This evening’s balloon flight would take us high above the Cambridgeshire landscape, with breathtaking views from the basket for all to enjoy. The air balloon launched from Peterborough at 19.45 hrs into a gentle breeze coming from the northwest at about 5 mph. As we gained height it was soon apparent that the visibility was very good with no haze, these conditions are a big bonus if you are a keen photographer. We had an excellent platform to view a panorama of the city. The topic of conversation will often focus for a while on the large medieval cathedral which can be recorded back to King Peada who built the first monastery on the site in 650AD. The cathedral and it monastery were sacked by the Vikings in the late 800’s. It was then rebuilt as a Benedictine Abbey in the late 900s’. Fire destroyed the Abbey in 1116. It was rebuilt in its present form between 1117 and 1239. During the dissolution of the monasteries in Henry the eights reign. Worship changed from Roman Catholic to the Book of Common Prayer. It then became the Cathedral of Peterborough in 1541 and it is now known as the Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew. It is a magnificent building with so much history if you have a few hours free it is well worth a visit. This city is a mix of old and new and was rapidly expanded during the 1970’s. From the air the city is very well designed with excellent road networks and a surprising amount of green space to be enjoyed. As we drift out the east the river Nene flows out through the ‘Dog n Doublet’ sluice, the river is tidal to this point. It then flows through Wisbech and out into the wash along with the Great Ouse at Kings Lynn. After an hour aloft we look for a place to land, prior to harvest it is quite difficult to find the ideal spot. We are drifting into a fallow field quite small however a straw stack is in the middle, so we will have to be careful where we position the balloon for landing. We gently land our hot air balloon in the parish of Thorney Toll. With glasses held high we toast our evenings flight.
Thank you all for the flight on Saturday evening. My mother loved every moment; she was a little apprehensive before we arrived. Your team is really professional and friendly and soon put mums mind at rest.
Bev Pointer