Up, Up and Away

I adore hot air balloons. As a graphic motif they are absolutely delightful. The multitude of colours and shape they come in are only limited by manufacturers’ – and artists’ – imaginations.

Obviously much of their charm lies in the romance they evoke as an oldey-worldey form of transport.

I travelled in one once, sailing serenely over the desert in Dubai, watching the sun rise behind the purple mountains. Such an exciting experience, and what a noise the gas flame makes as it roars into the balloon! We crash-landed, and the basket was dragged for twenty metres or so across the dunes. I think I was the only one who was laughing crazily during this experience. I lived to tell the tale though.

Enjoy this gallery of vintage and modern balloons.