My first flight (29th September 2001)
On September 29th 2001, the three of us, made our first flight. We were supposed to fly the Tweety-balloon of Future Fun Ballooning. But due to illness we went with the Renser Lemon.
It was all a big surprise for me. We went for a walk in the woods, and suddenly their care was standing there. My parents had taken their camera with them and had hidden it in our car. Now I understood why our dog wasn’t allowed with us to the woods. We couldn’t leave her in the car all the time we were flying!
We ascended from Groot-Engelenburg in our hometown, and landed in Wesepe. It was a very long flight, and we were able to see and hear a lot!! My dad kept on lifting me up a bit, so I could see over the basket. I was just 7 yrs old, and a bit too small for the basket. After our flight our pilot gave me the name Jacco, Knight of Brummen to Wesepe. And my parents became Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Brummen to Wesepe.
  
Helping with my dad. You can look really far! My first flight certificate.
Afterwards we had a birthday party. I could not stop talking about our flight. Our neighbour made digital pictures, so we could show those to prove we really made a flight.
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And of course we wanted more. It would take some time though. Take a look at the following stories.
The 2nd: Ballonnen boven Oeken 2003 (May 25th 2003)
In 2003 I went up in to the sky during Ballonnen boven Oeken. I went with the clown from Aerostat Rotterdam. This was my first time during a Fiesta. It was really cool. Alas I couldn’t make that many pictures. The batteries fell out of my camera. But my fellow-passengers made so many, and they gave me some. We landed in Vierakker, not that far from Oeken, but that was okay.
  
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The 3rd: Waddinxveen (May 30th 2003)
A few days later I was allowed to step in to the basket of the other clown from Aerostat. This time I was prepared. And I made very beautiful pictures of balloons hanging underneath us. Really very cool.
This picture shows the Calimero from Belgium.
You can see how narrow the fields are down on the ground. Hard to find a place to land this way.
The 4th: Ballonnen boven Oeken 2004 (May 15th 2004)
This year I went again, on May 15th during Ballonnen boven Oeken. This time 5 hot air balloons were supposed to start from our football field. But the wind was too strong, and the smallest one stayed on the ground.
   
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The 5th: Above Doetinchem
On Sunday the 6th of June 2004, Marjolein allowed me to step in with the BDO balloon (PH-BAF). We ascended from the Bleek near Doetinchem.
I made these pictures. My parents stayed behind. My dad had to work, otherwise he stepped in also. My mom had to follow us. I was supposed to go to bed on time, but that didn’t happen this time of course.
After hanging still above Doetinchem, we finally got some wind. One advantage of hanging there was that I finally made pictured out of the sky from the Stadium of the Graafschap (a soccer team in Doetinchem). Now I saw the stadium from above, and not from the stands.
Together with the PH-KUS and the PH-LUK we were drifting to Varsseveld. Marjolein almost hit the fence of the field, but my mom and Maurice helped her over it. A bit of pushing and shuffling and we were there.
As I stepped out of the basket, I really had to piddle. As I walked to the other side of the field, I noticed a little balloon with a card on it. I took it to my mom and she saw it came from Moordrecht (near Rotterdam). That is a coincidence, the clowns I made my flight with, also came from Moordrecht.
Here I am sitting on the basket, Marjolein is already taking everything down from the basket. Now I can send the little card, and this picture to the woman who’s name was on the card. I wonder whether she will take a look at my site.
We landed in Halle-Nijman, very close to Doetinchem. Short flight, but we have seen a lot.
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The 6th: Spankse Luchte Vaart
This flight was really a big surprise. We came to take a look, and meet Adrie Spierenburg from A3 Balloon. He organised this Fiesta.
At first we were allowed to step onto the field with Adrie. He gave me a Keycord with crew card. After that I stepped on  his quad. As you can see on this picture. Make speed, turn and use the breaks, he said. Speeding from balloon to balloon, but not to fast. You might fall off.
That was really very cool.
Adrie told me to climb into the basket, and entertain the crowd. They were sitting here since 14.30, so they had to be shown something. Otherwise they might go back home.
I was allowed to use the burners together with Adrie.
After that, all the other teams came on to the field. Some of them were a bit late; the roads were filled with people wanting to see this Fiesta. The police later tried to make the people to drive on.
In the meantime I was trying to find something for my collection. Most of the balloons were Adries, and he had already sent me a whole lot. But the people from Virgin gave me a beautiful glass and stickers for my collection.
The best was yet to come. I was allowed to make another flight. I could even choose the balloon! The PH-NGN would take parachutists, so I chose this one. I really wanted to see how this would be. I was sorry for my dad; the basket was to full, so he couldn’t join me. Maybe another time then.
I didn’t bring a camera, so the other passengers made some for me too. Amongst them was Bennie Bos, well known for his ballooning pictures on www.hotair.nl.
Following some pictures of Hermien van Son, also a passenger on this wonderful flight.
 
