Physopto

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Just paid for the premium version of Windy. com.

Have used it for the last few years. The weather is so changeable at present but at least Windy gives us some hope of clear skies. It becomes more accurate as we get closer to the start of the Star Party, more so it appears, than other predictive programs ( I Hope). 😀

On 31/10/2023 at 10:21, petevasey said:

Thanks, Derek,

It was supposed to be red!  Never mind, my delightful little grand daughter (almost 6) loves pink, so she is seriously impressed 😄  But although the original break was very painful the pain didn't last long, and now there is almost no pain at all.  At least in that area .  But I cannot put any weight on the (equinus) cast and as my right knee is well worn it is far from happy with doing all the work even with a walking frame - using crutches was seriously dodgy!  Two weeks to go, then with any luck at all I'll have a special weight bearing boot and life will start to get a lot easier.

Cheers,

Peter.

Keep us informed as to your progress Peter. Get better soonest.

Hi Folks!

A small update.

I'm in the arrea so I  visited the Star Party Camp site yesterday.

I spoke with Lesley and had a look at how the field was doing.

Weather reports had said that it was raining all over the area for the past couple of weeks.

But in reality they have had very little rain at all.

The site was dry and looked great, so good news so far.

The storm coming through hopefully will pass quite quickly and we should be good to go.

Driving back to my friends place as soon as we got closer to the coast it hammered down.

The Star Camps site seems to have it's own sheltered microclimate at present.

Hope to see you all in just over a week or so's time.

On 28/10/2023 at 22:53, petevasey said:

Thanks for all the good wishes folks.  February will be marginal - I don't expect to be even driving, never mind humping equipment around until  January 17th at the earliest - not much time to get up to speed!.  Anyway, here is my latest photo for inspection 🤪

Have a great time.

Cheers,

Peter

Yikes ! Peter that looks painful, I mean CRIKEY !  wearing a pink boot!!! Get the missus to cover it with a nice shade of BLUE crepe bandage. It will look cool and I am sure you will recover much quicker 🤣

Jon is right, some gentle excercise is called for. Start with lifting a small glass of whisky and work up to a bigger one...............🥃

Get well soon.

Best wishes,

18 hours ago, petevasey said:

Hi, Guys,

I was really looking forward to this, now only 3 weeks to go.  But alas not for me 😪  Yesterday I ruptured the Achilles tendon in my left leg.  So no way I can drive my manual tow car to bring my caravan over, even if I was able to handle my kit with the 'Moon Boot' draped round my leg.  Maybe next February (I'm booked) if I'm fit by then - it'll be marginal!  I'll let Lesley know - it frees up an electric pitch.  Hope you all have a great time and lots of clear skies.

Cheers,

Peter..

Well, I am so very sorry to hear that Peter. Painful and debilitating. As others have said,  I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you at the next Star Party in the spring. We will miss you and your.......... beer 🍺 ☺️

All the best,

On 19/10/2023 at 16:46, James111 said:

Really looking forward to the camp. Hope we get less rain and wind this year. Derek are they having the pie and peas night again?. If so put me and Denise down for 2 atleast .looking forward to catching up with everyone. 

Hi there, sorry not this year. If anyone wants to they can get their own and meet up in the warm room.  There was far too much messing about and hassle last year for me to make it worth while doing again.

Be nice to see you both again.

On 23/09/2023 at 17:35, jamie56 said:

Sounds as if your getting to feel the cold John, setting up shop in the awning 🤣

NUTS !!!!

The average age of our Star Parties is rising year by year.

We need fresh meat !!

Old sods feel the cold more, just ask Damian.............. Oh and me 😱

16 hours ago, mapstar said:

Looking forward to this, always good to catch up with the regulars and meet new attendees 😉

OH!!! You're back at last are you!

😈

OK folks a bit of an update:

Just about 5 weeks to the start of this Autumn Star Camp...............

At present there are about 19 booked pitches and 22 people attending on paper.

So still room for a few more (6 pitches still available)  if anyone else  wishes to attend.

All the best,

On 23/09/2023 at 17:35, jamie56 said:

Sounds as if your getting to feel the cold John, setting up shop in the awning 🤣

It's the old age and wimpishness coming through.......😈

Hope you make this one Ian, that goes for all our other attendees, both regular and new 😀.

Just posting so that it comes to the forefront for a short while.

As it seems that some (not mentioning any names) cannot find what is in front of their faces........... 🤣

Don't forget places can go very soon and quickly, limit is 25 pitches  !!!!!

Don't want anybody missing out do we?

On 13/09/2023 at 12:53, LandyJon said:

Haha, no they loved it, might have helped that  Grandma and Grandad were on the pitch next door.  Great time round Ffestiniog tho 🙂

Just to carry in my salesman persona.........Wanna buy a motor mover? Or are you press ganging the sprogs 🤣.

On 03/09/2023 at 23:01, LandyJon said:

I've built an extension on the tent to keep the astro gear in ...

See you there in 10 weeks 🙂

Looking forward to doing it 5* lol

Did you have to pay them to look so happy 🤣

On 22/08/2023 at 23:00, Uplooker said:

Hope I am booked🙄

Ye gods........ 😅

Hi Folks,

A wee bit of news. I have just spoken to Lesley the camp owner.

