I myself have owned one of these offending blimps, and have had similar experiences. However the most memorable was when it and I parted company.

I was outside in my garage welding together a BBQ wearing a full boiler suit welding mask etc. Inside, I had 2 plumbers who were replacing my central heating system. The blimp (a present off the wife) was tethered to a chair. One 0' clock and all is well.
Unfortunately, one of the plumbers knocked the blimp and it got free of the tether. It then started its bid for freedom. I suddenly heard a shout from one of the plumbers, so I ran around to the back. He just stood there pointing at the blimp disappearing into the sky.
My first instinct was that I had spare blimps, it was the R/C gear underneath that needed to be saved so I needed to bring it down. Thats why (I think) I threw my welding mask at it
The scary part comes next. Not thinking at all, I run upstairs and grab my air rifle to shoot it down, by which time its disappeared from view. So the plumber suggests we go after it in his van.
So picture the scene - this is exactly the same time that Washington is in fear due to the Washington sniper - We are in an unmarked white van, hurtling round the estate at top speed with me in a blue boiler seat holding onto a very large air rifle with hunting scope.
It was only when we stopped to check which way the wind was blowing and saw a bunch of people in a bus shelter looking at us strangely that it dawned on us what we looked like!!!
How we didn't get arrested I don't know.
I never did get my airship back!!!