Bizarre sight in Swansea
I recently come back from trailing around with the family one rare clear evening (as it constantly pisses it down in Swansea, we'll never get a hosepipe ban) and as we were getting out of the car to go back into our home I noticed something odd floating above our house.

Someone had chosen during the sunset to release their very own minature hot air balloon, which consisted of what looked like a small bag with an oil lamp glowing under it. It casually floated past the roof of our house and started to grandually pick up altitude and slight speed as it glided casually through the orange and dusking sky.

Considering this part of Swansea normally only has cars on fire, this was a sight to behold.
( Jeccius Steam Borderlands 2 junkie, Sun 8 Aug 2010, 17:45, 10 replies)

That'll be one of those Chinese lanterns
First one I saw, thought it was a UFO!
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sun 8 Aug 2010, 18:05, closed)

Yup
I'll agree they look amazing, individually or en masse.

Only snag is, it's essentially littering in an aesthetic manner.

The typical mass-produced, low-cost, UK sold chinese lantern is paper and metal wire. The paper isn't that big a deal on it's own, but the metal wire lasts and lasts; potentially harming wildlife at land or sea depending on where it lands.

Then there's the other complications: The fire risk (modest but real), and the hazard to aerial navigation.
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Sun 8 Aug 2010, 18:40, closed)

I think you can get
less awfully dangerous ones. But I suspect they still have issues
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Mon 9 Aug 2010, 19:42, closed)

absolutely correct
I should have explained more clearly.

Yes, you can get ones which are meant to be 'better', in that they theoretically avoid *some* of the problems; but even if you choose a metal-free construction (and I think most people, if given the choice, won't select a more expensive option for something 'disposable'); all designs still suffer inherent problems.

Additionally; something I missed last time: Near open water, any type can also cause false alarms for Search & Rescue, due to their (perceived) resemblance to distress flares. Not directly lethal; but sooner or later one of finite crews could be out chasing false alarms with good intent, and won't be able to respond in time to a real emergency happening elsewhere.

This BBC report elaborates on the general topic: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8490524.stm

As an aside; I wonder if they'd still look allright if somehow tethered? Sort of a "night kite". That way, when they burn out they'd sink back down for easy cleanup. Snag is, you'd need a seriously huge garden, NO overhead lines or trees nearby, dedicated 'fire watch', and a lightning risk of 0% for starters.
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Tue 10 Aug 2010, 8:23, closed)

Townhill?
Penlan?
( Claws of Doom I am no longer infected, Sun 8 Aug 2010, 18:29, closed)

Right the first time :D

( Jeccius Steam Borderlands 2 junkie, Sun 8 Aug 2010, 18:32, closed)

haha
that was my guess, too - I used to work up there
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Mon 9 Aug 2010, 19:41, closed)

That was probably us if you were in Morriston! We've set loads off!
(cockneyjack, Sun 8 Aug 2010, 19:39, closed)

You littering bastards ;p

( Jeccius Steam Borderlands 2 junkie, Sun 8 Aug 2010, 23:36, closed)

Huh
I was just there this weekend, didn't see any Chinese Lanterns in Swansea but I did see a fuckload of them over the Gower Peninsula
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Mon 9 Aug 2010, 9:22, closed)