April Haw Farm Cancelled

[powerlord]

Just  got an email from them. Im going there next weekend (11th), but luckily I'm all self contained in the motorhome so plan to still go.

http://www.hawwoodfarm.co.uk/

[Phil Fargaze]

Oh no! Thanks for the heads up. I was looking forward to the April star party, plus I am tent only. Coincidentally I`ll be trying out a site I haven't been to before this weekend, however its six miles south of Bury St Edmunds so I will have to see how dark it is and maybe go back there in April. 

Edited March 2, 2022 by Phil Fargaze

[Phil Fargaze]

So, I did go to this alternative site Waldegrave Farm The pitches are spread out across the land and you are unlikely to see anyone else camping. There are no facilities, apart from a water tap! I was in my tent doing it Bear Grylls style, but  campervans are allowed as well. I arrived on the Friday with on off rain, it rained all night, then the Saturday forecast was for rain! I was due to leave Sunday but I decided to bail out on the Saturday, however by now the ground was saturated and I had to be towed off site by the tractor! Needless to say the telescope stayed in the car, but it was very dark when I took a look outside. I might try it out again in April but I`ll only attempt to  book last minute if the weather looks promising. 

 

[powerlord]

£25 a night.  😱

 

[AstroKeith]

On 02/03/2022 at 12:18, powerlord said:

Just  got an email from them. Im going there next weekend (11th), but luckily I'm all self contained in the motorhome so plan to still go.

http://www.hawwoodfarm.co.uk/

Is Haw Wood still accepting self contained visitors? Most of the Spring meet are in caravans and motorhomes yet they still seem to have completely cancelled.

[powerlord]

It's all on the website. basically closed from April 1st. Maybe it's an april fool ? 😉

I suppose even most caravan/motorhomers actually expect toilets, etc. It's obviously not been an easy decision of them to make - to miss the whole of the high season.

I head over there friday, but weather looks pants so doubt I'll even bother bringing astro gear. walking the dug, and editing pics and videos and book reading I think. I might bring a portable rig - I've had a plan to try mounting it on the roof... I've got scissor jacks to stablise the motorhome... and thought it'd be good if I'm wild camping somewhere as gear would be safe plus you'd get better visibility. I reckon for wide/medium view stuff it'd probably be steady enough with the scissor jacks... (I can get on roof through bedroom ceiling window)

stu

p.s. if anyone has a surefire sedative for a mental jackrussell so I can have some relaxing time in the van - please share. 😛

Edited March 9, 2022 by powerlord

[powerlord]

About 3 folk on the whole campsite!

weather forecase rubbish, but up at 4am this morning for the dog - and wow! sky clear and I've never seen the stars so bright! only an hour or so from daylight, so no point setting up and imaging, but truly dark sky.

against odds, some forecasts saying I might get some clear sky tonight early on - so everything setup and ready now. Hoping to try for sh2-129 and capture the illusive squid.

[Phil Fargaze]

Hope you get clear skies! Have you managed to get any more details on the situation with the plumbing? 

[powerlord]

I didnt ask sorry. I think all info is on website.

Cloudy just now. 😕

[Phil Fargaze]

I`ve been continuing my search for alternative sites while Haw Wood Farm is shut for repairs. There is a site called Mill Hill Farm Caravan and Camping Park which is 2.4 km south of Haw Wood and it has regular camp site facilities, which would be touch of luxury after my last escapade in the rain to Waldegrave Farm! Although I won`t rule out Waldegrave Farm because of the remoteness of individual pitches.  Note that in case of confusion, there is `Hill Farm CL site` which is 1 km south west of Haw Wood. 

Mill Hill Farm state on their web page "To be able to appreciate the dark skies from the campsite we keep lighting to a minimum and a torch would be useful. " which sounds promising.  At the time of booking I would mention that I want to use my telescope and would prefer a sheltered spot.

As for dates, the next New Moon on Friday April 1st coincides with the start of the Easter Holidays for some schools, so that would attract a higher number of campers and a risk of stray light from other pitches. I could be prepared for a couple of weekday nights before the Friday but only if the forecast is really good so that I don`t waste my holiday time from work. The Kelling Heath spring star party is being held over this same weekend so I can only think that they will keep family camper's and astronomers suitably segregated. The next New Moon on Saturday April 30th when Haw Wood was scheduled would hopefully not be too busy, however by then astronomical sunset does not begin until 22:30 BST with astronomical sunrise at 03:30 BST, if I am not mistaken. 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2022 by Phil Fargaze
Sunset, sunrise times

[Phil Fargaze]

With all things being normal I would have set off for Haw Wood this afternoon. Ironically my alternative plans to visit Mill Hill Farm have also been thwarted because of me being a bit unwell this week! Anyway, the weather forecast looks to be a little challenging with the addition of a north easterly wind. So no dark sky for the big dob this spring, looking forward to autumn at Haw Wood. 

Edited April 22, 2022 by Phil Fargaze

[LaurenceT]

We had plans for a getaway in the motorhome for a few days but covid and dog surgery have put paid to that. I'd be very grateful if anyone can recommend CL type sites in the  home counties or south east generally that would be ideal for astro stuff.

[powerlord]

Im going up to here next weekend:

https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/East_Anglia/Suffolk/Woodbridge/kingfishers_at_cretingham_country_park/?adults=1&arrive=2022-04-29&depart=2022-05-02&type=10&#&gid=1&pid=15

Ive never been there before, but with Haw Farm closed I looked around and this seemed like it could be ok for a break, and maybe some imaging if the nights are clear. As I say, no idea what it will actually be like though, but when I booked on wed they did have a bit of availability for next weekend (May BH weekend) which was more than most had so grabbed 3 nights.

[powerlord]

So this place is great if you are self contained like me in Motorhome or happy to wild camp. There are 2 wee shack things for toilet and shower, and are clean, etc. Just basic.. So you know. But basically I have a massive field to myself in the middle of knowhere. It has not been clear at night, but I will be back. Especially as its only 11 miles away as crow flies from my house!!

 

[Stu]

On 09/03/2022 at 12:17, powerlord said:

p.s. if anyone has a surefire sedative for a mental jackrussell so I can have some relaxing time in the van - please share. 😛

Just seen this. For you or the dog? 🤣😴😴😴

[powerlord]

Haha. Either would work I suppose, though it's behaving just now after a 4mile walk.

[Marvin Jenkins]

I am more worried about the giant leg kicking the dog🤣

[Phil Fargaze]

Spotted this on the Haw Wood Facebook page.

"We are sorry to inform you that the reopening of Haw Wood Farm will be delayed.
We had hoped to reopen to tourers on September 1st, but unfortunately the building work will not be completed by this date, and so we have had to put back the reopening until October 1st. We are sorry for any disruptions to your plans and really look forward to seeing you again soon."

Fingers crossed that they will be up and running for the autumn star party. In a twist of fate, I am booked up for a family holiday for the week before the star party so I might not be able to get there anyway!