Balloons
So I mentioned in the last blog how I've been riding to work. Oh, you haven't read it yet, well this is a bit awkward...umm well go on then have a read of it ... ... ... Your all caught up? Excellent, moving on. So I've been riding to work and on that ride I occasionally get to witness one of the world's most beautiful sights. I see many beautiful things on these rides, for example the other day I saw a dog riding along on a guy's handlebars, adorable, and boy was he loving it! The dog however seemed terrified, no, he was thought he was pretty cool. I've seen a van that someone has put a lot of time and effort converting into a spaceship, nope, that one's not a joke. And I've seen my reflection in shop window fronts, also very beautiful. But the most beautiful sight is when the hot air balloons are out.
On the occasional morning I get to witness a majestic fleet (I'm guessing that's the right word) of hot air balloons take command of the sky. I love it because it's just as I head into the city, so I get to see the city skyline with these hot air balloons flying above. What makes it even more enjoyable is that I have been on one of those hot air balloons. That trip was also amazing although so bizarre because below your feet is wicker and below that is...nothing! I'm not sure I trust wicker that much, I don't find it a trusting wood, it's not that strong and it's full of holes! But what I really wonder about is who first came up with the idea of the hot air balloon? I mean surely it would have seemed like just an absurd idea, it still kind of does. What was the reasoning behind it? Did this person just see a regular balloon and elaborate on that? And did they do test flights with regular balloons and perhaps squirrel pilots. I like to think so, mainly because I like to imagine the squirrels in aviator goggles and a scarf...and probably a pretty terrified expression on their face.
But surely the first hot air balloon would have been, well, completely shit house. What did they make it with? How did they fill it with gas? Did it even get off the ground? Or did they do like the old guy in Up and go for a multitude of balloons, albeit minus the funny fat kid and talking dog. But seriously I suppose it does take a pretty forward thinking mind to see a balloon and start us on a course that led to blimps, even if they have gone out of fashion a bit after that whole Hindenburg fiasco.
But back to me and my balloons (as I like to think of them), they are quite simply a lovely way to start the day, a bit of colour and adventure in an otherwise routine working day. If you ever get a chance to fly in one of these 'Hippos of the sky' (™Damian Robb) I suggest you take it, or failing that get yourself some helium, a pack of balloons and some adventurous squirrels.
Damian
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