Total Solar Eclipse, 11th August 1999

Ever since I can remember, the year 1999 has been engraved in my memory as the Year of the English Eclipse. It seemed a long time in the future when I was a child but at last here it was, upon us! However, prospects were not good for England itself, as the weather forecast was gloomy and the roads into Cornwall were bound to be heavily congested. So a party of us decided to head for France, so that even if we didn't see much at least we would have a day out! The location of choice was basically determined by where the ferries went, and in the end we plumped for Cherbourg.

The skies were partly cloudy for the passage across the Channel, and got no better when we docked, so spirits were not high as we discussed what to do. Some decided to cut their losses and head for a bar in the town, while others (myself included) found a viewing location slightly along the coast - fairly flat, with a good sight of the sky. Tripods were erected, cameras loaded, equipment laid out and the wait started. As the critical last few minutes approached the clouds were still as thick as ever, with just a very few clearer areas to give tantalising glimpses of the decreasing crescent. I took several shots at this time but was not feeling optimistic. And so it turned out - with no real change in cloud cover throughout, the light started to fail and the horizon turned an eerie yellowish colour as the shadow approached. Seabirds flew back inland to roost and all was silence. Then, very suddenly, it was as if a huge blanket had been draped across the sky - an almost instant descent into murky gloom. It was spine-tingling enough even knowing the reason: not hard to imagine the fear of ancient peoples. I was just able to see Sandra well enough to take the "we were there" picture, but we were not granted even a glimpse of the corona. And then, as quickly as darkness had arrived, grey daylight returned and it was all over. Annoyingly, the waxing crescent did appear briefly on a number of occasions thereafter but it was far too late by then!

On the return sailing we heard several stories of good fortune as people glimpsed the eclipsed sun through the clouds. The most amazing was that of the captain of a ferry who stopped it in mid-Channel when it was brought to his attention that the eclipse was now visible through a well-placed gap but would not be if he sailed on! Full marks for initiative, even if it did delay the schedules somewhat. We were simply rather downbeat, as being "under the shadow" for the first time had been a marvellous experience but not actually seeing the eclipse was very disappointing. What it did do though was awaken a dormant interest in "shadow chasing" - enquiries about the 2001 event began almost as soon as we got home! So read on ......

  Pictures of the eclipse