Hot Air Ballooning

There were a couple of comments yesterday about going up in an hot air balloon, so I thought I might write about my one and only experience in doing so.

Me in the Basket

In 1996  my daughter and I helped out as volunteers at the local Balloon Festival.  We were detailed to be with the crew for a balloon from Japan, and as a result we were given the opportunity to go up in the balloon.

My trip was a very short one as we hardly rose up before coming back down to land.  There was some reason about winds or something, but I no longer remember the exact cause.

Inflating the balloon with helium

The two things I remember most were the absolute silence, except when the gas was released, and the gaps in the floor of the balloon’s basket.

The silence was incredible.  I think we often don’t realise how noisy our world is – even when we say it is quiet, there is still noise of wind or birds or insects around us (the sounds of silence!). 

Not being a great lover of heights, being able to see the ground between the gaps in the floor of the basket was rather unnerving to say the least.  I could look out from the basket as long as I held onto the edge – a false sense of security as I knew there was nothing to stop me from falling.

Mass ascension beside Hamilton Lake

When the balloon made a ‘proper’ flight, we would chase it in the van.  Once a safe location was found and the balloon had landed, we would arrive and help to pack everything up again.

Masahiko, our pilot, maneuvered the balloon into the trailer prior to deflating it 

Crewing for a hot-air balloon was hard work but a lot of fun.  Not something I could do now though!

Have you had any experiences with hot-air balloons?

Cheers,

Margaret.

A Normal Day

Today, for a change, the wind has dropped and the sun is shining.  We still have a very high haze over the sky (probably from bushfire smoke) but it is giving way to the odd cloud and the temperature is definitely summer (we are expecting to reach 27 degrees Celsius later today).

When I pulled my curtains this morning the first thing I saw was Mittens sitting on a post by the compost heap, no doubt watching for some breakfast mice.  Or she may have been watching the cows in the field behind us as they have a habit of coming over to the fence to look longingly at the green grass in our lawn (the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!).

Mittens

Soon after I heard the whoosh of a hot air balloon, and the Hamilton Balloon sailed over top of us and out over the river and the other side of the city. 

Our local commercial hot air balloon

I have now finished re-organizing the pantry and feel happy with it.  Whenever I changed things around my husband always used to grizzle that he couldn’t find anything, and I guess son and grand-daughter will be the same for a couple of weeks now until they get it sorted out. 

Next week I want to start on the cupboards.  We have doubled up on some of our appliances and other bits and pieces, so it is time to get them sorted.

The best pantry I have ever had was one we built in 2006 when we redid our kitchen.  I really missed that pantry when we sold the house.

My dream pantry (2006)

I have finished reading another book.  This time it was Watership Down by Richard Adams.  I have seen the movie a few times, but this was the first time I have read the book. 

Even though it is a fictional tale, the details of how rabbits live and behave appeared well researched and added immensely to the story.  It was quite gripping in places!

'Watership Down' by Richard Adams

My son loves his books and reads widely.  He has been suggesting all sorts of genres that I might like to try, but I think I will stick to more classic stories for this year at least.  

With that in mind, I have drawn up a reading list of possible books.  Some are old favourites, some I read as a teenager, and some will be completely new to me.  There will be no Charles Dickens on my list though, as through the years I have read (or tried to read!) a lot of his books and didn’t like any of them!

Lunch is over (a cheese and salad sandwich), the dishes are done, the house is quiet, I’ve spoken to my younger son on the phone, and emailed with my daughter.  

Cheese and Salad sandwich for lunch

Now it’s time to get another glass of water and sit in my comfy armchair and start another book – Children Of The New Forest this time.

Hope everyone has a great weekend,

Margaret.


Linked to My Corner Of The World

Balloons And Other Things

It has been a funny old day today.  I think probably because I never slept well last night and so have been feeling tired all day.  The world around me seems to be going in slow-motion and I don’t feel that connected to it.  Early to bed tonight, me thinks!

The day began with a hot air balloon.  The neighbour’s small dog began barking continuously and then I heard the swoosh noise of the burners of the balloon.  Shot outside to have a peek and the balloon was right above the house, and very low.  I called out a good morning to the people in the basket, and received back an order for bacon-and-eggs-please for breakfast!

Balloons don’t normally fly over houses this low and it appeared like the operator was trying but not succeeding in getting it to go higher, so it was no surprise to us that it landed a couple of streets away.  There is a paddock there, which would have made a safe landing place.  It never rose again, but was eventually deflated and then presumably packed into its trailer and taken away.

Hot Air Ballooning over Hamilton in 1996

I had some urgent shopping that needed doing, so after breakfast it was into the car and off to the shops early in the hope of beating the crowds.  I succeeded to a certain extent, as I was able to find carparking where I needed it, but by the time I left at 10am the carpark was almost full to capacity.

Back home was very quiet, as son was sleeping after working all night.  I sat and completed a couple of pixel puzzles with my cup of tea, and Millie the Fluffy Cat came rubbing around my ankles.  I think she thought I should feed her, but I didn’t.  She got caught out in the rain yesterday (or perhaps she was in it on purpose) and so today her fur is all clean and shiny.  Her winter coat has gone and she looks quite pretty with her soft silky hair and fluffy tail.

I have a steak for dinner tonight, so am looking forward to that.  Just have to decide whether to have salad or steamed vegetables with it – might see how the weather goes this afternoon to see whether I am looking for something hot or wanting something cold.

Bye for now,

Margaret.