An eclipse-obsessed Southend woman has seen her unique hobby take her across all seven continents in pursuit of the incredible phenomenon.  

Mandie Adams, 59, from Southend, has spent thousands of pounds visiting some of the world's most far-flung places.

She is a self-confessed umbraphile - someone who loves eclipses - and enjoys meeting other people along the way.

Self-employed Mandie funds her trips by using her savings. 

She has visited all seven continents and has been to isolated spots like Easter Island and Antarctica.

Echo: Mandie has visited seven continents Mandie has visited seven continents (Image: SWNS)

She has so far seen 13 solar eclipses since 1999.

Mandie, said: "Travelling to an eclipse for me is the people I meet and friends I make, the exciting adventures I have and places I see.

"I have met people whilst travelling from right across the spectrum, from avid trance festival goers to people who have tickets to fly into space.

"We are from all corners of the world and all have different, interesting lives.

"I have met so many other people though that I have kept in touch with on the way to or from an eclipse."

Mandie saw her first eclipse in the UK in 1999.

Echo: Self-employed Mandie, from Southend on Sea, Essex, funds her trips by using her savingsSelf-employed Mandie, from Southend on Sea, Essex, funds her trips by using her savings (Image: SWNS)

Since then she has covered thousands of miles - even visiting Antarctica.

Mandie admits it is not a cheap hobby - and estimates each trip costs her upwards of £1,500.

And she can sometimes spend up to three months on the road for a four-minute eclipse.

Mandie said: "An average price would be, including flights, accommodation, food, sightseeing etc. - £1,500 on a month trip and over three months it would be about £3,000.

"On the Antarctica trip combined with Argentina, I had to add another £5,000 on that for an expedition cruise.

Echo: Mandie has visited all seven continents and has been to isolated spots like Easter Island and AntarcticaMandie has visited all seven continents and has been to isolated spots like Easter Island and Antarctica (Image: SWNS)

"The trips came about as part of a new chapter after working hard all my life.

"My travels are not holidays - they are a way of life. So I spend approximately nine months of my year in England and three months out."

Mandie uses the NASA website to plan her trips as it notes eclipses that will happen years in advance.

She said: "I'll be in Spain and then I'll be in Gibraltar for the next one. And for 2028 it's in Australia and New Zealand.

"The eclipse pins you down to places where you wouldn't normally go.

"My goal is to one day to see the eclipse spending quality time with animals and observing their reactions to the eclipse."

List of all the places where Mandie has seen the eclipse:

  • UK in 1999 Africa in 2001
  • Turkey in 2006
  • China in 2009
  • Easter Island in 2010
  • Australia in 2012
  • Uganda in 2013
  • Norway in 2015
  • Indonesia in 2016
  • USA in 2017
  • Chile in 2019
  • Antarctica in 2021
  • Australia 2023