Over 50 hot air balloons attempt the largest ever balloon crossing of the English channel - April 2007 (@ Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Over 50 hot air balloons attempt the largest ever balloon crossing of the English channel - April 2007 (@ Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

comments,

• These airborne adventurers should be across the English Channel in no time.""Which Frenchman was the first to complete the journey, way back in 1785?
• This is one of the UK\s most distinctive stretches of coastline.""There\ll be balloons over, the White Cliffs of Dover...
• Travelling in one of these vessels is a lot harder than it looks.""Perhaps we should just stick to looking at them?
• Foolhardy types have used all manner of contraptions to attempt this journey.""Including some famous TV stars - is that thing in top gear?