Fragile Part Five by Raphaela Palmer

Fragile Part Five by Raphaela Palmer

The brightly coloured balloon shifted slightly as the wind rushed past it. Ymara checked that the mooring was secure and turned to smile at a worried looking Raneld. “It will be alright Raneld; the balloon is sturdy if a little cramped for three, but I don't think that will matter on such a short journey.” Ymara paused as a thought struck her “Are we facing the island or did we have to turn the balloon around because of the wind?” “We're facing it and the wind is directly behind us. I know you've done this before but please be careful”.

Your inspiration for March 2014

Your inspiration for March 2014

Runaway Balloon - part 4 - Lillian Morpork

The blizzard blew on, fiercer and fiercer, the winds gaining strength as time went by. Larry checked his weather station the second day of the storm and said the winds were gusting at over 80 miles per hour. And still the storm raged. All they could do was wait it out, and Margadele worried about her friends and family. The radio interference was still strong, so no word could be sent or received.

"A Balloon Adventure" Part 4 by Llola Lane

"A Balloon Adventure" Part 4 by Llola Lane

The next day Nick's balloon arrived from the states. He and Henri filled both balloons with air and Nick showed Henri how to work the controls. They took a whole day to fill but by dusk the balloons were ready to fly. Abella and I watched as the clouds grew in the distance. We told the men to wait until the storm passed but Henri was anxious to fly. Reluctantly the four of us headed up into the heavens for a "quick" ride.

Runaway Balloon - part 3 - Lillian Morpork

Runaway Balloon - part 3 - Lillian Morpork

Margadele looked around in surprise, as she thanked Martha for the hospitality. “I most truly thank you for being so willing to let me stay.” She swayed a little. “Sorry, I think I’m still getting used to having my feet on something solid and stable.” She put a hand to her head, and let the bag she was carrying drop to the floor.

"A Balloon Adventure" Part 3 by Llola Lane

"A Balloon Adventure" Part 3 by Llola Lane

We talked about... everything... from the weather to religion to politics. He was quite a knowledgeable gentleman. He had been all over the world with his balloon. He told me of a trip he was making to Provence, France next month. He made it sound so exciting. I didn't want the night to end.

Runaway Balloon - part 2 - Lillian Morpork

Margadele came awake with a jerk, grabbing for something to hold on to. The basket was whipping around wildly, throwing her from side to side. She managed to grab the bar holding the compass in place, and carefully climbed to her feet. The sky was full of clouds rushing away overhead, and it was very much colder. She glanced at the compass and saw that she was headed almost due north. ‘Good heavens,’ she thought. ‘At this rate I’ll end up somewhere in the Northwest Territories!’

"A Balloon Adventure" Part 2 by Llola Lane

"A Balloon Adventure" Part 2 by Llola Lane

We rose slowly at first then gained more height as we lifted over the other balloons. We paid for a half hour flight. Just long enough to grab some great pictures. Abbe was interested in all the balloons, where as I was more interested in the pilot, Nick. We chatted the whole half hour and I made sure I even got a few pictures in my camera. It didn't matter... Abbe and I always shared our pictures anyway. She took one of me and Nick, and he took a few of us two girls. He made us promise to send him copies and gave us his e-mail address after he landed the balloon. We were safe on the ground and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Muddy Elaina - by Maria Decosta

My name, is Maria Andres. This is a name that I have chosen for myself, not the one that was chosen for me at my birth. The day I was born my name was chosen by tradition. Being the first born in my fathers new family I was to be named after him, as he was after his father. It was a proud name, one born by kings and conquerors, poets and presidents. I did my best to live up to and honor it, which for the most part I succeeded, but as the years turned to decades, and the miles stretched to leagues, I was to discover it was not who I truly was.

Runaway Balloon – part 1 - Lillian Morpork

“Oh, Noooooooo!” Margadele screamed. “Help, John, Dave, grab the ropes!”

Even as she shouted, the ground was rapidly growing farther away. She could see them, alerted by her shouts, running to grab the ropes, while Marybeth jumped up and down and shouted “Hurry, hurry, it’s getting away!” But it was all to no avail. When Mike and Will were arguing, it had accelerated into a physical battle, and they let go of the ropes. As soon as they did, the balloon gave a jump and was on its way, soaring upward, with Margadele as sole passenger .A very unhappy one.

"A Balloon Adventure" Part 1 by Llola Lane

"A Balloon Adventure" Part 1 by Llola Lane

"Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon," he asked?

Lavender Morning - by Sven Pertelson

The scent of the lavender fields below rose in the morning air to surround the basket of the hot air balloon as it floated silently above the Provence countryside. The colours of the fields, the sky and the balloon itself were overpowering his senses. This he must remember so he could paint it.