Countdown to the Next Adventure

I'm soooo desperate for an extended adventure - some sunshine - a different landscape and the sea.... so 4 more sleeps and we head off into the yonder blue heading for Perth Western Australia.

Of course there is an Eclipse involved - the basic premise for us planning such a big trip - the irony is that the build up, the expense, the 24 hour flight plan, living in a campervan for months (which tbh is no hardship) could technically be blamed on a one minute natural phenomena! A stunningly beautiful one but this time very short and hopefully sweet - and of course its very weather dependant!! If its cloudy - unlikely where we are going but I wouldn't care to be complacent - there is limited viewing! hence making a holiday out of the occasion - lots of other exciting things to do and see around the coastal areas of WA.

This will be my fifth eclipse - I have been very lucky and the weather has always been kind allowing me some beautiful experiences - the finest nature can offer - It was a very close call when we travelled to China - getting up with a (nasty) packed breakfast at 3.00am onto a coach heading for a designated viewing spot.... black skies and complete cloud cover - everyone trying to be optimistic - ''it will be atmospheric'' a constant refrain - but just as it started to matter the clouds parted the sun was visible and we were able to watch the slow but steady bite as the moon crossed get more and more until we had final totality, the birds were obviously confused and the bats came out in large numbers -6 minutes of total cover and then a stunning diamond ring effect as the moon just slipped past totality.

diamond ring effect Turkey Eclipse 2006 (not our photo our cameras are not good enough)

Every eclipse I have seen has been a different experience - last time I saw one in America it was daytime and we were sat in a meadow surrounded by wild flowers. We were in Australia 10 years ago and out early morning up on a hillside in the outback with long stretching views across a barren landscape - Turkey we sat on the beach and watched the shadows come over the sea - but each time was a glorious life affirming experience and leaves you planning for the next one!!!

Next blog should be either on route or from oz!!! Its all a bit internet dependant and I think it will be mainly pictures but any comments gratefully acknowledged....

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