Sitting on our motorhome’s (Martha) kitchen step, drinking tea, looking out towards Stack Rocks.
The jewel that is Antares was shining red and greenish bright; a well named “Rival of Mars”.
It was so good to be here in this astronomy moment.
The bright lights of several ships twinkled out in the bay, the sky mostly clear of cloud.
Tonight had the promise of astronomy for sure.
The Summer Triangle was first to be seen, an asterism which can be seen from now until Christmas.
Tonight's Triangle was most welcome, Vega first and brightest, followed in joint second place by Altair and Deneb.
These three stars of summer nights are a preview of what's ahead.
Eyes were on Libra tonight.
A quick binocular scan revealed a popping in and out view of that wonderously named Libra alpha star Zubenelgenubi, hovering as it was above Skomer Island.
Turn the binoculars upwards to another beauty, Zubenelschamali, also known as Beta Librae.
It was 11.00pm and time for a final Scorpio and Libra breathe-out, a peep at the Plough and a nod to several wide angled doubles.
We prepared Martha for departure.
With a quick batten down of the hatches, we were ready to move on to a nearby spot for the night.
Would have happily stayed camped next to the singing waves of Newgale, but local authority regulations forbid this pleasant well being activity.
Bureacracy...! such is the world most of us live in.
Whilst getting ready to head off, I was reminded of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Which was taking place exactly 56 years ago tonight.
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin (not forgetting Michael Collins circling above in the Command Module) were busily preparing for their next adventure, that of walking on the surface of the Moon.
“It’s one small step for man
One giant leap for mankind”.
