[dc1500]

Thanks, yes. mainly experimenting at the moment till I get my Star Adventurer tracker but even in my town (Basildon) it can be okay, especially after 1.00 am when all the street lights are turned off. Seems to coincide with my neighbour turning on his bathroom light! Mind I wouldn't want to venture out too far on my own round here! But I can see Andromeda in my bins and one night just about with my naked eye (and I have got the very early stages of cateracts as well!). I have found out where there are some dark skies within about a 30 minute drive so will try them at some point. Incidentally, is the Milky Way still visible low to the SW at the moment?
Thanks again for your interest.