Balloon Fiesta

[K50 DEL]

I see it's the balloon fiesta this weekend, any suggestions as to where to watch the nightglow and morning ascent from, bearing in mind that I don't have the time or the inclination to queue for the car parks (they're full tonight anyway apparently)

[Noogly]

K50 DEL said:

I see it's the balloon fiesta this weekend, any suggestions as to where to watch the nightglow and morning ascent from, bearing in mind that I don't have the time or the inclination to queue for the car parks (they're full tonight anyway apparently)

You've missed most of it by now!
For the night glow I think you have to go in. There are busses from the city centre if you don't want to park out there.
We usually watch the ascent from the downs, we were up there Friday, took a picnic and saw 1 balloon...
than 4 or 5 others about 8 pm. Guess it was too windy for them.

Saw a nice blue Chimaera rumbling around with the roof down tho!

Andy

[_dobbo_]

We parked in Long Ashton and walked in about a mile, much easier and avoids the queues going home.

Loads of balloons went up and the glow was fun, the Red Arrows are always great.

It was bloody busy though!

[pdV6]

Managed to get up at 5.30am and catch the morning launch on Saturday.

Perfect conditions, so a lovely spectacle.

[K50 DEL]

pdV6 said:

Managed to get up at 5.30am and catch the morning launch on Saturday.

Perfect conditions, so a lovely spectacle.

Join the club, all the car parks for the night glow were full by 6.30, so I got up at 5 and came in for the morning ascent - excellent event, and I can't believe I've been local my whole life and this is my first fiesta!

[Roop]

I used to live in Clifton and went a few times to the balloon fiesta. It's a really nice event. I was there the year they did the record breaking mass launch (1999/2000?). I still have the video that I shot from my apartment of balloons crash landing all over the village inclduing a giant Toilet Duck folded over the top of a neighbours house. My flatmate decided she'd help out and shouted from the balony to a passing basket of ballonists "You look like you are in trouble. Do you want to use our phone...? *waving cordless handset*" To which the reply came "fk off...!" Charming.