 
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My 7th and 8th: Verden (near Bremen Germany)
We were already in Germany, so we decided to take a look. Verden is near Bremen, and our cousin lives close by. So we could stay at his place.
Hans and Gaby from the Neukauf-Edeka-balloon told us, that this was a nice little fiesta with about 17 hot air balloons. We didn’t see that many German balloons before, so we took the chance to take their pictures.
On Friday 3rd September we took our first look. Hans was eating a sandwich and Gaby was briefing her passengers. Werner (from the Schoeder factory) was here also. My dad already went to him, and my mom and I tried to find something for my collection. My German is not that well, so my mom hat to ask everyone. We got a lot of stickers, and some pins. Flight certificates were not given, I am sorry to say.
As Werner saw us coming, he shouted: Now I have my passengers!! I was really surprised. But passengers meant more than one. My dad could also fly with us. Fantastic!!! Finally he also could make pictures from above. Even my mom never saw balloons from above during flight. And she is a pilot under training.
For him it was his second, for me my seventh flight. The weather was beautiful, so the pictures were wonderful too.
Here the two of us ascended with Werner Wäschenbach, our pilot. In the corner you can just see the Kellogs balloon. He was playing the fox, which means: he starts first, lands first and makes a cross on the ground. Every pilot has his own banner, and they have to try to throw it as closest to the cross. The one closest wins of course.
Werner did very well, considering you can’t steer with a hot air balloon.
 Following are more pictures of our flight together. My dad and I made them. My mom had to follow us in our own car. The crew filled up the car of the balloon itself.
First they got the wrong directions, but than they found their way back to us. Finally they could help us, drag the basket into the field the Teapot had already landed.
Here the Provinzial Balloon is hanging underneath us. A very beautiful green hot air balloon with small wings. A wonderful sight above all these red roofs of the old houses in Verden. Very nice to walk around in this little city.
The fox has already landed. The Deutsche Post-balloon gets closest, so they win this time.
My dad and I made some very nice pictures along the way. To many to show here. We have chosen some to show you, and hopefully you will find them nice too.
 This one shows how much I enjoy the flights. If you take a closer look, you can also see my father in my sunglasses. A very special picture, we think.
These glasses were really necessary as you can see on this picture. The sun was very bright that day. But that way we could make some pretty good pictures.
This one I made myself. Pretty good, even if say so myself.
Hanging over the river Aller, we could also make some pictures of the reflection of hot air balloons in the water. They change their forms in the water. Try and find out which one this is. Even my mom had to look twice. She almost didn’t recognize it.
In case you don’t, it is the teapot.
The second day, the balloons would start from a little airfield near Verden, Scharnhorst. It was very hot that day, and there was almost no shadow to be found.
This time I was allowed to climb in again. This was my eighth flight. Really very cool. Now I had to make some pictures by my self, and my parents from down below. We left the airfield, but Werner thought there was another balloon above us. So we stayed very close to the ground.
 As you can see in this picture. With our D-OOFB, a demonstrator from the factory, we just pass the fence. The gentleman standing behind it has to duck so we won’t hit him.
As I already explained, this day there was also a foxhunt. But today he went to the ground after about 10 minutes already. So the other pilots where not very happy about that. They didn’t all have the best shot to throw their banner. Werner refused to tell us about his distance, his throw was that far off.
A nice bunch of balloons above the field were the fox lies on the ground. Unfortunately, we were on the other side of the trees, and nowhere near the fox. Someone even tried to pick up our banner, so Werner hat to shout to them to leave it alone.
My mom later told me, that not everyone on the ground knew what they were doing. These balloons were hanging so close to the ground, and throwing things. What on earth were they doing? My mom explained it to some of them, and that made it clear.
The landing was close to the field they started on the day before. My parents were there first, so they could help collecting the balloon and his basket from the field. Yet another beautiful flight has come to an end.
On Sunday we had to get out of bed real early. There was a morning flight planned. Early in the morning we drove to the airfield. No one there yet. We went to Verden, and spotted some balloon trailers on their way to the airfield. We went after them. Again we helped Werner to prepare his hot air balloon. Today he would have the Mayor and his wife as passengers.
Besides, Werner Wäschenbach has won the LBS-Trophy. He had thrown his banners overall closest to the Fox. The challenge-cup is standing at his home now.
Congratulations Werner. Very well done!!!!
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The 9th:
Ballonnen boven Oeken 2005
 First came the members of the Old Balloon Collectors (from Luxemburg, Belgium and Holland) on the field. They had just picked up 3 old balloons from A3 in Harfsen. No better time to show them up here in Oeken. For my this was a big surprise, I knew they were coming, but not with these three new old balloons!
 They started with the biggest one, everyone was able to look at them from up close. Normally you are not able to get this close to a hot air balloon, only when you have a flight yourself. And from the inside you can't even then. Lots of people took the oppurtunity to take that peak inside. Many asked a lot of questions to the Old Balloon Collectors. Answers were given with big enthousiasm. In the meantime lots of tickets were sold, you could win a balloon ride with them, at the same evening you are able to go up!
When this one was packed, they made room for the 5 hot air balloons which would go up in the sky this evening. The teams of Future Fun Ballooning and Marberts Ballonvaarten choose their spot on the field.
All 23 passengers were getting ready for the flight. Among them the winner of the lottery, Willy Trap and myself.
 First we had to help getting the balloon ready to start. Here I am standing with the crown line among the public. Others had already helped getting the basket out of the trailer and getting the balloon ready. The balloons started to get filled with cold air, and after the burners were lit, the cold air was warmed up, so the balloons went up right. 
 As they all went up, the next old balloon was inflated. This time even set upright. The public could get in the basket. Some kids came in first, big smile!! But as the burners were lit, that changed, they got startled. I did not see that much of this, I went up in this balloon, the Beemsterkaas, a very beautiful bleu balloon.
Another balloon was set up right, and the public was again allowed to take a closer look. As this one was deflated and put in the bag, the first passengers came back.
We all had a flight that lasted about an hour, and landed near Gorssel. We all were close together, two of the balloons even landed in the same pasture.  We could make very wonderful pictures of course.
My balloon even made a splash and dash in the water.
Another great flight, up to the next one!
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The 10th:
Harfsen June 28th 2005
A little while ago, I had asked Bas Spierenburg to interview him for my Balloonatic. So I called to make an appointment, but he was just ready to make a flight from Rijssen. But ... there was one lifting of at his homebase, the PH-ZVN. I didn't have any pictures yet of this new balloon, so we went there and would meet Bas later. He wanted to try and land at home.
As we got there, we talked to Adrie Spierenburg and his wife Hanneke. This evening the pilot of the PH-ZVN was Gerty Dommerholt and Cor would be his crew. Adrie asked Gerty wheather he had a place left for me. I am not that heavy, so Gerty said yes of course.
Of to the briefing then. Gerty tells all the  passengers how to behave in the basket during the flight, but more importantly after the landing! Don't get off before he tells you, otherwise we might go on without you!
On the launching field I always try to help. The wind was strong, so no crown line for me this time. Just get on board of the basket, and go.
The man above me, went for his first time. I think he liked it a lot!
To me this was my 10th time, but it is nice everytime. You keep seeing something different, the pilot tells different stories and the balloon is different.
 This one has very bright colours, it is a new one, so still clean!
Now we are ready. Gerty releases his quick-release and of we go.
Here are some very nice pictures:
 
