First we were going, then we weren’t, then we did. The fact that we decided to attend the first ever Northern Ireland balloon festival the weekend before, meant that it was going to be a tall order getting back and sorted for Tavistock. So knowing that Darwin wanted to enter and needed a space, we offered him ours. It seemed the thing to do, considering he gave us his the year before! But he struggled to get a balloon or team together so we decided to team up with him and take Purple Rain after all – as we didn’t get to fly in Ireland.

So a quick call to Mark Govey, and the team was complete – me, Carol, Darwin and Mark. The only issue was that Mark wouldn’t arrive until too late for a Friday flight and Darwin wouldn’t arrive until Saturday night so what looked like potentially the only flyable slot of the weekend might be missed which would have been a nightmare! However I had massive luck in so much as the legend that is Steve Kinsey called me and offered to bring his crew along and help me out so one problem less!

Our next battle was against the clock. We knew it would be tight time wise and also that we needed to check into our campsite before flying. It didn’t bode well that there were already balloons rigged when we arrived at 5:45. I needn’t have worried though, as Steve had arrived and told me to unhitch the trailer, go and sort the campsite, and he would have the balloon ready for when I got back. It was just like being a commercial pilot! Massive thanks to him and his team as without them I’d have missed a beautiful flight.

So we arrived back on site just as Derek Maltby took off. As we drove back into Tavistock it was a gorgeous sight – the sky was beautiful and blue and we drove in, attached the quick release and 15 minutes later we were in the air. Carol and I flew and went right across the town with so many people waving and shouting up to us. We were one of the last out but that gave me the chance to see what everyone else was doing – and after 30 minutes I decided to try and get in to the same field as Phil McCheyne and Simon Whatley. I’d watched them both land and figured I could follow them in to the same field (safety in numbers and all that).

I’d watched them both get a touch of left as they had come in so stayed right until the last minute and then quickly realised as I descended the left had completely gone! No matter as there was a nice grassy field right in front of me so that would do nicely. I later discovered it was the farmer’s fault as he had seen me and “willed me” into his field! He was a top chap and came to meet us on his quad bike – if only all farmers were this nice!

I’d kept the balloon up as we landed but within seconds I heard a booming voice over the hedge saying “I don’t know why you are doing that. We sat here and watched you land.” Steve had arrived – so all in all, a great start to the weekend.

We got back and Mark had arrived so it was back to the pods for a beer and a Chinese and very nice it was too. About 10pm I had a text telling me the morning was binned due to a stiff gradient so that just meant more beer!

As briefing wasn’t til 2pm, we decided a lay in, decent breakfast and a trip into town was called for. Carol was particularly pleased by this as she spent a fortune on a new outfit in Fat Face – hmm I’ll never get a new balloon at this rate! But after a nice wander, a bit of shopping, and a decent lunch it was back to the launch site for afternoon briefing. The forecast wasn’t great but Arthur Street assured us that no rain was in the area and he hadn’t ruled out the evening slot completely. This led to mild amusement from the rest of us who were not even remotely optimistic – looking at the forecast. Anyway, at least it wasn’t going to rain!

One of the best parts of Tavistock has always been the public interaction and this year was not different. We met some lovely people who were really interested in learning about balloons and getting up close and personal to see things that maybe they hadn’t seen before. That said, there were people who came and said hello who we had spoken to last year. We then were asked to help out and try and tether some old trashed envelopes to show the public just why we weren’t flying. I helped Andy Methley try and tether a balloon and he did a great job in getting it stood up despite really gusty conditions, we did take out a few panels but it showed the crowds just why we weren’t flying. But at least it wasn’t going to rain! The crowds started to disperse and we decided it was time to pack up which we managed minutes before the heavens opened and we had an hour of pretty heavy rain – Arthur had made himself scarce at this point!

 

Reluctantly, the decision was made to cancel the rest of the day’s activities, including the glow, which given the conditions and the dwindling crowds was the only real sensible choice – although people were still coming in. But the stewards were doing an excellent job of relaying the information to them. Every cloud has a silver lining and the whole team including Darwin, who had now joined us, found a very nice pub and had a very nice meal – although we didn’t stay late as I’d received a text telling me the morning flight had been called on!

One of the hardest parts of being a pilot in my opinion is deciding whether to fly or not. It is so nice when the flight is cut and dried and a no brainer. Sunday morning certainly didn’t fall into that category. The wind seemed ok, maybe a little quick but nothing too alarming. But the problem was the direction – straight across Dartmoor. This meant you had to plan for a minimum flight of an hour and a half ideally to be on the safe side. As Purple Rain is not as new as she used to be, that was going to be a concern. She would have had a fair bit in reserve but the thought of the wind dropping out or an unexpected course correction could have put us in trouble so, despite watching most of the other balloons going for it, I decided very reluctantly to stay behind. I have always been in the ‘better safe than sorry’ camp and despite the promise of a stunning flight I, along with quite a few others, decided that helping the others get off and watching the spectacle was the best idea – plus of course the sausage sandwiches that followed! It was a beautiful morning with a very dramatic sky and there was a real pang of frustration as the balloons all disappeared into the sunrise – but my call was not to fly so it was the right call! It was also soaking wet on the ground and I really didn’t fancy getting PURP soaked!

When we went back to collect the balloon just before lunch, the balloons were arriving back with stories of fast landings and landowner issues but also of amazingly stunning flights. Oh well my time will come and the frustration on my face must have shown as my good lady wife moaned at me that I had gone quiet and grumpy!

So all in all once again the Westcountry balloon fiesta was one of the highlights of the flying year, despite only one flight, and we will certainly return next year if invited – who knows what I’ll be flying though! If you have never been to Tavistock I urge you to go. It isn’t known as the friendly fiesta for nothing and it really is worth the journey. Peter Harding and Mark Warne have created an event to be proud of and deserve much credit for their efforts. As soon as next year is confirmed we are booking our pods!

Photos and report © Paul Mackley