Monthly Archives: January 2020

Robert Brown’s “myFocuserPro2” build

Posted on January 31, 2020 by james

I have now finished bench-testing my third dew controller (had to wait for another humidity sensor to arrive as the one I had appears to have been faulty). So, I think it’s time to start looking at Robert’s focuser controller. … Continue reading →

Posted in Astro Equipment, Astronomy, Projects | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Swimming, 31st January 2020

Posted on January 31, 2020 by james

And another repeat of the set I’ve been swimming for the last few weeks. The pool was busy again today and I wasn’t really enjoying the choppy water, but despite that I managed to complete the 50m set without a … Continue reading →

Posted in Swimming | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The “Ooh-Aah” bird

Posted on January 30, 2020 by james

Apparently so-named because it lays square eggs. But perhaps it just lays these. An average “large” size egg (the pale cream one, obviously) alongside for comparison.

Posted in Chickens, Smallholding | Tagged | Leave a comment

One blew over the hornet’s nest

Posted on January 30, 2020 by james

I had a stack of hive brood chambers containing old comb that I was going to melt down. It must have been bumped by a deer or something like that, which left room for some hornets to get in and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee-keeping, Smallholding | Tagged | Leave a comment

A couple more photos of the observatory

Posted on January 30, 2020 by james

I found these the other day, so I thought I’d just add them out of interest… First, the remote control for the telescope room LEDs. I keep meaning to 3d print a little holder for this to fix to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Observatory, Projects | Leave a comment

Swimming, 30th January 2020

Posted on January 30, 2020 by james

Another repeat of the same set. Busy pool again, too. I failed only on rep 16 of the 50m set, but wasn’t unhappy as my times are really starting to get back to where they were now — I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Swimming | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dew heaters from a new supplier

Posted on January 30, 2020 by james

Now my dew heater controllers are finished I need to get some more heater straps. Whilst casting about for suppliers I came across W&W Astro who I’d not heard of before. Their straps appear to be film-based and what comments … Continue reading →

Posted in Astro Equipment, Astronomy | Tagged | Leave a comment

Restoring an AAG rain gauge #2

Posted on January 29, 2020 by james

I’m pleased to say that the rain gauge is now in place and all connected up. It appears to be counting properly (unlike it did when I had it on the desk for testing), but I’ll keep an eye on … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Projects | Tagged | Leave a comment

DIY Stevenson screen #4

Posted on January 29, 2020 by james

I’ve been meaning to post this for a while. Just a photo of the Stevenson screen, as complete as it’s going to get for the time being.

Posted in Environment, Projects | Tagged | Leave a comment

Swimming, 28th January 2020

Posted on January 29, 2020 by james

Same set again, and by contrast with yesterday I had the pool to myself for a fair part of my session. Today went pretty well. My times were probably quicker on average throughout the 50m reps than they have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Swimming | Tagged , | Leave a comment