Marc1964 Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 So I am contemplating a last minute few days away. Obviously I am planning to take either a telescope or my binoculars and thinking about where to go. Thought about Malta but heavy light pollution. Canaries springs to mind... Any recommendations for cheap, cheerful and dark skies??? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyS Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 I hear canaries going cheap at the moment 🤔 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymouser Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964? If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/ A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96 https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied. Or alternatively, the Isle of Lewis or Harris in Scotland, with Bortle 1 skies. Isle of Skye too, if you can cope with the tourists! ( Never mind my sister in the hospital if things go wrong... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Scarlet Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 18 hours ago, JeremyS said: I hear canaries going cheap at the moment 🤔 Very, very good. You must’ve been waiting years for the right moment for that one 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1964 Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 1 hour ago, Greymouser said: Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964? If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/ A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96 https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied. Or alternatively, the Isle of Lewis or Harris in Scotland, with Bortle 1 skies. Isle of Skye too, if you can cope with the tourists! ( Never mind my sister in the hospital if things go wrong... I love the islands and highlands; doesn't have to be abroad but thinking wistfully about some sun and the opportunity to be outside without the need for thermals. Their are, of course, distilleries to be taken into consideration... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1964 Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 1 hour ago, Greymouser said: Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964? If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/ A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96 https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied. Or alternatively, the Isle of Lewis or Harris in Scotland, with Bortle 1 skies. Isle of Skye too, if you can cope with the tourists! ( Never mind my sister in the hospital if things go wrong... Lundy has no availability for my dates and I have no flexibility... Kielder next... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zermelo Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 16 hours ago, Greymouser said: Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964? If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/ A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96 https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied. I spent a week there once, really enjoyed it, but didn't see a single star. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OK Apricot Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 Fuerteventura national park is excellent, the only real light pollution being a bit of glow from Morro Jable. Tight windy rocky/Gravel Road to get there but so worth it when you get down towards the lighthouse where it levels and smooths off somewhat. It's where I had my first real taste of dark skies - a truly unforgettable experience! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cjg Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 On 11/03/2023 at 21:02, Marc1964 said: So I am contemplating a last minute few days away. Obviously I am planning to take either a telescope or my binoculars and thinking about where to go. Thought about Malta but heavy light pollution. Canaries springs to mind... Any recommendations for cheap, cheerful and dark skies??? Cheap and cheerful holidays abroad often in my experience equate to large towns with lots of light pollution, although at this time of year, more chances of clear skies in the Canaries than the UK. If you want a dark sky destination in the UK, then I can recommend the Hideaway Huts, a 5 minute drive / 20 minute walk from the Northumberland National Park Discovery Centre. The hut that I've stayed in (3 times) has an observing pad, and the owners will loan you a Dob too. Of course you're then within easy walking distance of Hadriands Wall and Sycamore Gap etc too. Some pics on the review I left at Good luck, wherever you go. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1964 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 10 hours ago, Cjg said: Cheap and cheerful holidays abroad often in my experience equate to large towns with lots of light pollution, although at this time of year, more chances of clear skies in the Canaries than the UK. If you want a dark sky destination in the UK, then I can recommend the Hideaway Huts, a 5 minute drive / 20 minute walk from the Northumberland National Park Discovery Centre. The hut that I've stayed in (3 times) has an observing pad, and the owners will loan you a Dob too. Of course you're then within easy walking distance of Hadriands Wall and Sycamore Gap etc too. Some pics on the review I left at Good luck, wherever you go. Chris Chris your Hideaway Huts are instantly appealing. I'm going to read your reports with interest... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1964 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 21 hours ago, OK Apricot said: Fuerteventura national park is excellent, the only real light pollution being a bit of glow from Morro Jable. Tight windy rocky/Gravel Road to get there but so worth it when you get down towards the lighthouse where it levels and smooths off somewhat. It's where I had my first real taste of dark skies - a truly unforgettable experience! Been to Fuerteventura before and it is on the list.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1964 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 On 13/03/2023 at 13:16, Zermelo said: I spent a week there once, really enjoyed it, but didn't see a single star. This is the risk of being in the UK... Knowing my luck the few days I have away will be the sort of weather that one should only suffer after spending truly extravagant amounts of money at our favourite purveyor of astronomical goods... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 (edited) On 12/03/2023 at 03:24, JeremyS said: I hear canaries going cheap at the moment 🤔 I prefer Parrots. Myself and Lorna are going to Donegal on Thursday for 3 nights. It's her birthday treat for me. I'm hoping for some aurora activity. Edited March 17, 2023 by LukeSkywatcher 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1964 Posted March 23, 2023 Author Share Posted March 23, 2023 So... Work (job interview) put paid to going abroad. Also put paid to the Hideaway Huts mentioned above by @Cjg. Next option was a few day in Dorset but the weather.... Here the rain is torrential rain and fair amount of wind. No prospect of viewing for a week according to the forecast. Maybe retiring to a glass of whisky is just the only option!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Drew Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Best plan! 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1964 Posted March 24, 2023 Author Share Posted March 24, 2023 8 hours ago, Peter Drew said: Best plan! 🙂 Drop of Balvenie... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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