Goodyear Blimp Experience

Ted’s official blimp photo

“This may sound a bit random,” came the email, “But someone in the team at Goodyear really likes your blog and we’d like to offer you a ride on the blimp.”

Random? Just a bit, although frankly amongst the type of emails I get these days, it’s not that weird.

Personally, having a few too many memories of documentaries about the Hindenburg and James Bond villains being thrown out of them, I might have walked away from an airship ride without much thought. Even if they are filled with helium rather than dangerous hydrogen these days.

The Goodyear Blimp is back in Europe for the first time in twelve years as part of a Goodyear Tyres promotional campaign about improving European road safety for family driving. It will tour the skies in 20 European countries during 2011 to highlight the Goodyear brand at various consumer based activities and events.

Blimp rides are strictly on an invite only basis, so this wasn’t the kind of gig to turn down.

Besides, my father would have never forgiven me. My husband was gutted to miss out, he already had time booked off the next day for our trip to Paris and couldn’t add more.

So Ted, myself and my father went off to an Essex airfield for this unique experience.

Reassuringly, the “we like your blog” bit was genuine today. Anna, one of the Goodyear staff I met, is a big fan of baking blogs – hence her inviting myself and Ruth from The Pink Whisk.

Getting in and out of the blimp is a bit awkward – it’s one in, one out to balance the weight and stop it taking off! The cabin holds just 3 passengers and the pilot.

You can watch our adventure and find out what it’s like riding on the Goodyear blimp in this 3 minute movie taken using my iPhone.

Ted was quiet throughout his blimp ride, we were not even sure if he was particularly enjoying it.

As soon as we got off though, he was in floods of tears saying repeatedly, “I want another go!”

With thanks to Goodyear Blimp.