Bloons!
They made a Guinness Record attempt today: most balloons across the Channel, from Dover to France. I had heard they were going to try for 100, but the article says 82 definitely made it. The previous record was 49, so this should be no problem.
Except – they forgot to notify Guinness.
Eh. I’m sure they’ll let them make the application retroactively. They have plenty of photographic evidence.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
Posted: April 7th, 2017 under britain, personal.
Comments: 10
Comments
Comment from Steve Skubinna
Time: April 7, 2017, 8:39 pm
Just saw a video of a guy named Colin Furze (apparently his real job is a plumber) building a motorized bumper car for The Stig (from Top Gear).
He did get a Guinness Record. Presented by an extremely cute Guinness verifier.
Ah, here we are:
Comment from Skandia Recluse
Time: April 7, 2017, 9:06 pm
One Hundred balloons launched and eighty-two made it across?
So, doing the math, carry the one, 18 had to turn back, ran out of gas, or ended up in Norway?
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: April 7, 2017, 9:12 pm
@Skandia Recluse – She doesn’t say that 100 actually launched, just that they were going to “try for 100.”
If these bloonies are anything like the ones I’ve known, they may well have got confused and broke into the celebratory bubbly before the flight rather than after and then had trouble finding the on/off switch so had a nap instead.
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: April 7, 2017, 9:13 pm
I suspect they didn’t start with 100 and my informer was misinformed.
Comment from durnedyankee
Time: April 8, 2017, 12:50 am
Was Winnie the Pooh attached to one disguised as a rain cloud?
Comment from BJM
Time: April 8, 2017, 3:17 am
Brit actor Tim Pigott-Smith has died, anyone pick him for DP 96?
Comment from NancyB
Time: April 8, 2017, 12:02 pm
Scandia, I don’t believe balloons can turn back. They are carried by the wind.
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: April 8, 2017, 4:27 pm
@NancyB – Balloons are indeed at the mercy of the wind, but the wind frequently blows in different directions a different altitudes, sometimes even in opposite directions (but you can’t count on that). The “winds aloft” report and forecast are important to all aviation, but especially for ballooning.
Comment from durnedyankee
Time: April 8, 2017, 9:10 pm
Napoleon’s “Balloon expert” told him invading England via balloon wouldn’t work because of the winds.
I can think of lots of other reasons why it wouldn’t have worked, but I haven’t conquered all of Europe yet so I’ll just keep them to myself.
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