Our balloon flight over Norwich started at 6.40 this morning. A flight that really did tick all the boxes. We decided to fly from Mattishall as the wind was coming from the south west taking us up and over Norwich. Located some eight miles to the west of the city this gives us more quality time in the air before we approach the coast. This morning there was not a cloud in the sky, the visibility was unlimited.

At 6,000 feet we were above the city of Norwich with all of the Norfolk Broads on view from the balloon basket. The coastline from Kings Lynn to Sizewell were all well defined. At this altitude the wind was flowing from the south and our track now turned us to the left by 40 degrees. As we passed over the village of Horsford we commenced a slow and gentle descent. The town of North Walsham was clearly in view as we passed over the railway line from Norwich to Cromer. A stubble field was spotted close to the village of Tunstead. The ground crew were radioed to tell them of our intention to land. After 1 hour and 20 minutes our balloon flight came to an end with a perfect landing. What a great way to start your day.

During the spring and summer we can only fly at dawn or two hours before sunset. This is when the air is normally at its most stable. So for an evening flight we meet our balloon passengers 2 hours 45 minutes before sunset. It takes around 45 minutes to prepare the hot air balloon for flight and conduct a thorough safety briefing for passengers and any on lookers. Then if it has been a hot day quite often we have to wait for the wind to ease down to 8 knots, which is ideal for a safe inflation and take off. At dawn it is completely the opposite. After several hours of darkness the surface layer of air cools and normally becomes slow and stable. We have chosen Mattishall Golf club for the launch. Our team have been on site at 5.30 a.m. preparing for the arrival of passengers at 6 a.m.

With a very gentle wind coming from the south west we are aloft at 6.20 a.m. Quickly establishing radio contact with Norwich airports air traffic controllers, keeping them informed of our progress. As we climb past 300 feet the balloon picks up speed. The balloon gently ascends to 2,500 feet, the speed is 15 knots. Passing over the A47 we see the traffic below, much less stress by balloon. The city of Norwich well defined with the cathedral beautifully captured by the morning's sunlight. On over Lenwade and Horsford we leave the city views behind. Now in open countryside we start our desent over Buxton heath. Our hot air balloon trip ends when we touch down in a stubble field outside the town of Aylsham.

This evening we met our passengers at Eccles Hall School. This launch site is located between the Snetterton race circuit and the town of Attleborough. It was a lovely evening with a warm breeze from the south. Quite a number of family and friends had arrived to watch the hot air balloon launch and were very keen to watch and follow the retrieve crew. This is also an excellent way to join in on the whole experience and watch the balloon land. We were aloft at 6.50 p.m. Heading pretty much due north at 15 Knots.

Our altitude was 2,200 feet. Soon passing the A11, to our west the town of Thetford. Immediately to the east Attleborough, Wymondham and Norwich, all well in view. We fly on over Shropham and Great Ellingham. We now descend to 500 feet; this is an ideal height for photography. The village of Hingham seems to pass beneath us, hard to believe that nearly an hour has elapsed. So it is time to look for that ideal field to land. Our ground crew and following convoy are spotted coming through Reymerston, so they are now close by. A cultivated field is spotted in the parish of Whinburgh. Our balloon ride comes to an end. We are soon sipping a chilled glass of champagne to toast our flight. Another wonderful end to the day.

The weather continues to be in our favour, the month of August is proving to be one of the best for a number of years. This evening was to be no exception. Although we had a wonderful evening the breeze was coming from the south west quite briskly, so we waited for the temperatures to cool and the wind to ease. Our passengers and their families were a very keen group of people, helping the crew prepare the balloon for launch.

We were airborne at 7.25 p.m. Ciming out to 2,000 we were travelling at 22 knots and heading out to Long Sutton. On thing that has marked this summer has been the clear and crisp evenings. With excellent visibility. We could clearly see across the wash and the cliffs at Hunstanton on the Norfolk coast. We had a very chatty bunch of passengers on board, and it is always a real pleasure to point out all of the local towns, villages and local history as the balloon trip continues. As sunset approaches the balloon descends and we find that the surface wind has dropped markedly, ideal for landing. Touch down is in the village of Thockenholt. This village was named after a hermit monk who lived there some centuries before. The road also runs along the old sea wall which was the last area of the Fens to be drained during the 18th century. The coast is now some ten miles further out the north east.

A morning Norfolk balloon flight. A stunning morning, our passengers arrived on site at 6.00 a.m. We were soon aloft from Mattishall golf club with the landscape of Norfolk to be savoured. The visibly was excellent with the coast in full view as we passed beyond 1,000 feet.
We were heading north. Passing over the A47 at North Tuddenham with an overall track towards Reepham. We climbed up to 3,000 feet as there is quite a high density of livestock before we pass Bawdeswell. It is always ‘best practice' to do this as it prevents disturbing animals on the ground.

Now we are flying over open countryside the balloon comes down to 500 feet. We pass between Foulsham water tower and the village of Bawdeswell. Hard to believe we have been aloft for an hour so it is time to look for somewhere to land. We drift over the market town of Foulsham and its magnificent church. We spot some stubble close to the old disused airfield, however there are cattle close by so we climb up high again. Just to the south of the village of Wood Dalling some ideal stubble fields are spotted. The hot air balloon gently landed on the edge of the village. Our passengers then enjoyed a chilled glass of champagne, bathed in the glorious morning sunshine. What a wonderful start to the day.

This hot air balloon trip started from Peterborough. It was a wonderful evening with a gentle brezze coming from the south east. With direction we would be flying just to the south of RAF Wittering. So a phone call prior to the flight is always essential. This established the military were not flying during our flight window. We were airborne at 6.45 p.m. The balloon tracked away from the city at a gentle 8 knots. We were soon crossing the A47 and the A1 passing over the beautiful village of Wansford. The town of Stamford was well in view as was Rutland Water, shimmering in the evenings sunshine.

The balloon drifted gently north of Kings Cliffe passing over the rolling landscape and large areas of forest. We descended into the valley north of Blatherwykce. We gently landed in a stubble field, the farmers wife had watched us land a gave the crew permission to retrieve to balloon. We had caused quite a stir with the local children who were soon inquisitively surrounding the balloon with lots of questions.