Freff

Unfortunately, bit of bad news for me. My elderly mum (87yrs) has had a nasty fall. Spent 15hrs in A & E before having scans etc then being being let home. Had a real whack on her head falling out of bed. (silly b*gger) Anyway, she has several hospital and Dr appointment over the next few days and next week. There is no way I can go to the SP and leave it all to my younger sister to take her as well as her daily care. I have had a real ear bashing from both saying I should go, yeah I'd really enjoy it if i did. 🙄 This will be the first SWAG SP I will have missed in 13yrs. Clear skies and see you all at the next one.

Pencelli has it's own micro climate, so expect anything.

Yes it's still on. 🧙‍♂️🪐🔭

Hi both, good to hear from you. I completely understand with the move, you must be very excited. It would be great to see you, the kettles always on. Take care Tony

Rydych chi wedi cael y boyo iawn.

Hi Dave You were on pitch 7 in 2019, I can't find any later dates. You have read the Dob Mod's pitches as the dates. 🤣 Look forward to seeing you again.

Great news Calvin, look forward to meeting up again.

Get yourself well Mike, it's been a while. 👍

Obviously the regulars know each other. I would say there is an equal mix from both sides of the border. The group is relatively small with about 25- 30 on a good turn out, but of late due to Covid we have struggled badly with numbers.

Good man, we'll see you there. Tony

Hi Dave, just saw your post. I use to enjoy it at Blaenavon on the occasions I attended. I think it was myself and Mike (L8-nite) who attended last as part of the group. It was to risky to go there alone that is why I went with Mike, and have not been since. Unfortunately, like all things Dave, people loose interest or some other reason and these groups fade away.

Hi everyone, hope you are all safe and well. I'm hoping to re-energize our SWAG) star party this Autumn following last year's uncertainties whether Covid was still an issue. The dates I have arranged are for the 21st - 23rd October 2022. Additional nights will be available. There is a Orionid Meteor Shower on 21st October and Solar Eclipse and a New Moon on 25th October. Specially arranged for SWAG SP.👍 If you wish to attend simply phone Pencelli Castle, book your nights and reserve your favourite pitch. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are going to attend, (post here or PM me) I can then arrange for reserved block pitches. Take care

Looks great Tich, starting to get the hang of it.😉 😀 When you coming back to Pencelli to give me some tuition.

Here is an image grab off Google Earth of FForest Fields. Sorry about the poor image, there are loads on the web to peruse. This will give you some idea of the Events field size. I reckon about 5 acres. As for the EHU on the field, at a guess about 25-30. I'm sure many could double up. That's the only drawback if everyone wants to be on the Event field.

Pencelli is a great site for small Star parties, The big field unfortunately does not have EHU's. Fforest Fields is better for it's pristine skies and large events field. Unfortunately, again the events field is limited for EHU's.

Good news.

Looking forward to seeing you both again.

Justyn, knowing you you will still be talking till October. You are always welcome to pop in for a cuppa. Enjoy Cwmdu. 🔭 Take care.

Hi Alistair, as I explained it is not an event in April. I'm simply going there then as a camper because I have time before going on holiday, and inviting anyone who like to join me socially. (Obviously bring astro gear if they wish) I will have some astro gear with me, it is Pencelli after all, but it's not an astro event. HTH

Hi Alistair The get together in April is not a SWAG organised meet per se, but rather an impromptu invite. I will be there with one or two others as of now, and hopefully a few other will join in. Enjoy Cwmdu, and hope to see you in October.

A very big thank you to all those who attended this year’s autumn SWAG SP at Pencelli Castle. Especially to the newcomers who contributed by sharing their astro gear, knowledge and friendship. We had a great turnout for our first event since the outbreak of Covid, and hopefully the unprecedented amount of public that were amongst us was not an issue, In fact I'm sure there are now a few converts. We did manage a few clear nights with longer periods for the imagers to do their magic. Hopefully we will see some of their images posted here soon. Next year’s SWAG SP has been provisionally booked for weekend 21st - 23rd October 2022 with the New Moon on 25th, and the Orionids Meteor Shower the same weekend. There is also a weekend on 1st – 3rd April 2022 when a few of the group will have a get together to help shorten the time until the autumn event. Anyone is welcome to join us. Again, many thanks to all. 👍🔭🪐

Who is being beamed down.....or what is??

We local astronomers in SWAG really do appreciate you guys who travel long distances to support this small community of stargazers. I know several who travel half way across the country for just the weekend only to be disappointed by weather, yet you still come year after year. I have had a word with the big guy upstairs and the skies area already beginning to clear. Thank you all very much. 🪐🔭

Most of us set up on our pitch, using 'pads' under the tripod to avoid any sinking in soft ground. Those on hard standing of course don't have an issue. If room allows, some share a hard standing with other kind members. There should be images posted in past listings, or if not I'm sure someone will post some for you.

UPDATE Here is the list of those attending so far. If I have missed anyone or have the wrong details please let me know. freff pitch 3 7th - 9th mdstuart pitch 10 8th - 9th adyj1 pitch 11 7th - 10th reddross pitch 13 7th - 9th estwing pitch 28 8th - 9th mapstar pitch 27 8th - 9th swampthing pitch 26 8th - 9th lee_b pitch 14 8th - 9th lew pitch 6 7th - 8th dust in time pitch 12 7th - 10th trikeflyer pitch 7 8th - 9th mickD pitch 4 7th - 10th live stream mad pitch 8 7th - 10th