Yesterday evening we went off on our little summer adventure; a hot-air balloon trip.
We rose to 1700 metres, floated above the spectacular landscape, then, under the unbelievably skilful hands of our pilot, we landed almost back where we'd started. A 'never to be forgotten', two hour, extravaganza.
What a perfect day. Not a cloud in the sky, hardly the whisper of a breeze, and hot sunshine.
Lady Magnon and I have ticked one more box on The Bucket List.
I am sure it was wonderful - you are braver than me. Not keen on any flying and a balloon that crashed here earlier in the year killing all eleven on board hasn't eased my fears.
ReplyDeleteFabulous - it must be an amazing experience - sadly I have a fear of heights.
ReplyDeleteA brilliant experience. Did your flight-path allow any possibility of selective delivery of little packets of doggy-friendliness - might have been tempting, if you over-flew the neighbours ... oops, wheeeee, splat, that sort of thing?
ReplyDeleteI did manage to pick a leaf from a Poplar tree as we took off... but no aerial missile launching I'm afraid. It would have been fun though!
DeleteThat looked fun.
ReplyDeleteIt was AMAZING.
DeleteI'll wager it was a hell of an experience, the scenery looks astonishing. Sadly, I'm with Elaine and Susan, wild horses and all that. The funny thing is I parachuted in the Army, got a private pilot's licence but get weak at the knees if I go too close to the edge of a first floor balcony.
ReplyDeleteYou were the lucky ones, and what a coincidence. We were booked on a balloon flight last evening too. We were due to fly over the Cotswolds, and were both excited and a little anxious, but the weather was too breezy. Ah! well another date will have to be fixed, they have already taken our money though!!!
ReplyDeleteRosemary - it took me 18 months for my flight to go ahead - cancellation after cancellation - typical of the UK weather - finally took off from Plumpton Racecourse, near Brighton, last month!! Peggy
DeleteAnd ours was cancelled last Saturday. Happily yesterday's was perfect weather.
DeleteThere is hope for me yet then. Thank you for that information.
DeleteIt's a sublime experience isn't it? We took a flight about 5 years ago - taking off from Chateau Milandes and flying north, finally landing at sunset in someone's garden! (They were having a party and were very hospitable.) How on earth did your pilot manage to take you back to where you started from?
ReplyDeleteHe was amazing, he seemed to be able to steer wherever he wanted! We took off from the Chateau de Castelnaud (Nr Domme).
DeleteWow, I am dead jealous. I often see balloons floating over the Tor, I would love such a trip.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! Good for you and the Lady.
ReplyDeleteGreat views. I have an off-topic question however. I couldn't help noticing your beret. Having purchased one myself, I have subsequently been critiqued by my wife for not wearing it correctly. Having no authority to quote as a rejoinder vis-à-vis the proper arrangement of said headpiece, I thought I would ask an ex-pat Brit. Do you wear it straight on? Raked to the side? Any advice will be gratefully received if not followed.
ReplyDeleteA beret reflects one's mood. Pulled forward means 'beware'. Jaunty sideways means 'I'm yours for the price of a cider'. Worn towards the back of the head means 'I've had enough, I'm going to bed'. You make it your own!
DeleteFantastic. Did you land the right way up?
ReplyDeleteMy experience of ballooning was ending up with hair full of peas...
We landed extremely delicately, then with the aid of a few blasts of hot air it floated just above ground level (like a hovercraft) and the helpers were able to move us the few metres needed to be perfect. Frankly, I was amazed.
DeleteWhat an adventure. And now I understand the intricacies of beret wearing, I may have to purchase one... haven't had cider in a long time.
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely, Cro. This is also on my list, sadly still unchecked; i'd also like to ride in a biplane.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, what an utterly uplifting experience. (Sorry. Couldn't resist.) It must have been incredible to float above the worries of the earth like that, and to see for miles in every direction.
ReplyDeletewow - what a new perspective on the world! beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteFantastic....this is something we have not done yet,I never thought I would be game but after climbing the Sydney harbour bridge I think I would be ok..the bucket list is a great thing and we are working on ours as well...so happy the weather was wonderful for you.
ReplyDeleteThe view of all beneath is magnificent. One has no idea that such a perspective takes that form. Makes me jealous of birds. Way to go, Cro (crow)!
ReplyDeleteOh beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteCro, I keep meaning to get back to this post cos it sounds such a wonderful adventure. As Susan Heather points out, ballooning here in NZ has had a bad year and maybe because of that I haven't seen the early morning voyagers drifting overhead, (just helicopters lately :-) Well done both of you, for getting up and away - and landing without peas in your hair!
ReplyDeleteOh my, what an amazing experience to see this lovely scenery from above! And even in perfect weather.
ReplyDelete