In March for about ten days my city goes a bit balloon mad. Each year we have a Balloon Spectacular (which starts as Enlighten finishes) and up to fifty balloons are launched each day. Bliss. There is always at least one 'feature' balloon.
Weather permitting they take off from the lawns of Old Parliament House shortly after dawn, and as well as the fortunate riders, it has become a tradition for people to come along and watch them inflate and take off (another free treat). Some mornings there are hundreds of spectators. Breakfast is available, and the crowd is happy.
The balloons are weather dependent and sadly most days this year they were grounded. My heart goes out to the participants some of whom have come considerable distances. I suspect the costs are large too. My youngest brother is, like me, a balloon tragic. The first day of the Spectacular was also his birthday and of course we were there. We were lucky and the balloons did take to the air. I showed you the feature balloons in a Sunday Selections.
Here are some of the others.
The smaller portion missed that day (he was visiting his sister in another state). There were only a few days left of the festival when he returned, so naturally I rousted him out of bed on a cool grey morning to see if the balloons would fly. Sadly when we got to the venue we were told that it was too windy. Some of the balloons would be inflated and tethered and a few would attempt to fly from other unspecified parts of the lake.
Bah humbug. Tethered balloons don't do it for either of us. So we headed off around the lake foreshores, hoping, hoping, hoping.
And we were lucky. He didn't see the feature balloons (which we assume were tethered, but did see quite a number of the others. From a distance it is true, but we saw them.
I wonder whether the early morning rowers saw the balloons as a treat? I hope so.
nudie?
ReplyDeleteSandi: Nudie is a brand name. They make juices - all natural, and nothing added.
DeleteAwesome photo's, would love to see that. Some are quite colorful.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Many of the balloons are very colourful, and seeing them bejewelling the sky is wonderful.
DeleteThe is quite an event and the balloons are spectacular. I can't think of any similar festival here, although hot air balloons are popular vehicles for advertising and we see them quite regularly. A few years ago one got into trouble and made a landing in the field of my friend's farm. My friend was given a bottle of fine Champagne and (against my will of course) I was happy to help him drink it.
ReplyDeleteDavid Gascoigne: The sacrifices we make for friendship... I hope you and your friend enjoyed the bubbles.
DeleteThat happy faced balloon gave me a smile.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this extravagant sight, and shared with us, EC. Thank you.
Rawknrobyn: As a confirmed balloon tragic I go each and every year. And take many, many photos.
DeleteI love watching balloons as they seem so graceful. A company uses the park at my family home back in the UK for balloon flights. Here in Boise (USA) we have the Spirit of Boise Balloon Fest every August, which is spectacular like the photos you posted.
ReplyDeleteRoland Clarke: I would love to see the Spirit of Boise Balloon festival - and what a wonderful way to express the spirit of a city.
DeleteI will try to do a post this year.
DeleteRoland Clarke: I hope you can. I really hope it. Balloons always lift my spirits.
DeleteThe photos from a distance are just as wonderful as up close, in my opinion. It's wonderful to be out in a crowd where everyone is happy, isn't it? Much different from the crowds on a city street or in a shopping mall!
ReplyDeletejenny_o: A happy crowd is a very different animal. Mind you, himself and I thoroughly enjoyed the virtual absence of crowd when we saw them around the lake.
DeleteI had to laugh at the nudie balloon. Thanks for explaining it. And the event had to be just wonderful to see! :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: It IS wonderful. Each and every year.
DeleteThe one with the rowers is a great shot.
ReplyDeleteWhat is Nudie or do I want to know...?
Alex J. Cavanaugh: Thank you. I think the Nudie name is clever. It is a brand name for a juice manufacturer. Pure juice, natural juice, nothing added...
DeleteThe nudie balloon! I didn't know what it was!
ReplyDeleteBalloons high in the sky are breath-taking!
Susan Kane: They are pretty damn special on the ground being inflated too.
DeleteSuch beautiful balloons.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: They are aren't they?
DeleteOooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! My jaw is aching. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeletedinahmow: Some year you will be able to be here for the fun.
DeleteThey look amazing grouped together above the lake. So much colour. Yes, if you want to see balloons you do have to get up early.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I am always up early (though not necessarily showered and dressed). The smaller portion is not. It is a big sacrifice for him to get up in time to see them, but he did admit it was worth it. If we had come home without seeing them he would have been in a snit all day.
