Joan’s Ambition To Fly High Becomes Reality At The Age Of 103

CENTENARIAN Joan Mackay realised a lifetime ambition to have her head in the clouds by taking a trip in a giant helium balloon.

Staff at Colten Care’s Court Lodge home in Lymington arranged for Joan to soar 492 feet into the air in the gondola of the Bournemouth Balloon.

The 103-year-old spent a enjoyable 15 minutes above the resort, viewing landmarks up to 20 miles away.

“I loved it,” was Joan’s verdict when she returned to earth in the company of Court Lodge activity organisers Julia Puia and Helen Bennett.

She added: “I enjoyed it very, very much.”

Joan, who was accompanied by her niece and nephew, celebrates her 104th birthday next month. She is the oldest resident at Court Lodge.

Julia said Joan hadn’t stopped talking about the balloon trip.

“Most of us were at best nervous, and in some cases petrified, at going up in the balloon but Joan was as calm as anything.

“She really loved it and said to us after the trip that she would never forget the experience.

“We’re just so pleased that we were able to arrange the balloon trip and that the weather on the day was so good.”

Court Lodge is one of 19 quality care and dementia homes operated by family owned Colten Care in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.