MY HOME IS A CASTLE--the tale of how and why I became a chatelain , four times .This is my present home. If you are visiting for the first time you may care to read the older posts first.

Monday, April 6, 2009

UP, UP, and AWAY in my BEAUTIFUL BALLOON

Firstly, thankyou to all who joined in my little quiz yesterday! The answer was Muskrat, in France called a Ragonda! I felt a little drained yesterday, and my heart wasn't into my story. Today I feel good and energised, especially as Chris is so much better, and will be allowed home to recuperate! So back to my story......


In our first year of opening our doors, we had a few exciting group bookings, and one of them was from a group of hot air balloonists- in french 'Montgolfiéres'. They were from England and quite a jolly bunch. They had sponsors for their activities, the main one being British Airways. Their intention was to fly ( is that the right expression? or float?) before 7.00 a.m.! This, apparently, the safest time because there is no wind. If there are any balloonists reading this, please correct me if I am wrong because I am just using my memory of our conversations with them at that time! So, in order for them to fly before 7am, they had to start getting the balloons inflated at about 5am !!! So as we wanted to share this experience, we had to get up at that time too with our cameras--help!

One is going up, the other still needs more gas



The group leader kindly asked if one of us would like to join them in the basket! Well I have no head for heights, neither did my husband, but our son-in-law leapt at the opportunity, and took a camera with him.




This is him about to get in the basket- how brave


So up up and away they both go.............

The horses just could not believe their eyes! At first when the colouful objects started to grow before their eyes, they all galloped madly around their field. When they had finally exhausted their nervous energy, they all drew up and stared and stared.........


This is the shot that he took from the basket.....



And this next and final photo we took the following morning when they decided to go even earlier. It is lovely to see that bright orb just floating quietly over the roof of the Chateau in the eerie early morning light!


What an experience that was- I just wished now that I had had the courage to go up myself!

27 comments:

  1. Great story and photo essay.

    When we were in France, my wife saw some lace curtains in a window that had "balloons" in the design. We looked all over asking for "balloon" curtains. No success. Then we found that they were called "Montgolfieres". And that a "balloon" is the tiny container for the hot water! And a really tiny container it is. Learned to do "European showers" and to time our hot water use.

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  2. Glad to hear that life will return to a more normal state soon and that Chris is making a good recovery!

    Balloons!!! Your place was perfect for that! Lots of space, gorgeous scenery!

    I'm glad you are feeling better, too, Delphine... Take care of yourself!

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  3. delphine, many healing thoughts to you and your man...lovely post. awesome scenery and of course my fave photos was the horses! so very cute!

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  4. The photo of the horses cracked me up! What they must be thinking!
    I would of passed on the ride too. Better to keep my feet on the ground.
    Take care!

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  5. Hello Delphine,
    I'm glad to hear that you are both in better spirits.
    How fortunate to have that aerial shot of the chateau to add to your collection too...

    what are the surrounding paddocks cropped with?

    I can't believe that you took on such a formidable task in rennovating and running that enormous chateau. What a rewarding experience it must have been.
    Happy days

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  6. amazing pictures.. they could be in your catalog!

    Jan

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  7. Hello Si, I will look out for balloon design curtains and if I see any then I will let you know! Trouble is when you spot something like that, out of the blue, you always end up never seeing it agai, - fingers crossed;

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  8. Thankyou for your kind words, cottage girl! I expect Chris to come home today, what a joy to be together again- I will have to stop him trying to do anything , he likes to be active.The balloons were so great to phtograph!

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  9. Hi Kritter Keeper, the horses were so amusing they really just stood and gaped like that for ages, I am glad I had the camera.

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  10. Hello Anet, I am glad I am not the only one who lacks a bit of courage. Actually my son-in-law said it was a bit daunting when you are up there and realise there is just a balloon of hot air keeping you and death apart!!

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  11. Delwyn, regarding those crop fields to the left, they were owned by the local farmer, and if I remember correctly were mostly maize and sun-flowers, which were oustanding. Our fields were all for grazing and hay.

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  12. I have been up in a balloon. You made me wish I still was. Superb post.

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  13. Ah, but we always regret the opportunities NOT taken, don't we? I did get to go up in one some years ago but it was tethered and only went up about 50 feet but it was lovely.
    Best wishes for your mate's recovery. Thanks for visiting and posting to my blog, too.

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  14. Wow, great pics and I love the horses all standing there in awe. I was invited once to do that, and the same thing, had to be before or by 7:00 a.m. Our cancelled due to weather though. Great photos. So glad Chris is coming home and doing well.

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  15. thankyou Dave, I bet it was great up there, but I still can imagine the silence makes it scary!

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  16. Karen, now I bet I would have gone up 50 feet if it had stayed tethered...or at least I think I might have....no , I guess I am just basically a coward

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  17. Sandy,That was a shame , but good job you didn't get up there and then the weather changed! Thanks for your good wishes for Chris coming home.

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  18. Delphine, greetings to you too. How lovely to be introduced to your story with a post about hot air balloons, which I love! And floating over a castle... What could be more magical? I am intrigued and have started to read back through your story... Will be back for more :o)

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  19. Delphine, that aerial shot of the chateau and surrounding fields is amazing! The colors are so beautiful and clear. I love the last one, too. It looks as if the balloon is the sun rising over the chateau. Gorgeous!

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  20. Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog! Of course, I had to come and visit you too and am now very intrigued to learn more about your interesting life and the four chateaux! Gosh.

    Also, I enjoyed this post about the hot air balloons. That is something on my list of things I want to do - go up in one of those.

    I've bookmarked your blog so I will come and visit again.

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  21. How nice of you to visit me, Delphine! I am enthralled with the photos of the balloons but especially the one of the horses! They do seem to be enjoying it! Best wishes to you.
    Catherine

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  22. dear Delphine,
    thank's for your kind words in my blog. I enjoy visiting your blog (nearly) every day!
    my best whishes to your husbands recovering and best greetings from Vienna
    bright blessings
    Sonyana

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  23. Welcome Kendalee, I am pleased you are interested in my story!

    also welcome to Sara, Let me know if you do take a trip up in a balloon;perhaps one day I will be brave enough!

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  24. Nice of you to visit me too, Catherine! My horses were so funny on that day- I miss them now, as that was nearly 20 years ago.

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  25. I liked that last shot too Susan, although I was worried that it wouldn't be too clear as the shot was taken in a half-light.

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  26. and bright blessings to you and your family too ,Sonyana! I hope the sun is shining in Vienna as it is here!

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  27. I love the photos and the adventure of my imagination of trying to be brave enough to ride in one of those. I am not sure if I could or not. I don't even enjoy roller coaster rides. Ha. They are beautiful though. Also, love the horses standing there observing it all. Thanks for sharing these!

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