DeleteEnchanting is the only word I can think of.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll add a giggle: Can't imagine that happening here, open ocean around us and wind, did I mention wind? Women get their haircuts here to accommodate the wind :D
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: So the 'windswept look' is popular in your city. We are often a bit breezy, but it is usually later in the day. Sadly I think conditions were only right on two or three of the ten days of the festival. Given I saw them twice I was very lucky.
DeleteWow. You live in such an amazing place. Always something special happening.
ReplyDeletemxtodis123: I think so, but we are widely renowned as a boring city.
DeleteIt's such fun to watch them inflate and take off. Once in so often, one of the crews will practice on the field across the street, and we get to watch. Years ago, when there was a balloon festival here (it moved up the highway a town for a bigger venue), we loved seeing them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful photos and for sparking the memories!
messymimi: Isn't it wonderful to watch them inflate and fly? I am very happy to have triggered happy memories.
DeleteI do like the sight of balloons in the sky wish we had them, rare here but the sight is always great to see.
ReplyDeletemerle...............
Merlesworld: Early risers here can often see one or two, but to see the sky filled with them is an incredible treat.
DeleteWow...all that in-air advertising...I like the balloons but feel sorry for the birds...How are you?
ReplyDeletee: I felt sorry for the birds too. In the place the balloons are usually launched there are often flocks of silver gulls. The place down by the lake is filled with cockatoos and they were completely (and vocally) unimpressed.
DeleteI am still struggling but fine if that makes sense. How are you?
Will send an email tomorrow.
Deletee: I look forward to it. If I don't respond promptly I am in the garden.
DeleteGorgeous. That last photo is the ultimate ballooning in Australia shot. I also love the distance shots with multiple balloons! These photos are a treat EC.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: I was really tickled to notice the roo in the foreground as I lined up the camera to get the balloon shot. I am so very glad you enjoyed the plethora of pictures.
DeleteAbsolutely wonderful. Fascinating. Enthralling.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: Oh it was. It is. Each and every year. I do hope I am never too jaded to enjoy them.
DeleteWhere nay of the kangaroos riding in the balloons?
ReplyDeletePowdered Toast Man: Welcome. I don't 'think' that any of the kangaroos (or the koalas or drop bears) were riding, but could be wrong. Perhaps their credit cards were maxed out.
DeleteHave you ever taken a balloon ride, Susan? If you haven’t, you should. It is marvelous. Twenty + years ago we did and our date was scheduled for June, but because of weather, we were pushed back to September. We didn’t have much wind and didn’t go far, but is was a wonderful adventure.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I have. Three times now and I loved them all. I doubt I could get into the basket now, but I am so glad to have had the opportunity.
DeleteA FABULOUS display of balloon power Sue. I will be away in my old caravan over Eater so will not be able to comment. Have a lovely Easter.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: Thank you. Have a wonderful time while you are away - and Happy Easter.
DeleteHi EC - so glad you told Alex about Nudie - I was going to ask you ... and perhaps suggest something - but probably a good thing I didn't - it was nowhere near your answer!! They are gorgeous ... I love it when we have them here, when England is at its best ... soft, warm, summer days with wheaten coloured cornfields dotted with the green of trees and hedges. Beautiful - so glad you saw a variety of those magnificents - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Now I am wondering what your interpretation of Nudie is. Nudie appears most years and is not my favourite feature balloon, but still more than welcome.
DeleteOur balloons fly in early Spring when the weather is less settled. A summer flight like the ones you describe would be outstanding.
It's wonderful to see how many people respond to your posts-- people who, like me, enjoy what you post and how your mind works!! I don't want to ride in one of those, but they certainly are something to see.
ReplyDeleteBill: What a lovely thing to say. I am so grateful to everyone (with the exception of the spambots) who comments here. I have loved my balloon flights and if my recalcitrant body (and finances) allowed it, I would be back in a heart beat.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these lovely images. There is something quite majestic about them, particularly when there is more than one.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: A day with balloons in it (like a day with a rainbow) is by my definition a good day. Glad you enjoyed these.
DeleteIt's a shame so many don't get to fly. I love the pictures with multiple balloons over the lake.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Next year we hope to get down to the lake to see 'closer' balloons. There are always days when the balloons can't take to the skies, but I hope they are less next year.
DeleteThey are beautiful going up in a group like that.
ReplyDeleteSorry the weather didn't always cooperate.
Sandra: They are lovely aren't they? I don't think the weather is on speaking terms with co-operation.
DeleteLove the balloons!
ReplyDeleteRebecca M. Douglas: So do I.
DeleteThe balloons are so beautiful you can't help but smile. Love the ones with the rowers.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Believe me, I was smiling. I hope the rowers could hear their coach over the balloons and that it didn't put them off their stroke.
