Up, up and away?

     A very generous friend has given us the gift of a flight in a hot-air balloon. Mr. C. is raring to go, while I - though I like the idea of it - am not sure how I'd take to it in practice. I am quite happy flying in planes but I feel very uncomfortable in cable cars and the like and I'm worried that the balloon would be similar to that, that I'd get up about thirty feet and want to come straight down.

    I've just read a book which includes a balloon ride, and while one character loved the experience, the other most definitely did not. Have you ever done it? Would you recommend it? All advice gratefully received!

Comments

[Dark Puss]

I can't help directly (I am happy to take your place though!) but the thought struck me that there are a couple of fairly realistic flight simulators out there on the internet. Some offer a "basket-eye" viewpoint so you could perhaps get some feeling for realistic ascent/descent rates, effect of wind etc. I've not tried any so this advice is not based on experience sadly.

Peter

http://www.balloonsimulator.com/simulator_about.php
http://users.tpg.com.au/idea/simulators.html

[m]

Karen, I've done it and I'm terrified of heights, I hate even getting onto a stepladder to change a lightbulb! But the balloon experience was lovely, it was so peaceful up there ... and to my relief, at the end, we came down like a feather. Don't chicken out!

[Claire]

Have you read the balloon chapter in Ian McEwen's Enduring Love? Riveting stuff. I'd go for it - usually it's the things we don't do that we regret. Of course, I've never been up in one myself!

[Mr Cornflower]

The Cornflower readership is famously wise and always gives good advice (see above).

[Ruth M.]

I have done a balloon ride and I loved it. What makes it different from anything else is that it's completely still, no wind at all -- because you're moving with the wind. Totally quiet, in between brief bursts of the flame that keeps the hot air hot. You can skim the tree tops, glide over your own shadow, look down on the backs of hawks and other birds. The basket came up about chest height on me (I'm 5'2") so it felt very secure. You be the judge, but I thought it was fabulous.

[Deirdre]

I'm like you . . . I like the idea of it too! My husband has done it and said it was great. He thinks I'd be terrified but one day I would like to try. So, go ahead, do it for the rest of us!! You can't refuse such a gift!

[Darlene]

Oh I share your thoughts on this one. On the one hand it would be a thrilling experience to share with your husband but personally, I would need a parachute and medication to do it!

[Dark Puss]

Darlene, I'd find parachuting much, much more challenging that a balloon ride!

Karen, don't hestitate any longer, you'll regret it for ever if you don't take this opportunity!

PS I have given you a skydiving course for your forthcoming birthday {:-))

[carol]

Do it ... you will always regret it if you don't and
you won't know for sure whether you like it or not if you don't go.

[Your Mother]

I'm game to take your place if you decide ,finally, not to go !! although I imagine the "giver" of your gift --- (and I have a FAIR IDEA whom that was ) might have other ideas on the subject ! Go on, don't be "chicken" and it wouldn't be nearly so much fun for Gareth to have me for company !!!! or would it? Mum.

[Kay]

Go for it ! I too was secretly apprehensive on my first trip. For some odd reason I thought I would fall out of the basket. But no such worries once we were up and I didn't want it to end. You'll love the peace, quiet and serenity. You're not aware of moving, just floating. Mind you with cancellations for poor weather it took us about 18 months to take off.

[Lindsay]

Go with the "liking the idea of it" and put aside negative thoughts that you might not take to it in practice; and I agree with Claire, that its things we don't do that we regret. Make the donor happy, and give it a go.

[yvonne]

We got given flights as a 50th birthday present (our birthdays are a day apart). I was stunned and silent with fear when I opened the gift, but when the donor announced that they would be travelling nearly 200 miles to come and watch us take off, I didn't have the heart to chicken out. We picked the windiest day possible and the flight was almost cancelled, but not quite!! The getting into the basket was the most undignified experience ever, but once we were up in the air it was fantastic. You wouldn't notice it at all if you suffer from vertigo, as you are moving with the wind, so the sensation is of an almost stationery, surreal calm and silence. Every sound from the ground is amplified and the views stunning. The landing, although a little bumpy, was fine and not worrying. The only down side was that we all had to help fold the balloon away before transport arrived to return us to our start point, and for that you need to be quite fit. Go for it, you definitely won't regret it.

[Dark Puss]

Well, what was it like???

[Cornflower]

Haven't been yet! The flight has had to be postponed several times as weather conditions haven't been right.