The greatest show on earth - Even clouds fail to spoil the big day
The skies darkened over Cornwall, as predicted, around 11 minutes past 11am on August 11 - with thousands of people in South East Cornwall heading for high, ancient, sites for the best views.
Around 2,000 people flocked to Kit Hill near Callington, while Minions on Bodmin Moor, at 900ft above sea level, was gridlocked on Wednesday itself, and jam-packed by Tuesday evening with tents springing up all over the moor like mushrooms. Good-natured camaraderie prevailed, and local pubs and businesses on the moor did a roaring trade due to the carnival atmosphere. In her four years as licensee of the Cheesewring Hotel, owned by the Olver family, Marcia Ware said it was the busiest time she had ever known. Next door in Minions Post Office and Store, owners Nigel and Lisa Drew described the last three day period as 'manic'. Their staff were at full stretch coping with the hundreds of extra customers.
Despite the cloudy weather there was also a sense of magic, and emotion, as darkness descended during the Eclipse, and the cloud thinned at opportune moments to give views of the moon covering the sun.
When the blackness was at its deepest the sky was punctured with thousands of flashes from cameras - as if twinkling stars had fallen to earth.
The Hurlers was chosen as the site for a Channel 5 two-hour live broadcast with presenter Kirsty Young and astrologers Russell Grant and Martine Delamere. Druids also chose to gather at The Hurlers, with the stones providing the backdrop for a Cornish medieval Mummers play.
Other ancient sites which drew Eclipse-watchers to the high ground included Helman Tor, near Lanlivery, and Restormel Castle at Lostwithiel, where English Nature gave locals a concession to gather and watch the phenomenon. The ramparts were closed for safety reasons, but the residents happily gathered on the grass, with their picnics and special glasses. St Cleer Downs at 500ft above sea level and Goonzion at St Neot, were also favourite spots for locals and visitors alike.
Towns emptied for the occasion as the high land was sought - about 200 people gathering in Castle Park at the top of Liskeard. Around the coastline the cliffs were favourite vantage points for watchers, as views of the Eclipse across the sea were put at a premium. At Looe were thousands of extra visitors poured into the town, the beach, promenade and Banjo Pier, and all along Hannafore was packed with excited visitors and locals.
Looe was reported to be full on Tuesday night after visitors appeared to decide to spent just one day in the county, watching the Eclipse.
Thousands travelled down on Tuesday, and left for home on Wednesday evening.
But, wherever the Eclipse was seen throughout South East Cornwall - despite the thick cloud cover at varying stages - dropping temperatures, darkening clouds that appeared to warn of thunder brewing, and a sense of natural awe, were reported by all.
In Saltash around 200 people gathered in Longstone Park for their Eclipse viewpoint.
At Polruan singer/songwriter, Peter Skellern, who lives locally watched from the headland and described the experience as 'earth-shattering'.
Actor Edward Woodward, who lives in the Calstock area, watched with his wife, Michele Dotrice, from their holiday home in Padstow.
The Fowey area quickly filled with visitors as Wednesday approached, with a Tourist Information Centre spokesman saying that people had to be turned away eventually.