Hot Air – where else but Canberra

Christmas Holidays

December in Emerald means its hot, damn hot. But then there are lots of parties with lots of liquid refreshments. And December means lots of work. Work shuts down for 2 weeks over Christmas and the last week was a bit manic trying to get as much done as isn’t possible before we close for 2 weeks.

Unlike the past 17 years, I get paid holidays. We have headed way south this year on a big driving trip. First stop after 2 days of driving was Queenbeyan. We stayed with niece Cherie. Rod came over the arvo we arrived and hit us with our Christmas present from he and Brianna. Their present involved a 4.30am start the very next morning.

Merry Christmas from 2000ft above Canberra

Funny, in a weird way, that on the last day at work we were talking about “out-there” type presents and I spoke about Jan and my wish to go hot air ballooning.

We launched from the lawns in front of old Parliament House, floated for about an hour and landed less than 1Km from where we took off – it was a still morning in Canberra. We got up into the clouds (3000ft) at one stage. Very quiet except when the burners were going.

Another item crossed off our bucket list. Thanks Brianna and Rodney, but as I said after the Bridge Climb present, your task is to try and top this.

Inflating balloon with fans, Jan not quite awake at this point

Just after take off

Looking back over old Parliament House to the new one

After 2 nights at Queenbeyan we headed south to my sisters place in Boronia, Melbourne where we are having a big family Christmas dinner.

We are less than half way through our road trip. So, from Jan and I, all the very best for Christmas 2009.

2009 has been a bit of a challenge for us, on many fronts. We are both looking forward to the new year.   Cheers everyone!