Every second weekend in August is the extravaganza that is the balloon festival at Ashton Court.
Not being one to willingly join a crowd, I prefer to watch the mass ascents from the calm of a relatively secret spot in Clifton. No, I'm not telling you where to go to get a wide uninterrupted view of the balloons traversing the city, assuming, of course, that the not too fierce wind is coming from the right direction, i.e. the west. Suffice to say it's not the Observatory or anywhere near the Suspension bridge. Buy me a coffee and I might, just might, divulge this useful piece of local knowledge.
This year while the dawn ascents did take place, two of the three evening ones did not as it was just too windy. I prefer the comfort of my bed, so the one and only chance this year was on Sunday evening. A perfectly warm and balmy one. The fifty balloons lifting off and drifting across Bristol were a wonder to behold. One I didn't realise I'd been missing.
