Lurcher

Blimey you've put some work into this Gina. Well done. Sorry I'm a bit late to this thread, but some of the images you've captured looked good. You could see the milky way clearly in some. Good stuff.

I'd never heard of a flap wheel so I looked one up. Yeah that would have helped! I might get one and finish it off a bit better one day. Although I was determined not to buy a new drill bit which I desperately needed so who knows!

Hi all, I've been looking at all the wonderful home-made cats-perch observing chairs on-line and on here, and after getting a stiff neck and shoulders when sketching I decided to have a go myself last weekend. Big thanks to anyone who has ever built one and posted their own photos on-line. I've probably looked at them and found them a massive help in helping me put mine together. The BBC's Sky at Night's article was also brilliant help. It was satisfying to find a use for an old piece if board that's been sitting around in my garage since the day we moved in for the main back board. (Up until now I'd been using it as a board to stand on when I'm sowing seeds in my vegetable patch. It cleaned up ok!). Sorry it's nothing new or original, and it's not the best I've seen by a long way; but I can't wait to try it out when doing some more sketches of the moon. Cheers all.

Brilliantly written David. Reminds me of my last holiday in the Lake District where there were really dark skies too, and like you I had a car full of not only my family and luggage; but Wiggins our dog too! I don't have a smaller travel scope so couldn't take anything with me, although I wish now I'd just taken a pair of binoculars. The skies were brilliant, and just like you mentioned, I remember standing out in a field staring up at the skies just making out all the constellations, until I heard the eeriest loud noise I've ever heard. I can only assume it was a fox, but it was so strange I really couldn't make out if it was from an animal or a human! Certainly it was enough for me to decide I'd probably spent long enough standing in the dark in the middle of a field by myself. (I think I would have been out all night though if I'd had my scope with me). Thanks for posting it was a great read.

Clever stuff Gina! Well done it's beginning to look the business. ?

Hey well done! I think I've read your previous posts and know you've waited a long time to finally get a scope and be able to use it outside. We had a clear sky last night for the first time in ages too. It's such a welcome after so long isn't it!? My back garden is pretty limited too, with the only benefit being that Orion is directly behind me at the moment at night, so that works well at this time of year. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I looked quickly at M31 last night too as that's always a good one, but I was really disappointed with the views of it last night. It was quite high in the sky but, (and possibly due to the neighbours' sodding external lights), I could hardly see anything! So if it was looking good for you last night and you managed to find it you did well. Well done for getting out with your scope last night and the write up.

Hey well done!! You've put me to shame! The King Ethelbert Pub at Reculver organize a Boxing Day swim and I always say one year I'm going to do it with my Daughter who's keen to join in, but then every year, I say, "I can't do it as we've now been invited round to see someone or another." Perhaps next year I should be more determined, make it a priority, and not find excuses! Well done again!

Looking absolutely brilliant. I like the wording you've added. I hope it continues to go well, and I look forward to seeing more updates.