After the inflation of the hot air ballon the balloon, which stands over 100 feet high is heated a little more and eventually reaches equilibrium where it is hovering on the ground. A few more puffs on the hot air burner and the balloon will gently rise away with a sensation not of rising but of the ground slowly dropping away, so stable is the balloon basket on a balloon ride. Here we are taking off from the Knavesmire as it is popularly know, just a mile south of York city centre.