Melvyn Hannibal (ZA) at HO1

I very nearly did not go! The Jo'burg weather had been overcast for the preceding week, and the Thursday forecast was most discouraging. Total cloud over the entire eastern half of the country. By lunch time on Friday there were a few gaps in the cloud, and I phoned the Met. office at Jan Smuts. Based on their information, I decided to go. With the experience of two previous visits, I packed my Arctic clothing and the 'scope, and headed into the sunset. Well not yet, but it was after sundown when I arrived. The sky was not clear, but one could see some stars. After supper, about ten o' clock, the murk had dispersed, so it was out scopes. After one had "dark adapted" the milky way appeared in all it's stunning glory, and much joy was had in looking at things I could only guess at from home. There was still much cloud about which gave me an awful moment or two. I was looking at Jupiter, when it suddenly disappeared. I was convinced that the satellite dish had been moved, but it was actually a passing cloud.

The computer makes "request viewing" so easy, and it is pleasant to give those less fortunate, the opportunity to see items which are not easily found. It also helps to keep the hotel staff friendly towards our offbeat activities and requests for "lights out".

I had persuaded Bill Lockhart to come, and he brought his ten inch, which took viewing pressure off my scope. With intermittent clouds flowing across the sky, I packed up about 12:30. Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, and WARM. After an excellent breakfast nearly all of us headed into Harrismith for some sightseeing. We visited a craft market, the cemetery, and the petrified tree, before returning to Swinburne for lunch. Ominous large clouds started to gather, and with human optimism, we expected to have an early night along with the early supper I had requested. Seven instead of eight o' clock.

The sky was even better than the night before, and after the public session, Bill and I decided to try some photography. Unfortunately, the hotel wiring is such that some outside lights are directly linked to room lights and plugs, so in order to power such necessities as electric blankets, we were handicapped by external lights coming on again. I packed up about midnight, and Bill reported that clouds had appeared shortly afterwards. I have my doubts as to whether it was cloud or smoke.

Superb food, clear skies, and good company. It was really nice to see so many from Durban. My thanks to Ed Finlay for organising the week-end, and for his help to Bill and myself in setting up our 'scopes. The only unhappy event of the week-end was Bill's involuntary contribution to the RDP program. His house was broken into and some clothing taken.

I very nearly did not go, but I'm jolly glad I did!