A STRABANE woman who got a perfect view of last week’s solar eclipse while on holiday with her fiancée in Santa Ponsa has called the moment ‘surreal’ adding that the couple felt deeply privileged to have witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Nadine Coyle arrived in the Spanish resort with partner Ashleigh McGowan a few days prior to the eclipse, admitting that she didn’t even realise it was happening. The partial solar eclipse was witnessed by millions of people across the globe, one of the most impressive celestial events to be seen worldwide in over two decades.
A snapshot of the Eclipse from Santa Ponsa taken by Strabane woman Nadine Coyle.
She said, “To be honest, we were completely unaware of the eclipse. I hadn’t been following anything about it on the news or on social media.
“It was only when we got to the hotel and saw signs dotted around that we both realised the eclipse would be taking place.
“In the days leading up to the eclipse we met both English and Dutch holidaymakers who had come to the Santa Ponsa for the eclipse as many believed Spain was the ideal spot. At first, we thought that was a really surprising thing to do until we read up on the eclipse and realised how special it would be.
“We were very lucky in that our hotel was perched on a cliffside and looked out into sea offering the perfect view for both sunrises and sunsets.”
As the day drew closer, excited stargazers geared up for the eclipse with Nadine admitting it didn’t disappoint.”
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She recalls, “On the day itself, hotel staff made sure all the sun loungers were pointing in the right direction and as people gathered by the pool to see the eclipse, glasses of champagne were poured.
“The staff let us know that, if we decided to go into the centre of the town that traffic restrictions would be in place and busier than usual; but why bother when we had a great view here?
“A Welshman who had also come especially for the eclipse had brought loads of spare glasses too and kindly gave us a couple of pairs. Once the eclipse began happening everyone sat silent watching as he skies grew darker.
“Once the moon had covered the sun, a large cheer went up, not just from us but everyone camped on the beach below us which had been completely swarmed the whole day.”
With the next eclipse not due until 2090, it’s unlikely anyone who witnessed last week’s eclipse will be around for the next.
Nadine finishes by saying, “Neither myself or Ashleigh knew about this before it happened, but we’re thrilled and privileged to have seen this once-in-a-lifetime event.”