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barx1963
15-03-2021, 08:09 AM
Hi all
After the drama of the past year, the Snake Valley Camp is on for April 2021. As with everything these days, it is subject to COVID not rearing it's ugly head again, but with things ;looking as good as they do, I am confident we can go ahead.
I appreciate everyones patience but here we go!

The Snake Valley Astro Camp! April 9 – April 13 2021

Camp commences midday, Friday 9th April and concludes midday Tuesday 13th.

The Saturday night “Spit Roast under the Stars” will be on again. Cost will be $10 per head, meat and salads provided

PLEASE NOTE: Fees are unchanged except that for juniors (those who have not turned 18 by 9/4/21) a single fee of $10 will apply regardless of how many nights they stay. Hopefully this will make the camp more affordable for families and juniors.

4 nights of beautiful dark sky away from City glare.
- LIMITED TO 50 BOOKINGS ONLY PER NIGHT-
(plus casual visitors also welcome, if setting up gear a $5- fee will apply)

- The observing field has 240 volt mains Power
- There are 12 bunkhouses (from 2 to 8 bunks) and lots of camping space on the observing field.
- Caravans welcome.
- Hot showers & toilets in a caravan park style amenities block.
- Large dining room for about 60 people
- Recreation room (billiards, table tennis)
- Fully equipped kitchen with all cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, fridges etc.
- Lake for swimming, fishing, canoeing etc.
- BBQ facilities
*Please note, Bunkhouses CANNOT be booked for one night only.
Exceptions are accepted if you are in a shared bunkhouse with others staying more than one night. Alternatively, the campsite is available for one night if that's all you can stay.

* Alcohol is allowed, but 'drunkenness' or use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated.
* Aerosols of any description (Aeroguard, deodorant etc) are TOTALLY BANNED on the observing field. Stray spray could (and has) permanently damage optics.
* A red light only policy is in place on the observing field after dark. Lap top screens are to be suitably shielded and dimmed. DIM Red Lights (Red LED Head Torches, etc) are acceptable. PLEASE NOTE, a sheet of cellophane taped over a tactical flashlight is not a DIM red light. If a white light must be used, please warn nearby observers before turning it on.
* Persons violating above rules will be asked to leave and will forfeit fees paid.
* We would prefer for the field to be smoke free, please consider those around you

Snake Valley Astronomy Camps are fun, low key, social events. A white light ban is in force (as expected), but due to the nature of our camps, imagers and observers are all mixed in together having a great social astronomy experience.
WHERE IS IT?
The camp is held at Crystal Lake Cabins in Snake Valley. Street address is 554 Linton-Carngham Rd, Snake Valley VIC 3351. If coming from Melbourne travel to Ballarat then take the Glenelg Highway to Linton and turn right onto the Snake Valley-Carngham Rd. The campsite is on your right before getting to the township of Snake Valley. Please be aware that the Snake Valley Observatory run by the Snake Valley Astronomical Association is not the site of the camp.
The Campsite a private business that we hire for the duration of the camp.

THE BUNKHOUSES
The 11 bunkhouses range from 2, 4, or 6 bunks up to several with 8 bunks (4 sets of upper and lower bunks).
They have mattresses, but no bed linen. You will need to supply your own sheets, blankets, doona's, and pillows. Or just throw a sleeping bag on the mattress.

CAMPING
The observing field/camping area is on a very gentle slope to assist drainage, bordered on the west by trees and the road, and on the east by the lake. Plenty of room for a lot of people to camp and set up.
240v power is supplied.

SKY
Very dark. There is a faint light dome visible low in the east, coming from Ballarat, Melbourne and Geelong.

OTHER STUFF
Solar Observing during the day. We will try and organise a workshop or two over the weekend. Will advise details once they have been finalised.

COOKING
The kitchen is fully equipped.
All cutlery, cooking utensils, pots, pans, jugs, you name it, it's probably there!
Microwaves, grillers, enormous gas ovens and stove top, 3 fridge/freezers.
All you need is your food.

SHOPS
There are supplies available locally.
3k - Snake Valley General Store: Basic groceries, petrol etc
closes 12:00 Sat, shut Sunday
5k - Linton Store: Basic groceries, petrol, hot fish & chips, hamburgers etc.
Open 7 days till 8pm
12k - Smythesdale: Supermarket, petrol, shops.
Open 7 days
20 minutes - Ballarat

LOCAL SIGHTS: Nimmons Bridge, Computer Museum, Jubilee Gold Mine Historic Reserve, Sovereign Hill, etc.

