Flight Report one

Very 'rusty' so took plenty of time to rig etc: No wind on the ground but towering CU around us and plenty of dark clouds - no blue sky. Had there been any gusts on the ground, we wouldn't have taken the balloon out of the van. We waited a bit but it didn't improve so we went for it. A text book cold and hot inflate, still no gusts so we took off. Reached 1000ft AGL - silence in the basket - scene gloomy with grey/black curtains of clouds. We waited for the turbulence to begin, but it didn't - sighs of relief all round.

Saw a lake in the distance - Dave suggested a 'splash and dash' but we never reached there. Just hung suspended and hardly moving, almost surreal, with a threatening cloud scene in every direction - obviously thinking 'what on earth are you doing up here?' We heard the whistle of a jet in the clouds but didn't see it. We came to a common and did a nearly vertical approach from 1000ft to get eye in - down like a brick - perfect - we levelled off at 20ft - looked forward and up - gloom and forests and it would be dark in about 40 minutes - made the decision to land. The common had a road along it but it was fenced with the only vehicle gate locked. Fortunately a pedestrian gate wasn't and we could trolley all the gear through. Not a long carry out, but far enough.

When packing up a small herd of bullocks (knackered bulls - I wouldn't have known but Kathy is a nurse and has an eye for these things) came up - very sharp horns - heard a yell, the crew saw one of them dig a horn into the envelope and toss it. Fortunately the ripped panel only cost £35 to repair.

Although the flight was short it was exciting. Helium sent up 30 minutes before take-off went SW - we went North. The four of us really enjoyed the trip (120 miles on retrieve).