A balloon ride over Norwich-Norfolk with views of the Norfolk Broads is always a gem. The flight this morning provided well balanced views of countryside and city. The one great advantage to flying early in the morning in the summer is that the air is normally very stable with light winds. Our passengers were very keen and arrived early. We soon prepared the balloon and completed the safety briefing. We launched from Mattishall Golf Club at 5.40 a.m. and quickly ascended to 3,000 feet. With pretty much all of the county in view. The villages of Barnham Broom and Bawburgh seemed to drift past under us. Looking out to the east Hickling and Barton broad could be seen shimmering in the morning sunrise.
It was clear that our track was taking us directly over the city, so a radio call to Norwich airport on 119.35 MHz. Permission was quickly given to us to over fly to city, wonderful. We passed overhead cosstessey and followed the line of the Dereham road. The city centre was just to our south. The Forum, castle and the magnificent cathedral well in view. Passing over mousehold heath we left the city still sleeping behind us. Wroxham broad was in view with some of the boats starting to stir making their way down to Ranworth.
We were now looking for somewhere to land, not much choice prior to harvest all wall to all wall crop. A few very tight spaces but not big enough for a hot air balloon the size of two family houses!! As we passed over the village of Rackheath a fallow field was spotted about a mile to our front. A radio call to our ground retrieve team confirmed that we would be landing. In open countryside down to 30 feet drifting over the tree tops we could see the crew waiting next to the field. We were down after 1 hour and 50 minutes in the air. Our passengers were all very chirpy chatting about our morning adventure.
Hi Robert. Just to say ‘Thank You’ for such a memorable balloon flight over the beautiful city of Norwich & it’s surrounding countryside. Having recently experienced our first balloon flight in Egypt, we wondered if the Norfolk trip would provide the same magic & excitement. We were not disappointed!! Thanks to you Robert & your ground team, we had the most amazing morning & we thoroughly enjoyed being invited to assist you with the flight preparations, thus helping us to understand how the whole process comes together. It was great fun and well worth the wait for the ‘perfect’ morning.
We have no hesitation in recommending your company and the experience to others. We could not have wished for a more knowledgeable or friendlier team.
Regards, Paul & Sharon Munday
Dear Robert,
Thought I would write to you in verse:
5.30 a.m. and the weather’s perfect
Go, go, go, is the welcome verdict
High in the sky in moments it seems
This really is the stuff of dreamsRobert, professional and chirpy throughout
Pointing out landmarks with never a doubt
You can tell he’s done this all before
But it doesn’t stop him wanting moreFlying low over Norwich, what a treat
You can see people getting to their feet
Give us a wave is what they say
Perhaps they’ll be up here another dayThen the landing, all fields are in crop
Hard to find a perfect place to drop
But trusty Robert is in control
He won’t put us down on telegraph poles!Boomph! we’ve landed all in one piece
I really didn’t want the trip to cease
Back to the launch site after some bubbly
Try ballooning for yourself, it’s absolutely lovely!With many thanks for such an unforgettable experience.
I would put Breckland Balloons above all others!
Best Wishes
Hilary (Miller)