There was something truly phiz-whizzing about our Great Missenden flight on Roald Dahl Day, as a collection of the storyteller’s best works joined our passengers for their sky-high adventure on a Buckinghamshire hot air balloon ride.
From The BFG to Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to James and the Giant Peach, those flying in our big red balloon from the world-famous author’s home village were each given one of his books by our pilot and his crew.
The (novel) gifts were Virgin Balloon Flights' way of marking what would have been Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday.
“Knowing we were flying from Great Missenden on Roald Dahl Day, and especially as this year is also the 100th anniversary of his birthday, we had to do something to mark the occasion,” said our pilot Spencer.
“So we thought what better way to celebrate the world’s greatest children’s author than by giving copies of some of his best-loved books to our passengers on the day.
“It was a really wonderful flight that evening and being able to read some of those brilliant books at 2,000 feet just made it even more special.”
Roald Dahl Day is celebrated worldwide on the author’s birthday, September 13th, and this year’s event was extra special as 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The award-winning Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is in the centre of Great Missenden and only about a 10-minute walk (or a two-minute drive) from our launch site. The centre is a must-visit and hosts many storytelling sessions and talks to celebrate the famous author who lived and wrote in the village for 36 years. There are also plenty of activities on offer for children, including 'Chiddlers' Hour' with songs, play and crafts for little ones aged 0 - 3.
Roald Dahl Day Balloon Flight
In the words of the Old Green Grasshopper from James and The Giant Peach: “There are a whole lot of things in this world of ours that you haven’t started wondering about yet.”
Our hot air balloon flies from The Black Horse Pub in Great Missenden, halfway between High Wycombe and Aylesbury.
Known by many as ‘the ballooning pub’, it has been home to hot air balloons of various shapes and sizes for 40 years and even has its own balloon club, making it the perfect place to go up, up and away on a Buckinghamshire hot air balloon ride.
To book your own Great Missenden hot air balloon ride and enjoy the landscapes that surrounded Roald Dahl as he wrote from a unique perspective, visit our website or call us on 01952 212750.
We also fly from nearby Aylesbury - where you can also catch a glimpse of the famous village as you go up, up and away over the Buckinghamshire countryside.