Our hot air balloon flight over west Norfolk launched from Thetford rugby club at 7.40 p.m. The wind had eased and a call to RAF Lakenheath gave us the go ahead to fly. The inflation was a little difficult as the wind was still quite gusty. Once aloft we climbed out quickly to 1,000 feet and the GPS told us that we were travelling at 20 Knots heading towards Swaffham.
We had a stunning view over Stanford battle area to our west and the rolling heath land of traditional breckland. We were now approaching the grand mansion of Lindford Hall, constructed in 1857 frequented by many of the senior royal family during that century. During the early 1900’s most of the estates land some 6,000 acres was sold to Thetford forestry commission and planted the forest; of which we are familiar with today.
Leaving the forest to our south we pass over Ickburgh and on towards Cockley Cley. Due to the density of outdoor livestock units we climb up to 2,500 feet to prevent the burners disturbing the animals on the ground. Once past the village of Gooderstone are now past all the livestock and to our front our ground crew and passengers family are waiting on a road west of Beachamwell with a perfect stubble field adjacent. The pilot instructs the passengers to safely stow their camera equipment and adopt the briefed landing positions. We are now descending at 600 feet per minute- 2 metres per second. Due to our height we need to make a steep approach into the field some two miles to our front. One interesting point to make that in a balloon you have not sensation of climbing or falling, it’s so gentle. We arrest the desent with a good blast of the burners and we gently touch down at 9 knots. A perfect end to the day.