Awe-inspiring moment for children (last time I saw them I was probably in flares)

Without wanting to rub it in for those who missed out, it was fantastic to see the Northern lights (my first time) on Friday night, a truly awe-inspiring moment of God’s creation and another tick on my bucket list. If it wasn’t for my 16-year-old son Charlie, who kept me posted on the progression of their appearance with some sort of aurora app, I would probably have missed it.

However, having missed them on previous occasions that were far less spectacular, I played it down, thinking we might only see a slight green glow.

Happily, I was proved wrong with an incredible display of greens, blues and pinks that lasted for a good hour or more, the best being between 11pm and midnight. My youngest child Emilia, 11, was pleased to have seen them at such a young age and not have to wait as long as I had.

The photos are slightly deceptive because on phones and cameras with a night setting they appear more vivid than seen with the naked eye but nonetheless are clear, colourful and impressive.

Saturday night was probably the busiest I’ve seen it around our way at 11.30pm, with many people out to catch another glimpse. However, much like the public vote for the UK’s Eurovision entry, it turned out to be a no show. Let’s see more flares, preferably of the solar variety.

Nick Hughes

Henley