A unique way of getting to work

As an impractical means of transportation, a hot air balloon flies as the wind blows and can be controlled only by using the wind directions in various altitudes.

Allan Torp and I met the balloon handler, Jan Oechsle, at sunrise. After a quick cup of coffee and preparation of the balloon, we launched in search of winds that could lead us safely to work.

We were lucky – the mild frost mist was lying like a blanket, which maintained a quiet wind on the ground. At 100 m altitude, though, we experienced a significant shift in the wind. Higher up was a third layer driven by the passing high pressure and thus we had good control of our balloon.

Now the challenge was to steer clear of early-morning equestrians out on the fields and high-voltage transmission lines higher up above the fields. After 45 minutes, we arrived at Sandet 6, where we had scoped out the lawn by the parking lot as an appropriate landing ground. However, due to the limited space and the approach from high altitude through shifting layers, we drifted off course. Thus it became a short greeting to our many chirpy colleagues standing below us before we went aloft over the motorway and the high-voltage transmission lines in order to find a safe landing field nearby.

Our landing was quiet and safe on a field a couple of miles from Bjaeverskov, where we were reunited with our dear team leader, Per Elgård, who was on the spot to pick us up.

As a first time balloon flyer, Allan was baptized according to the usual rituals, however – in his own words – he was merely sandbagging.

It was an exciting start to the day and gave us a different perspective on the Cook Denmark offices. For the rest of the day we were hoping for the wind to turn, enabling us to also return home by balloon.

Ballooning over Denmark