The Blurb: July 2009

Trials of an eclipse chaser

Monday 27 July 2009  5.39 am

Attempt 1: Bolt Head, Devon, 11 August 1999.  Distance travelled: 145 miles.  Weather conditions: Sunny all day except for the two hours of the actual eclipse, when totally overcast.  Silver lining: a gorgeous 360 degree sunset during totality.  T-shirt: purchased and worn with pride.

Attempt 2: Suzhou, near Shanghai, China, 22 July 2009.  Distance travelled: 5,728 miles.  Weather conditions: Absolutely chucking it down.  Silver lining: Watching the clouds glow red during totality we otherwise couldn't see.  T-shirt: not available.

Attempt 3: Faroe Islands, 20 March 2015.  Distance to travel: 779 miles.  Weather conditions: Almost certainly overcast, but hey - worth a go.  Third time lucky?

Still, the rest of our trip to China is great.  Now that we have got over the searing heat, pouring rain, sky-high humidity, unfamiliar culture, weird smells and language barrier, we're having a whale of a time!  We moved on from Shanghai to Guiyang on Saturday and are catching a 28-hour train (oh yes) to the capital on Wednesday with my uncle, aunt and soon-to-be cousin who are going on a well-earned holiday themselves.  Most exciting...
 
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