High and mighty

The Burnley Balloon Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend gave me the opportunity to sample the delights of an adventure in the air courtesy of the appropriately-named Airborne Adventures.

I'd been told to look for a bright pink balloon with smile.co.uk in large white letters, so there shouldn't have been any trouble finding it. The crowds stood four-deep round the launch area, I waved my pass and was shown through the perimeter fence -- but where was my transport?

"It's down there," said our pilot Ian, pointing at a large black canvas bag laying on the ground. "Come on, we've got some work to do."

There was some debate as to whether we would take off -- balloons tend not to fly when there's rain around as it takes so long to dry them out, and they won't go up if the wind is too strong.

Large black clouds heading in our direction were the cause of concern but the decision was finally taken to go for a mass launch.

This was the cue for some frenetic activity as six balloons sprung into life.

Anyone who thinks that ballooning is a genteel sport should think again.

Having had a thorough briefing from Ian about where to stand in the basket and where to hang on, we were soon put to work.

First job was the unfold the balloon itself by dragging it out of its bag and laying out on the field.

That done, Ian turned on a large fan to blow cold air into the balloon so that it started to inflate.

Then with a mighty roar the burners were fired up, acting like flamethrowers sending hot air (or rather gas) into the balloon, allowing it to fully inflate. It all happened in a blur. The balloon rose from the ground and in minutes and we were ready to go.

On Ian's command we jumped into the basket, the rope tethering us was released and it was up, up and away.

The tranquility of the flight is in stark contrast to all the activity that goes before. Serenely we rose from the arena, waving at the crowd below as we ascended.

With Ian in total control, skilfully manipulating the controls -- basically two burners and a number of cables -- we left Towneley Park behind. Strangely, there were no fear-inducing "don't look down" moments. Perhaps it's the panoramic views or the absolute stillness of the basket, but you simply revel in the views. The only sounds you hear are the whoosh of the burners, the occasionaly creak from the basket and the mooing of cows as you fly over their heads.

By the way, did you know balloons have a special burner to use when flying over animals which makes less noise than the main one?

Having experienced some glorious views and a complete escape from the real world, Ian announced all too soon that it was time to land.

Keeping a wary eye out for power lines and livestock he selected an empty field and told us to prepare for landing.

The ground seemed to be approaching all too rapidly as Ian brought the balloon to earth. Releasing a flap at the top of the balloon he controlled the escape of air, then suddenly we were down. The basket bounced a couple of times as our momentum carried us across the field threatening to tip us up before coming to rest.

One by one we jumped out of the basket, remembering to keep hold of it as the balloon was still capable of carrying Ian off into the distance.

Then he let the air escape and we waited for our support crew -- in this case Ian's wife Sylvia -- to find us. Armed with two-way radio, mobile phone and map, there's little chance of a long wait and sure enough Sylvia appeared.

But that wasn't the end of the adventure. Now we had to pack up and get all the equipment back in the van. And of course we'd picked a field in which to land which was surrounded by six foot stone walls and a padlocked gate, topped with barbed wire.

An hour later, exhausted and exhilarated, we were driven back to the launch site. All I can say is that if you ever get the chance to go ballooning then grab it with both hands.

For details of Airborne Adventure flights contact 01756 730166.