The French Blatting Company

Life at La Foie

ASTRONOMY

June 2014 and I decide to sell the MG Midget. It doesn't get used and I'll probably have a weak back from now on (crushed and fractured vertebrae) so getting in and out won't be easy.

Lynne and I have known each other for 50 years. In all that time she has NEVER spent money on any non-essential item. I on the other hand have spent a fortune on cars, cameras and HiFi. So I decide to buy her a telescope. She is outside looking at the stars most nights and this is what, after 3 weeks of research I decide to purchase. My first choice was the same telescope but mounted on a smaller, lighter mount and tripod. The experts on the forums told me to upgrade to this as the double fork and larger mount were less prone to movement. It's computerised and once set the slightest movement will put it out. 

The details of the telescope are HERE

It's actually BIGGER than it looks in the picture.

We went to Lorient yesterday, to see Suzanne Vega at the Celtic festival - she was great. We called in to a Celestron dealer in the town and this was the first time we'd seen it in the flesh. Not only is it HUGE but it's HEAVY.

Having slept on it overnight (not literally, it's too lumpy for that) I've decided to build a cabinet for it and leave it outside permanently. So, I'll be off to the DIY store later to get 3 x 1.5 x 1.5 floor and roof (2 for floor) and some 25 x 25 batten, screws, hinges and 2 handles. I'll make one side open so we just have to open the door and slide it sideways, rather than lift it off. Cover it in some plastic and job done. The only problem is to avoid running into it when cutting the grass. So I'll put some stakes all around it.

This is where we are going to site it. I have extension leads long enough to reach and a table and chairs as well as a paraffin heater for the cold nights. 

The red spot marks the spot. The trees are much bigger since that picture was taken, But we'll still get a lot of sky to see. The box ended up where the purple line ends, between the orchard and the gites.

The kit should arrive on Friday, 8th August 2014. It's coming from F1 telescopes in Kent.

Oh, the price. Only £2,113.95, and she's worth every penny.

8th August, wet, warm and humid.

Doesn't everyone have a telescope in the kitchen? New owner looking for stars in her kitchen. Only star in the kitchen is me I'm afraid.

I was going to take a picture of the boxes but they were in the barn before you could say "box"

The Celestron registration form asks if we're satisfied with our purchase. How do we know until we use it. It may be clear on Sunday night so here's hoping.

I've put the story of the first observatory elsewhere. It's all too painful!

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