RMweb Premium 45156 Posted July 1, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 1, 2015 It was very clear in Clitheroe. Not quite so clear in Lancaster, though when I took the dog out about 1 am it was a starry starry night, though like Jock we get a fair bit of light pollution, as Lancaster is only a couple of miles to the West of us. My normal reason for visiting Clitheroe is to stock up on two comestibles as there's two specialist shops that I visit - Cowmans, the sausage shop and Byrnes, the wine merchants where they have some interesting rare malt whisys. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark axlecounter Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Never tried them but just spoke to a spotter and he has said they are nice. Might just have to try them now. As for wisky well I like it but it don't like me lol. I'm more of a real ale drinker. Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted July 1, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 1, 2015 (edited) Never tried them but just spoke to a spotter and he has said they are nice. Might just have to try them now. As for wisky well I like it but it don't like me lol. I'm more of a real ale drinker. Mark They do a list of sausages which is here http://www.rcoward.com/cowmans/cowmans_info_list.pdf The range includes hot and spicy, down to much milder varieties. As to Real Ale, I like The Black Horse but have yet to try the micro in the Market Place, The Ale House. Edited July 1, 2015 by 45156 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark axlecounter Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I have some beer at home chilling waiting for me to sup them tonight. Roll on 6pm. Now I have to deal with the failsman The joys. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Morning all, May I tell a tale of human endurance here? My mother in law is most unlike most (especially Les Dawsons!) in that she is warm, kind and loving and has been a far better 'mum' to me than my own mother. The only trouble is that about 7 years ago, she was diagnosed with COPD and about three years ago, her lungs nearly filled with fluid and she nearly died. Last week, she was suffering some sciatica and the docs tried three different medications on her, the last unpronounceable one caused her breathing to go shallow - which meant she couldn't expel her carbon dioxide (very bad!). She was rushed into Warrington A&E and has spent the last week or more there and we've been told to prepare for the worst, especially as she is too frail to be resuscitated. Over the week, she had made some small progress but yesterday we were all called in to her bedside - definitely and end of life situation. My wife and father in law spent the night with her, the rest of us went home and slept with mobile phones switched on, by the bed. However, this morning mum is sat up, feeling much better, chattering away having had her breakfast - amazing! I and we know it's only a temporary reprieve but how remarkable is that? Never, ever write someone off as no hope - they can surprise you! I just wanted to tell her story! Cheers, off to see her now, John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jock67B Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 John, That is indeed very uplifting to read - the human spirit is indeed remarkable at times. Let's hope she does have some more time with you, as long as it's quality time! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 She sounds like a wonderful lady John. I'm sure everyone here along with myself can only admire her remarkable strength of will and wish her and your family the very best! Regards Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emt_911 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 John. The strength of so many people really inspires me. People like this deserve all the luck they can get. I hope the reprieve isn't a short one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Hi everyone, Thanks so much for your kind responses to my Mums story above! We have all had a nice day with her today and she has confounded everyone in her part of the hospital. She's sat up in a chair to eat her meal, she's brushed her hair and teeth and chatted away all day! Yesterday she was given her own private cubicle so she could pass in peace and some of the other ladies and staff on her old ward were quite upset to think they were losing her, today she was wheeled down to see them and gave them a lovely surprise! We, her family, have spent the day with her and it seems that, as long as she stabilises, she can receive palliative care at home in a couple more days. We know the end is not too far away but we've been given a while longer to spend with her and for us all to let her and Dad know how much we love them. Sorry about the soppyness but it's amazing! Cheers, John. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two_sugars Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 No need to a apologize. . Enjoy the time you have, and thanks for sharing it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Anotheran Posted July 2, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 2, 2015 Sorry about the soppyness but it's amazing! John, There's certainly no need to apologise. One of the great things about this forum, and particularly these threads, is the sense of care and genuine concern from people most of whom we've never met, and most likely never will. It almost feels like a big extended family at times. Having been through a couple of recent scares with my mum I think it's wonderful that you can get to spend some more time with yours. I hope that you all, and she, love every minute of it. It's not soppy at all... it's family. Kind regards, Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emt_911 Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 John. I have to agree with Neil. This big extended family on here is so supportive that it restores my faith in the human race Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Thanks everyone, I'm really touched. That's really kind. John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) Most interesting! I've just ordered my telescope and our SARA'S bouncing up and down with excitement! I hope she's going to let ME play with it sometimes! Regards Bill Footnote: Latest images from NewHorizons show a series of equally-spaced dark spots along the equator. Humm! I wonder how long it will be before some gobsh*te claims that they are portholes and that Pluto is actually the mothership for all those mysterious UFO thingies! Must remember to pop into Ladbrokes tomorrow and see what the odd's are! Edited July 2, 2015 by Mythocentric 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted July 2, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 2, 2015 Yes, Bill - those equatorial features look very strange. It'll be interesting to see them at high resolution. At least they are able to follow their preferred route through the Pluto system, so the twin shadow occultations by Pluto and Charon should be informative. Did you order the SLT 130? From First Light Optics? My new machine is still sat in the living room until the Bunker is clean enough to receive it. It weighs a ton, so I don't want to move it around more often than necessary!! Moon pics continue via the old machine! Jeff 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Yes, Bill - those equatorial features look very strange. It'll be interesting to see them at high resolution. At least they are able to follow their preferred route through the Pluto system, so the twin shadow occultations by Pluto and Charon should be informative. Did you order the SLT 130? From First Light Optics? My new machine is still sat in the living room until the Bunker is clean enough to receive it. It weighs a ton, so I don't want to move it around more often than necessary!! Moon pics continue via the old machine! Jeff I did indeed Jeff! First rate people and lovely to deal with, so my thanks for your recommendation. One advantage of the SLT 130 is it should be light enough for me to transport back and forth. In fact I've allocated one of my fishing trolley's to carry it. Or alternatively, for our own sweet Sara, who's practically threatening to move in, to pull it! Hee Hee! Actually I have a surprise in store for her in that I've decided to give her my spotting scope and a tripod together with a copy of the 'Stargazer's Handbook' so that should keep her (and mum) occupied while I play with it myself! The only downside is the mid-range weather forecasts at the moment are for heavy clouds and rain! (Expletive deleted!) NewHorizon's is essential viewing for me now and I'm looking forward's to the next few weeks with relish! The continuous new revelations are, for me, reviving the same excitement I felt during the Apollo missions. It's a marvellous achievement and it can only get better. Even Wimbledon's faded into the background and for a dedicated tennis follower that's going some! Regards Bill 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted July 3, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2015 John, good to read your heartwarming story, and though the end will come (as it does to us all), that is is not as soon as expected, and then peaceful and dignified. I fully agree that the RMWeb community is one of the strangest and warmest online communities that I have encountered, and this is no more so than in the confines of ERs and of this Asylum. Regards Stewart 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted July 3, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2015 John, good to read your heartwarming story, and though the end will come (as it does to us all), that is is not as soon as expected, and then peaceful and dignified. I fully agree that the RMWeb community is one of the strangest and warmest online communities that I have encountered, and this is no more so than in the confines of ERs and of this Asylum. Regards Stewart I visit a few Forums (Fora?) on the web, but spend very little time there compared to RMweb. There are a few "nuggets" knocking around, but fortunately - by design? - they stay clear of the Lounge/Asylum. I think we have a really good collection of contributors on here and we're never afraid to be fully supportive of our peers. A very knowledgeable bunch, too! Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted July 3, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2015 Morning Bill. Glad you found FLO to be so helpful. I've bought a few things from them - I've an order due today - and their service has been excellent. I'd also highly recommend Telescope House. I've had long chats with the 2 guys who run the place and it turns out we have common friends going back over 30 years. When your telescope arrives, let me know what you think - particularly regarding the red LED "finder". It works well, but I've replaced mine with a proper 9 x 50 finderscope. I've not posted any pics of the new arrival (telescope, that is) - will do so if anyone is interested. Jeff 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jock67B Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Jeff, Yes please from me! Kind regards, Jock. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 (edited) Another vote from me to add to Jock's Jeff! I've got a few things in mind by way of expansion like eyepieces, etc. The main concern at the moment is whether the adaptor's I have will connect my camera to it but the good people at FLO are looking into it for me. I'm quite intrigued by that LED finder myself and I can't wait to see how it works. The technological advances are amazing since my last 'proper' astronomical telescope, a 4 inch reflector complete with wooden tripod which used to 'walk' around by itself in anything above a light breeze! It's a pity I can't drive up onto the moors above Darwen to observe like I did then. A perfect spot with minimal light pollution, not to mention a bl**dy good pub a couple of miles down the road for post-observational refreshments! The landlord, Tony, had a pet badger which he'd raised from a cub and which used to wander around the pub. Quite amazing to pet an animal which would normally be clawing your hands to shreds for getting too near! One question. What's a Barlow? I don't want to buy one only to look through it and see some twonk from a boyband singing the sort of song which should have never seen the light of day! Light pollution is one thing, but brain pollution is a whole other ballgame! Regards Bill Edited July 3, 2015 by Mythocentric 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted July 3, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2015 Ok gents, I'll attend to your wishes.... But first, a question. What is this object? Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 (edited) A: A Barlow. B: A Type 5 UFO from Alpha Centauri. C: Something which fell off your cooker. Am I close? Regards Bill Edited July 3, 2015 by Mythocentric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted July 3, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2015 Bill, the Red Spot "finder" isn't really a finder, more an alignment tool. Here's what it looks like: An LED is used to project a red spot onto a screen in the middle of the device - as you look through it. If you've made the correct adjustments beforehand, if the red spot is superimposed on the object you are looking at, the object will be in the middle of your low power eyepiece view. The device has a magnification of ONE, so is of no use - other than aligning the scope - which is its function as the GoTo is supposed to find all the objects for you.... Erm, it's pretty good but I'll make some specific recommendations when your scope arrives. I like to see what I'm looking at and enjoy "star hopping" to find objects rather than relying entirely on the computer. You CAN'T move the scope up and down and side to side MANUALLY by pulling and pushing - you have to use the controller to slew the scope using motors - which is fine. The motors are capable of moving at upto 3 degrees a second or at a really slow pace. I've bought a replacement finder so I can see what's what - especially useful if the GoTo is slightly out: Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted July 3, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2015 A: A Barlow. B: A Type 5 UFO from Alpha Centauri. C: Something which fell off your cooker. Am I close? Regards Bill Not quite - and NO, it's not a little man from Pluto!!! It's actually an EYEPIECE - over 1kg of it!!!! Fits into the 2" diagonal at the back of the new scope. Here's a comparison with a more "normal" 1.25" eyepiece... Jeff 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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