Although our fascination balloon launches and flight has become an obsession we do not tire of watching.
Fortunately today's launch was just out our terrace windows so our bird's eye view provided a new prospective. It started with the participants milling around the field in very chilly temperatures. Standing around for the preflight briefing is just a sample of cold awaiting the passengers once aloft. Hope they brought their mittens and wool caps.
Once the balloons are stretched across the field the hot air is blasted to begin the inflation. From the distance it is hard to tell whether a field based burner is used to get the process going. Seems logical since the initial inflation would take a lot more heat than just keeping the craft aloft.
The inflation of the three balloons laid out side by side is staggered to allow sufficient separation. A multiple launch is a delicate affair.
As one clears the launching site the next takes flight.
This one floats by once the reds have cleared the area. Must have come from the next field to the south. Notice the kingfisher on the blue background. Could be a malachite kingfisher which brings back memories from the African bush.
After piling on some miles we headed for Bouzic for coffee and croissants with Ed & Mel. Our two hour extended coffee stop allowed us to delve into extended conversation and time to see their place.
Since it has dried the past few days we decided on the cycleway from Daglan to Castelnaud. Few cars and even fewer cyclists makes for a more quiet and relaxing ride. All the sunflower fields have been harvested but this one survivor in a field of sorghum was worthy of a photo. If flowers could talk this one would be asking "what am I doing here"?
This year's photo of Alan posing with the castle shows off his new bright yellow helmet and easy to spot multi colored shirt.
Kim needed to show off her new bright green helmet as well.
Our quick shop in Cenac (say - nack) yielded these sumptuous nighttime rewards. Okay to call it a day.
