[Ali]

Tomorrow I fly in a hot air balloon - just had it confirmed that the weather should be good to go (cross those fingers now - when has our weather forecasts ever been right?!).

We've had this flight booked for the last year - it was bought for my other half's 40th last September but it has been cancelled so many times due to bad weather. We are finally (hopefully) going to make it and I am just a teeny bit excited.

I'm not overly keen on heights, but the thought of being up in the basket doesn't worry me too much strangely. It's standing on the edge of things that get to me - ladders, cliffs, edges... My only slight concern is the landing - I'd not really considered the landing before now, but hey, how does a balloon land?! We are flying very locally so I am keeping all things crossed that the breeze takes us near our house, but if not we should at least recognise most of the landmarks below.

Binoculars have been located and various sets of camera batteries have been charged
Alarm clock set for 4.45am

Apologies, all this excitement has made me go a little smilie mad!

[stupot]

have fun always wanted to do that, hope to lots of piccies tomorrow!

[P-E]

Sounds fun

[Charlotte]

I've been in a hot air balloon + I can't begin to describe how great it was! I too am not keen on heights Ali, but I felt very safe in the basket. And the landing will be fine, don't worry about that. Have a gas, I know you're gonna love it

[RichB]

Indeed enjoy it, the pilot will tell you how to position yourself for the landing; so be reassured that he knows what he's doing, after all the balloon and basket are reused!

I won't spoil it by commenting on the various things you're likely to see and hear, but will be interested to hear your views after tomorrow!

[sawdust]

good luck you should have a good time hope you have lots of pics to show us

[Dave]

Not envious Have a good un

[Markulous]

Me, I'd just look forward to the landing!

Hope it goes (went!) well!

[Ali]

It was brilliant!

It was a little hazy so not the best visability but it really didn't matter, the entire experience was smashing. We are already considering another flight, this time in the evening - I think we have to experience both, don't you?

The setting up was great - the balloon is enourmous. The take off just felt a bit weird, a strange sensation and then seeing the crew below get smaller and smaller! The flight itself was so smooth and so quiet (apart from the burners). . Such a calm and peacful experience floating over the countryside while many are still sleeping. We skimmed cornfields, 'buzzed' a small campsite (everyone below watched, waved, and called out greetings!)- I was surprised at how quickly the balloon can lose and then gain height - it was just excellent.

The landing was cool - I liked it. We bounced once and slid along for a couple of metres. We landed in a car parking field for one the large Scout Camps being held. It caused quite a stir. Oh, it was just fab.

Shed loads of pictures taken. I've not had a chance to look at them but will try to load a few later on and post some.

[Charlotte]

Kewl! Look forward to seeing the photo's!

[Ali]

Posted some of the pictures from this morning in Photo Sharing - here

[Angela]

You enjoyed it then Ai!!?

[VikingPhotography]

OT: for some strange reason, I thought a new sport had been invented when I read the thread title... since my brain initially registered "Hot Air Balloon Fight"

Meh, someone should try that... it'd be interesting to say the least.

[Charlotte]

LOL VP, that'd bring new meaning to 'drop kick'