With a major high pressure system centred over the country for much of the first half of April we have had a flying start to the 2011 balloon flight season in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire with 11 out of 16 of the flights scheduled going ahead. That's way above the average which is about 50% and makes this the best April ever for ballooning in York and Lincolnshire. It just goes to show how topsy turvy our climate is getting. Only a few years ago we got the best weather for balloon rides from mid July onwards through to early October, but over the past three years we have had a good start to the season in the earlier months and then less favourable conditions during the summer months. Of course with so many flights in April there were some stories to tell and the most amusing one was our balloon landing at Thicket Priory ten miles south east of our balloon launch site at the Knavesmire in York.

We landed with another balloon close to the Priory early on a Sunday morning and the nuns not only make everyone welcome but made cups of tea for all the 26 passengers. So delighted were the pilots and passengers at this lovely old fashioned ballooning reception they made a donation from pilots and passengers alike for the priory.

Things have got breezy since Easter with strong Easterly winds affecting most of the country as the high pressure slips away except the far north and Scotland. This gives us lovely sunny days, little or no rain and passengers wondering why we aren't flying. Don't worry things look to be improving after next weekend with some lighter winds amongst some much needed rain for gardens and farmers alike. So don't wait until the summer, if you have got a voucher book early because the weather is as unpredictable as ever.