Up, Up and Away

Hot air balloon in action

The older I get, the harder it is to choose a birthday present.  I know, I know, that's such a tough problem to have, but the way my mum nags, it kind of is.  It got to the point where I was actually asking for help in choosing, and in the end my dad (with an air of desperation) suggested a hot air balloon ride.  Why not?

Mixed salad

The balloon took off (if that's the right phrase) from gorgeous Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire.  The hot air balloon held about 17 people including the pilot (again, I think that's the right phrase) and a co-pilot - I had no idea the basket would be so big! The journey was so, so smooth, as well, and it felt really serene just drifting along.

Moo

Seeing everything from above like that is quite odd, as well. I suppose the nearest I'd come in the past is that moment when taking off and landing in a plane, where you're just under the clouds and everything looks like a patchwork blanket. Flying over the Westonbirt Arboretum area we obviously got to see a lot of gorgeous countryside, as well as Westonbirt House and Highgrove.

Oh, and did I mention it was a champagne flight? Only the best, naturally.
The landing was the only bumpy moment during the whole flight. There are seats and hand-holds in the basket, so we were all prepared and it was pretty soft, really.  As this took place in September the weather wasn't exactly sunny, but it was clear and not too cold so I was pretty comfortable and got a lot of photos.  It's definitely an experience I'd recommend.