Leading up to The Transit of Venus - billed as the biggest event in Astronomy, there had been much discussion in the club about publicity. Some people said 'we need TV, Newspapers, Radio, massive publicity -lets get everyone down there for the greatest show on Earth. I instantly flinched, picturing hoardes of excited visitors under a rain soaked 'Greatest Show on Earth' banner. OK got to stay positive but realistic I thought. Somewhere in between 'American Idol' and a one line ad in the paper is what we need. We did put up posters and there was mention of the event in the local papers. We had already missed the Lunar Eclipse earlier this year - turning up at oceanside at 3 am to total cloud cover. Then May 20th for the 74% eclipse of The Sun where I had actually handed out eclipse glasses to colleagues at work - and we had some minor publicity - and Rain!

But think positive, we live on The Sunshine Coast - people move here everyday from -40 degree Montreal to +10 degree Vancouver (nearby). Its June 5th, its almost summer - what are the chances of bad weather ...

June 5th - Took the day off work, got up at 9 am. Raining ... bad start, but it could brighten up, there is the whole day to go yet. Went for lunch and was sitting in the car eating my chicken strips when up through the sun roof I noticed the Sun almost poking through the clouds.

I checked my watch, 2.20 pm - The Transit was due to start at 3 pm. I headed down the highway back to Davis Bay - better get setup I thought, if the sun is visible for just a few minutes I want to be ready for it. As I headed from Gibsons to Sechelt I kept glancing up through the sun roof at the cloud shrouded sun. When I arrive at Davis Bay where the club was meeting, several club members were there already - standing around talking. The sun had shrunk back into the clouds though. I had a secret weapon though to keep my spirits up. The day before I had bought some of those yellow lense sun glasses that block UV and are good in low light. They instantly make a dull day look like the sun is shining.

A couple of members disappeared within minutes, and never came back. My theory is they panicked and decided they would have a better chance somewhere else within driving range.

The TV Crew arrived - what? Who called them? I had setup my scope - an Explore Scientific 152mm Refractor with Thousand Oaks Glass Solar Filter on a Sky-Tee Mount. The TV Camera pointed my way (oh no, not me again) and the reporter said "I just want to ask you a few questions about the club and the event that's happening here today" - OK if you must ...

I blabbered on about Captain Cook, safe solar filters and the club glancing up at the sky from time to time.

The clock marched on - then about 4 pm, I glanced up and saw the sun skimming through the thin cloud. "There it is!" I shouted, everyone donned their solar glasses and strained to see the solar disk. But it was not strong enough to be seen through the thin cloud layers ... I looked up and even briefly stared (mustn't stare ...) at the cloud dimmed sun - I hoped my UV blocking glasses protect me. Also I had read if you can look at the sun comfortably - eg through fog, mist etc, then it was relatively safe to look. Don't quote me! I clearly saw the solar disk, but there was too much cloud shrouding the sun to see the dark shape of Venus. Then for another few seconds the sun did split the cloud and we donned our solar glasses again. THis time we did glimpse the disk at full intensity - but only for about 10 seconds before it faded below the glasses threshold again.

My cell phone rang and it was my astro pal - Ed who had split town for Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island - the only place with a clear forecast. Ed said he arrived just before first contact, had setup and was filming the whole thing! well done Ed we said. We signed off and saw that to the west at least blue sky was visible.

As the afternoon wore on, the blue sky came nearer and nearer but by 8 pm the trend reversed and I think we all realised were were going to be shut out after all.

On the plus side, many visitors talked with us about Astronomy, the club, the transit, and about Telescopes.

Those of us that hung out until the last chance, packed up at 9.20 pm.

Next day on TV, Sunshine Coast Magazine came on and there we are (there I am blabbing) talking about the transit.

Then while we had been blabbing the reporter had turned her TV Camera skyward to the sun skimming through the thin cloud and whoa -there it was - the dark marble of Venus about mid-way across the solar disk. She had filmed what we just couldn't see ... Amazing!

The way I see it - If I had just stayed in bed and The Transit had appeared I would have been kicking myself for the next 105 years. But I was there - ready - and gave it my best shot. There's nothing more I could have done to make it happen, so I can rest easy. It was after all a good day - lots of pals - lots of scope talk - a Transit Cake and a few

'almost' moments.