Melbourne APUG get together - MAY 2012

[Mick Fagan]

If the weather is sour, then I would opt for Point Leo, which is generally on the lee side of bad weather in Westernport Bay. The car park there is free at this time of the year, there are rock formations that one can walk and slip over as the tide ebbs.

Don't forget there is an entrance or car park fee at Cape Shank, so if the weather is bad, we'll be outside awaiting all and sundry in our centrally heated camper

Mick.

 

[Joachim_I]

Nine days to go - time to bring this thread back to the top!

I am curious to see some results from the last shooting (Toorongo falls).
Just bring them along. I will bring a couple of 6x7 slides myself. Joachim

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Good idea Joachim. I do need something to distract FdiSilverstro so I can make off with his prrrrretty Hassy. Savvy? Deal?

 

[LJH]

What are your plans for cameras this time around?

Weathered being good, I'd like to get the 7x17" out for its first rustication to the Aussie beach.

If not too good, I was thinking about bringing a the XPO, the Sinar shutter and a Verito down for some soft focus 5x4 coastal shots.

 

[Joachim_I]

What are your plans for cameras this time around?

As usual, my trusted Pentax 67II and some lenses from 45-300mm. Will be shooting Velvia 50 as always.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I have decided that I certainly will make the effort to go to this meet if the sun is shining and there is some semblance of a blue sky, maybe with clouds! I happen to reason there is a particular scene at Pulpit Rock that lends itself ideally to that sort of weather — and an ultrawide angle lens. Overcast, drizzle/rain, wind and general cold would see me bombing out; the cape ain't a protected place like Toorongo with tall, graceful forest (but Toorongo, too, can be a hellhole when the weather turns drack...), rather a place where freak waves appear out of nowhere and jagged rocks and sliprock surfaces await the unwary. That said, I'm definitely looking forward to it, just taking a very sensible approach and the fact that after 6 weeks I still haven't fully shaken off bronchial pneumonia, and even seem to have passed it on: haven't heard from the Professor recently after he took quite sick with what could have been my lurgy. I'll chase him up with cheer tomorrow.

 

[mrsmiggins]

The other-half and I will be there Saturday - whatever the weather, and staying the night. It's Ebony's turn this time; a more manageable and practical outfit. The Ritter front standard assembly is making a return trip to Vermont for some re-work. My only 3 Tooronga shots were crap!

Onward & upward.....

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Can somebody advise me please how much the parking fee is at Cape Schanck so I can bring an appropriate number of ducats?

 

[mrsmiggins]

Bob reckons parking fees were abolished in 2010
http://bushwalkjournal.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/cape-schanck-hike.html
...but bring your doubloons just in case!!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Shaping up as a good place to give the legs a solid work out with all those stairs to go up and down... and a bit of interesting rock-hopping...

 

[LJH]

Looking a little wet and a fair bit windy, albeit quite a long range forecast.

 

[Nige]

Sunday is kids footy so I might have to nip down on Saturday, take all the good pics and leave you lot with the scraps

Actually, I've been there several times and it's great spot! Decent walk from the carpark so don't forget to go prepared for the weather and excessive film usage!

 

[Molli]

Well, I've just bravely signed up for the Postcard Exchange for the first time and, I thought, since I have my courage clenched here in my fist, I'd take the opportunity to invite myself along to this little soirée. The weather's not looking too good so far so I thought I'd also offer my hospitality if Cape Schanck is a washout. I'm half an hour up the road from the lighthouse (back towards Melbourne) and would be happy to provide shelter and a place for everyone to spread out their prints, albums, cameras, etc. for show and tell. I'm afraid the only refreshments I can provide are tea and coffee (instant, I'm sorry to say). Food doesn't really interest me so the chances of there being any on the premises are basically nil. There is, however, Main St. Mornington just a few minutes up the road which is more or less Melbourne's "Mini Me", with a café every five metres, not to mention the ubiquotous McDonalds and Hungry Jacks.
It's probably a bit late in the day to offer, but if anyone is being put off by the travel distance and would like to make a weekend of it, I have a spare room here: queen size bed, two single mattresses; ample floor space for sleeping bags and, if it wouldn't be horrendously cruel at this time of year, there's also plenty of room in the back yard for about five or six tents providing no one wants to set up anything too palatial!
That's more or less a standing offer for any time, not just this coming weekend. I can pick people up from either Frankston Station or the ferry terminal down in Sorrento if anyone's wanting to make use of public transport, and you can use my car while you're here. The good news is, it's uninsured so, if you crash it, it doesn't matter (The MG's in the shop, so you'd have to settle for an old '92 Nissan Pintara.)
My darkroom falls somewhere between laughable and appalling, but at the very least it can be used to develop film or change out film holders.
Um, I think that covers everything. If anyone wants to take me up on the offer of a room overnight or for a couple of days so that the trip down isn't such a massive undertaking, just PM me and I'll give you the details.
If not, I'll see all of you brave and hardy souls at 10am down at Cape Schanck.

 

[SMBooth]

Although I'm not going, that's a very kind offer Molli. I hope you enjoy the day.

 

[Molli]

Well, I know it's quite a trek driving right around the bay from Geelong-way and bringing the car across on the ferry can get a tad pricey, so the offer's there any time
I'm pretty spoiled living around here and I sometimes forget that - sharing it seems a good way to appreciate the scenery

By the way, I spoke too soon earlier - it's turned into a lovely day here, although still quite windy. Perhaps Sunday will turn out nicely as well.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Molli, echoing the sentiment by SMBooth, it's an extraordinarily accommodating gesture for you to provide a half-way stop for people living far from the Peninsula, as you point out in the above post; from Geelong, it's a ferry ride (and likely a rough one) to Sorrento, then a 30 minute drive. We plan to split the cost, but the whole bit will be aborted if the sea is rough: I really do puke on the high seas! As far as I am aware the only place I've found even marginally suitable for overnight stays for Cape Schank is so-so-yesterday Sorrento Youth Hostel. However, I'm not an all-night party animal, nor do I appreciate waking up to a kitchen that looks like a bomb has gone off. So YHA fell out of favour around the time Nelson lost an eye...

