You should come over and star gaze with us with our telescope. MrPL brought one in the summer.
I agree that it's difficult to see anything. It all depends on the time of day and it's rarely convenient for us. We're hoping to be out there more but our area SUCKS!!
Our plan is to take it to SFU mountain in spring.
I've printed out your post to show to MrPL.
ADD: He saw venus but before he had the chance to come and grab me, it disappeared behind the trees.
I missed it....