Hot Air Balloon

[STARRIDER]

Just been invited to a hot air balloon ride on Sunday morning..weather permitting..something i allways wanted to do..
Anyone here ever been up in one?..should be some great photo's to follow..

 

[mmcp42]

I haven't but SWMBO has
surprisingly quiet
you can hear people on the ground talking!

landing can be "interesting"

take a long lens as you'll be away up in the sky
or a wide angle if you're going at sunset

pics please!

oops morning - ok "sunrise"

 

[Shine On]

One of the best things I've ever done. Booked a trip for my wife and I as a birthday present for her. It was a sunrise flight, mid summer.

In the basket on the ground, with the balloon inflated, it was rocking and rolling like mad with 4 big fella fighting with the guide ropes. But once they let go, it was the very definition of peace and serenity. If you're tall, wear a hat because when the burner is firing it can be very uncomfortable on your head. As said, landing can be a bit hairy, but overall the experience is just incredible.

 

[towershot]

Was going to do this the other year,but on the day it was to windy.
That is a good tip about a hat, didn't think about the heat from the burner.

 

[gemini]

I've been up in one - it's an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone.

It's really serene when you're up there, and everyone waves at you from their back gardens.

Would you like to see a couple of photos?

Alison

 

[kelack]

I'm very jealous, I would love to go on a balloon ride but husband doesn't and it's something I feel would have to be shared with him.

 

[towershot]

Put some up Alison

 

[gemini]

Ok, here goes then - they're not very good quality as only taken with a HP Photosmart compact and it was nearly 3 years ago so I do apologise.

Starrider, I don't want to steal your thread so if you want them taking down let me know.

We had to help them set the balloon up first:

And, the view from up there:

Alison

 

[STARRIDER]

Ok, here goes then - they're not very good quality as only taken with a HP Photosmart compact and it was nearly 3 years ago so I do apologise.

Starrider, I don't want to steal your thread so if you want them taking down let me know.

We had to help them set the balloon up first:

And, the view from up there:

Alison

No need to take them down....they are great shots..
Gives me an idea of what to expect..thank you..
Getting just a little bit excited now..just seen the weather forecast and it looks like a nice morning tomorrow....thanks for posting

 

[Ian D J]

And you're right about the forecast. A small area of high pressure is expected to form and be centered right over the southern half of the UK tomorrow so winds will be very light and variable in amounts at all levels. I can't even tell you which direction your balloon will go, that's how slack things will be tomorrow!
It may feel cold at ground level at sunrise but as you climb up, you may actually feel things turning milder as the air aloft is actually warmer than on the surface (hence why we've got this horrible murkiness right now, that's cool moist air being trapped by a blanket of warmer air aloft).
There may be variable amounts of cloud cover first thing in the morning but that will quickly melt away as we go through the morning.
In other words, you really couldn't have picked a better day for ballooning!

 

[gemini]

No need to take them down....they are great shots..
Gives me an idea of what to expect..thank you..
Getting just a little bit excited now..just seen the weather forecast and it looks like a nice morning tomorrow....thanks for posting

Thanks Starrider, you'll have an amazing experience, don't forget a hat of some sort cos of the burner and a jacket as it may be a bit nippy up there...oh and your camera of course

There's a couple more shots on my gallery if you're interested as well.

Have a brilliant day

Alison

 

[STARRIDER]

And you're right about the forecast. A small area of high pressure is expected to form and be centered right over the southern half of the UK tomorrow so winds will be very light and variable in amounts at all levels. I can't even tell you which direction your balloon will go, that's how slack things will be tomorrow!
It may feel cold at ground level at sunrise but as you climb up, you may actually feel things turning milder as the air aloft is actually warmer than on the surface (hence why we've got this horrible murkiness right now, that's cool moist air being trapped by a blanket of warmer air aloft).
There may be variable amounts of cloud cover first thing in the morning but that will quickly melt away as we go through the morning.
In other words, you really couldn't have picked a better day for ballooning!

Excellent report as usual..first class..thank you..
We are meeting at 7am,so will still be quite chilly..

 

[weephillie]

Did this a few years ago now. Made the mistake of wrapping up warm thinking 'god it's gonna be windy up there'. It didn't occur to me that you wouldn't feel the wind as you are moving at the same speed and direction that the wind is taking you! All those layers and the heat off the burner ...I came down 3 stone lighter!