This evening was a spectacular flight for our balloon flight over Norfolk but proved to be a real challenge from a pilot's point of view. Our forecasters confirmed that the wind would be coming in from the northeast with a gentle sea breeze developing. When the wind comes from this direction the air humidity tends to be very low leaving crisp and unrestricted visibility. We launched from west Norfolk and were aloft at 7.10 pm. The balloon ascended to 3,000 feet was we slowed down to 2mph. The views were quite wonderful the whole of the Norfolk coast was in view as was Lincolnshire across the wash the river Nene could be seen all the way to Peterborough with Ely cathedral way out on the horizon. We initiated a descent to pick up the lower level of wind, which was a little quicker- much quicker as we were soon to find out. Below 1200 feet a sea breeze had developed and was quite powerful it was easy to see that all the trees beneath us were well in motion. We make our first approach to land to the north of Feltwell but nothing is really suitable we cross the southery Feltwell road and to our front there appears to be a large expanse of grass OH just too good to be true, and it was. The grass was beautifully managed turf in reality a very valuable crop so we fly on. A radio call to our ground crew to inform them that there is nowhere suitable to land so the message relayed was- go up to Southery down the A10 and meet us at Littleport. After 30 minutes of crossing the fen we spot our crew still no where sensible to land this flight its now 20 minutes to sunset so its command decision time. To our front we were approaching the village of Prickwillow there was an opportunity to land but it was tight between some farm buildings and a headland this field had our name on it. The passengers were told to stow their cameras and adopt landing positions. At one hundred feet we were still running at 12 knots letting the balloon cool just before the buildings and Newton's law of gravity takes hold. Our all up weight is 1.6 tonnes and soon we have a descent of 220 feet per minute. Interesting to note that the family enjoying their barbecue at the other end of the field start to disperse as they watch our approach, oh ye of little faith. We touch down with a good Bumppp drag 30 meters with the deflation system fully deployed basket gently lays over on its side. Silence for a momement then some giggling so everyone seemed to enjoy our landing after one hour forty minutes in the air. A very big thank you to the farmer and his son who allowed us to retrieve the balloon His name we forgot to record sorry. We toasted the flight with a glass of chilled champagne with the dominating view of Ely cathedral not three miles away

Our balloon ride today launched from the Ken Stimpson playing field behind Werrington sports centre Peterborough. It was a beautiful evening as the clouds melted away to leave conditions ideal for our flight. Airborne at 7.10 pm we climbed up 3,000 feet the wind taking us gently out to the southeast. At this altitude Rutland Water was in view across to the Norfolk coast. The city itself is always impressive to view from the air with the grand medieval cathedral dominating its skyline. The balloon gently drifts over the ancient town of Thorney, which is steeped in history. In AD972, the Benedictine Abbey was re-founded by St Aethelwold. It became the focus of a very large farming estate. The Norman church, constructed from 1083, contained the relics of important saints such as St Botolph (brought from Boston) The town has one very dark episode during the Black Death in 1350, 15 of the monks died along with dozens of their servants. Any way on a higher note the town is a much smarter place these days. We tried to land in the park however started to drift a little to the left. So on we go waving at the excited children beneath us. We eventually landed on remote road in the parish of Thorney Toll after one hour ten minutes in the air. Out with the champagne to toast the flight and chat about our adventure.

Our Balloon ride today launched from Mattishall golf club. This is a beautifully maintained course owned by Mr B Todd who generously allows us to use his facility it was good to see his family this evening who had bought the grand children along to watch us depart. It was an excellent evening without a cloud in the sky and a very gentle wind flow from the southeast. A call to Norwich air traffic confirmed that conditions were suitable for our flight. We were soon airborne and ascended up to 1,500 feet and what a view. From the balloon basket the city of Norwich and the broads beyond were in view and to our North the coastline was clearly defined. At this altitude we had a gentle 12 mph crossing the A47 east of the town of Dereham. It was now clear we were heading towards the village of Swanton Morley and Robertson Barracks home of the Light Dragoons. Behind the camp is the large expanse of grass, which was the old airbase of RAF Swanton Morley. It was in fact the largest grass airfield in the UK. A radio call to the ground crew suggesting they make their way to the Guard house and politely ask security if we may land. Touch down was a very gentle affair with the balloon remaining upright. Our crew were soon in sight with a very helpful Army escort who even helped us pack up the balloon!! It was a privilege to speak to such a helpful soldier whose comrades had endured such a difficult tour in Afghanistan last year, a big thank you to the Light Dragoons.

This evening we launched the balloon at 7.00 p.m. It was a lovely evening with a gentle breeze from the south. It is always a real bonus when family members and friends come along to watch and join in. Our retrieve crew had six cars following them along the winding country lanes of Norfolk. At this time of year all of the fields are in crop so we have to exercise great caution with our landings not to potentially damage any standing crops, its quite a challenge for the pilot and this evening was no exception. At 3,000 feet we passed over the town of Attleborough and on towards the village of Great Ellingham and Hingham. The overall speed was a steady 12 mph, not much you may think but travelling in a linear line you can cover quite a distance. We started our descent over Reymerston however due to the density of livestock we remained high ensuring not to disturb any thing on the ground. Still nothing sensible to land in so we continue our flight and cross the A47 east of the town of Dereham. Landing on a bare headland adjacent to a farm track. Our balloon flight came to an end in the parish of North Tuddenham after one hour and thirty minutes in the air. Toasting our flight with a class of champagne it was a perfect end to the day.

This evening our balloon flight launched from Werrington Sports Centre in the city of Peterborough It was a beautiful evening with not a cloud in the sky and a gentle breeze coming from the southwest Our passengers were well supported with several family members arriving to watch the hot air balloon take to the skies At 6.30 pm we were airborne amidst shouts and cheers from our attentive audience We quickly climbed out to 1000 feet and could see right across the wash with the faint line of the cliffs at Hunstanton in view Any way onwards and upwards A radio call to our ground crew keeps them informed of our overall direction. We drift past the wind turbines at Deeping St Nicholas turning slowly in the gentle breeze. The balloon drifts over the town of Spalding with the coast and Boston in view. After an hour we are back on Terra Firma celebrating our flight with a glass of champagne watching a stunning Lincolnshire sunset

A sunrise balloon flight is a particular favorite of many of our customers, if you don't mind a very early start. At dawn the wind is normally calm and the air very stable making conditions ideal for our balloon flights. This morning simply ticked all the boxes. We were airborne at 6.20 am the surface layer of wind was from the southeast but above the inversion at 500 feet we turned to the right and were heading north plenty of steerage which is always handy as you can alter the balloons direction by altering your altitude. We crossed the A47 over North Tuddenham and on over the village of Lyng. What made the flight quite picturesque was a thin layer of mist in the shallow valley of the Wensum quickly burning away in the morning's sunshine. Our balloon ride takes us over the village of Sparham and on towards Reepham. We finally land in the parish of Wood Dalling.