This evening we greeted our balloon ride passengers at Wensum Valley hotel and Golf Club. The wind was quite slack with a gentle drift coming from the southeast. The forecast was for a strengthening sea breeze to develop so we pressed on to get the balloon aloft without delay. Once above 1000 feet all of the east coast and indeed the fine city of Norwich in clear view from our stable platform. The cathedral and castle are prominent landmarks and always provide an excellent photo opportunity. The Norfolk Broads start to shimmer in the evening’s sun and to our north the coastline from Cromer round to Great Yarmouth are well defined. Our balloon trip takes us away from Wensum Valley and towards Lenwade with the ultimate heading south of Reepham. Then the wind starts to change, for a brief momement we are becalmed. The wind increases from the northwest and we are travelling back to Taverham at 17 knots. We contour the tree line to the south of Longwater and look at landing speed now down to 10 knots. Nowhere really suitable so we keep low close to the tree line and down towards Costessey golf course. Our hot air balloon is now behind and below the ridge and the wind drops down to a very manageable 4 knots and we gently touch down adjacent to the golf club in a small grass field. This proved to be a very interesting balloon ride but not quite what we had expected, but that’s ballooning I guess !!
Thanks for Saturday evening flight my wife and I through ally enjoyed the experience. We had not idea how much control you have with your balloon (Good job really LOL) Flying down the hill so close to the trees was quite a thrill, Good landing too
Mike and Janet Himsworth.