The last month has demonstrated with dramatic effect how the weather for balloon meets, organised months in advance, is a matter of pot luck here in Europe. The biennial pilgrimage to Metz enjoyed mainly good weather with one of our customers managing 14 flights (and over 20 hours!) during the meet with several hundred balloons present. Just a week or so later the Bristol Fiesta was hit with dismal conditions with wind and rain and certainly the worst ever in all the 41 such meets. The only free flying took place on a short notice ‘extra’ slot organised on the Thursday morning after the organising committee had studied the weekend forecast. The UK Bank Holiday weekend 24th-26th was just the opposite with blue skies, light winds and successful events in Oswestry, Strathaven and a 3/4/40 Region flyout near Wantage.
We have not been notified of much “buying activity” during the month but are pleased to add several items for September. These include a complete 120, an LBL240A envelope in need of some new panels, a Wendover trailer, a couple of 5hp fans, also a number of smaller bits and pieces. These include a BBAC certified ‘grab tester’ from UK Inspector Ross Powell having retired as an inspector after many years helping balloonists to keep their kit up together, mainly in the Hampshire area.
Several price reductions also appear this time including the Mondovi based Viva 77 G-BORB with recently pressure tested tanks and a new ARC.
Zebedee has re-tabulated its Envelope Bag selection to make them easier to read suggesting suitable sized envelopes to fit and arranging them in size order.
September sees several more Meets in the UK including one for the increasing numbers of home-builts at Sackville Lodge, Beds on the 7th/8th weekend and Exclusive Balloons now regular Longleat Meet a week later. The latter includes a balloon related auction on the morning of Friday 13th …