At this time I have not recovered fully from post-bronch/pneumonia tonsilitis and need to shake that off, as well as the fever, before going anywhere on the weekend. I have not heard from the Professor; he wasn't well either last time I caught up. Will track him down tonight and see what's up. So... I'm now a tentative starter until I see how progress goes over the remainder of the week. Mind you, I will absolutely not be spending another weekend holed up like a caged cat!!

 

[Molli]

Well, the kitchen here is more or less pristine.... which is what comes of not using it!
Seriously, Garyh, if you and the Professor want to avoid incurring the cost of bringing a car over on the ferry, I really am only too happy to come and pick the two of you up and give you the use of the car while you're over here. I do understand about the perils of that ferry crossing - I've been on it a time or two myself in foul weather and it's not exactly a pacific journey. If you decide your tummy's not up to it, feel free to take me up on the offer at a better time for you - I'm here pretty much 24/7, so weekday or weekend isn't a problem. There are actually two spare rooms (so you and the Professor wouldn't have to bunk in together), it's just that the second is pretty much an office of sorts, but the two armchairs in there can be pushed out of the way and one of the single mattresses can be dragged in there.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Molli, I (with a cycling friend) renounced my YHA membership for all time based solely on a most unpleasant experience at Sorrento YHA in 2004. The organisation is stuck in backward, romantic crap.
'Tis not a problem sleeping nearby the Professor: I count sheep (most effective when they are visualised roasted with gravy). I reckon he passes time with thread counts at a nanotech level and whatnot. Whatever rows the boat...
I had some plans for a scene at Pulpit Rock based on low tide dynamics, but I don't think there will be a low tide or even an ebb tide forward of 10am.

 

[Molli]

Perhaps we should start up a DHA for visitors? That would be Darkroom Hostel Association (or perhaps, more appropriately, Darkroom Hostages Association). Almost everyone in Australia is blessed with gorgeous scenery in and around their home town. Remember high school youth exchange programmes? (Although, come to think of it, I don't have a kid to trade for a change of locale.) Anyway, 'Grumpy Old Man' (I think) suggested some time ago that people list their darkroom/spare room being available to other photographers visiting the area. In my case, my darkroom is pitiable, but I live in close proximity to a number of really lovely areas of the Mornington Peninsula so it's not a bad jumping off point and, of course, there's a free roof over one's head at the end of the day.

 

[Joachim_I]

That's a very generous offer, Molli. My wife and I will be fine. We have booked a B&B very close to Cape Schanck. We plan to combine the APUG meeting with some wine tasting on Saturday.

 

[Molli]

Ah, just save it for future reference then I can provide the open fire and wine glasses but, alas, no wine The other downside is that...well.... I'll be here

 

[Mick Fagan]

Molli, we will be down for the weekend, probably from around late lunch on Saturday, not exactly sure where we will stay, as we are in the camper. Very good offer for all and sundry.

I will be bringing along some B&W paper that was offloaded to me last week, some interesting stuff, mostly small, but the price is right. I will be offloading it to you, gotta keep your darkroom fed!! Quite a few boxes are postcard size

Whilst I'm at it, I'll hand deliver that postcard.

How are you off for film developer, I could mix up a litre?

Joachim, what are you up to on Saturday evening, and where? PM if appropriate.

Mick.

 

[Molli]

Mick, you're a sweetheart
I actually thought of you and Barbara and your camper when I made my offer - that's why I cut back the branches overhanging my driveway today Mind you, I still don't know that there's enough clearance for anything 'high tower-ish'. Either way, there's certainly a room here for the two of you and you'd be most welcome. I'm only sorry I can't provide a meal in kind as your lovely wife did for me when I was at your place. (I must learn to stockpile food for people who eat!)
Thank you for the offer of paper; but I'm afraid I took my last $10 out of the bank for coffee this coming Sunday. What's left must stay in the bank for rent or I'm in BIG trouble. I'm all set for developer, however; but it was lovely of you to offer to mix me some!
If you or anyone else who is coming down the day before need somewhere safe to leave excess gear while out and about, please also feel free to make use of the space here. I promise not to pinch any of it! Car-pooling from here is also perfectly fine. There's a spare car port and, providing you're not driving a semi-trailer, that can be driven straight through/under/whatever and cars can be parked out the back, also.

Oh, and I just remembered. I made a print for you, also, some months ago, but I'm even less impressed with it now. I should learn to be more impulsive.... I wait around for hindsight to kick in and say, "No, that's rubbish!"

 

[Joachim_I]

Joachim, what are you up to on Saturday evening, and where? PM if appropriate.Mick.

Hi Mick, i sent you a PM. But somehow it does not show up in my Sent Messages folder. Will follow up tomorrow. Joachim

 

[Mick Fagan]

Joachim, I received the message, but had difficulty sending you one, there may be an issue, doesn't matter. Do you have my email address? The answer is yes:- Herbed kipfler potatoes mmmmmmm. If we can get in.

Molli, many many thanks for your offer, but we will be staying in a caravan park down the peninsula somewhere in the camper. As for the photo paper, it was given to me, it is being forwarded on to you gratis.

I'm looking forward to the print, no matter how badly you think of it.

Mick.