Peter Rhodes on leaky borders, table manners and how the world's news agenda was eclipsed

Have I missed something here? Since when did solar eclipses become front-page headlines and main items on TV news? Why, on a day of huge developments in Gaza and Ukraine, were we treated to endless live images of excitable Texans and Mexicans whooping and saying this week's eclipse was awesome?

Maybe it's an age thing. Anyone over 30 will remember the eclipse that turned Cornwall pitch-black and the Midlands darkish 25 years ago, in Aúgust 1999. We saw it, photographed it, got the T-shirt.

The thing I remember most vividly from the '99 eclipse was not the amount of light but the quality of it, and the startling change of temperature. It was an unearthly shade of grey, accompanied by a sudden chill as if someone had opened an intergalactic fridge door. Anyroad, we Brits of mature years, having experienced one eclipse, don't get too excited about another, no matter how agitated the TV presenters get.

I recall another case of the English being underwhelmed by the majesty of the cosmos when Comet Kohoutek appeared in our skies in 1973. It was barely visible at ground level so someone organised pleasure flights from Birmingham Airport to get a decent view. Above the clouds, we dutifully oohed and aahed at the comet until someone said: “Blimey, look at that!”

And there, far below off the starboard wing, was a dazzling display of lights that put Kohoutek to shame. It was the old, much-loved street illuminations of Douglas, Isle of Man. Now that, my Texan friends, was awesome.