FEES
(to allow more people to attend the camp some people may have to share a bunkhouse)
PLEASE NOTE: No booking will be regarded as firm until payment is made.

Membership fee (Compulsory for all staying overnight) $10
Please contact Malcolm Barker via email on snakevalleyastrocamps@gmail.com or by phoning 0448 567 187 or via PM on Ice in Space, user name barx1963 if you have any queries about the fees

Bunkhouses (per person)*
2 nights $60.00
3 nights $80.00
4 nights $100.00
Campsite (per person)
1 night $25.00
2 nights $50.00
3 nights $75.00
4 nights $95.00
Juniors under 18 - $10 regardless how many night or whether staying in bunkhouses or camping.
Children under 5 y.o. - free

Please book in by completing details on PDF booking form available on the website. Please scan completed form and return to us via email tosnakevalleyastrocamps@gmail.com along with a payment receipt (see below).
Please note: The camp will be proceeding regardless of rain, wind, snow or cloud. When booking in, please consider that refunds will not be given if pulling out due to the weather forecast.

If you have any queries or would like assistance with your booking, I can be contacted via email on snakevalleyastrocamps@gmail.com or by phoning 0448 567187 or via PM on Ice in Space, user name barx1963.

Payment details:
BSB 063510
Account 10397720
Please include your name in the detail field when making a payment. If possible email a copy of the payment receipt tosnakevalleyastrocamps@gmail.com

Jen
15-03-2021, 04:46 PM
:cool::cool::cool:

272889

Woohoo I can’t wait to catch up with my Snake Valley family 🤗🤗🤪🤪🤩🤩

pfitzgerald
15-03-2021, 07:42 PM
+1 to that Jen (...and a huge thank you to Malcolm and the team for organising it all).

Paul

Big Dave
15-03-2021, 08:32 PM
Im in, now who is bringing the Pav

The_bluester
15-03-2021, 08:54 PM
Toph and I are up for three nights. Having to delay the camp is fortuitous for us as it puts it in the middle of the school holidays.

Andy01
16-03-2021, 09:51 AM
Lock it in Eddie :)

Karlz
16-03-2021, 05:40 PM
I think I might have to book in for next year to come see the excitement.

TwistedRider
18-03-2021, 09:58 PM
Yeah!!!!
Both Chris and I will be coming.

Week done to Malcolm for keeping the dream alive.

barx1963
20-03-2021, 10:15 AM
Bookings are coming in!! We have a couple of new names and great to see the "usual suspects" getting in.

Cheers
Malcolm

pfitzgerald
21-03-2021, 09:48 AM
Pavs are under control Dave - no need to panic! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

I'll be there Friday through Tuesday. Just need to get the paper work off to Malcolm this week.

Paul

erick
28-03-2021, 08:23 PM
:sadeyes: I cannot come this time. Being school holidays I'm committed (happily) to time with grandchildren and that cannot include a star camp. Oh well, next time. Have a great time everyone. Eric

pfitzgerald
29-03-2021, 08:23 PM
OK - paper work is in so it's official - I'll be there.

For those more knowledgeable (that's the biggest word I've used in a while!)than myself I am hoping to bring a Meade LX750 mount, tripod and 152 refractor that was donated to my new school - unfortunately there is an issue with the mount. When doing a star alignment the mount will (apparently) only rotate through 90 degrees. Is this indicative of a software issue or a hardware issue? I'm hoping that some of you going to SVAC this April may be able to help me out in getting the mount going - it has been well looked after and is otherwise in excellent condition. I have its manuals and cables.

Any thoughts much appreciated - it looks like the domains for the old LX750 users have long gone so no help on that front.

TYAIA

Paul

TwistedRider
04-04-2021, 12:04 AM
So no one is buying new gear this week right?

:fishing:

roddz
05-04-2021, 02:09 PM
Count me in!

Starrymessenger
05-04-2021, 09:12 PM
I’ll be there, with the spit for Saturday evenings meal, and my eBike, and chess set......there IS some rain and cloudy weather forecast at the moment.... but I’ll be there till Tuesday..😊😊😈😈🥰🥰🔭🔭🔭🚵🏻🚵🏻:hi:

Jen
05-04-2021, 09:34 PM
273797

3 more sleeps woohoo 🤗🤗🤪🤪🪐🪐🤩🤩

TwistedRider
08-04-2021, 08:54 PM
It's the night before Christmas...err...Astrocamp.

