Shoreham Canal, 17th July 2010

I received this by phone while I was many miles from Shoreham, which is always a joy. Several people have sent balloons in over the past few years, but this is the first from my mother. She must be very proud.

Charing Cross Road, 11th July 2010

And two more two hours later! This pair must have had a common origin, as they moved together across the teeming northern side of Trafalgar Square, and if more proof were needed, they were both marked with a similar sticker. Their fates differed though. The red rolled on a metre or two and was picked up by a man on a scooter, stopped at the lights. The blue bounced a bit further north, and was popped loudly under the wheels of a Volvo.

River Thames, from Hungerford footbridge, 11th July 2010

The tide must have been racing in, as this yellow was moving west against a pretty stiff breeze blowing the other way. The bridge was crowded and I was far from alone in snapping, but most of the other photographers were shooting downwind, one of the best views in central London. This side has tracks and metalwork and a silty shaded river beneath, which would be unremarkable but for the balloon.

From Holland Park Avenue, from 31 bus, 3rd July 2010

Has it really been five years? Oh yes. An anniversary balloon then, high and getting higher above a hot and sunny Westfield, which didn't exist when the thistle-trapped initiator was casually snapped. Anniversaries are often cause for looking forward as well as back - will there be posts in July 2015? 2020? What would compel me to close this blog? I can't imagine.

Buck Street, from 214 bus, 2nd June 2010

Yes he did kick it. No it didn't pop.

Kingsland Road, 26th June 2010

A rare thing and always a delight, a gifted balloon. The whole car-stopping escapade a couple of weeks before had clearly piqued her interest. This was rolling down a road out east, where she was attending a friend's wedding. By her own admission she felt a bit daft snapping what is to most people a pretty drab and unremarkable urban scene, but I'm very glad she did.