16/08/2026
https://apmolyneuxphotography.co.uk/astrophotography
We set sail on a solar eclipse cruise from Tilbury, Essex. We had untold sunshine and warmth in the preceding 7 days in the Bay of Biscay until the day itself came.....
We were in Gijon port under almost total cloud cover from morning until departure time at 1800. The captain had just over 2 hours to head out into the Bay to try and find some clear skies. 45 minutes out and still no break in the clouds, the eclipse started at 1931 local time so we had missed the start.
Get to 2000 and there are some strips of shimmering sunlight on the calm waters of the sea and the captain was making a beeline for the clear horizons, it was now a race again time. Totality was due at 2026 local time.
Finally the ship roared in delight and a partially-eclipsed sun peaked out from the thinning clouds and we could begin our viewing in earnest.
As the ship was moving, I had to resort to point and shoot with my 300mm lens with the solar filter fitted at the end. This led to some rather shaky shots despite putting on exposure delay as the rocking of the ship also came into play but I managed a good few shots that I was delighted with, some pre-eclipse, a few of totality (we were due to view totality longer if we were able to follow the path of totality which was plan A) and some as the moon finally made it past the sun.
The race to the clear skies added a sense a jeopardy which otherwise wouldn't have been there if the skies were clear. My hands were shaking from the excitement and from the nervousness of the prospect of missing out but thanks to the ship's Captain, we got what we went for and I've got some solar eclipse pictures for my collection.
I hope you enjoy them!
