Flying in a hot air balloon had been something I’d wanted to do for a long time. There’s a certain romance to it, the quiet, the height, the slow drift across the landscape. In 2003, my mum decided it was time I stopped talking about it and actually got airborne. She gave me a hot air balloon flight as a Christmas present, and a few months later, in May 2004, I finally took to the skies.
The Early Morning Journey
Before most people had even considered getting out of bed, my sister’s partner, Brett, picked me up from the family home in Fareham. We drove to Alton in Hampshire, where the balloon crew was already preparing for the morning flight. Seeing a balloon laid out across a field is an impressive sight, a huge, colourful envelope waiting to be brought to life.
We helped with the setup, holding the fabric open as cold air was blown inside. Then the burners were fired up, warming the air and slowly lifting the balloon upright. By the time the basket was ready, the excitement had firmly taken over.
Lifting Off Over Hampshire
Climbing into the basket felt surreal, but the take‑off was even more so. There was no sudden movement or noise, just a gentle rise as the ground slipped away beneath us. Within moments, we were floating above Alton, watching the patchwork of fields and rooftops spread out below.
The views were stunning, but what surprised me most was how clearly I could hear people on the ground. Their voices carried upwards with remarkable clarity. As we drifted overhead, I could hear conversations, comments about the balloon, and the occasional shout and wave from people spotting us from gardens and footpaths.
A Peaceful Few Hours in the Sky
For a few hours, we drifted wherever the wind decided to take us. Hot air ballooning is wonderfully simple in that sense, no steering, no rushing, just peaceful movement across the countryside. I could easily have stayed in the air for much longer. There’s a freedom to it that’s hard to describe until you’ve experienced it.
Eventually, our pilot selected a suitable field for landing. We descended smoothly, touched down with a soft bump, and the basket tipped gently onto its side as we came to a stop. It was all part of the experience, and we climbed out laughing and brushing off bits of grass.
Photos from my flight over Hampshire.
Champagne and the Journey Back
The chase vehicle soon arrived, and as tradition dictates, we were handed glasses of champagne to toast the flight. After the celebratory drink, we were driven back to the launch site in Alton, still buzzing from the morning’s adventure.
Bucket List Completed
It was a fantastic experience, peaceful, memorable and unlike any other way of seeing the world. It was my first hot air balloon flight, but certainly not my last. And it’s one more item proudly crossed off my bucket list.
Air Balloon Flight Update
I have also now flown in an air balloon over the Agafay Dessert in Morocco. I went to Marrakech with my friend Lisa and we took a sunrise flight over the dessert, it was amazing and is something I will try again and again and again, in different places around the world.
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