Great stuff Michael. Do let me know if I can be of assistance as your plans progress.
If you want to have a dabble with CVs, the VSS is running a campaign on one called NSV 2026, which is in Taurus. Unfiltered CCD obs (or filtered, if you get the V filter) are needed to spot outbursts of this enigmatic dwarf nova – then when an outburst occurs, time series photometry is required for as long as possible. It goes into outburst every couple of weeks, so you won’t have to wait long for something exciting to happen!
More details here: http://www.britastro.org/vss/NSV2026.pdf
Jeremy