thebigbamfordhouse.blogs.com > Balloon

early start...

The alarm clock was set for 5.15am. The cows wondered what we were up to getting up so early.

The perfect morning

It was a perfect morning; a little cold, early Autumn dew, inverted cloud and sunshine coming over the hills

Balloon in a bag

We started to help setting up, the whole balloon envelope fitted into this small bag.

The envelope

We all help lay the envelope out onto the field. The material was surprisingly light.

Cold inflation

The first stage of the inflation is done with cold air.

Morning sun

The sun started the come over the hillside and light up the inside of the envelope.

Shadow

Amanda inspects the outside of the balloon.

Hot stuff

Now comes the hot air...

Inflation

It did not take much hot air for the balloon to shoot up in the air.

Ready to go

We all got in the basket, they were 10 of us in total, but we all had separate compartments. It was difficult to tell whether we had left the ground or not.

Lift off

The ascent was very smooth and silent.

River bends

The world is getting smaller

Sheep

altitude

During the middle part of the flight we rose to around three quarters of a mile high.

Amanda looks out

Look out Matlock

We approached Matlock and looked for a place to land. With no steering this part is tricky. People came into their gardens and watched as we floated past. We made a lot of dogs bark.

Back down to earth

After our landing we had to pack away the balloon.

Mission Impossible

It all had to go back into that small bag.

breakfast for balloonists

Back in Bakewell we celebrated with Breakfast