Hope everyone has almost started packing! :rofl:

See you all on site tomorrow!

The_bluester
08-04-2021, 09:31 PM
Well in to packing, holy smoke I bring some stuff!

Jen
08-04-2021, 11:13 PM
🤣🤣🤣

pfitzgerald
09-04-2021, 02:41 PM
Looking at the forecast for tonight I'll go watch my son play footy for Monty and I'll see you all around lunchtime tomorrow.

...I don't think two 'small' pavs will be enough - so I'll be bringing three!

Paddy
13-04-2021, 07:19 PM
Had a great time in spite of cloudy skies. It was great to catch up with everyone. Many thanks to Malcolm, Paul and all who put another great camp together.

TwistedRider
13-04-2021, 07:44 PM
Big thanks to Malcolm for getting back up and running.

Finally had Starlight after all the clouds!

Big thanks to all helping and advising with my deliberations on scopes, mounts and cameras for an imaging rig. We are getting there.

pfitzgerald
14-04-2021, 08:23 AM
Thank you all for a really great and relaxing weekend - even if though the clouds and rain meant the astro side took a back seat.

Thank you to Malcolm and Paul for organising.

...and to quote Jen "Is it October yet?"

The_bluester
14-04-2021, 10:45 AM
And thanks to Malcolm and Paul from me as well.

My astro was limited to getting two scopes polar aligned on friday just as the sky fell apart and a bit of reprocessing of old data, but who cares. The usual whiskey fueled 2AM with Jen and co was a great unwind after no camps last year (Even if I missed out on toasting my own marshmallows the following night!) and Toph enjoyed camping in the tent, including the "Terror" of a leaky tent on Saturday night. Now where is that stitching sealer!

Big Dave
15-04-2021, 06:14 AM
Thanks again for running the camp, it was great to catch up with everyone again.
It was not me who bought some new equipment along...

rcheshire
15-04-2021, 04:08 PM
Despite the weather it was a great to get away. Thanks to all for a relaxed weekend.

Point and shoot... at the chicken, which almost got away and it's upside down...

NewBee101
21-04-2021, 08:29 PM
Hi Rowland, not a bad shot even if it is the wrong way up. You may have forgotten about a filter I was telling you about at the SV camp that OPT has developed, it is the Icarus filter. supposed to block out biggest light pollution so we can take photos of the universe 24/7!!!!!! Check out this link on Yu Tube https://youtu.be/8QzXeUe1xg8 and then read some of the comments. Its worth a chuckle.

barx1963
22-04-2021, 08:10 AM
Managed to collect some data on the Monday night which added 2.5 hours of mostly SII and OIII to existing data from home. Total of 11 hours and overall pretty happy with the result.

Malcolm

rcheshire
27-04-2021, 07:31 PM
Thanks Rob. I do remember. Made for and by ever hopeful tech junkies. Funny as...

Nice one Malcolm.

Had I thought the conditions would last, I might have worked harder on the chicken. The auto guider did a great job despite a very rough align.

Jen
29-04-2021, 09:01 PM
:thanx:
Thanks again everyone, what an awesome weekend 🥰🤪
Despite the weather, which I don’t think anyone really cared 🤣
It goes to show what an amazing and talented bunch of people go to these camps, I actually learn more and get to know you guys even more when the weather sux because we all not huddled on our lonesome in our little shower tents on the field 🤣🤣🤣🤣
It was so great to catch up with everyone, and meet some noobies and stand around the fire with the marshmallows (thanks Paul they were amazing sorry I think I ate your share 🤣)
As usual Steve didn’t disappoint with his awesome spit roast and tacos and Paul arrived with not one, not two but three pavs 😱 and Drew’s lovely lady made sticky date pudding nom nom nom another tradition now me thinks 🤪🤪
Saturday night was a blast I managed to down two bottles of passion pop and it wasn’t even 9pm 🤣🤣
It’s the first camp that I never got any of my gear out of the car 🤣🤣🤗😈
But I did learn a few more processing tips from Andy and Paul 🤗
And I’ve been crook as a dog now for three weeks since camp with a bad chest infection grrrr (I’m finally on the mend now)
I love my Snake Valley family xxxx take care everyone and see you all soon.
Is it November yet 😜😜😜😜