At present there are 18 pitches booked for this Star Camp. Therefore, there are still 7 pitches left for latecomers if wished.

Please note that the New Moon is on Monday the 13th November.

The preceding weekend does still have very dark nights, so anyone wanting to book for that weekend can still do so. Not everyone attends on the same days so talk to Lesley the site owner if you want to attend and she will advise you further.

I wish everyone who wants to attend can do so.

All the best, hope to see you all there

Well folks just over 13 weeks to the Star Camp. Hope you are all getting excited and getting the gear ready.😃

On 13/07/2023 at 17:24, dust of time said:

Hi. I'm thinking of booking for this Nov. '23. I've never been stargazing up North. What's it like at Galloway and any info greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Hello,

The Star Camp may be fully booked now for this Autumn Camp.

You need to contact Leslie Shell the owner of the camping ground to book if possible. It is always advisable to book very early on.

Address is :

Drumroamin Farm Camping & Caravan Site
1 South Balfern
Kirkinner
Newton Stewart
Dumfries and Galloway  
DG8 9DB
Tel: 01988 840613  or  07752471456

If you are successful,

You are strongly advised to either be in a caravan or motorhome.

Otherwise, if arriving by car with a tent ...........

If camping, you must be fully prepared for very cold weather with a possibility of substantial rain/wind at times.

You must have a long connection cable with standard 16 amp connector at one end and 240 volt socket at the other for a safe type of fan space heater,

(an orange caravan cable altered with an adapter for 240 volt socket).

You are also advised to have plenty of cold weather clothing and waterproofs.

I do suggest a sleeping bag and sleeping mat wether or not you have a folding camp bed.

Your tent must not be of the light summer variety and also have substantial guy ropes and extra ground anchors. (Many have blown away in the past!)

I am not trying to put you off at all, but so many people have arrived and regretted being unprepared.

Most of the time the weather is fine. We all enjoy the camarardarie and star gazing when the weather permits.

Most Star Camps have one or two good nights to enjoy the skies, some times a full 5 or 6. It is Scotland remember not the Seychelles 😀

Finally:

Please bear in mind that Covid is still around and restrictions may be reintroduced for everyones safety at any time. So bring some masks.

There is a Warm Room for our use, but if Covid raises its head that may be shut for safety reasons.

Most importantly please bring a red light as white light is mostly forbidden unless bad weather of other circumstances warrant the use.

I look forward to seeing you at the camp

On 04/05/2023 at 12:07, LandyJon said:

This seems to be way down below the 2024 threads, thought it needed bringing up the list since its the next one.

Looking forward to seeing you all there, hope you can make it Jim.

He had better do or I will set the DOB MOB  on him!

😁

I have just been informed, by David Millar, that Katie Hughes (Stargazing Scotland) husband has passed away whilst away working offshore.

Sad news indeed.

I  am sure all those who know them will want to  pass on their  condolences to Katie at this sad time.

On 28/03/2023 at 09:39, petevasey said:

I know what you mean.  As I advised before the event I was needed at home because of the operation on my wife's hand (which was succesful), so I missed out.  But despite the disappointing weather I would have enjoyed the fellowship etc.  And seen the aurora - I was clouded out here on both occasions 😭  Indeed the weekend immediately before, I was at Kielder where the weather was even worse.   Nevertheless I have booked for next year both at Kielder and Drumroamin!  If we're going to continue in our wonderful hobby, we have to live in hope!  Roll on October (Kelling Heath) and November at Drumroamin.

Derek, is the change of date to next February definite?  It affects my plans for Kielder.

 

Cheers,

Peter

Yes Peter now February.

I could not answer properly before as tried on phone and it kept on deleting everything after a couple of sentances.

Anyway we are trying for better weather a bit sooner in the year. We have had a few poor spring camps of late and now as the shooters are not using the statics anymore there may be a better chance to get some imaging/viewing in. We have had some realy good results in February before. If we had been at Drumroamin this year in February we would have had some very clear nights I am told.

Hope your wife is getting on well.

All the best,

 🌪️

19 hours ago, Uplooker said:

…. for foul tasting whisky. Probably because your the one who brings it😉

I resemble that!!!

You just wait....

🤬

🌩️

On 22/03/2023 at 21:55, mapstar said:

Derek is a bad influence 

Why do I get the blame.......

🤣

5 hours ago, AndyKeogh said:

I will look back in my records. I have been there in February and my recollection was that it was cold but excellent skies,

Hi Andy,

Yes we used to have a Star Camp at times in February but it was dependant upon whether the static vans were available. Often it could not happen due to the "Shooters hiring both statics".  Now that they no longer are able to do that, it will be easier for us.

Now the problem may be not only a bad patch of weather, but people who have bought the statics flooding the field with lights !!

Only time will tell.

19 hours ago, Physopto said:

 Hi all.

In response to the note below about changing the Spring 2024 Star Camp dates.

This has now been done and agreed with Lesley the camp site owner.

SO........ Please go to the 2024 Spring Star camp post and read the revised dates !!!!!!!!!

        Note:

Dates now agreed and final revised list posted as of today 26-03-2023

 

My apologies for any confusion, but I have consulted members present and asked for their input.