This afternoon we launched this balloon from Clarkes garage camp site in the village of Newborough located adjacent to the busy city of Peterborough. It was a perfect day with a light wind and good visibility. We were aloft at 5.00 p.m. and climbed up to 3,500 feet. Peterborough was in good view as was Rutland water and the busy market town of Stamford. At height we started a gentle drift towards Thorney and descended to 500 feet so all the family members who were following our retrieve crew could take some quality photos as we passed over them. At low level the wind was almost calm, so we ascended to 5,000 feet to regain some speed. At this altitude we were now travelling at 12 M.P.H. this rewarded us with panoramic views of the East Anglian landscape. Once clear of Thorney we started our decent and landed very gently in a stubble field south of Thorney Toll. We were soon to be greeted by the passengers family which included some very excited children who were soon helping our ground crew packing up the balloon. The autumn sunset was stunning, another wonderful end to the day.

We launched from Wensum valley golf club in Taverham at 5.50 p.m. The wind was flowing gently from the north which was to take us in a southerly direction across the city of Norwich. The wind speed on the surface was quite slow at 6 m.p.h. However once above 2,500 feet we were travelling at 20 m.p.h. So we would be able to travel a good distance. It is always a treat to view this fine city and the Norfolk broads beyond. Our track was out over Earlham Park and the university. With not a cloud in the sky we commanded excellent views across the county with the coast well defined. At this height it is also quite possible to see ships out on the north sea, so even with Norfolk being such a large county of over 2,000 square miles it does seem a little smaller from a hot air balloon. We drifted past Dunston Hall and as we approached Long Stratton a gentle decent was initiated. Our ground crew were spotted a couple of miles to our front, with many of the friends and family who had chosen to follow the flight. At 7.10 p.m. we landed in a stubble field to the north of Pulham St Mary. We toasted the flight with a class of chilled champagne and savour a beautiful sunset.

We were up bright and early today. Our passengers were all from west Norfolk. The wind was coming from the northeast so we launched from our base at Wendling with the intention of flying back into the area of Methwold. There was a shallow vale of mist covering the ground that would quickly burn off as the sun came up. The balloon was aloft at 07.15 Hrs. The surface wind up to 200 feet was taking us in a southerly direction, however once up above 1,500 feet the wind direction had changed. The balloon turned to the right by forty degrees we were now heading towards Swaffham. This part of the county is very picturesque and rural. Climbing again to 2,500 feet and turning a little more to the right. A quick look at the flight map so indicated we would be clear of Stanford Battle Area passing it to the North, very important to avoid today as they are live firing!!!

We soon cross over Great Cressingham and Hilborough. Our passengers were totally engrossed with the views, and using up their camera memory cards with alarming speed. As we approached the village of Methwold we were now clear of the military airspace, forest and livestock. Time to descend. We spotted smoke from a bonfire beneath us, it was clear that the surface wind direction would turn us to the left a good 60 degrees. As we passed through 800 feet we could feel a good flurry of wind as the balloon negotiated a wind shear/ inversion. (This is a common feature especially with early morning flights.) The flight direction had now turned to the left and we were heading towards Feltwell. Now down to 200 feet the wind had increased to 12 knots. We landed with a bump and a good 30-meter drag in stubble filed outside to village of Feltwell. What had been a real bonus this morning was to fly so close to many of the passenger's homes. A great start to the day.

This evening we assembled at Wensum valley golf club, Taverham. This launch site is close to Norwich airport so detailed liaison between us and air traffic control is important. At 6 p.m. we were given permission to launch, climbing out to 2,000 feet we started to gently drift north with clear views of the city of Norwich. The Norfolk broads were all in clear view, braydon water and the offshore wind turbines at Great Yarmouth gave our balloon passengers a wonderful photo opportunity. The wind gently carried us out in a north easterly direction over Horsford woods and on towards Buxton. Our ultimate track was towards North Walsham.
The towns of Aylsham and Reepham lay to our west with the coastline in clear view to our front. Cromer and Sheringham were well defined in the evening's sunshine. As sunset approached we started to look for a suitable field to land. The wind had eased back to a very gentle 5 mph. and we touched down in a stubble field in the parish of North Walsham. Our crew thanked Mr Rossi who owned the field and gave permission to retrieve. We had caused quite a stir with some local children who had watched us land and were extremely enthusiastic in helping the crew pack the balloon away. What a lovely end to the day.

Another early start for pilot and crew. Out of bed at 3.30 am computer on to check the weather and all looked pretty good. We knew the wind would be increasing quite soon after dawn, so we decided to get on site well before any passengers arrived to prepare and inflate the balloon. Just after 6 a.m. we were ready and our passengers were very keen, all on site early. With the balloon fully inflated passengers climb in and listen to the briefing. Burners on at full blast and we are away. Our balloon rides from Peterborough are an excellent start point for an aerial adventure, as the road network is easy to use and Werrington sports centre has ample parking with all the usual facilities.
Once aloft our speed was approaching 20 knots, with stunning visibility. At 2,500 feet Rutland Water and Stamford was shimmering in the early morning's sunshine. The cities commuter traffic started to stir and we felt a real sense of calm watching it all from the balloon as we drifted effortlessly along with the wind. We continued the flight over Newborough and south of Spalding.
We were close the Fenland airfield and an hour had passed. This would be an ideal place to land. A radio call established that no aircraft were using the field and we had permission to land. With a gentle bump and a drag we were back on the ground. Our ground crew quickly arrived and we had the balloon packed up and back on the trailer. With a glass of champagne we toasted our flight, another wonderful start to the day.

This evening we had the pleasure of flying a family party. Our balloon flight today was from a farm adjacent to Oxborough Hall in west Norfolk. The weather was another balmy summer's day with a warm and gentle wind from the south west. By 6.30 p.m. the safety brief had been concluded and the wind eased. The clouds started to melt away leaving unbroken skies. We were quickly aloft; the first view was the grand medieval hall of Oxborough. Built in the late 13th century alive with history and wonderfully crafted gardens, now administrated by the National Trust and well worth a visit. The visibility was again unlimited, for this reason we decided to ascend to 6,400 feet and savour the view.

To our west the wash was very clear and Boston could be seen on the Lincolnshire coast. The river nene meandered its way back to Peterborough. Beneath us Peddars Way the old roman road runs in a perfect straight line from North Pickenham to Holme next the sea. This was the main military road for the Roman army that would have extended all the way back to the garrison town of Colchester. To our north Holkham, Wells and Blakeney. The hot air balloon now passed to the south of castle acre in a gentle descent. The wind at lower levels turned us to the right by 20 degrees, over Litcham we start looking for somewhere to land. We touch down in a stubble field just before the village of Tittleshall. With glasses held high we toast our flight and our thoughts drift to the views at over one mile above the earth. A beautiful sunset was the perfect conclusion to our balloon flight.