Nigel Black– Camp Quality Volunteer

I had been an Airline Pilot for more than 20 years when I started learning to fly Hot Air Balloons. One of the reasons why I took up the sport was that it brings me closer to nature; as well as being a lot of fun. There are very few instruments to guide you through the sky and a lot of the navigation is really down to how well you can interpret what nature is doing and use that knowledge to test your skill in getting to where you want to go.

When the Hong Kong Balloon and Airship Club helped Camp Quality in purchasing a Hot Air Balloon I initially didn’t realize what involvement I would be under-taking. It was 1999 and I was mostly interested in flying other hot air balloons at different places around the world. The thought of another "tether" here in Hong Kong usually brought on feelings of unrewarding "work". That is until I saw the joy on the faces of the kids from Camp Quality when I took them up into the air on that Saturday 23rd October 1999 at Pak Tam Chung with the Camp Quality Balloon. It was a most rewarding and wonderful day, not only for the kids, but also for myself.

There are only a few things in life that are free and can give so much in return. That is how I feel when I see the fun and joy on all the faces. It is the same, it brings me closer to nature whilst also realizing how lucky we all are. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the Camp Quality team, even though the ballooning is only once a year, by bringing a little joy to those who are less fortunate than myself.