage a few targets 62p being one of them. Quite an easy find to say.