   
This is the landing, photographed by my mom.
The families name was Tuitert and their farm was called De Ehzerman.
After deflating the balloon, and putting everything back into the trailer, we went back to Harfsen. There we got our certificate and a glass of champagne.
And even if this was my 10th, I had a lot of fun. Thanks a lot you people from A3. Really cool!!!
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The 11th:
Veenendaal July 23rd 2005
On Saturday my mom had here painted roofingtile ready for crewmember Cor of A3 Ballon. So as she called to make an appointment we could come right away. No problem!
 Cor was very happy with his roofingtile, and I was  even more happy!! Adrie had a place in one of his baskets that evening, would I like to step in to the basket with Bas from Veenendaal. Well, we had to go home fast, to pick up our camera and go.
After a little search for the launching place we saw Bas, and so he saw us too. The other passengers were allready helping to get Bas started, so I had time to make nice pictures of this new PH–MEE.
Adrie had asked us to get some action photos of Bas, here they are. Together with his crew John, he is busy untangling the lines inside the balloon.
  2 Passengers are holding the mouth, so Bas can take a look inside the balloon. Then he goes around the balloon to help John with the chute.
These new tapes work very well, older ones tend to go loose again, not these new tapes!
 Then Bas calls my mom, and says another spot is free. But she says my dad has to get in with me. Here is is with me in the basket with the light shirt on. Great, his 3rd flight, and my 11th was about to start. 
We just had 7 knots so John and my mom had time to get the ventilator into the car and even help the other pilots of the 4 other balloons, before getting ready to follow us. Bas told them over the radio that we were heading for Renkum. So as they were ready, they went on their way.
We were already close to Renkum, and could make great pictures from the wonderful houses in the woods. Almost all of them had swimmingpools!!
And Bas? He did very well, he is a bit smaller then other pilots, so as one of the cilinders went empty, he sat on that one. So he could handle the burners better.
Here more photos of the things we saw down below.
   
