Hey!!! Thanks guys for really useful responses. I feel a bit
embarrassed even to have asked about some of the very likely rubbish
scopes they have on eBAY!!
Chris, that was a fantastically useful reply - thanks a million for
taking the trouble to put it all down for me. I'm still not fully
decided about the scope idea.
I think finally the only option I would consider would be the
Skywatcher Mercury 705 short focus f7.14 70mm, but as you say, the
tripod steadiness is going to be
the major problem.
My main camera will be a Nikon D80, so I think the priority is
probably to take a half decent tripod for that, and use Baader film
with practice beforehand if we ever see the
sun here in Manchester!! Thanks for the tip about spare batteries. I
may well also take a Canon G5, which is a great little auto/manual
compact. We do have to survive
a minibus tour round some very hot Silk Road destinations with
Explore, so obviously we don't want to be encumbered by too much
stuff. Also, totality is barely 2 minutes,
and I certainly don't want to be messing about with technology for the
entire time. I think the priority should be to experience the thing
rather than to record the experience.
I was in Penzance in the rain in 1999, and have been longing to see
totality ever since. At least this chinese semi-desert area has pretty
good weather prospects, which is why
we decided to go there rather than somewhat (!) more accessible
Novosibirsk.

Thanks again

Paul