Nothing was normal about the second half of August.  Fine weather continued to dominate, mostly, before conditions became slightly more unsettled. Just like last year our scheduled event on Aug 16th was to be our first of the year from the Cpt Cook headland site.  Unlike last year it was a most frustrating affair, cloud not knowing whether to come or go, any visible stars flitting in and out of view. 

Mark and Keith ventured up to the West Cliff fully intending to go ahead as planned, however cloud covered much of the south and east - where we hoped to spot Saturn rising, whilst overhead, to the north and northwest, tenuous cloud banks jousted with clear sky. Only low to the west were skies clear, tinged with a glorious orange hue but of little use to us. 
Rather than unloading we kept watch on the ebb and flow of the silent conflict in the sky. Vega, Arcturus and Deneb highlighting the battle lines.   

We waited 20 minutes after the scheduled start, little changed, so we thought it best to depart. Of course, when Mark returned home skies cleared further and just 3 miles away - from Sleights - they were almost totally clear.  It didn't last and by 10pm skies were overcast yet again. Perhaps the pragmatic decision made not to go ahead had been the correct call after all. There would be other occasions. 

Aug 23rd - Bank Holiday Saturday cloud! Clear at Dogger Bank though. (Click for full image)

The event scheduled the following Saturday on Aug 23rd wasn't one of them, as forecast cloud cover remained more or less throughout the day.  Conditions for the bank holiday Saturday were perfectly acceptable for doing most things, just not sunbathing or stargazing!  Mark didn't even put the advertising placard out. The wait to host a star party at our usual location - the Cook headland goes on.  

Yet another mini heatwave followed, although for the last few days of August it looked as though conditions would become very unsettled, casting doubt on our visit to Hooks House at Robin Hoods Bay. Having had little meaningful rain for several weeks, the land was now exceedingly dry, so it came as no surprise when moorland fires broke out. One had been burning for a while, but a second fire really took hold and caused havoc - headline news havoc! Roads were closed, buried ordnance on the moors was detonating, evacuations were in order for some. Smoke often filled the air - even in Whitby itself. 

Smoke over moors as seen from Abbey Car Park. (Click for full image)

Mark contacted Jill at Hook's House a day before the event and we agreed to postpone, the campsite was near deserted, people cancelling for the weekend due to smoke and headlines! It should have been a first as a reason for postponement, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway. Even if the campsite had been full and the air clear, the event would still have been a casualty, from our old adversary - the weather, it rained over Saturday evening! A smoggy ending to August.

A very smokey Whitby - an orange tinge not so lovely! (Click for full image)

It seems quite ironic in the warmest summer on record, when there have been many fine evenings, our scheduled evening Star Party tally stands at just two - both at Regatta - so often the events affected. A very strange August indeed!  
 

Hooks House date Rescheduled

We have now rearranged our visit to Hooks House for September - Saturday 13th, when the Moon is out of the way until 9:30pm. Start time is 8pm, so we will need to be on site for 7:30pm leaving Whitby 7:15pm. Usual transportation requirements apply.