DeleteLove all your balloons. A town about 40 minutes from where I live has a festival of balloons one day in the summer too. I haven't ever gone though.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Aguirre: Thank you. I hope you can get to your nearby festival some year. It really is a treat.
DeleteI'm glad you got to see some balloons in the sky. There is a yearly balloon festival in our province too but I never attended. I have always been too busy working.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: Even when I was still working I managed to see the balloons. I headed off before work to enjoy the magic.
DeleteThank you for the hugs - which are appreciated and returned.
Advertising gets on everything these days. Still you got some great shots. The last with the kangaroo is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteGrannie Annie: I really don't notice the advertising on the balloons. Which says that you are right about its extent.
DeleteThe colors are amazing, huh.
ReplyDelete(poor birds)
Author R. Mac Wheeler: Poor birds indeed - though the intrusion was relatively short.
DeleteThere sure are a lot of them in those last photos. I do love to see the balloons here too, in the fall, but ever since we had a very close call on the block, with one coming down and straight at my neighbors house, before last second being able to clear it, I watch them with a bit of dread, over where they'll land and if they'll destroy a house, burst into flames, something like that.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Our balloon festival is carefully choreographed. They really don't come close to housing. I suspect if the prevailing wind would take them in the 'wrong' direction they simply don't fly. So I can, and do enjoy them.
DeleteI've been the balloon festivals, but I've never known them to have advertising, and I would ban them.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: Why would you ban them? Advertising is everywhere and I don't think it is any more intrusive on balloons than anywhere else.
Delete"Why would you ban them? Advertising is everywhere..."
DeleteAre you saying that you see no reason for concern in the fact that "advertising is everywhere," or are you instead saying that, while it's regrettable that "advertising is everywhere," you've given up all hope of things being different?
I've been to two balloon festivals, and both of them featured beautifully decorated balloons, none of which had advertising. This suggested to me that one had to either be rich or go in with many other people to own a balloon. I suppose that advertising would open the economic field, but I certainly wouldn't get up bright and early in the morning to watch Big Pharma balloons (Big Pharma is a major advertiser here in America where even prescription drugs are heavily and constantly advertised) float gently skyward in the warm glow of the rising sun. As it is, I don't watch major network TV partly because of the ads. To me, they convey the idea that no scenery is so beautiful and no occasion so sacred as to be an occasion to try to sell something. Even our national TV news sometimes (I've timed it) has three minutes of ads for every one minute of news (and even the news it reports tends toward human interest stories rather than substantive reporting), and I'm sure that no child can reach his teens without having been exposed to tens of thousands of ads. I connect such things with our current fascist government which scarcely attempts to conceal the fact that it is bought and paid for by big business (when a politician here is elected to office, he or she IMMEDIATELY has to start raising money from Big Business to pay for the next election). So, yes, I would ban balloon ads simply because I think that there should be places free of advertising, which, I believe, creates the kind of jaded and cynical populace that drowning people in advertising deserves.
Snowbrush: Balloons ARE expensive. I believe the cost of even a small (two person) balloon is in excess of $20,000 which doesn't include the support car, trailer or crew. I suspect that the gas doesn't come cheap either.
DeleteThe balloons with advertising are never my favourites (and are probably the least memorable), but I understand their presence and wouldn't cut off my nose to spite my face by boycotting the festival to avoid them.
I suppose my attitude to these ads does come down to resignation. There are other things I feel more strongly about and my energy is in short supply.
If, however, someone wanted to put a permanent ad on a natural wonder, by for example,spraypainting a trademark or logo on Uluru, I would advocate for a ban.
I love seeing them in the air. They are so cool.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: I love them too. Seeing the sky filled with them is an amazing sight.
DeleteBeautiful balloons, my favourite is the peace dove, thank you EC.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: They are fun aren't they? I think your peace dove is attached to one of the airforce balloons - which is ironic.
DeleteThe "double scoop" Nudie balloon is so funny to me for several tiny reasons to create a big laugh.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Nudie isn't one of my favourites but I am very glad it gave you a big laugh.
DeleteGreat shots, I would love to see something like this. Often saw a hot air balloon going over our house, so low we could see them waving as they were coming in to land in an open area behind our development. Your photos bring back all those memories, thank you :)
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: We watch the balloonists take off most years, and they wave happily. I am very glad to bring back happy memories for you.
DeleteWhat a shame the weather wasn't good this year, but I guess that's always a risk with ballooning. Thank you for posting all of these photos; I like the single shots and also really enjoy seeing the group/herd/party* of balloons over the lake.
