Not Grey Mullet

Dug out some ballooning photos tonight.

Makes me feel old, less than 15 years ago, August 97, Metz, France, my first hands-on unaided landing, look at me looking proud for keeping the basket upright. No,I'm sure stripey shirts and check trousers weren't fashionable even back then but hey ho.

Trying To Blag A Sponsorship Deal

This is the balloon that I tried to blag off of my employers at the time. It was 1999 according to the date on the artwork that Sky Balloons prepared for me.
They didn't go for it (bastards).
I had a big business plan spiel that I had to go through with the directors of the company, I think it was only the MD who didn't like it.

Biennale Mondiale de l'Aerostation

Every other end of July/beginning of August on odd numbered years would find us heading for an ex Nato airbase on the French-German border.
The largest balloon meet in Europe, great countryside to fly in, great farmers and great cheese.
This shot was taken with the Minolta Vectis 2000, an APS camera which was set in panoramic mode for this. Must have been taken by the wife I think as according to my log book I flew both morning and evening of the 1st that year. I bought the camera from Argos and planned to use it then take it back under their 28 day money back guarantee unused, unfortunately I dropped it denting it, I still have it.

Blimey!!

One of my favourite balloons, the upside-down Festo PH-OIH, flying alongside PH-HIO.
No photoshopping involved.

Dover from the air

22nd Feb 1998 and I am crossing the White Cliffs Of Dover in a balloon.
Along with about a dozen other balloons, one of my favourite flights I think, 25.2 NM (nautical miles) in 2:05. Crossed the French coast at Wissant before finally landing N.W of Rinxent.