Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2015

[seacat192]

Got up around 3am yesterday morning to see the morning ascent at Bristol Balloon Fiesta

For the first time that I can remember in the years that I have visited, the Balloons were flying towards Bristol Airport, so I was on the wrong side of the arena for the launch.


Here is a selection from the the Saturday morning launch:


1. Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2015 by Roger, on Flickr


2. Bristol Balloon Fiesta by Roger, on Flickr


3. Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2015 by Roger, on Flickr


4.Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2015 by Roger, on Flickr


5. Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2015 by Roger, on Flickr


6. Bristol Balloon Fiesta by Roger, on Flickr


7. Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2015 by Roger, on Flickr


8. Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2015 by Roger, on Flickr


I've heard reports that members of the public were being turned away from the even last night (6pm Ascent, Night Glow and Fireworks) as the site had reached maximum capacity.


Thanks for looking
Roger

[Mike]

Nice set Roger, I've only been once and absolutely loved it.

[andygolfer]

Excellent set Roger and worth getting up early for

thanks for posting them

Andy

[norwichmike]

Lovely set. I was present for most launches and for the first time in 37 years of the fiesta they flew all 7 out of 7 slots

Shame the event has judging by this year become to big for the site!

I have hundreds of images from the event to follow ......

[seacat192]

Thanks for the comments Mike, andygolfer and norwichmike - much appreciated. Looking forwards to seeing more images too

I first went in 1987, which I think was one of the last appearances by George, the Hofmeister Bear. Virgin Atlantic had balloons there as well, which were made to look like a 747 was flying through them.

I would have thought the event had ideal weather condition throughout each day this year, and no doubt the 'experts' will be on the local news tonight saying how poor a decision it was to close the site! I went to Night Glow a few years ago, and there was such a queue to leave the site that I didn't even bother starting my car engine until 0130 the following morning.


Roger

[acw367]

Great set. Some lovely special shapes. Well captured.

Spent time in the early 90s driving retrieve vehicles for a local balloonist. So attended as a participant for a few years. Was lucky enough to fly with my pilot on one mass launch. Was always fun especially on light and variable wind days negotiating the back roads of Bristol with the other retrieve cars and trailors. I remember once when over 40 balloons landed on one school playing field and the school gates were locked. The 40 retrieve crews got together to lift every one of baskets over the top of the school fence and down a footpath, before loading onto the trailers on the road outside.

[mach one]

very nice photos of a subject that i have never given much attention to, it must be nice to see the mass launch

i had to wait on a golf course in florida while a balloon landed on and was retrieved from the fairway in front of us, that was a different excuse for slow play

[apgphoto]

Some great shots, it was a tricky morning to fly with the direction, airspace restrictions and a very light and variable wind.

I was driving 'Fishtank' if you shot that.

I was one of the sensible pilots that didnt fly the last slot

[SteveB]

Roger really like those,its a fantastic event and great weather this year played its part

[seacat192]

Some great shots, it was a tricky morning to fly with the direction, airspace restrictions and a very light and variable wind.

I was driving 'Fishtank' if you shot that.

I was one of the sensible pilots that didnt fly the last slot

Ah, you mean this one............................................

Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2015 by Roger, on Flickr

[seacat192]

Thanks to acw367, mach one and SteveB.

Great anecdotes about the balloon landing on the golf course, and the teamwork getting the baskets etc over the school gates!

The mass ascent is certainly a sight worth seeing. One year, I made a late decision to go to Bristol for a Sunday evening launch, and parked on Bedminster Down to watch. A distant view, but easier to get home afterwards!


I treated myself to a flight, locally, back in 1988 to celebrate my 18th birthday, and think I had to pay £80 back then - which my parents thought was an outrageous amount!


Thanks again everyone!
Roger

[apgphoto]

Thats me!

Thanks for posting

[seacat192]

No probs

[MikeB]

Nicely shot, we were extremely lucky with the weather this year, perfect photography conditions!

[seacat192]

Thanks Mike.

Agree about the weather - it was quite nice and warm by 7.30 on the Saturday morning.

[talldan76]

Very nice photo's Seacat!

There's certainly something very graceful about Hot Air Balloons, especially in the relative calm above what must have been organised chaos trying to get them all ready to launch at the same time...

Dan

[seacat192]

Thank you Dan.

Think of it as a Swan gliding across the surface of a pond - smooth and elegant on the surface, but going lke the clappers underneath!!

[Martin]

One from me, Mr & Mrs Pingu at the Saturday PM launch



Martin

[seacat192]

I didn't get to see the Pingus - I could only go on the Saturday morning.

Perhaps next year.................