AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS OR DEUX SEVRES IN THREE DAYS
If you were in the area of Thouars between the 3 and 5 September you would be forgiven for thinking that you were in the middle of a film set for a remake of “Around the world in eighty days”. Approximately thirty hot air balloons took off each day – twice a day – from the Hippodrome of Villeneuve, St Verge, in the Deux Sevres region of Poitou Charentes. Last years event was a success , this years was even greater and there was something for all the family, whether you were a balloon fan or not. Montgolfiere fanatics arrived at the Hippodrome from all over.
Many balloons are sponsored through advertisement of companies such as ‘The Loire Valley Chateaux’, ‘Vins de Loire’, and ‘Seseme’. A new contender for the event at St Verge this year, came from the UK. The balloon trade marked ‘G- Draw’, or ‘G-Buks’ on the trailer belongs to Russell and Maureen Bairstow, who usually fly down in Angouleme each year. Russell who used to work on the great Concord has been flying for many years – in planes and hot air balloons. Russell explained some of the processes that go with the passion of this sport and that he had to be retested for his licence on a regular basis. The team consists of the pilot – in this case Russell, and usually one other that will fly with him and the two ground team, who act as retrievers when he lands. He explained that the balloons were tested on a regular basis for pressure of the material. One difficulty these days was the inability to bring fuel supply with him as it was not permitted on the ferry, it now had to be sourced at base.
Some of the balloons at the event took up passengers (for which payment was made which goes toward the organisation of the event) – usually one or two passengers, but even as many as three or four. One balloon was fitted to take on those with disabilities.
The process appears quite simple while you are watching and waiting for the event to take place. Some of the balloons are spread out over the ground, while waiting for a signal that authorises them to inflate the balloons. The passengers and teams wait to hear that all is in order – the instruction which comes from the Director of flights, Jacques Bernardine . A small balloon is sent up to estimate the speed of the wind and if all is well they begin to prepare. The first balloon to ascend will be what Russell termed ‘the rabbit’, in this case it was the ‘Vins de Loire’ balloon, which once having gained altitude will dangle ‘the rabbit’ for all to see – this is the balloon that the rest must attempt to follow – and ‘the race is on!’ as they say.
Flying took place around sunrise and sunset – some of the nicest times to fly. The balloonists were directed by use of maps, with regard to where they were allowed to land, or not land as the case might be. On Russell’s first day he was able to land in the grounds of the beautiful Chateau de Oiron. The ideal conditions for flying are a light wind and clear sky - storms of any kind are obviously not preferential, whether in the form of heavy rain and extreme wind. The wind must not be greater than 15 - 20 km. Consideration for take off and landing the balloons is just as important as flying . Both are done from a wide expanse of flat land, having gained the permission of the owner. It is important that no electric lines are nearby, no animals, trees, or bushes, and it is also important to be quite close to roads in order that the balloonist can be retrieved.
On board the gondola the pilot needs to have all the necessary equipment required in order to fly and to keep in contact with the ground. Equipment that indicates speed, as well as those that indicate the temperature of the hot air. Hot air is lighter than cold air and therefore allows the montgolfiere to rise, in order to land you must cool that air.
explained that he was very impressed with the organisation and set up of the Montgolfiere event – particularly considering the number of people the organisers had to cope with on this occasion. We hope that Russell and family find the time to fly in again sometime.
Le Grand Saule Bed and Breakfast Accommodation in Vienne is ideally situated for the Thouars Montgolfiere event being just a 20 minutes drive away.
