Perigord Balloon Flight 2020

 

Just over a week ago, we took our second balloon flight over the beautiful Dordogne Valley.

Karen and I, together with her sister and brother in law (brother in law in French is beau-frère. Much nicer) arrived at a field just below the village of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle  at 6pm prompt on a perfect late summer's evening.

This is the second time we've booked space in the basket, to be piloted by the eminently able Thibault from Périgord Dordogne Montgolfières.

Initially the balloon is inflated with a powerful fan, then the burner fires up until the balloon floats, rights the basket and we're ready to board.

Safley in the basket and trying to be photogenic, we're about to take off. Another tug on the burner valve and we'll be airborne.

There were two other balloons flying, so we were a sortie of three.

Of course while flying in a balloon, you simply have to have champagne - it's a hard gig, but somebody has to do it.

The view back to the Château de Marqueyssac and then looking down to Beynac-et-Cazenac  (below) 

which sits along the edge of the Dordogne river and is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

A closer look at the Château de Marqueyssac.

We've climbed to 1400 metres. That's 4600 feet in old money.

The view to the Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. Castelnaud translates as 'new castle' in old French, though it dates back to 12th century.

Back on terra firma and the balloon is deflating. And so comes to an end one of the most memorable hours you can spend in your life. To be reccommended doesn't do it justice.