Our Partial Solar Eclipse 2026

Yesterday evening hundreds gathered at the top of Parliament Hill in Hampstead for the

Partial Solar Eclipse. And just after 7.00 pm the crowds gave out a loud cheer with clapping

as 90% of the Sun's light was blocked by the passing Moon, creating a twilight moment.

And although it was only a Partial Eclipse, Spain, Iceland and Greenland were beneficiaries

of a Total Eclipse.

Of course our last Total Eclipse was back in August 1999 just before the Millennium. And it

was best viewed down in Cornwall, and in the very week that I had booked a holiday there.

But sadly the Eclipse was not visible due to the build up of clouds. But we did experience that

eerie darkness as all the nearby coastal town's lights came on while all the seabirds suddenly

went very quiet.

Below are just a few pictures of yesterday's Partial Eclipse using my special and rarely used

Eclipse filter.

 

Summertime By The Regents Canal

This must be one of the best Summers we've seen here in the U.K for a long time. Although

England has now been described officially as in a drought. Rivers are drying up, grass,

fields and farmlands are all looking parched and it could affect the food and agriculture industry.

And tomorrow on Thursday we're expecting our fifth heatwave with temperatures of 36c or 37c.

So could our Summer be bowing out by next week? Somehow I hope not with just 2 weeks

to go before Autumn. I really don't want the Summer to end. So lets hope we're in for

an Indian Summer. I'm really not ready for the long dark nights after the last horrible Winter.

So above and below are some recent new pictures and a video taken down by 

The Regents Canal during a short walk from St John's Wood near Lords Cricket Ground

and up to the Feng Shang Princess Floating Chinese Restaurant.

Some of the colouring in the video is looking a bit off, which I'm working on. I might have to

use my stills camera a bit more often with it's video camera option, which gives me less problems.

 

Tom and Juan Take to the Open Road in Spain

The romance of the open road must appeal to anyone that has the spirit of adventure.

And one such person is the likeable Big Tom from Down Under in Australia. And

what he enjoys the most is taking his campervan and trailer around the globe and videoing

the results for his Youtube channel 'Aussie Man Adventures.'

Normally a solo traveller, Tom picked up new friend Juan on his current Spanish road travels

after meeting up in a local gym.

And so the two of them go off to explore new places including abandoned houses and

Churches as well as hidden Coves and beaches. And being that young Juan is Colombian

it helps Tom out when translation is needed. But what Juan really wants is to learn how

to drive the campervan and ride Tom's motorbike. But sadly Tom is having none of that as

he's cautious and proud of his expensive road toys.

For more of Tom's adventures visit his channel

AUSSIE MAN'S ADVENTURES

Above... In a new video upload today Tom and Juan head back to the Van for lunch after

a trip to a Spanish Church didn't quite go to plan.

HERE.

Seb Does Skynrd's Almighty 'Freebird.'

On Sunday I took a local trip over to Camden Town and just happened to catch regular

street performer and guitar artist Sebastian. I had to stop in my tracks as he was thrashing

out a brilliant version of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Freebird, often considered to be one of the greatest

guitar solos of the Rock genre.

But I wondered why he positioned himself in the main, now traffic free Camden High

 Street, where busy Sunday crowds passed by him nonchalantly, as he often performs down

by Camden Lock or even sometimes by Camden Station where larger crowds stop by to

watch him.

Seb's guitar amp didn't seem as loud as usual. I think he said something about having volume

restrictions. But he seemed thrilled with the short video above that I sent him.

I last caught him a couple of years ago when he was down by Camden Lock thrashing out his

Heavy Metal repertoire HERE.

Some links for Sebastian...

INSTAGRAM   Linktr.ee  &   Youtube

Happy Birthday Mick Jagger.....83 Today

Happy Birthday Sir Mick Jagger who turned 83 today. It must be said that Jagger is

a physical phenomena due to his strict healthy lifestyle and exercise regime.

And while other Rock legends fall by the wayside or are just simply calling it a day,

Jagger is still going strong.

As the frontman of The Rolling Stones, the group have been going strong since they

first formed back in 1962. And the group took up the mantle as the top premier commercial

Rock band after The Beatles split up in 1970.

The Stones had planned for a big U.S Concert tour this year but sadly it was cancelled due

to the declining health of band member Keith Richards. But they're hopeful that another

Tour will be arranged for next year in 2027. And it must be some consolation to know that their

latest Album 'Foreign Tongues' has just become their 15th No 1 selling Album.

My Top Favourite Rolling Stones hits...

1.  Tumbling Dice. 2. Brown Sugar. 3. Honky Tonk Woman. 4. Jumping Jack Flash. 5. Hot Stuff.

TUMBLING DICE KINDLY UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE BY uklangang