I've never been in a hot-air balloon but lately I've been thinking about it a great deal. Drifting silently across the earth, suspended only with the most basic of technology, a creaking whicker basket the only thing to stop you plummeting to the ground.
So I've decided to make a trip to Europe this year and see the English countryside from a birds eye view. Having looked at a few options, I've found that retail chain ASDA offer some very reasonable hot air balloon flights. You can take a dawn balloon trip over a choice of counties and watch the sun come up from 2000 feet above ground, which seems like a pretty enchanting way to spend a morning to me. On top of the ride itself, you get a glass of champagne and the opportunity to help inflate the balloon.
Once you've bought a voucher it's valid for ten months. During this period you can request your preferred times and dates of travel, and - weather permitting - you will be contacted on the required day for confirmation that the ride is going ahead. Even with that famously inclement British weather, I should be able to find an appropriate flight day during a three week summer vacation.
After a spectacular view of Hampshire I'll take a drive along the coast and visit Hastings in Sussex, the landing point of the norman conquest and the birthplace of medieval England. Lastminute.com are proving a fantastic resource for car hire, which is the best way to give me freedom to move as I please.
I have no idea what else I'll do in England. I don't like to plan too far ahead, the best elements of a sight-seeing holiday are always the surprises. Perhaps I'll drive up to Scotland and take in the dramatic Highlands and Western Isles. I hear the Norfolk broads are somewhat similar to the mid west of America with their sprawling flatness and abundance of potatoes. Whatever I do, I'll be sure to keep you posted on my movements and tell you about any points of interest during my holidays.