Floating up and away at 2,000ft is a real gas

May 15 2009 By Justine Halifax

GETTING up with the dawn chorus is not my idea of fun.

But this early morning alarm call marked the start of an aerial adventure that would see me ascend to new heights without boarding a plane.

Wickers World is a family company which runs hot air balloon flights across the Midlands, including from the beautiful stately home of Shugborough Hall, near Stafford.

It’s 6.30am, but as I stand in a frosty field in the grounds of Lord Lichfield’s estate I feel the excitement start to mount.

I check in for my flight and then stand back and watch as the 100ft high balloon is inflated.

At 300,000 cubic feet, it’s an impressive sight.

Our pilot Jon Rudoni, one of the directors of Wickers World, then gives us a safety briefing, including how to stand during take-off and landing, before we are allocated our places.

There are four passenger compartments in each corner of the balloon accommodating up to four people. The pilot stands in a separate section in the centre controlling the four burners.

My fellow travellers and I climb in, it’s cosy but we can still move around.

We get in the take-off position and within just a few minutes we’re off and flying high over the picturesque 900 acre estate.

It’s a glorious sight and an amazing experience that lasts for an hour and a half.

As we are carried off with the wind not knowing where our journey will end, it’s an exciting feeling, and with more than 20 years of piloting a hot air balloon under his belt, we’re in safe hands with Jon, who is rather witty to boot.

Our breathtaking flight sees us ascend up to 2,000ft, but as Jon explains cruising at around 900ft is ideal.

He says: “At around 900ft we are high enough not to cause a nuisance to anyone but low enough to make things out in detail.”

We spend most of the flight in silence enjoying not being on solid ground and soaking up the tranquillity.

But we are also offered the chance to quiz Jon about any aspect of the flight that intrigues us and hot air ballooning in general – which results in some rather amusing stories.

It’s a Sunday morning and as we started the flight at 7am – there are also 5pm flights – there is hardly any movement below.

Slowly, we start to see the world come alive beneath our feet.

It’s a glorious, bright sunny April morning with unbroken blue skies. Visibility is excellent.

From our bird’s eye view we watch cars on the roads, animals in fields and families going about their lives.

We travel around 20 miles at an average speed of 12 knots.

The wind takes us over Hixon, Leigh and Upper Tean before our journey ends in Dilhorne, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent.

Although it’s possible for the pilot to encourage the balloon to change direction via a different wind drift, it’s still anybody’s guess where you’ll end up.

A second, smaller balloon which took off with us from Shugborough, stayed lower and drifted along a different path eventually landing near Sandon Hall.

Landing was the only element of the experience I was apprehensive of as the basket can fall over onto its side.

After a couple of false alarms on where to land – after spotting animals or cattle near the spot where we were hoping to touch down – we landed safely in a village football field in Dilhorne.

In fact it’s a perfect landing. One big bump, followed by a little bump and we’re down, safe and sound.

The ground crew are already there waiting to drive us back to base. As we all muck in to help pack up the balloon we reflect on our experience.

Fellow traveller Susan Doak, who was born in Erdington but now lives in Cannock Wood, was celebrating her 60th birthday. She says: “It was absolutely amazing, brilliant. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and it was everything I thought it would be.

“It was a gorgeous location to launch from. Once I’d been in a hot air balloon and didn’t think I’d want to do it again, but I do. I would definitely recommend it.”

And I’d have to agree with her wholeheartedly.

It was a breathtaking and amazing experience.

I can’t wait to step inside a hot air balloon again.

MEMORIES

As a memento of our trip we are all given signed and dated, personalised certificates to take home to commemorate our flight (which is included in the price).

Our balloon was also equipped with a clever little device which allowed pictures of us to be taken in the hot air balloon in mid air.

CONDITIONS TO FLY

It was third time lucky for me.

The first two flights I had booked on had to be cancelled because of weather conditions.

You will be asked to call a recorded flight line the day before your flight to see if it will be going ahead and to get details of when to meet at the launch venue.

Simply put, if it’s wet, windy or foggy the balloon can’t fly.

BE PREPARED

Temperatures in the air are similar to on the ground – in fact they’re usually slightly warmer. Dress like you are going for a country walk. It’s also a good idea to wear a hat as your head will feel some of the heat off the burners. Cameras, video cameras and binoculars are allowed on the flight. Children need to be at least 4ft 6ins tall to travel.

* Visitor Info

Wickers World is the biggest provider of hot air balloon flights in the Midlands

It’s based at Great Haywood, Stafford, with flights every day.

Prices for a one hour hot air balloon flight with Wickers World are currently on offer starting from £99 to celebrate the company’s 21st birthday.

To book or for more information telephone 01889 882222 or visit www.wickersworld.co.uk