: Bristol balloon burst

Well they didn't burst.... quite.....but....

We often visit Bristol to see family, and this August we managed to book a week at Baltic Wharf with our caravan at the same time the big annual International hot air balloon fiesta was taking place.
The weather was fine and dry but a bit windy as we made our way up to Ashton Court above the Clifton suspension bridge for the first day. The park was crowded with people and there was a good mix of fairground rides and stalls to keep those waiting for the balloons amused. There was every variety of food you could wish for!
The proposed 'tethered' display of unusual shaped balloons had to be cancelled because of the wind. Instead we were treated to a display by the Great Western air ambulance, the chosen charity of the event. I always find it staggering how such a valuable life saving machine depends on charitable giving to keep it going - our Notts and Lincs one is in the same position.
This was followed by a very acrobatic display by two ' model ' planes. At around four feet across, and a far cry from the balsa wood and dope variety of our childhood, the modern lithium battery powered planes are capable of some incredible stunts. Spinning dives, vertical hovering, and loop the loops to name but three.
Then followed a long wait to see if weather conditions would permit the 'night glow'. Heart FM kept us entertained, the presenters broadcasting from the middle of the field.
As twilight fell several vehicles and trailers entered the arena.
First the baskets were placed evenly around the display area, then the burners were assembled and the balloon envelopes laid carefully along the ground. As darkness approached we noticed the balloons had begun to inflate and, in a few minutes, towering over us, were 25 hot air balloons of all colours and patterns, and about 20 feet in diameter. There followed a 45 minute display, beginning with the balloons being lit by their burners in time to especially composed music and ending with spectacular fireworks. Well worth waiting for, a little bit different to watching them fly high overhead.
The programme states that there is a 'massed launch' of as many of the over 150 participating balloons as possible at the start and end of each of the four days of the fiesta, but this is very much weather controlled. The windy weekend didn't make for many safe launches. Just Saturday evening, travelling at quite a speed in the wind out over the city. Then again early on Sunday, this time being blown out towards the airport much more slowly. Fortunately there was a two hour gap with no planes landing or taking off!

And the big balloon burst? This was a unique, 7m special balloon globe designed by local artist Luke Jerram, to look like the moon. Unfortunately, it seems the wind ripped a hole in it and put paid to plans to allow the crowd to 'moon watch' close up