April 29th, 2007. 16 passenger basket in the hanger at Northam airstrip. Date: 9 May 2007 April 29th, 2007. 16 passenger basket in the hanger at Northam airstrip.
Inflating the envelope with cold air first Date: 9 May 2007 Inflating the envelope with cold air first
The second balloon being inflated under the late setting moon. Date: 9 May 2007 The second balloon being inflated under the late setting moon.
Adding the "lift". Date: 9 May 2007 Adding the "lift".
Second balloon's envelope is up. Date: 9 May 2007 Second balloon's envelope is up.
Adam and I about to "up, up and away".

Yes, it's a little nippy. Date: 9 May 2007 Adam and I about to "up, up and away".

Yes, it's a little nippy.
The burners which will keep us going up when needed. Date: 9 May 2007 The burners which will keep us going up when needed.
Looking back towards the airstrip and the 2nd balloon has just lifted off. Date: 9 May 2007 Looking back towards the airstrip and the 2nd balloon has just lifted off.
Morning sunlight just starting to hit the tops of the nearby hills. Date: 9 May 2007 Morning sunlight just starting to hit the tops of the nearby hills.
Heading south towards the town of York, near the large hill on the distant horizon. Date: 9 May 2007 Heading south towards the town of York, near the large hill on the distant horizon.
Looking back towards the town of Northam, the largest regional town in the Avon Valley district. Date: 9 May 2007 Looking back towards the town of Northam, the largest regional town in the Avon Valley district.
Balloon shadow. Note the dry dam and paddock, despite it being well into autumn. Date: 9 May 2007 Balloon shadow. Note the dry dam and paddock, despite it being well into autumn.
Not long till touch down. Time to stash the camera and hang on to the straps and remember to "Bend the knees!". Date: 9 May 2007 Not long till touch down. Time to stash the camera and hang on to the straps and remember to "Bend the knees!".
Safely down AND he "lifted" the basket, with us still in it, onto the trailer before we could leave the basket.

I t Date: 9 May 2007 Safely down AND he "lifted" the basket, with us still in it, onto the trailer before we could leave the basket.

I think he'd done it before. ;-)
After all the passengers had helped to fold and "conga line" the deflated envelope back into it's huge bag. Date: 9 May 2007 After all the passengers had helped to fold and "conga line" the deflated envelope back into it's huge bag.
The steers had been very eager to visit when we landed..... they thought we might have brought some feed with us.

Apparently, Date: 9 May 2007 The steers had been very eager to visit when we landed..... they thought we might have brought some feed with us.

Apparently, it's not the first time the balloon has landed in their paddock.
[-]
Stop   Pause   Back One Image   Show More Info   delay:   direction:   max size: