Lights, but not the ones I was hoping for.

This is the view at Gatwick, as my son and I waited to take off on a flight to see the Northern Lights. It was preceded by a lecture at a hotel a few miles from the airport, telling us about what we would be experiencing, about the stars we would see, and the possibility of seeing the aurora.

Then off to Gatwick. During the flight we were told be would be in complete darkness for some of the time, and not to take photos out of the windows unless we could guarantee absolutely NO light escaping from the camera.

When we got to the zone we were asked to swap seats (which were in 3s) several times, so that everyone could peer out of the window. Not easy in complete darkness!  In the event, though Orion and the Plough were nice and clear, the aurora was only a very low key affair, barely visible.  

The lecturer will be publishing the photos he took on www.auroraflights.co.uk
Then back to a £40 charge at the short stay car park, and a very, very wet journey home!