sloworm
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Registered: 18th Jul 08
Location: Norwich
User status: Offline
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has anyone been on one? Or booked one for someone else?
Its my girfriends birthday on the 11th of november and its on her list of things to do in her life.
She wont be able to get her birthday off work (a thursday) so in an ideal world Id be able to book it for the saturday and suprise her with it that morning. However im guessing with the weather in november that they dont often (if at all) fly. So I think i'll be limited to just getting her 2 vouchers to use anytime she likes? sort of takes the gloss of the suprise of it all, giving her a voucher that she probably wont be able to use for 4 months or so, but im not sure i have a choice?
anyways, im in norwich... so anyone used any companys around this area? or any nationwide companys like virgin? any stories or advise would be greatfully recieved 
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JonnyJ
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Registered: 23rd Sep 05
Location: Scotchland
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When i looked into them they are bloody expensive 
But if you can afford it, go for it. Im sure she would love it, voucher or not.
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Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Online
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I went with my mum for her 60th.
It's a phenomenal experience, being above the ground but so close to it, and it's completely quiet and peaceful because you're travelling with the wind.
I got the vouchers and we launched on the third attempt. Booked hotels and then ended up not flying because of the weather on two previous occasions.
http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=364993
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drunkenfool
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Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
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Average price is £99 per ticket or a whole balloon for £650 which is a max of 8 people or 90st, whichever is heavier.
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DannyB
Premium Member
Registered: 6th Feb 08
User status: Offline
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I'd love to do it, not so long ago I was driving back home and I could see this hot air balloon in the distance and it was quite low, got closer to it and it was about 100ft off the ground going over the fields. It kept going up and down so I assumed it was in trouble, further down the road a police car went flying passed with the blues on. Never did hear what happened to it though. Hope they were ok.
[Edited on 24-09-2010 by DannyB]
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Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Online
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They'll generally move about a lot because it's very difficult to balance, I wouldn't imagine that would be a problem. Just sounds like they were looking for somewhere to land.
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DannyB
Premium Member
Registered: 6th Feb 08
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This was over a fair distance though and it was very close to houses the last time I seen it.
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3CorsaMeal
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Registered: 11th Apr 02
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i hear the landings are the worse part
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Neil Dagens
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Registered: 14th Apr 07
Location: Fareham, Hampshire
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Sloman??! 
dont they do them in argos? in the activities bit?? they usually give you a load of places nationwide where you can do it
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SXI - Matt
Member
Registered: 8th Jul 07
Location: Leicestershire Drives: Corsa C SRI
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The guy's im training with to paramotor have 2 people in there club who have ballons look like a cool thing todo wwhen he takes off they all go up and fly around it ect for abit qite cool them all being up there from what they all say shame your not nearer could of had a word
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SXI - Matt
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Registered: 8th Jul 07
Location: Leicestershire Drives: Corsa C SRI
User status: Offline
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Oh and they fly quite alot at them minute either first thing or last thing at night when the weather has settled and thermals carmed down
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whitter45
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Registered: 15th Nov 02
Location: Norton
User status: Offline
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we did this on route 66 in alberquerque
You are very governed by the weather and the winds
I would imagine in November it will be hit and miss whether you actually fly
We did ours at 06:30 in the morning as it was the best time for the airstreams
Also the height you go will depend on the winds
Soemtimes they have to climb high to get a good enough wind
If so the duration maybe less as they use more fuel
an 80 gallon flight should last about 1 hour dependant on conditiosn as they use 20 gallons to inflate the thing
pics below
[Edited on 29-09-2010 by whitter45]
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Steve
Premium Member
Registered: 30th Mar 02
Location: Worcestershire Drives: Defender
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-11434556
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Neo
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Registered: 20th Feb 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by 3CorsaMeal
i hear the landings are the worse part
It was for us, smashed my car key as I had it in my pocket and we crashed into a treetop on our way down which pivoted us backwards.
[Edited on 30-09-2010 by Neo]
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SXi_Tim
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Registered: 11th Mar 03
Location: South Yorkshire Drives: RS3, LET B
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One crashed into the woods at the back of my house last year, one of the guys had to be airlifted by the RAF as he was stuck 50ft up a tree 
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
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Would love to do this. Some of the best days for flying are in the winter, what you want is a lovely crisp band of high pressure with blue skies - bet it would be fantastic then (and bloody cold!).
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whitter45
Member
Registered: 15th Nov 02
Location: Norton
User status: Offline
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landings can be hard
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