Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2012
The 34th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta saw good weather, meaning 5 of the 7 slots when ahead. Bellow are all the photos I took during a building up the brilliant 2012 fiesta.
The fiesta started out with an excelent Thursday in very hot and sunny conditions with a very sucessful Special Shapes launch for the first time in 5 years. The launch saw many old favourites return to the fiesta. A sucessful Night Glow and firework display followed later in the evening.
Friday saw the fantastic weather good continue as both the morning and evening launch taking place in near perfect conditions, despite the challenging north westerly wind direction. Action man and Babybel being the last two balloons to launch in evening rounded of a brilliant day of ballooning.
However from Saturday morning onwards the weather began to become a lot more windier, and this saw only 16 balloons launch on the saturday morning. Which was a success in itself considering the conditions and north easterly wind. The winds had further increased by the evening and even tethering proved difficult but in the end the winds did dye down reading for the Ngiht Glow, which was again a success.
The Sunday morning launch was canceled due to rain and thunder storms and no tethering took place either. But thankfully the weather did improve enough for the last launch of the fiesta to take place, this time with a much nicer southerly wind direction. However this launch was cut shortt mid way through due to the winds picking up quite dramatically, leaving pliots having to pack away their balloons.
Overall this years fiesta was a success with the first two days proving to be excelent and showing the fiesta at it brilliant best! Heres to next years, and lets hope for even weather!
The fiesta started out with an excelent Thursday in very hot and sunny conditions with a very sucessful Special Shapes launch for the first time in 5 years. The launch saw many old favourites return to the fiesta. A sucessful Night Glow and firework display followed later in the evening.
Friday saw the fantastic weather good continue as both the morning and evening launch taking place in near perfect conditions, despite the challenging north westerly wind direction. Action man and Babybel being the last two balloons to launch in evening rounded of a brilliant day of ballooning.
However from Saturday morning onwards the weather began to become a lot more windier, and this saw only 16 balloons launch on the saturday morning. Which was a success in itself considering the conditions and north easterly wind. The winds had further increased by the evening and even tethering proved difficult but in the end the winds did dye down reading for the Ngiht Glow, which was again a success.
The Sunday morning launch was canceled due to rain and thunder storms and no tethering took place either. But thankfully the weather did improve enough for the last launch of the fiesta to take place, this time with a much nicer southerly wind direction. However this launch was cut shortt mid way through due to the winds picking up quite dramatically, leaving pliots having to pack away their balloons.
Overall this years fiesta was a success with the first two days proving to be excelent and showing the fiesta at it brilliant best! Heres to next years, and lets hope for even weather!