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!
