For much of my life I had been aware that the next total eclipe of the sun would be visible from Cornwall. Accordingly in 1999, all accommodation there was going at premium prices, the motorways were jammed and the palce was crowded - so I was told. It was overcast and few saw anything except to note that it momentarily went dark. On the other hand I, with wife, son, daughter and friend was over Cornwall at FL 100 in a light twin. We saw everything and got a video of the whole trip. The cost of hiring the aircraft was significantly less than the cost of five tickets to observe the eclipse from Concord(e) the only difference being that we could see everything and we didn't get our champagne until we had landed afterwards!
P.P.