Perfect Spot for Ballooning

Yesterday, we saw the first mass balloon ascent of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2013 from the best spot possible: Brandon Hill. 

Located on hill close to the city centre, the park is steep and divided into informal gardens, a small natural reserve and open grassland.

It was not a packed as I thought it would be. Just in case, we arrive earlier than 6pm and there were only 10 people waiting for the balloons ascent. So, we sat on a bench and waited. We don't even need to mention that the mass ascent was late, for some reason. Children started to feel impatient, "Mom, where are the balloons?" and suddently, they started shouting very excitedly as soon as they saw the first balloons appear in the distance. "Here they are!!"

We were lucky. Yesterday's ascent was the "Special Shapes Launch" and the wind pushed balloons towards us. We saw all kind of balloons lighting up the sky. Underwear-shapped balloons, Playmobil princesses, Scottish FA cup, Panasonic giant batteries, dragons... Hot air balloon design has no limits!

If you don't feel like going to Ashton Court, Brandon Hill is a great place to see the balloons and even the fireworks.

Air balloons will light up the sky

Once upon a time, a newly graduated aeronautical engineer called Don Cameron came to Bristol with a whole career in front of him. He joined Bristol Aerospace Company and one day, he met Giles Bulmer, who showed him a new type of ballooning that had just been invented in the USA. They both felt inspired by that technological advance and gathered a group of engineers to produce, after some difficulties, the "Bristol Belle": the first modern hot air balloon in Western Europe. This was how it begun.

Teams from UK decided to held in Bristol an air balloon festival which would later be the largest festival in Europe: Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Crowds from all over the world come to this annual 4-day festival which takes place in a large county estate called Ashton Court.

35 years passed by since then already, and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is now the largest free ballooning event. Between 8th and 11th August 2013, over 150 hot air balloons will take off (if the weather permits) from Ashton Court Estate twice a day: 6am and 6pm. This is the only place in the world, apart from Alburquerque (USA), where so many balloons go up all at once. Unfortunatelly last year, weather was so windy that some of the take-offs had to be cancelled. We hope weather gives respite this year!

Evening nightglows are undoubtedly a must-see. 30 ballooning teams take the centre stage whilst lighting up their balloons as night falls, to a backdrop of spectacular fireworks and music display. This will happen Thursday and Saturday night, at 9.15pm.
For a perfect spot to see the balloons, click here. 

(Picture from dontpaniconline.com)

During the day, activities will keep everybody entertained: fairground rides, food stalls and bars, face painting, arts and crafts, dance stage... And some other events in the sky: RAF Red Arrows will take the sky Friday at 4pm, female Breiting Wingwalkers will show off on Saturday (12am and 5pm) and RAF Typhoon will be seen over Bristol at 1pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.

HOW TO GET THERE

A shuttle bus links the city centre with Ashton Court for £2.5. It could take you more than one hour if you decide to go at peak times. A huge traffic jam created last year metres away from the bus stop in Ashton Court.

I have never gone by car, but organisers suggest booking your car parking in advance to guarantee your space at the Fiesta. The other option is to go on foot. I used this option to come back, as everybody wants to leave at the same time when fireworks finish. Organisers suggest it takes 20 minutes on foot to get there and I absolutely disagree. It took as around one hour to walk back to the centre last year...

USEFUL LINKS
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Website: http://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/default.aspx

As far as I saw last year, this event is a perfect occassion to picnic with family or friends and to spend a very entertaining day off.