So, under instruction from our pilot Lindsay, we unloaded the baskets from the trailer, and laid the balloons flat on the grass. It was only now that we started to realise just how big these balloons actually were. Basically, we held open the base of the balloon and pumped it full of cold air from a large fan.
"Cold air?" I hear you ask? Yes, cold air. The idea is to fill the balloons with cold ar first to get them nice and full before heating the air using the gas burners. It was surprising just how quickly the balloons filled up. Then, it was time for some action!
Lindsay had a quick run around inside the balloon to ensure that all was in order, then announced that we were ready to start heating. The two folks holding the balloon's mouth open departed (quite quickly I thought!) and the burner was readied. I don't think any of us were prepared for quite the volume of flame which came spewing forth, or the noise, which was very very loud!
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It wasn't long before the balloon was all filled with hot air and straining at the leash to get off the ground. The balloons are tied firmly to the vans to stop them flying off before we're ready, which was comforting until we were told that if it gets really windy, it isn't unknown for a fully inflated balloon to drag a bus around the place. Still, the breeze was light, so we figured our chances of taking a large van for ballast were relatively low and we all climbed aboard.
Spirits were high, and even those with vertigo were keeping pretty cool. We were all more interested to know how we didn't get our heads burnt off by the large gas burner about 20cm above our heads. The answer was that they provided caps to shield you from the heat somewhat, but it was still very loud and very hot when the burner was operating!
Ater a short safety lesson (don't jump, don't touch the controls, and whatever you do don't pull on the red rope) we removed the cable connecting us to the van, gave the gas a big go, and slowly, magically, we took off. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The sensation of the ground slowly receding below you as you lean out over the side of the basket is a feeling I will never forget, but can't describe.
Before long, we were high above the city, looking back to the park where we took off from, and enjoying the beautiful sunrise and early morning scenery. Melbourne is a much more beautiful city from up above, and the bright sunshine soon made us forget the 4am wake-up call.
Two things struck me at this stage. First, how utterly safe I felt. Given that we were approximately 150 metres in the air, with no means of propulsion other than the wind, with nothing more than a wicker basket between us becoming red smears on the footpath, it was all extremely relaxing. Secondly, the air was utterly still, there was no wind at all. Of course, this was because we were floating along at exactly the same speed as the wind, but it made the experience so much calmer and more peaceful.
With mild northerly winds we headed towards the city and over Carlton. The previous week, Lindsay had flown between the light towers of the MCG, but unfortunately we just missed it this time.
 The museum |
 Carlton Cemetary |
 Optus Oval, within spitting distance |
I had expected us to continue at a reasonable height for the entire flight, but as we passed over Carlton, Moonee Valley and Essendon, at times we got extremely close to the ground. The noise of the burners drew many people out from their homes, so we had many pyjama-clad spectators.
From this close, it would appear that many Melbournites are quite adept at cultivating... ahem... tomatoes.
We certainly passed over enough crappy backyards to last several seasons of Backyard Blitz!
Now, the prevailing winds had taken us over Essendon, and we were nearing the Tullamarine Freeway, and Essendon airport. We expressed some concern that planes coming in to land and taking off might go straight through us, but fortunately any planes that can actually steer are meant to give way to balloons, so that was a relief!
The airport authorities had been informed of our intention to land at the airport, so all was in readiness and we slowly decreased altitude. At the last minute, Lindsay decided that we might not quite make it to the end of the runway, so instead we came down in a small paddock next door.
For all the graceful flight, the landing was not particularly elegant. We stowed our tray tables, returned our seats to the upright position, turned off the gas, hung on, clenched our bumcheeks and hoped for the best! After a crash onto the ground, and about 50 metres of being dragged through long grass on our backs the balloon stopped moving and we were given the all clear to disembark through the rear doors. I wish someone had been there to take a photo of us before we all got out, it would have been priceless!
After unclenching our bumcheeks and packing the balloon and basket back onto the van (which had followed us the whole way), we headed back to the Balloon Sunrise headquarters where we were treated to a gourmet Champagne breakfast and could boast to each other about our bravery.
All in all it was a completely amazing experience, highly recommended to anyone! Thanks go to all of the Balloon Sunrise team, especially Lindsay, and to Belinda for somehow managing to organise 20+ people at 4 in the morning!