Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I've just had this in from DDC:
"Just to let you know that I had a phone call last night from the organiser, Ian Sharpe, of the world record attempt for a massed flight of hot air balloons.
As you may recall, this was due to take place last year but got postponed. Subject to no major changes in the predicted weather it is now scheduled for Thursday morning. The balloons will be starting at around 06.00 from Lydden Circuit, heading across Dover to France. There are currently 68 balloons in the flight, which will be accompanied by helicopters from Sky News, BBC and ITN. I have asked Ian to get us some footage over the cliffs, castle, port etc."
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
thanks for info roger will try to get to the seafront at the crack of dawn.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Thanks Roger, trying all our locals up at the crack of dawn for a first sighting.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
wish you luck ray, last time i was in lydden early morning i shouted to a bloke in a field "are you shearing that sheep"?
he shouted back, "no you get your own"!!
i have no idea what he meant by that, must be an in joke.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
It must be quite spectacular - it's a beautiful clear morning too (06.30)
Roger
Guest 702- Registered: 9 Jul 2010
- Posts: 241
A single balloon has just gone past here at River.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
No sign of any when I drove to the top of Lydden hill a few minutes ago, are you sure that wasn't someone's party balloon Ken?
Lots of these having breakfast though, just to keep Howard interested -
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
20+ now visible looking back up the Dour valley from Castle St.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
30+ from the heights !
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Just going over Lydden while I was messing about with sheep pictures!
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Spectacular, and they were shifting!
These guys would know what they were doing -
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
i got some shots on dads camera, i completely forgot and he rang me whilst dog walking to get up..
think the camera in the helicopter got a very good shot of some mad woman still in her red jim jams and red coat against a field background... oopss...
looks fab, and was soo great seeing the kids faces as it went over .. was really nice.. all the neighbours were talking!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
These Defence cuts are certainly biting - the first picture of the RAFs new stealth bomber pictured above.

Guest 702- Registered: 9 Jul 2010
- Posts: 241
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Well done guys with the pictures and many thanks for the tip-off from Roger earlier. These tip-offs are vital lads, so keep them coming. I was able to get some decent shots myself. The balloons do all the work as they are so spectacular. Have put one on the frontpage.
Well done guys!

Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Big problem for photographers was the sun. When we saw they were going to pass behind the castle we leapt into the car and hared up to Langdon Cliffs but they all passed over Langdon Bay so we were still shooting into the sun. We counted 51 balloons. This was the best I could do picture-wise.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Was rather amazing - I first just saw the one and thought I had missed it, then the lot suddenly appeared !!
Been nice knowing you :)
Yes we saw them too, woke up early so the kiddies got a good view, well done to all above and the lovely photos

Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
Oooh lovely photos. I want to go up in one again....sigh....

Lovely photos. I remember something similar about 10-15 years ago. As I came out of the house to go to work there were clouds of balloons passing over, and quite a lot lower than those pictured above. It was a sight I shall never forget, tho' sadly I missed this lot.