There’s something truly magical about a hot air balloon. You can watch hundreds of videos, admire countless photographs and listen to stories from seasoned balloonists, but nothing prepares you for experiencing it for yourself.
This weekend took us to the beautiful market town of Bedale in North Yorkshire, where an incredible few days of ballooning, teamwork, laughter and unforgettable memories unfolded.
Friday Evening – A First Flight to Remember
Friday evening brought perfect flying conditions and plenty of excitement. After working together to prepare the balloon, our pilots, Alex and Gary, demonstrated exactly why experience counts. Their calm, professional approach throughout the inflation, launch and flight inspired confidence from everyone on the crew.
Joining them on the ground were experienced crew member Martin, along with newcomers Donc and myself. Although we were definitely the “rookies” of the team, we were welcomed from the very beginning and quickly realised that ballooning is very much a team effort. Every person has an important role, from unpacking and inflating the envelope to the chase, landing and packing away.
Then came the moment we weren’t expecting…
Donc and I were incredibly fortunate to be invited aboard for our very first balloon flight.
What an experience!
The gentle lift-off was unlike anything we had imagined. There was no sudden jolt or feeling of acceleration—just the peaceful sensation of the ground quietly drifting away beneath us. Within moments we were floating silently over the stunning Yorkshire countryside, watching the evening sun paint the landscape in warm golden colours.
It was breathtaking, peaceful and completely addictive.
It’s fair to say that both of us were absolutely blown away.
An Early Start… Again!
Just as we had recovered from the excitement of Friday evening, the alarms were sounding before sunrise on Saturday morning.
Anyone who thinks ballooning is a leisurely hobby clearly hasn’t met balloon crews!
Early mornings become the norm, but witnessing the sunrise over North Yorkshire while preparing a balloon makes every early alarm worthwhile.
Once again, teamwork was everything.
Everyone knew their role, equipment was prepared efficiently, and before long another successful flight was underway. Watching Alex and Gary work together in the basket highlighted just how much skill, planning and weather knowledge goes into every launch. From selecting the launch site to reading the conditions and carrying out a safe landing, every decision is made with precision and professionalism.
Teamwork Makes Ballooning Possible
One of the biggest lessons from the weekend was that ballooning isn’t just about the people in the basket.
Behind every successful flight is a dedicated crew working together before, during and after each launch.
Martin’s experience was invaluable throughout the weekend, while Donc and I spent much of the time learning, asking questions (probably too many!), and getting involved wherever we could. Every launch and retrieval taught us something new, and everyone was more than happy to share their knowledge.
There was plenty of laughter along the way too—because no balloon meet would be complete without a few unexpected moments, muddy fields, and the occasional discussion about whether that gate was actually open before driving towards it!
Looking Ahead
Leaving Bedale, one thing was certain—we’ve well and truly caught the ballooning bug.
Our first flights will be memories we’ll never forget, and we’re incredibly grateful to Alex, Gary and Martin for making us feel part of the team and sharing their knowledge and passion for ballooning.
From peaceful evening skies to spectacular sunrise launches, Bedale gave us memories that will stay with us forever.
Now the countdown begins until the next adventure…
Blue skies, safe landings and see you at the next launch field!
