Grand Union Canal, from Great Western Road, 23rd September 2008

This sorry purple pair represents the first balloon shot I've taken in London for a while, although there had been several sightings in that time. My fumbled attempts to capture those had failed as either I was swept away by my bus, or the balloons were swept away by the wind. There was no risk of that for these two, becalmed in the idle, turbid canal on a grey day.

Fade Street, Dublin, 28th August 2008

I wasn't planning on being in Dublin this night, but plans have never been my strong point. A happy accident, then - a decent meal, a good bunch at a cool bar, and from its window a languid, rolling white balloon. It didn't last long, of course - by the time we left it was a loose and tattered shred.

Around Farringdon, late August 2008

And the second... whoever's taking these has admirable powers of observation (to say nothing of his/her better eye for a photo). Given the archly potted plants on this windowsill I wonder if the balloon here is a deliberate feature. If not, maybe the owners should consider it as a permanent option, as it contrasts that spiky green foliage nicely...

Around Angel, late August 2008

And another from the bananaman/woman, the first of two in one email - cheers! Oddly I'd just snapped two stray skins and sent them the other way, which although blurred and dim at least assuaged my faint guilt about my previous lack of response.