In the meantime crewmember John and the others found us again near the river Rijn. Bas landed in the pasture just in front of the Rijn, a calm landing.
As you can see on the next pictures Bas and I are still standing in the basket. They others 'carried' him to the trailer in the corner. Bas kept the balloon hot, and by using his burner, they had to lift it a bit and push it towards the trailer.
   
   
After all this work came the most important thing. We got baptised again
 
In the meantime another balloon, the PH-EDE came along. He landed on the other side of the Rijn, not that nice for his crew. They had to go all the way to Arnhem! The ferry was not going, and it was just a bike ferry so no cars!!! That happens, but not funny!!
Well Bas Spierenburg, thanks a lot for this flight. After you interview for Balloonatic you promised me one, but this was earlier than I hoped for. Great!!!
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The 12th:
A morningflight from Harfsen to Epe (September 16th 2006)
I did not know about anything, as I stepped in the balloonbar of A3 in Harfsen. I thought I would be watching at a morningflight ... but as we came in, my mom said: Well guys, just check in! You will be fliying along. Huh I said, but I heard right. Together with my dad I would be going on a morningflight. Yeah, my first morningflight!
We got our briefing, about what to do or don't in the basket. And we went to the basket of the balloons. There where 2 of them. Bas was flying the PH-LZN with 18 passengers. And Gertie took the PH-NGN, also 18 passengers. Two of them were my dad and I.
  
All ready? Find a place in the basket, and there we go!
  
A morningflight is perfect! I loved it. We flew above Deventer, where my aunt and uncle live, close to the Scheg. A sportsbuilding where you can swim, skate and stuff. See the blew roof.
  
We landed in Epe, the farmer had just injected manure, so we all smelled a bit on our way home. And of course the balloon was covered in it.
 
We all helped to get the balloon back in to its bag. Gertie signs of my logbook, every flight is in it. Nice to read it later on.
More pictures on this link : Harfsen-Epe.
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The 13th:
Balloons above Oeken June 2nd 2007
The last flight was a surprise. This 13th one (definitely not an unlucky number) was planned. I knew this balloon would come to Oeken for a long time, but was not allowed to say anything about it. Nor was I allowed to tell I would be flying with it. This balloon was sponsored by our soccer club vv Oeken, and by eMVee Ballooning (my parents). So I was allowed to go up in it, together with an old teammate of mine. So I really enjoyed my self in the basket with Paul van Vught and pilot Bert ter Horst.
The Kinno is ready to be filled with cold air.
First the other balloons went up. Together with the brand new one from Silverstar Ballooning we stayed behind on the field.
  
