One of our members, Bill Lockhart, has retired to the little town of Belfast in the Eastern Transvaal, about 220 km from Johannesburg. He has built himself a little observatory to house his 10-inch Meade LX200 and has a CCD camera and attachments to fit a 35mm camera on the telescope.

But over and above this, he has been befriended by a group who have a 12-inch Meade LX200 in a forest reserve just outside Belfast, and has assisted them in getting to know the night sky. In exchange they have allowed him the use of the 12-inch. The forestry company SAFCOL have a little resort, called Lakensvlei, on a small dam in one of their forests about 15km outside Belfast. The area is well known for its trout fishing, and that is the main activity at these chalets. However they have built a small observatory, in the middle of this vlei, with a rotating dome and a 12-inch Meade telescope. And it is there for the use of guests.

Other activities include trout fishing, birding at a hide on the vlei, horse riding, hiking, boating and general lazing around. There is a small restaurant and bar facilities where you can warm up before venturing out to the dome. The skies are magnificent. There are 6 chalets sleeping 8 people each and 6 chalets sleeping up to 4 people each. Cost works out at about R160 per person per night over the week-ends - a little less during the week.

Bill would be glad to have visitors around.