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Live: Bristol balloon launch
Good morning. We are live from the Downs (and above the Downs) for a teaser to next weekend’s Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2016. Refresh the page for live updates.
is needed now More than ever
8.30am:
Well, that’s pretty much it. The balloons are landing in a field somewhere east of Bristol. Hope you enjoyed the teaser to next weekend’s fiesta. We leave you with 12 of this morning’s best pictures:
8.05am:
Hashtag Friday feeling, indeed. If our calculations are correct, this is taken somewhere not too far from Longwell Green. If you tuned in earlier, by the way, rumours of a landing at Ashton Court were greatly exaggerated. Sorry about that.
7.55am:
Some early morning poetry from Stapleton Road.
We all live in the gutter but some of us stare at hot air balloons… pic.twitter.com/iGN4HlJfza
— Stapleton Road (@StapletonRd) August 5, 2016
7.50am:
Instagram has a knack of making everything look slightly more dramatic. As if this shot really needed it anyway. Stunning.
7.50am:
This is what’s it’s like to drift silently only a few hundred metres above Easton.
7.45am:
Many of the balloons have now passed the city centre and are heading east, over Speedwell it seems.
Traffic around #Speedwell is looking good! @bbcrb pic.twitter.com/yMTtvFdqpr
— Laura Rawlings (@laurarawlings) August 5, 2016
7.35am:
If you’re in a balloon and reading this, look out for shocked naked people emerging from the beds and being drawn to their windows.
7.35am:
Running out of words here.
Oh #Bristol aren’t you beautiful from up here #balloonfiesta pic.twitter.com/JTiZHMBsWW
— BristolBalloonFiesta (@bristolballoon) August 5, 2016
7.30am:
Don’t look down! Balloons passing over each other as the sky fills with colour ahead of the Balloon Fiesta next weekend.
Over #Bristol ???? pic.twitter.com/K4L3OLNefG
— Laura Rawlings (@laurarawlings) August 5, 2016
7.22am:
At this stage you might want to log off from our live feed and just go outside to see for yourself.
7.18am:
And here’s a video showing what Bristol looks like from 700ft in the air this morning.
Bristol from 700 ft off the ground by hot air balloon #BristolNews pic.twitter.com/NofnZmR5IN
— Made in Bristol TV (@madeinbristoltv) August 5, 2016
7.12am:
Stunning first pictures are emerging looking down at Clifton as the balloons drift towards Ashton Court.
.@bbcrb is down there somewhere…along Whiteladies. Give us a wave @cavworld pic.twitter.com/bq4ypEMsna
— Laura Rawlings (@laurarawlings) August 5, 2016
7.10am:
Back at the Downs many of the Balloons are still hovering gently above the ground awaiting clearance to follow the pack down the Avon Gorge.
Amazing #balloons @bristolballoon pic.twitter.com/sw8ALXoDQf
— Kylie Pentelow (@kyliepentelow) August 5, 2016
7.05am:
Early risers in Clifton and Bedminster are getting a nice surprise. Expect more at dawn and dusk over the coming week.
Well that was unexpected when leaving the house this morning #balloons #bristol pic.twitter.com/KFPZ7aFbzr
— Tom Brook (@_TomBrook) August 5, 2016
7.05am:
Stunning images of the launch with the rising sun in the background just keep on coming.
7am:
Our eyes in the sky: watch our live video as the balloons drift over Clifton Suspension Bridge.
6.55am
All you can hear are jets of fire charging balloons all around as take-off is imminent.
26 balloons to taking off from the downs for lift on the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2016 #BristolNews pic.twitter.com/8dpbuv9aTf
— Made in Bristol TV (@madeinbristoltv) August 5, 2016
6.45am
And here’s what it all looks like if we take a step back; a row of balloons gently separating from the horizon. Next stop: Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Inflation in Bristol rises. #BalloonFiesta pic.twitter.com/eelXeZtXyw
— mike owen (@mikecgowen) August 5, 2016
6.40am
Our live video from the Downs shows balloons are swelling with hot air as they prepare for take off over the Avon Gorge and past Clifton Suspension Bridge.
6.40am
And we’re off. The first balloons take flight from the Downs, heading towards Ashton Court where this weekend’ fiesta takes place.
Look up in the morn@vickeytiley + @MoodyColin (if????not????) giving traffic news etc from @bristolballoon promo flight! pic.twitter.com/fPDaUJWnxo
— Onelovebreakfast (@onelovebrekky) August 4, 2016
6.35am
The first balloons are being inflated as members of the press wait eagerly with bacon butties in hand…
Live from the Polar Bear Windows balloon this morning with @vickeytiley + @MoodyColin for the @bristolballoon promo pic.twitter.com/ZbcQExbU0o
— Onelovebreakfast (@onelovebrekky) August 5, 2016
6.30am
It really is a cracking morning. We’re moments away from the first launch and by 7am, when Bristol starts to get out of bed, the sky should be full.
Sunrise over the Downs in #Bristol as balloons get ready to fly ahead of the #BalloonFiesta next weekend. pic.twitter.com/dxWuXz4LEm
— BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) August 5, 2016
6.20am
Fire ’em up! Jets of flames shoot into the air as the balloons get their final safety checks.
6.15am
Balloon canvasses are being laid out on the ground by the Sea Wall on the Downs where up to 30 balloons are due to take off as the sun rises over Bristol.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta press launch on Durdham Downs, flying over the city at 7.00 @bristolballoon pic.twitter.com/XJmntiq7gh
— Anthony Ward (@Anth0ny_Ward) August 5, 2016
6.10am
This ITV presenter probably explains it best.
Why we’re up super early @alexberesfordTV pic.twitter.com/DSgDliW229
— Kylie Pentelow (@kyliepentelow) August 5, 2016
6am
Red sky in the morning, shepherds… ah, forget it. We’re here at the balloon launch.
It’s a beautiful morning for a press launch wouldn’t you say #Bristol #BalloonFiesta pic.twitter.com/W2q9q3EB7P
— BristolBalloonFiesta (@bristolballoon) August 5, 2016
Read more: 21 historic photos of Bristol from above
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