The crew is working very hard, but we were like VIPs, we did not have to do anything at all. Just wait till it was time to get in!
 
Here we are stepping in to the basket and wait for the sign to go. We went up like a rocket, that fast.
The flight has started, mine 13th time. But for Paul it was the very first time to get into the basket.
Bert ter Horst explained everything very well, so Paul knew what to expect.
He enjoyed his flight and the view, he even made a lot of pictures.
Here are a few.
  
  
After about an hour, we landed near Duiven.
Paul had his traditional baptism with champagne. His brother Luuk stood there laughing a lot.
 As we returned to vv Oeken, we all got our special flight certificate.
During a drink and something to eat we all talked about the flight.
As Paul saw my movie (link at Fiestas 2007) he had to laugh a lot!
Bert thanks for this great flight!
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My 14th:
Gemerts Ballonfestijn June 22nd 2007
On our way to Gemert. The wheather wasn't that good. but a call to organizer Paschal told us that it was turning for the better. So we went there. Helping at Marberts Balloonteam, always great to do. My dad walked away to have a smoke, but Hannie asked us where he was. My mom called his handy to tell him to get over here. But he was standing next to loud music, go get him she said. And report to Bert.
There he was, and we went to Bert ter Horst. He had 3 places left in his basket, and asked us if we would like to join him for a flight. Sure we want to! So stay around and help as much as you can.
  
We went up as the last balloon, great to see all the other flying already. And look at the model balloons, they look small!
 
Here some more pictures of the flight. Cross the roundabout and just a little bit further. Join Kinno on the ground, down there.
  
 
This was about the route we flew this time.
 
Thanks a lot to Bert and Hannie ter Horst for this 14th flight for me!
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My 15th:
Morning flight from Harfsen (July 22nd 2007)
To start with a new concept about cooking in the balloon, this morning 4 balloons of A3 Ballon where taking of for a flight here.  My mom was crew, so we went along to help. This we wanted to see up close. So we got up very early, to be at the start at about 6.00 o'clock in the morning.
As we were drinking a cup of coffee to wake up, Karin Haven gave me a blew wristband. I was allowed to step in with Peter Kelder with his PH-NLV, where my mom had to crew!
My memory card was empty, so enough room to get nice pictures. Unfortunately I was not standing in the basket with the food, but the flight was great even without that!
I am ready for the flight, and the balloon almost!
Have a look at all the very nice pictures below. The ones from the balloon are mine, the others from my parents.
  
Pilot Peter checks the balloon from the inside. No cables twisted or anything. He heats the balloon with the burners. The other balloons are waiting patiently to be filled up. The sun is getting ready to climb the sky. And then we take of, ready for my 15th flight!
  
Slowly, very slowly we take of. Gertie Dommerholts basket is the last to get ready. Here the cooking will take place!
The bread is ready to be carved to eat.
The sun is just getting through the clouds, and the mist is still on the ground.
The PH-VIP with pilot Marijn Ufkes, had left as first balloon, so you can see him on the left, that small black dot.
  
From the basket you can take great pictures down below! The reflection in the water, or on the ground.
  
Near Rijssen, in Notter to be exact, Peter landed the balloon. Together we lifted the basket on the trailer, the hardest work was done, they thought!
  
All help makes smaller works.
  
After getting the balloon back in to the bag, we went back to Harfsen. There we were baptized on the spot we started a few hours before. We also got our certificate. Now I am Jonkheer van Harfsen tot Notter, that is my Dutch title now.
 
I would like to thank all the people of A3 Ballon in Harfsen for this great flight.
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16th Nieuwegein-Reijerscop (September 13th 2007)
No pictures of this flight. My mom had to crew from Nieuwegein, and the pilot allowed me to step in. So no camera. We landed in Reijerscop, not really that far, but very nice!
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17th Zwolle-Luttenberg (September 30th 2007)
No pictures of this one either! My batteries were down. Better luck next time.
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