Planning
I have always believed if you are going to do something, do it properly. It doesn’t always work but, where possible, Andy says . . . ok, and we start planning. For some reason I noted that there was going to be a solar eclipse in August 2026. Rattling around in my memories was us getting our two small children up in the early hours driving from one side of Britain to the other all to witness a rather cloudy sky along with thousands of others back in 1999. It was one of those moments that is still permanently etched despite the intervening years; the darkening skies, the birds beginning to roost (despite it being mid morning) and the eeriness … it makes me want to shiver even now.
This time, Britain was only going to get a partial eclipse. Even though we now lived in the south west with excellent views of the setting sun, it felt we were not ‘doing it properly’.
Travel
So we did something I have always said we wouldn’t ever again . . . travel to Europe in August. (Yep, I am not a fan of the heat when it’s nearing 40 degrees/ over 100 F). We had done our research, got the special cardboard glasses, the filters for the cameras, chosen a fabulous hotel by the beach then realised that, this time, the sun would be setting . . . long shadows and restricted views. Thank goodness for social media and some other enthusiasts kind enough to share their knowledge. One kind soul gave a link to the shade.app (what an absolute star . . . there are some good people out there).
I spent an hour going through all the places nearby working out where was a good place without being . . . on top of a building, obscured by people (bearing in mind we would have a tripod/cameras), getting my feet wet or, more importantly, no sand in the camera. There were a couple of places so . . . there we were the night before at 8.30 pm . . . scouting it out making sure the sun was fully visible . . . no buildings/trees/flagpoles were in the way. Ironically, the best place ended up only a 5 minute walk to the hotel (i.e. access to an air conditioned room with toilet and drinking water).
Arrival
Wednesday 12 August arrived. I was so stressed. We had come all this way. What if . . . ???!! The weather was supposed to be clear skies but clouds had started to roll in. We had our spot naile; we even had a bench to raise the tripod up on. We had brought a big picnic blanket to sit/lounge on, a tree behind us to provide shade for the cameras . . . and us. There was a small kiosk nearby selling drinks\ice creams.
Then people started wandering in mostly finding shade to begin with then just looking west to see where the sun would be visible (all with the cardboard shades I hasten to add.). Than a gasp. It had begun. Firstly, a slight ‘nibble’ to the sun. Then more and more until it looked more like a crescent moon. (Andy was disappointed. He thought he would see the actual moon moving across.)
And then . . . .
So I had done my research. I had read masses on the filters, when to take them off but the cardboard glasses almost did their job too well; they restricted your view of the sun. I had also read to enjoy it. Because of the time of day blah, blah, blah, the totality was only going to be a minute. We had the camera set up to just take pictures ie very little ‘fiddling’ so we could just . . . enjoy. I remember Andy turning round to look at me. He said I was shouting with excitement.
I did quickly take a video of the surrounding area at this time not wanting to miss anything. However, when I playing it back, it was a very quick ’swish’ round. Even so, I was glad I took it; I hadn’t realised how dark the area had become, the street lights had come on and the thousands of people all lined up watching this phenomenon.
I was determined to watch it to the full. The glasses were off and . . .
there it was . . .
a big circle of black
firstly the ring, the Baily’s beads, the solar flares red flashes . . . and it was over!!
total solar eclipse with glowing corona
Reflections
Whilst travelling in America, the word ‘awesome’ is used a lot perhaps to describe your order of breakfast tea or other mundane item. I admit; we find it . . . a tad irritating that it has become an informal slang. For us, its usage is more in line with the Cambridge Dictionary “Describing something grand, powerful, or frightening that commands deep respect or wonder, like a massive volcano . . .” We use it rarely wanting to keep this special word for an appropriate occasion like at 8.32 pm on Wednesday 12 August when it was just . . .
AWESOME
We were there, doing it properly, firmly etched in our memories . . . a lifetime event. Of course, there is another one next year!!!
