You're Never Too Old To.....Go Up In A Balloon!

Living, as we do, in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District National Park, we often see hot air balloons in flight over the fields and rivers that surround our home. It seems, from the ground at least, to be so serene, so peaceful, and the views must be, well, even more gorgeous than they are from down here.
Now, I haven't been up in a balloon myself, although it is definitely on my list of things to do before I take the final bow, I believe they call it a "bucket" list.
I've done a bit of research though and I thought I'd pass it on to you and, when I finally do the deed, I'll be sure to write up my experiences for you all to share.

It is a testament to how big a deal hot air ballooning is these days that a company of the stature of Virgin should be involved, although one suspects that the personal interest and influence of a certain Mr Branson played a part in the decision to launch Virgin Balloon Flights.

There's no two ways about it, the first manned hot air balloon was developed by a Frenchman, one Monsieur Montgolfier, and the trial flights were, by order of the King, Louis XVI, to have been carried out by condemned criminals. This decision was overturned later and the honour of making the first manned, untethered, flight went to Pilatre de Rozier and  Marquis François d'Arlandes, neither of whom was a convict.

Since then the technology has improved somewhat but the overall principle is the same, fill a large container with hot air and it rises, with its passengers standing in a large picnic hamper tied underneath.

Happily, we are able to try it without worrying about how it all works and where we will land because all of that is taken care of if we fly with one of the many balloon flight companies now offering the service.