Balloons before breakfast

I started waking today when the cat's paw tried to lift up the duvet beside my head to access a bit of warmth. He was successful. It was still dark, quite quiet and I couldn't breathe well, as the cold and sore throat seemed to be worse this morning.

Dozing and finally stirring, I heard some odd noises from outside. I presumed the neighbour was up and restless as he normally goes to work by 6am and on a Saturday he doesn't know what to do with himself. Then I heard a sound like a distant bunsen burner switching on then off, waiting and then on and off again. Oh dear. Time to get up and make tea for Helena and feed the cat. He knew I was now awake and there would be no peace.

Downstairs, I coughed and spluttered and then brought my dose of caffeine and the Today programme up to bed again. Bomble soon landed on my chest, ready to complain about the dodgy cat food I had offered him. Then the bunsen burner was back and my brain being very slightly engaged, I realised that there was a hot air ballon in the vicinity, burning up fuel to gain height in the nippy air. I went to the window and grabbed this shot.

Just before I signed up to be a Blipper earlier this week, I remember thinking what a shame that I couldn't use the pictures I had taken last spring, of a balloon which came up our valley behind the house. It seemed to be following the rise of the Horns valley, about 50 feet above ground, directly behind our house, whilst heading for The Heavens which is only a few hundred yards away. The top of the balloon didn't even reach above the tops of the sycamore and ash trees at the bottom of our garden. But they made it. (I would put a link to these pictures on a web gallery, but don't know how yet. Any tips?)

Providence had answered my call, although not so elegantly. These two balloons were definitely heading south-east on a long-haul flight at 7-55am, although the first one, the lower of the two you can see, proceeded to plunge down and within minutes seemed like it would land in the Toadsmoor valley. This was quite counter to the prevailing con trails we usually get of the transatlantic "jetliners", who are always over us early in the morning and in the evening, but luckily out of ear-shot. Except when there are volcanoes spewing their ash.

We have many balloons around here, and I love them. They may well be Blipped again in due course, as I am sure will the Horns and Heavens which are one of my favourite stomping grounds, only a few strides from our house. We are so lucky to be here, despite the annoying neighbours (and their cockerels!).