I once heard someone say something like "if you're afraid to die, you're afraid to live". I proceeded to completely ignore that and practice extreme caution in all things. Well, actually, that's not quite true. I have often done stupid, reckless, ill-advised things, but I've never paid to do them.
I loved this - it's great to get the low-down on these activities as I have rarely been on a fairground ride, let alone gone up in a balloon! Thanks for the trip, and I hope your husband enjoys his trip. Mind your head 💛
Seize the day, absolutely for that, in principle, Sharon! I'm glad to hear your husband's getting more adventurous with age.
I've got more cautious, though, tbh, and no longer seek out fairground thrills or high altitudes.
Reading Ian McKewan's 1997 novel Enduring Love put me right off any thought of booking a balloon flight. I might need to re-read that, actually – it's a good 'un!
I went out with a mountain climber for a few months. He got not just a buzz but something spiritual out of it. But as someone with chronic fatigue, I couldn't share his active interests, and in the end I couldn't see the point of what he did. He also liked jazz, and I definitely don't, which may be the subject of a forthcoming Substack. Not him (lovely man, not for me in the end), but my short dalliance with jazz gigs.
I digress... re Dreamland, I renamed it Nightmareland after seeing an enormous security guy knock out an argumentative punter. The bloke fell backwards, without even bending his knees, and was still out cold when I steered my children away.
What a great article. The Bem Bom brothers guise of Dreamland was my era for sure and indeed the Merry Rose was a great ride. Great fun and great memories all round.
Maybe people with a very high fear threshold should come with a warning! While they are having a great time they are also sending you grey - a kind of proxy Dorian Grey if you will :)
How exciting for your husband! My dream is to climb Ben Nevis , I’ve been saying it for years ! As I’ve got older I’ve become more afraid or almost everything! I used to be so adventurous and it’s all gone. I could never go in an air ballon, are all landings like that ?? Did make me laugh though , glad you lived to tell the tale. 😆
That’s cool Francis. There’s still time 🙃People have since mentioned having similar experiences with balloon landings! Thanks so much for reading.
I remember when the Mary Rose first arrived at Dreamland. It wasn't fun but it was puking on the Wurlitzer that cured me of my love of fairgrounds.
I live a couple of miles away from Bristol Balloons and they wake me up at 6 AM every day of the summer. I've no desire to go up in one but I do enjoy a bit of danger and have done since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
Those serenely floating hot air balloons are perhaps NOT so after all. We've often pondered a float in a romantic bubble with green eyes - I can see that a rethink is required. I don't fancy working that hard to pack it all up afterwards; perhaps the punters are so glad to be on terra firma (in one bruised piece) that in the moment nothing is too much trouble. It's only on reflection that you consider a refund off the fee was probably in order! A fun read Sharon.
Oh I am a little bit envious of his adventurous spirit but I think I’ve got a lot of mine out my system. I tried abseiling and I climbed Mt Fuji so feel slightly relieved that I don’t need to do these things.
Where was the ride in Cheshire? I was trying to identify it.
Thanks Sharon I enjoyed this. Best of luck with it all.
I wish I could recall exactly Margaret. It was an 80s music festival, but we got there way too early, expecting lots of stalls etc. In fact there were just 3 rides and very little other than a place to buy a poncho!
I read your substack to my daughter tonight (from the comfort of my bed!.. over 1000kms away from hers), as she was driving home from her evening shift. It was such a change to hear her constant chortles as she drove, given that we usually talk about some of the patient dilemmas that she has encountered during her shift. (It is her only debriefing session!) She loved hearing your little sagas... the best debriefing! My daughter experienced a hot air balloon trip, given as a birthday gift, a few years back and could relate to everything you said. I remember that her story was very similar but you have a very special way of telling it. And 'the mountains have called' prelude is a book in the making, as experienced through your lens and literary genius. Don't tell your husband that he is the subject of this forth coming masterpiece, as he may take even greater risks. Tee hee.
I once heard someone say something like "if you're afraid to die, you're afraid to live". I proceeded to completely ignore that and practice extreme caution in all things. Well, actually, that's not quite true. I have often done stupid, reckless, ill-advised things, but I've never paid to do them.
I loved this - it's great to get the low-down on these activities as I have rarely been on a fairground ride, let alone gone up in a balloon! Thanks for the trip, and I hope your husband enjoys his trip. Mind your head 💛
Thanks Jules, he is a worry!
