The April Fool was on us this morning as we trudged out of Masterton in the darkness to Martinborough - a town so enamoured with the empire that the founding colonists laid the streets out in the shape of a Union Jack. The flood waters had receded enough for us to actually reach the town, but it was nothing but greay skies that greeted us there. In misty and then rainy conditions, some balloonists braved the elements to at least give the folk something to see. The Wairarapa Times-Age gets it about right with this one.
Having trudged back to Masterton by about midday, it became obvious that the weather was clearing ever so slightly, and Denis the pilot decided that we would do an inflate on the lawn of the Copthorne Hotel, as we were starting to get a little buggy with the lack of flying. So the inflation went ahead and we managed to get everything upright. Suddenly the sponsors appeared, as they were desparately looking for a return on their investment, so I guess they figured a ride was the least they could expect. Then along came some serious wind and started knocking us about, to the point where the basket was tipped over. It became obvious as we dragged sponsors back to the vertical that we were not going to fly in these conditions, so we ripped out and put it all away again, mildly dispondent. Funny thing was that about thirty minutes later the wind settled and a couple of other balloons took off carting aforementioned sponsors. Denis the Pilot headed to Levin for more organizing over there, while I, having felt like I had already done a day's work, headed off for a bit of rest.
I was awakened late in the afternoon by the roar of engines passing the door of our room. Everyone was off for a flight, and grabbing the chance with both hands as it could well have been their last. With no way of getting our balloon to the site (and no pilot) I tagged along and helped out a couple of other crews get airbourne. And at least there was finally something to smile about for the Wairarapa event. It was quite a buzz.
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