This evening we had the pleasure of flying a family party. Our balloon flight today was from a farm adjacent to Oxborough Hall in west Norfolk. The weather was another balmy summer’s day with a warm and gentle wind from the south west. By 6.30 p.m. the safety brief had been concluded and the wind eased. The clouds started to melt away leaving unbroken skies. We were quickly aloft; the first view was the grand medieval hall of Oxborough. Built in the late 13th century alive with history and wonderfully crafted gardens, now administrated by the National Trust and well worth a visit. The visibility was again unlimited, for this reason we decided to ascend to 6,400 feet and savour the view.
To our west the wash was very clear and Boston could be seen on the Lincolnshire coast. The river nene meandered its way back to Peterborough. Beneath us Peddars Way the old roman road runs in a perfect straight line from North Pickenham to Holme next the sea. This was the main military road for the Roman army that would have extended all the way back to the garrison town of Colchester. To our north Holkham, Wells and Blakeney. The hot air balloon now passed to the south of castle acre in a gentle descent. The wind at lower levels turned us to the right by 20 degrees, over Litcham we start looking for somewhere to land. We touch down in a stubble field just before the village of Tittleshall. With glasses held high we toast our flight and our thoughts drift to the views at over one mile above the earth. A beautiful sunset was the perfect conclusion to our balloon flight.