South Wales Astronomy Group (SWAG) Star Party 2019

[Freff 533]

I am pleased to announce that the South Wales Astronomy Group (SWAG) has arranged our spring  Star Party again at the superb Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park. Sited in the Brecon Beacons National Park and Dark Sky Reserve, this location offers some truly dark skies which are excellent for observing and imaging. Please read Site Conditions.

 

The main nights will be Thurs 7th, Friday 8th & Sat 9th March 2019. The New Moon is on Wednesday 6th. The Oaks has been reserved from Thurs 7th - Sunday 10th March 2018 inclusive. Anyone wanting additional nights outside these dates please let me know as soon as possible.

 

Pitches and hard standings (about 25) have been reserved for us in the Oaks area. All pitches have EHU and have the least obstructed views of the night sky. If bookings exceed the pitches on the Oaks, there is the Meadows area that can be used for tents only but has no EHU. This area also offers excellent views.  The Meadows cannot be booked until the Oaks has been filled. This will avoid unfilled pitches on the Oaks being used by the public during the event.

 

Bookings as last year will be made directly through me. This will avoid any difficulties contacting the campsite wardens or any confusion between their booking list and ours. Payments for your pitch can be paid on arrival at Pencelli Castle.

Cancellation Policy  I do not ask for the £25 deposit up front but do expect any cancellations to be made 72 hours prior to arrival. I will then contact the campsite with the details. If not you will be asked to honour the policy. 

 

 Please Do Not Contact Pencelli Caravan Park for Bookings. They Will Not Have Our Pitch Allocations And Won’t Know Where To Put You.

 

When booking please PM me your SGL name and real name for our records/planning. Your real name will be forwarded to the campsite for their registration/booking. Also your preferred pitch if you have one. Pitch allocations will be posted on the forum in your SGL name as they come in.

 

If you attended last year, then all that’s required is your SGL name, the nights you require with or without EHU, and prefered pitch.

 

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me either email or PM.

 

We hope you can make it to the South Wales Group 8th Star Party we look forward to seeing you.

Tony

[bobxuk 15]

Hi Tony, please put me down for the 3 nights on pitch 15 with EHU.

Thanks, Bob (bobxuk).

[Freff 533]

2 hours ago, bobxuk said:

Hi Tony, please put me down for the 3 nights on pitch 15 with EHU.

Thanks, Bob (bobxuk).

Will do, thanks Bob.

[Captain Caveman 23]

Keeping an eye on this, I only live 6 miles down the road, not sure I would make it out to camp (no camper/ caravan) but would be good to meet you all and I could bring my 200 Dob along . Would love to see your AP setups

[reddoss 814]

Hi Tony,

              Same pitch as usual for me please , looking forward to it already.

 

How is Cath? Is she still having to look after the same grumpy old git she always has?  

[Freff 533]

Hi Justyn

I'll see if this grumpy old git can fit you in.

You do know it's in July this year don't you, with only canal bank pitches available.  

[L8-Nite 2,290]

HI Tony,

Dorothy & I are looking forward to it. Please put us down for pitch 6;  Don't want to upset Tich by jumping que for # 29. 

Merry Christmas to you and Cath and to all a Happy Holiday.

[Freff 533]

Hi Mike

Booked in on pitch 6.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and Dorothy.

 

 

[reddoss 814]

On 24/12/2018 at 04:05, Freff said:

Hi Justyn

I'll see if this grumpy old git can fit you in.

You do know it's in July this year don't you, with only canal bank pitches available.  

Hi Tony, I'll get the narrow boat ready 

[tich 1,537]

On 24/12/2018 at 13:46, L8-Nite said:

HI Tony,

Dorothy & I are looking forward to it. Please put us down for pitch 6;  Don't want to upset Tich by jumping que for # 29. 

Merry Christmas to you and Cath and to all a Happy Holiday.

Cheers MIke lol I'll have the usual pitch Tony from Weds to Sunday Morning please I have PM'd you so all being well I should be able to make it...

[Freff 533]

 

These are the initial bookings, and are subject to site confirmation when they re-open. 

        freff                                     Pitch   4                       5th – 9th

         tich                                     Pitch   29                     6th – 9th

         reddross                             Pitch   13                     7th – 9th

         l8-nite                                 Pitch   6                      7th – 9th

          bobxuk                               Pitch   15                    7th – 9th

 

          bish                                    Pitch   25                     7th – 9th

           

          mickD                                 Pitch    5                      6th - 9th

 

         astralstroll                            Pitch    7                      7th - 9th

 

         paul73                                  Pitch    8                      8th - 9th

 

         easwing                                Pitch    26                    8th - 9th

 

          faulksy                                 Pitch    27                    8th - 9th

 

          danny k                                Pitch    28                     8th - 9th

         

          lee-b                                    Pitch     14                    7th - 8th

 

          bats                                      Pitch     3                      8th - 9th   

         

          mdstuart                              Pitch     12                    8th - 9th 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Edited February 17, 2019 by Freff
error

[bish 942]

Thanks Tony.

[Paul73 3,848]

Hi Folks

Is this site dark enough for great visual observing?

I see that there is a pub within spitting distance in the unlikely event of clouds

Paul

[estwing 5,659]

Best view I've had of M1 was from here...much better than Lucksall, tho there are trees to avoid. 

[Paul73 3,848]

That’s good enough for me.

Count me in for Friday and Saturday nights please!

Paul

[Astralstroll 112]

Hi Tony,

Just sent you a PM regarding SWAG 2019.

 

Dave

[Freff 533]

Paul73 and Astralstroll

PM's sent.

[Freff 533]

5 hours ago, estwing said:

Best view I've had of M1 was from here...much better than Lucksall, tho there are trees to avoid. 

Thanks Calvin.

It would be great to see the DOBMOB back at Pencelli. You are always very welcome. 

[Freff 533]

Here is a Google Site Map for those unfamiliar with Pencelli Castle.

It will give you some idea where the trees are if you are looking for a specifically view of the sky.

 

 

[Freff 533]

 

The Bookings list above has been updated.

[estwing 5,659]

Pm sent 

[skybadger 288]

I'm interested. Shame about dogs though. What's the camping like in March, temperature wise and is everyone taking tents or caravans ?

Cheers

Mike

[Freff 533]

18 minutes ago, skybadger said:

I'm interested. Shame about dogs though. What's the camping like in March, temperature wise and is everyone taking tents or caravans ?

Cheers

Mike

The Brecon Beacons has its own microclimate most of the time.

We have had snow blizzards, torrential rains and heat waves in March.

There is a mix of tents and caravans, trailer tents and motorhomes.  Pencelli cater for all. 

 

 

[Daniel-K 4,608]

Hey Chaps my shifts changed this year so im able to attend this year which im super excited about. but i will also be bringing some new Light pollution filters designed for DSLR's externally. So please feel free to ask me if you want to try them out. 

 

[Freff 533]

Sounds interesting Danny, looking forward to having a peep.