Wingate Road, 4th February 2010

And finally, the first grounded balloon for months! This yellow was not an easy capture - I spotted it rolling around in front of some garages and stooped to snap, but the waft of a passing car picked it up and tumbled it roadwards. I stalked after it but had lost it, and wandered around curious awhile, sure it hadn't been popped under tyre, when I saw it hiding highlighted by the headlights of a passing car. It was too dark for anything other than to wait for another to illuminate the elusive escape, but happily the road was busy and the subsequent shot straightforward.

Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 30th January 2010

The northenmost balloon to date and the first not snagged for a while, on a day that looks like spring but was bitterly cold. Piccadilly was heaving on this sunny Saturday afternoon, and the crowds and blue sky had an air of balloon about them, so this was almost expected. Still a pleasure though, especially after so many dark ensnared Londoners this winter. Seasons change, then, although the skeletal branches remain.

Monmouth Street, 29th January 2010

Back in central London for the second day in a row, I wandered between parties beneath these, yet more snagged in winter branches. The colours say "St Patrick's Day" but the celebrations have never started that early before. They were snagged outside a lively pub, so I suspect that was their source. I'll be surprised if the sighting's not repeated come 17th March.