Comments from visiting astronomers:

• "I spent a couple of days up at Deborah's place this week and had a fabulous time. I almost said relaxing but just stopped myself there........I was keen on seeing the area, never having really investigated anywhere north of Auckland , and so asked Deborah and Andy to suss out a walk or two. We ended up doing a day trip over and across the magnificent Maunganui Bluff (what's this, I thought - another Mt. Maunganui?) , the views were breathtaking , the path a bit dodgy and scary in places but well worth the trip. We ended up having a picnic and also a very welcome swim in a local lake then back home again. Andy and I also had a bike ride along the beach (yes, I only fell off once .....) to have a gawp at the shipwreck that was being readied for transport. It was a small Flemish yacht - completely rusted up - but the Belgian guy we talked to said they were going to restore it and use it for teaching purposes back in Europe.
  
  "The daytime skies were hot and a bit hazy but this is the best bit - it totally cleared up both nights I was there and wow! Lots and lots of stars - missing friends that I never see in Tauranga or even in the surrounding so-called dark areas. My lasting impression is seeing all the bow stars of Orion. We saw loads of satellites, a couple of meteors, and were lucky enough to see the iridium flare. This was spotted by one of the tour group, so he was very rightly pleased with himself.
  
  "There were groups of people booked in for both nights and I was really impressed to experience Deborah's night sky tour talk firsthand. She's a natural at this, and her enthusiasm kept the visitors hanging on her every word. There were loads of good questions, and some of the visitors were students too, who were there to learn as well. I'm sure everyone went away with a feeling of an evening well spent. If you're ever up that way, do go and visit, and take in a star tour or two."
  
  - Ursula (Tauranga)