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The World's Biggest... Sept 17, 2003 Despite being terrified when I climb a couple of steps up a ladder, one of my life ambitions was to fly in a hot air balloon. I finally achieved this ambition back on the 13th May 1990, at Camden in New South Wales, Australia, when on a cold but calm morning, I helped inflate the colourful envelope of the Balloon Aloft hot air balloon, climbed into the very fragile looking cane basket and with a roar from the gas burners, ascended gently and effortlessly into the sky. The flight exceeded all my hopes, as we slowly drifted over the meadows and fields below us. Occasionally we were able to reach out and touch the leaves of the tips of the gum trees as we passed by. Other times we gained height with a roar from the burners to replenish the hot air and we were able to gain a clear view of the surrounding countryside. Despite my trepidation and the bad dreams from the previous restless night, the landing was a smooth as can be imagined. Just a slow but steady descent to the grassy meadow below and a slight jolt as the basket touched down. Then a rush as the envelope above us was vented to spill out some of the hot air and we intrepid aeronauts climbed quickly from the basket and helped gather in the billowing folds of the envelope as it settled gracefully across the meadow. Then back to the airfield for the traditional champagne and chicken celebratory breakfast. But what has all this to do with life in Sweden, I can hear people asking? Well, the reason I was forced into my reminiscences was an article this week in the good old Nya Wermlands Tidningen concerning the record breaking flight of the world’s largest hot air balloon right here in our own backyard – not quite literally, but just a few kilometres away at Södra Rådom near Molkom in Värmland. The balloon carried the record breaking total of 32 people up to 700 metres above the countryside. The balloon flight was organised by the Filipstad bread manufacturer, Wasabröd, in conjunction with the appropriately named balloon specialists, Up and Down. Originally the flight was to have taken place from Filipstad, but the weather conditions forced the change of lift off to Rådom instead. As the pilot, Gert Sandlund said, “the most important thing with balloon flying is to plan where you can land!” Balloons are governed by the wind conditions, which can vary with altitude, so that what appears to be an easterly wind on the ground can quickly carry you in the wrong direction as the ascent progresses. Capable of lifting up to 5 tonnes, the balloon is 42 metres high and around 102 metres in diameter. The envelope contains over 600,000 cubic metres of hot air when full and is an impressive sight in flight. Wasabröd were keen to use the hot air balloon in their advertising and the balloon envelope sported a huge Wasabröd slogan in bright red on a yellow background. “We think it is really cool to have our symbol on a hot air balloon”, said Marina Eriksdotter, the production chief for Wasabröd. “After all, it is just like the lighter than air pillows that characterizes our products”. Hälsningar till nästa vecka, ------------ About the author: Robin Alan Bell is an Englishman by birth, but migrated to Australia back in '72. Married and divorced there. Spent the last 3 years living by myself on a remote farm in rural New South Wales with no mains electricity, water etc. All power, heating was from natural resources (solar, wind, wood). "Met" a Swedish girl on the internet, came to Sweden for a holiday, loved the place (and the girl), moved to Sweden permanently Christmas 2001 and married the girl in Easter 2002. Living happily ever after... Email Robin Alan Bell: sosoft@ozemail.com.au Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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