Padbury Group fly over London

With ballooning being very weather dependant, organizing a group for a hot air balloon flight can be problematic, especially if passengers come from many different locations. The average balloon flight has around a 50/50 chance of going ahead so it was particularly pleasing when a group made up of 7 members of the Padbury family flew on just their second attempt over London. Some came from as far as Derbyshire and during the flight Ivy and Thelma flew over Tooting and Mitcham where they grew up, Tooting Bec Lido where they went swimming during the war, and later in the flight at Carshalton, the St Helier Hospital (left) and the school their children (who were also on the flight) attended. "It was a real trip down memory lane for all of the family said Ivy".

Also in the shot is Simone Giles who was also on the flight and comes from Huddersfield who became an adopted member of their "northern" group on the day.

A breakfast at Adventure Balloons popular watering hole, Monty's in Coulsdon finished off a super flight for all.