Northampton Balloon Festival

For only about the third time in my life I got up at 5:30 this morning; and I have to say that I surprised myself by hopping out of bed immediately, and starting the focused routine of washibg, dressing and organising the camera stuff.
The best time of day for balloon flights is 6 in the morning and 6 in the evening - the time when any wind is at it's lowest. the take-off was scheduled for 6'oclock, and I managed to get there at five-to.

It was grey, bleak and windswept. Not a bluddy balloon in sight.

I should have stayed in bed.