It is New Year’s day. No, I did not make this a resolution, that is to say, to start a blog. Rather, I have spent some hours in front of the screen browsing a lot of websites on Astronomy observatories, from  Poland Italy, England and yes even one in Auckinleck. It struck me I would like some time to contemplate what I have learnt. Since deciding to move away from version 1.1 of observing, setting things up from scratch every time, back in the May holiday week of 2014, I have spent  hours making decking in a 3.6m square in the back garden. I now find that that the fibreglass Obs need a concrete floor; I am impressed with the Polish Ob, it seems well made, professional and quite weatherproof. The Pulsar Obs seem to leak, though I see they have a new design on their webpage.

I spent Boxing Day reviewing where I am at with Astronomy and astrophotography- mostly “all the gear and….” I have decided, what with the Canon5D Mark3, lenses to die for, Minitron CCD camera,120mm apo refractor, AstroEngineering pier lying in the garage, loads of books now on Astronomy by Thierry Legault, webpages galore ( see Ken Rockwell on Milky Way ) and yet  I hardly feel as if I am any further forward in the last 8 years since I really took it up and began to invest in it again.

So here I am , finally, about to make a purchase of a new Observatory, with full electrics and computer remote access. I need to make up my mind as to whether to commit to this, but I think I will. I enjoy and am stimulated mentally by the stars, planet, sun and Moon,there is both Art and Science here,  and this has not waned with the passing years. Money is thankfully not a real issue, it is about making the right choice, knowing I have other constraints too particularly weather and time.

Less that 4 years to my NRA at 60, so planning ahead.