Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2007 Review
Pictures: Matt Cleaves - Phil's Balloons - Ballooning Pictures - MJ Ballooning
The 2007 fiesta was kicked off with the special shapes rodeo going ahead for the first time since 2003! The balloons that launched were IKEA G-IKEA, Chubb fire extinguisher G-BZJA, Monster G-MSTR, Aston Martin G-OAML, Bristol Balloons G-CCSA, Bailey Balloons G-CDIH and G-BYYD, Stowells Wine Box G-STOW, Cadbury's Creme egg G-OEGG, Stroud & Swindon House G-CDWV, Kiwi A6-KWI and the Jaguar Car G-OXKB. The Discovery Channel G-BWUU, Cabot Circus G-CESH, E5 Mode OO-BKV and Churchill G-CDOG remained tethered throughout. The Piper G-PIPY tethered at the end and it didn't fly most likely because the owner flew the Jaguar Car instead. Altogether this was a fantastic special shapes launch, seeing lots of classic Bristol special shapes flying! The Cadbury's Creme Egg hadn't attended the fiesta since 2004, where it tethered just before the phenomenal Saturday evening mass ascent.
The Nightglow went ahead, as it always does, and 20-30 balloons took part. There were 2 lines of balloons around the Discovery Channel which was tethered in the centre of the arena.
Following on from the good ballooning the previous day, on Friday Morning it was clear blue skies and excellent weather for a balloon flight, or a hundred. This launch saw the Chubb Fire Extinguisher, Stroud & Swindon House, the Monster, IKEA and the Kiwi take to the skies. It was quite slow this morning, but the majority managed to get a lovely flight across the city. Seeing IKEA, the Kiwi and the Monster together got some nice photos of these shapes, and G-MSTR had difficulty getting out of Ashton Court this morning as it first went over the balloonists marquee and then turned around. Balloons went in different directions after leaving the arena.
The Friday PM launch was a particularly good part of the 2007 Bristol Balloon Fiesta, as we saw over 100 balloons taking to the skies! The same shapes as the morning took off, but Phoenix Balloons' IKEA was replaced by one of the best special shape in the world, the Scottish Piper.
Saturday morning once again started with good flying conditions, so the mass launch was called on. The usual special shapes flew (see gallery), but once the Kiwi and the last couple of round balloons were lifting fog rolled into Ashton Court. Thankfully this didn't affect the launch.
The Saturday Nightglow went ahead, and it followed the same pattern as Thursday's.
Unfortunately Sunday morning did not follow on from the 2 previous successful AM launches. It was flyable but only limited numbers went for it. Some that flew were Bristol Balloons, Nokia, EDF Energy, Chelsea Finance, Permo Air and both Snow Business balloons.
At some point during the 2007 fiesta (probably Thursday afternoon), Action Man G-RIPS inflated because it was switching owners and the new owner wanted to see what condition it was in. That new owner is still the owner now (April 2014).