Up, up and away!!! .......... I have never been to a balloon festival and so took myself off to one yesterday afternoon. I was awestruck at the speed with which they all filled and took off. One minute they were all laid out flat on the ground, a mass of glorious silks, then there was such a scramble once they were given the all clear to fly. I thought it was a beautiful sight, seeing so many wonderful coloured balloons being filled up on the ground, then hurtling up into the atmosphere at great speed, but with such grace. You can see the glow of the burners in this one.
click on the thumbnail below for an alternate image from the balloon fest