Saturday morning of the Wairarapa Balloon Fiesta and the balloons retuned to Martinborough for the first time in many years… while the weather wasn’t optimal for ballooning it was good enough (and much better than forecast) for 22 out of 23 balloons to lift off and enjoy views of the vineyards below. A good crowd of locals turned out to see it all unfold and were rewarded with some low flying over the town. I was fortunate to have a ride in the Hamilton ZK-UPP balloon flown by Kiwi Balloon Company’s Mark Brown. There were five other passengers along with fellow photographer Mike Heydon aboard and we had a great ride drifting south west of the town. I’ve put a commentary with each photo so am inviting you to scroll through them and take an imaginary voyage!!

Predawn in Martinborough and time for a flat white from Kitcheners Cafe before it all starts.

Sue at Kitcheners makes great Havana Coffee!!

Pilots briefing in the town sqaure in the middle of Martinborough.

Colour is appearing.

We set up in the local rugby club grounds right next to vineyards full of ripe grapes.

The basket is out of the trailer…

Checked and ready

Passengers waiting

The rest of the passenger list

Miz Waikato fires up next door.

Instructions from pilot Mark

You get in like this

And you …. from here!!

The basket is attached to the chase vehicle as a precaution.

Ready to inflate

Cold air starts the inflation

It takes a lot of air, in fact 210,000 cubic feet…

We are getting bigger as Miz Waikato and Team Swan also inflate beside us.

Patriot (the space shuttle) balloon pilot Barry and one of his crew checking out Miz Waikato

Miz Waikato crew are a happy lot!!

Balloons everywhere… they all followed us to the field.

What a great atmosphere as the sun is rising.

Mark checks the inside of the balloon and all the attachments.

From the mouth to the top view

It’s nearly filled.

From the top to the bottom view

The top, ready to heat up and stand up.

Down the side of the envelope

Mark Wilton with passenger Dean are first off the ground.

John Clulow fires up Miz Waikato

Patriot crew on stand by…. they decided not to fly today.

Passengers ready to go

Deatils

Firing the burners

The air inside is heated

The gas is LPG and a good amount is used… I hope someone brought marshmellows.

Pilot Mark glows in the flames.

And up she goes at=s the hot air goes to the top

The pilots ride the basket as it stands up too.

Under control….

Others around are getting read….

Great place for photos….

Ready to embark….

Mark gets everything ready and checks them!!

Young onlooker….

Older onlookers…

This is what you do… Mark gives the safety briefing.

Photographer Mike Heydon takes some shots…

Mark starts the burners again for lift off.

And Hamilton slowly rises.

All go

ZK-UPP is UP!!

Daryl McKee’s new house shape is taking shape preparing to fly.

The view of Martinborough becomes apparent.

Miz Waikato is ready to leave too

Oakley father and son combo Dad Michael in the huge 275 thousand cubic ft balloon ZK-OAK and son Nicholas in ZK-WRU with the stripes. These guys are top pilots and Michael has Ballooning Canterbury.

ZK-OAK takes off – this is the biggest commercial balloon in New Zealand.

Fly over the house

Martinborough houses.

Martinborough vineyards.

Martinborough… such a nice town.

Looking good Mark.

The big balloon rises..

Middle of town

Still on the ground

Oak

John Clulow in Muz Waikato with Howard Watson in the multi coloured Mogul

Martinborough Square

The Square again

OAK over the town.

Square

Square with fish eye view.

The crew onboard Hamilton

Lots of balloons over Marty

Scott Cursons in OH Lar Lar …..

Nicholas Oakley in WRU and Paulin Hickey from Hamilton in Sunrise

Dan King in the yellow PUFF and Chris Bransgrove in Remx

The house is up

John Clifton … who won Fiesta trophy in Transwell… a much deserved win, John is a great pilot and great guy!!

Vineyards

Looking south

Chris rises ove Dan… balloons are ascending and descending at different rates and times and it really does lead to some amazing illusions on what is happening.

Brian Boland in Scrap Palace. Brian makes these small 2 person balloons which are quite popular with five flying in the fiesta.

Howard heads for town centre

Mark Wilton heads for the grapes…. hmmmmm

The Ruamahunga River

Scrap Palace goes underneath us

The house moves along with followers

Howard chatting to the locals

Balloons over Martinborough.

Scott and Nicholas over town.

Scott heading for the drop zone at PnK Mitre10

Nicholas Oakley with the dry hills behind.

Peter King zips past. I believe Peter was training a new pilot!

Looking down on the land

The 2014 vintage is right here.

Lots of balloons over town

Mark wilton touring around.

The newest development in Martinborough…

Peter King on the vines. Now did he do Around the Vines the next day??

Vineyard..

Covered grapes

Bare field

Rural Sth Wairarapa

Looking doen on vines

I counted up to 17 balloons over town at once!!

Lovely graphic shapes

Our country

The Ballooning Canterbury passengers getting wet feet as Michael dips them in the river!!

Mark’s not going there!!! To the river!!

Stock on the move

Landscape

More landscape

Black and white

And colour

OAK lights up

Plenty of hot air!!

Arty maize

Ordinary maize

In the mood…..

What a quiet time

Whose house is this????

Shapes of maize

Vines.. and vines …. and more vines

Moody

Keeping the weight on.

Resting place

Waiting for the crew

Nice position Mark.

The crew arrive

Balloon and trailer

Peter king and trainee coming in

Yep that’s them

Being shadowed by John Clulow

Ready to ald…

Almost down

Touch down

John flies past

Great first landing for Pete’s apprentice.

Pilot Mark’s wife Wendy snaps a few pics.

Mark burns of the gas from the lines ready to pack it all up

Local pilot John Bargh flies past with a wiggle of his wings..

Packing up….

Mark Wilton checking the maize

Kids checking on Mark in the maize!!

Stuffing the envelope back in the bag…. that is how it is done.

In here!!

Nearly all in!!

People came to see it all happen… this gentleman is from Nelson and wants a ride. Next time bring more coffee and cups please!!!

Balloon on its trailer

Ready for the big trailer

basket on it’s trailer

All packed up and ready for the trailer… the end of a great journey…. thanks Kiwi Balloon Company from hamilton and special thanks to Pilot Mark brown and wife Wendy Peel, you guiys are just the best!!