The Early Years: 1975-80 
My interest in astronomy dates back some 30 years (doesn't time fly!) to the mid seventies when my aunty pointed out the first magnitude star Vega one starry summer night. After that I was hooked! At Christmas 1975 I received my first astronomical instrument- you've guessed it- a 60 mm refractor. Despite the usual shortcomings, this telescope proved to be a useful instrument for a beginner and over the course of 1976 I explored the Moon and brighter planets.
In 1978 I saw a picture (see right) in an astronomy magazine of the great English amateur George Alcock (celebrated discoverer of novae and comets) perching over a giant pair of tripod-mounted 105 mm binoculars. I became convinced that a large pair of binoculars would be just the instrument for me and for Christmas 1978 I received my second astronomical instruments, a pair of 20 x70 mm binoculars.These instruments to a very large extent determined the future direction of my astronomical interest away from the solar system in favour firstly of deep sky objects and later on variable stars. Throughout 1979 I methodically picked my way through the Messier catalogue of nebulae, clusters and galaxies for which the wide field and low magnification of the binoculars proved to be ideal.
The Birmingham Astronomical Society
In March 1980 I joined my local astronomy club, the Birmingham Astronomical Society which had monthly meetings in an Aston University lecture theatre. The BAS had a small but active junior section. Every Friday evening we would meet at the Construction Room, a converted workshop in one of the back streets ajoining Aston University (this has all been demolished now, to make way for the Aston Science Park).Together with John Dunne, Rob Januzweski and others whose names escape me) we would meet to talk about astronomical topics although later on these meetings degenerated into pub sessions...
The BAS owned an observatory in Waterworks Road on the property of the Severn Trent River Authority, not far from Tolkien's Twin Towers. We spent many a freezing cold night on the floor of the observatory which housed an antique Calver 12" reflector. I still vividly remember the brass controls of this impressive antique instrument and clambouring up the ladder to peer through the eyepiece of the telescope. More information about this observatory can be found by following the Edgbaston Observatory link under'menu'.
The Astronomer Magazine meeting 1980 October 
In many ways the 1980 annual meeting of The Astronomer magazine proved to be the turning point of my interests in astronomy as it was here that my interest was awakened in variable star observing. Through listening to Guy Hirst (still the magazine's editor) and Melvyn Taylor, I became convinced that variable stars could offer a challenge given the binocular equipment I had at my disposal. In the beginning observing variable stars was frustrating- dew soaked charts and freezing cold January nights getting lost among the asterisms.Gradually throughout 1981 I began to get the hang of finding objects and carrying out judgements of brightness.
Observing Variable Stars- 1981-1985
Over the period 1981-1985 I made some 3500 observations of variable stars, mainly drawn from the binocular and main programmes of the BAA VSS. The vast majority of objects studied were red semi-regulars and Mira variables as my binoculars were unable to reach below magnitude 10.5 in the somewhat light-polluted skies of north Birmingham. One highlight of this period was seeing the fade of R CrB in September 1983, shortly before I left for Durham University. Observations during 1984 and 1985 were confined to university holidays when I was back in Birmingham.
The need for a telescope
By 1985 I realised that I needed a telescope to reach the faint and interesting cataclysmic variables of the BAA VSS Main Programme which were out of reach of the binoculars. Unfortunately I rushed naively into the purchase of a Celestron 8" copy without checking for references. The result was a bitter disappointment- an instrument unable to focus and a motorized mount which refused to track. The instrument went back into its box in which it still resides today, 20 years later.Nowadays there are internet sites like Cloudy Nights which make it easier to check on equipment prior to purchase.
With this my interest in the subject went into deep hibernation. It is doubtful whether I ever devoted a single thought to astronomy in the intervening years. Constant moving about, studying commitments and more recently the demands of having a family all took their toll.
2005- Resurgence
2005 has been the year in which I totally unexpectedly got back my interest in astronomy. By chance I managed to trace via the internet a few people I had met during the early 1980s. In particular I would mention Gary Poyner and Rob Januzweski who have been major sources of my interest revival. Following links to their websites and also to the AASVO site has been truely inspirational. Another factor has undoubtably been finishing my PhD at the University of Birmingham which had taken up so much of my time. I have subsequently joined the AAVSO and begun reporting observations to their web-based database- a big improvement over filling in paper forms in the 1980s.
2008- Strawberry Fields Observatory
My dream finally became true and I was able to set up my observatory on the windy Swedish island of Öland. The observatory is dedicated to the memory of my parents, Joy and Trevor Allen. Information about this observatory can be found elsewhere on this site.