Seize the day, absolutely for that, in principle, Sharon! I'm glad to hear your husband's getting more adventurous with age.
I've got more cautious, though, tbh, and no longer seek out fairground thrills or high altitudes.
Reading Ian McKewan's 1997 novel Enduring Love put me right off any thought of booking a balloon flight. I might need to re-read that, actually – it's a good 'un!
I went out with a mountain climber for a few months. He got not just a buzz but something spiritual out of it. But as someone with chronic fatigue, I couldn't share his active interests, and in the end I couldn't see the point of what he did. He also liked jazz, and I definitely don't, which may be the subject of a forthcoming Substack. Not him (lovely man, not for me in the end), but my short dalliance with jazz gigs.
I digress... re Dreamland, I renamed it Nightmareland after seeing an enormous security guy knock out an argumentative punter. The bloke fell backwards, without even bending his knees, and was still out cold when I steered my children away.
Maria, I probably shouldn’t have, but that made me laugh about the punter 😃
Wowzers Danny - I can't decide if you are a hero.......or.........not :)
What a great article. The Bem Bom brothers guise of Dreamland was my era for sure and indeed the Merry Rose was a great ride. Great fun and great memories all round.
Thanks so much Luke. I’m glad you enjoyed.
I honestly think I'd give Everest a go before I willingly climbed into a hot air balloon.
Maybe people with a very high fear threshold should come with a warning! While they are having a great time they are also sending you grey - a kind of proxy Dorian Grey if you will :)
How exciting for your husband! My dream is to climb Ben Nevis , I’ve been saying it for years ! As I’ve got older I’ve become more afraid or almost everything! I used to be so adventurous and it’s all gone. I could never go in an air ballon, are all landings like that ?? Did make me laugh though , glad you lived to tell the tale. 😆
That’s cool Francis. There’s still time 🙃People have since mentioned having similar experiences with balloon landings! Thanks so much for reading.
Here on the mountain we have a Ben Nevis Street - would that do?
I reckon that counts!
I remember when the Mary Rose first arrived at Dreamland. It wasn't fun but it was puking on the Wurlitzer that cured me of my love of fairgrounds.
I live a couple of miles away from Bristol Balloons and they wake me up at 6 AM every day of the summer. I've no desire to go up in one but I do enjoy a bit of danger and have done since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
Those serenely floating hot air balloons are perhaps NOT so after all. We've often pondered a float in a romantic bubble with green eyes - I can see that a rethink is required. I don't fancy working that hard to pack it all up afterwards; perhaps the punters are so glad to be on terra firma (in one bruised piece) that in the moment nothing is too much trouble. It's only on reflection that you consider a refund off the fee was probably in order! A fun read Sharon.
Thanks so much Rosie. You could have a point there…
I remember the hot air balloon experience… you two have definitely convinced me never to do it lol
I still can’t believe they get you to help pack it up!!!
Funny. It was a bizarre experience, to say the least. Thanks for reading Daisy x
Oh I am a little bit envious of his adventurous spirit but I think I’ve got a lot of mine out my system. I tried abseiling and I climbed Mt Fuji so feel slightly relieved that I don’t need to do these things.
Where was the ride in Cheshire? I was trying to identify it.
Thanks Sharon I enjoyed this. Best of luck with it all.
I wish I could recall exactly Margaret. It was an 80s music festival, but we got there way too early, expecting lots of stalls etc. In fact there were just 3 rides and very little other than a place to buy a poncho!
That sounds about right. Glad you lived to tell the tale.
As a scaredy-cat, I had to read this from behind the sofa with my hands over my eyes. Anoher great post, Sharon. Thank you.
I read your substack to my daughter tonight (from the comfort of my bed!.. over 1000kms away from hers), as she was driving home from her evening shift. It was such a change to hear her constant chortles as she drove, given that we usually talk about some of the patient dilemmas that she has encountered during her shift. (It is her only debriefing session!) She loved hearing your little sagas... the best debriefing! My daughter experienced a hot air balloon trip, given as a birthday gift, a few years back and could relate to everything you said. I remember that her story was very similar but you have a very special way of telling it. And 'the mountains have called' prelude is a book in the making, as experienced through your lens and literary genius. Don't tell your husband that he is the subject of this forth coming masterpiece, as he may take even greater risks. Tee hee.
That’s lovely to hear. Thank you Glenda.