Hi guys 'n gals.

[solo]

Just joined the club.

I'm 60, retired at 55. Worked on a refinery for 30 years and was 12 years in the R.A.F. before that.I've had a lifelong interest in astronomy since discovering the beauty of the sky as a kid guarding our local bonfire on the run up to Guy Fawkes night. ( bring back any memories? )

I own a 8" newt ( dob / equatorial ) 4" f10 refractor, short-tube 80,8x42 Bushnells and 10x50 Helios naturesport binos.I'm thinking about building a big( ish) dob but we've just moved near Lincoln so it might have to wait until I've got a few jobs finished.

Well, thats me so far.Look forward to sharing my experiences with you all.

Clear skies.

John.

[Andrew*]

welcome aboard John!

Andrew

[Kai]

Evening John

hope you stay a spell

[robindurant]

Hi John, it's a great Forum, nice Boys & gals

Robin

[geppetto]

A warm welcome John

I was a bonfire guard once, the job was taken very seriously

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Welcome to SGL John. You just brought back fond memories of guarding bonfires against raiding parties. Did you favour bows and arrows or catapults?

Captain Chaos

[Astroman]

Guarding bonfires? Sounds somewhat nostalgic/romantic. Care to clue in an ignorant Yank?

[Caz]

Hi guys 'n gals.

Your in my good books already..

Welcome to the forum Solo.

Caz

[Greg]

Welcome John...

Nothing but friendly people on here..

Greg

[CELESCOPE]

Hi John ,welcome to the forum

Rog

[FLO]

Welcome aboard John

[SteelRat]

SGL welcome from me too

[Brass n glass]

Welcome to the forum, Solo. I'm 60, too, but I've never been in the RAF. My father was, though, as a wartime navigator, and he got me interested in the night sky.

[Jamie]

Hi Solo and welcome to SGL...

[Kai]

Hi John

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Guarding bonfires? Sounds somewhat nostalgic/romantic. Care to clue in an ignorant Yank?

Every 5th November in the UK we have Bonfire Night. It's officialy to celebrate Guy Fawkes being discovered whilst trying to blow up our Parliament by filling the cellars with kegs of black powder. This is when all the kids collect wood, or anything that burns, and have a fire. There is great pride in having the biggest bonfire around. The easy way to get the biggest bonfire is to steal wood from some other kids, hence the guarding that has to be carried out.

HTH

Captain Chaos

[ZOG]

Welcome to SGL John.

[tom.yates]

Welcome on board

[dazza1639]

Welcome to SGL John

Darren

[ianmwatson]

Hi John, welcome to the lounge. What trade were you in the RAF? I'm a rigger (airframe fitter), for 20 years, I still enjoy it. Not so keen on those desert holidays mind you (-:

[solo]

I was an instrument smasher.Woked on Vulcans,Hunters and Canberras.Finished my days in the gin palace at Binbrook.I got around quite a bit with the Vulcans mainly middle east and North Africa. Did a three year tour at Gutersloh in Germany on the hunters.That was a great tour-didn't want to come back.

John.

[solo]

Hey, Captain Chaos.Thanks for explaining the origins of bonfire night - I was still thinking about it.I was stricly a catty man,bows and arrows were a bit hard to conceal.

Cheers John.

[Astroman]

Thanks, CC. I recall someone's explanation of the Guy Fawkes thing, but missed the bonfire gig. Sounds like a treat!

[ianmwatson]

Ditto on the Gutersloh tour, I did 3 on 3(F) Sqn, fantastic unit. I also worked on Canberras (360 Sqn) as a liney in the early nineties, end of an era for sure.

[centroid]

Hi John

I'm a 'new boy' on this 'block' too, and the 'natives' seem quite a friendly bunch.

Dave