1999  11.13.41AM - 11.14.32AM  PLYMOUTH U.K.

The cloud formations were strange curling and ragged shapes, dark grey on light grey , like curls of smoke, going darker and darker. It came like a blanket of darkness, and the birds suddenly appeared. Flocks of birds moving west. During this totality we knew it was something special that was happening, something special in our lifetime, never to be experienced again in Britain for 90 years.

even though the grey cloud covered everything, it was still special.

Before totality, the cats started  running around scared. This was about half an hour into the eclipse. They just wanted to get away, get outside, escape or something. We had to forcibly  shut them in a bedroom. Did they sense or fear something?

Well, as a family, we stayed in our garden to experience the effects . away from the media hype that went on hour after hour, day after day building up to the final event itself. 

Patrick Moore in Falmouth and transmissions from here there and everywhere. All in vain. It even started raining in Penzance. There  were no clear pictures at all from SW England. Just cloud. The Channel Islands had some success, as had France. I caught a glimpse of the sun about 11.45am when the sun was partial again.

Afterthought: 1.45pm.

There was also a tinge of sadness.

That 'we who watched' will probably have seen our last total solar eclipse together. 

It was a 'togetherness' emotional experience, never to be repeated.

Surprisingly never to be forgotten.

.

Digital Painting:

'Birth of

the Eclipse'

by

Neil Mawdsley

Aug.99

A4

prints

signed

£15

$25