Flew in a Balloon today

[Dre'man]

What an experience, went on conference this weekend and was pleasantly surprised with a balloon flight this morning.
Fortunately it was this morning and not yesterday as friday night was . . . . . . let me not go there :D

The next morning was

Such a weird feeling floating so slowly. At on stage we were doing 2 knots.

The fascinating thing is the size and enthusiasm of the ground crew required. I have only managed to get my softness out to the airfield once. Can't imaging her chasing around with a ground crew.

Don't think I would sacrifice the 5 hours worth of flying cash to go again if I had to pay for it myself.

Unfortunately in my wisdom I never took pics, just a couple of video clips with the phone. Will see if I can edit into stills.

[skidmark]

I always wanted to do that when I still lived up north. Just never got round to getting it together. Don't think there's anything like that happening here in the deep south! Mooi!

[Dre'man]

Discussed that this morning, our Cape guys flew with us. Before take off the basket is tethered to the bull bar of a land cruiser. we joked about how it would look in the Cape with a Landcruiser being dragged around the country side. the second problem is an hour flight could result in a few hours of driving for the rec team or summons to the navy for assistance.

At least there is one thing we can hold for our own up here.

Definately a unique experience, and worth a try if you have the cash or get an opportunity.

[ZULU1]

This may make up for it taken on 100 years of flight, what away to turn gas into noise..and absolutely no adrenalin at all..

eish Zulu1

[Gyronaut]

I couldn't agree with Zulu1 more! I went with Bill Harrop (I think) in the Harties area a few years back and ended up drinking a whole bottle of sherry since it was damn early and damn boring. Dont believe a word they say when they tell you they can stear it. It goes where the wind blows at the same speed as the wind. no wind, no speed, lotsa wind, lotsa speed... zero control except vertically. What was nice was the sensation of quietly moving since there is no wind effect because you move at about the same speed as the wind. It was a really calm morning and even so they had to cut fences to get vehicles in to pick it/us up after he slammed it down in the best available piece of veld crossing under us.

Not my kinda fun.

[Dre'man]

I hear what you guys are saying and no definately not going to blow your hair back. As for adrenalin, maybe in a 35 knot wind.

But a pleasant experience non the less to fly so slowly over the countryside.