My interest in astronomy was triggered in my first year at secondary school in Northern Ireland, where astronomy was part of the science syllabus. Of course the dark skies of Northern Ireland in the 1950s helped me to maintain and develop my interest. The Milky Way, shooting stars and the constellations were familiar sights. I remember my father and I going out into the garden to watch Sputnik crossing the sky.

It was only in the 1990s that my husband and I joined the South West Herts Astronomical Society in Rickmansworth. I found my mind being continually stretched to bursting point by the excellent lectures.

And then came August 1999 and we went down to Paignton to watch the total solar eclipse and I was hooked!

I have become an eclipse chaser and have travelled to Zambia,Turkey, Siberia and China so far to pursue my specialist interest. Easter Island next!

Having moved recently to near Buntingford I have joined LDAS which I have found to be an enthusiastic, go-ahead society, and I enjoy meeting with other people who have their own special interests, but all of us are totally fascinated by the wonderful universe which is being revealed to us us all its glory.