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First, the photographers amongst us take a few close ups.
Thanks to Jan Cawley for being a second unit photographer! |
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Then some work has to be done, getting the basket into
position for takeoff. |
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As we struggle to spread out the enormous
canopy, other balloons are already on their way. |
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My instruction was to (jointly) hold open
the mouth of the balloon so that some air could be blown in. At this stage,
it is just cold air to try and partly fill the canopy. |
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Gradually, oh so gradually, the canopy begins to swell |
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I had a break from mouth holding activities.
The orange bit is allegedly flame proof.
More of that in a minute. |
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This is why, once those propane burners start up, the
heat can easily be felt where I was stood. |
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A cathedral of air... |
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Lift is starting to become apparent |
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You will note that two of our group have now been
deployed as ballast in the huge basket just in case... |
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Then we all get aboard, in the right order into our own
little compartments. |
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and we bounce along a bit in anticipation of the 'up'
bit. |
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Last minute safety checks... |
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...and there it is, freedom from apple
falling gravity. |
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A bientot! |
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We are not alone |
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Our retrieval vehicles below. |
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Monmouth and the surrounding hills as I have
never seen them before. |
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A fair is assembled below us as we slowly and peacefully
drift towards the sunset. |
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Seriously high now with some beautiful
vistas |
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