ReplyDelete*Is there a collective noun for balloons?
Alexia: A magic of balloons? Captain Google says a Festival of balloons, which also works.
DeleteIt really is lovely and I was glad to catch the multiple shots.
Oh WOW, these are really breathtaking, aren't they?!
ReplyDeleteI love watching balloons as they pass over my home...but we only see two in a day, if we're lucky.
To see all these would be, for me, like a child being let loose in a candy store!😉 WOW!!
Such a pity the weather wasn't kinder though. Just for once, I could have sent YOU some sun...yes, you did read right...we are having a heatwave...in the UK!! Lol
Wishing you a very Happy Easter,
With lots of love and hugs ❤❤❤
Ygraine: It is definitely a 'kid in a candy store' treat for me. With no calories.
DeleteYou can keep your sun, though some of your rain would be lovely. Happy Easter to you and yours.
Just my speed - as are YOU!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Mega thanks oh sister across the seas.
DeleteThat would be quite a sight to see, all those colourful balloons riding high in the sky. There used to be a balloon ride company located about 5 miles from here in the next village and their balloons used to glide over the house (my previous house) but they are no longer in existence. The balloons used to drive the dog completely mad. She just couldn't figure them out.
ReplyDeleteShammickite: As a child we had a German Shepherd who was totally freaked out by the noise of balloons. She went blind in later years which didn't help her.
DeleteThe balloons are bliss. I often see one or two during the year but the festival is an annual treat.
I lived in Albuquerque between the ages of 4 and 10. We saw a lot of balloons.
ReplyDeleteThe Real Cie: I envy you. I love balloons and any day with one in it is instantly made better.
DeleteWhat an amazing site EC!!! You've captured some fantastic photos! WOW!! I love balloons!!!! I've been on one and would love to go again! Happy Easter! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: I love them too and would very happily take to the sky in one again. Happy Easter to you and your mama.
DeleteYou know, I never thought about the birds being upset. Interesting! The kangaroo is adorable!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: The cockatoos were VERY indignant. The kangaroo didn't care.
DeleteI’m so glad you got to see the balloons take off, even if it wasn’t all of them. Love the roo shot!
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: I was pleased to see the roo too, and grateful it stayed in frame. That was one VERY long day. My eyes rolled back and wouldn't close again at midnight. A big before six we headed off on the balloon quest. After the balloons I had a shift on the crisis line. I think I fell into a coma that night. The balloons and the roo made it a good day though.
DeleteThe massed balloons in the distance look so pretty. I struggle to get out of bed before seven so I probably miss a lot of beautiful mornings.
ReplyDeletekylie: I am struggling at the moment to stay asleep past three. The mornings are lovely, but I do envy the sleepers. Massed balloons are worth an early awakening though - the smaller portion who is a champion sleeper agrees.
DeleteWhat a sight!!
ReplyDeleteSo many colours, so many courageous people!!
Happy Easter, dear EC!
: )
Catarina: A very Happy Easter to you and yours. Courage and ballooning isn't a thought which occurs to me, but you are right.
DeleteI used to live in Bristol may years ago and they have the Balloon Fiesta every year. Before this I would have had absolutely no interest in Balloons but they were so beautiful and graceful - so I totally understand your fascination. They used to do something called a tie down at night - where they would leave the balloons tied and fire them up - they looked like giant lanterns - a spectacular sight.
ReplyDeleteAngela: Occasionally they have tie down here (though it is called something different). You are right it IS spectacular, but I much prefer to see them sailing the skies...
DeleteI've only ever seen balloons fly but once and that was eons ago in Colorado. I would love to see them again.
ReplyDeleteTerri: The Balloon Spectacular is an annual treat for us and I start looking forward to it month before it starts.
DeleteShame the weather wasn't better for you but you got some amazing photographs here. It's such a great event.
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite pictures are the rowers and the balloons, and your last one with the kangaroo.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. I liked those shots too - and love the event. Each and every year.
DeleteWow- I have never seen more than one or two hot air balloons in the sky at once. Such a pretty sight to see so many. I am sure the featured balloons were pretty too. Glad that even though at first you thought you wouldn't see balloons on the last day that you went, that you were able to see them from afar. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~Jess: I was very lucky. I saw the feature balloons on the first day of the festival and the others on the last day that they were able to take to the air.
DeleteBalloons will never be the same for me after that episode in that show, Rake, hehehe :-D
ReplyDeleteneena maiya (guyana gyal): Not a movie I have seen and if it takes away any of my love of balloons I am glad.
Delete