Last day. Last flight. And as it turned out, last chance to get the cash as the junior Balloonmeister (they had run as a father and son team) decided to re-run the cash grab (not the organisers it should be noted). As it turned out the fluky conditions meant that still no one got near the target pole and instead made for wee dips in the lake before flying over to the Hamilton East area and landing.
Because of the rubbish Propane gas (actually it was probably LPG, a propane/butane mix) Denis had to drop a passenger today, which of course turned out to be me as I was the only one left who could drive the vehicle. Still, Elisabeth was on board to fly the Hamilton flag (and I know if it came to a choice I'd choose her over me as well) and taking some of her unusual snaps, like this one for instance.
The landing proved tricky in a funny sort of way as well, as the conditions were so light on the ground that it became difficult to get the balloon down without dropping it from the sky. Upon landing Denis declared that he was quite happy to be on the ground now, and despite the fact that I'd been on the deck that morning, I knew how he felt. It would be a hard thing to say you were sick of ballooning, but I guess we were tired, if not of it, then certainly from day after day of flying.
The frustrations of Wairarapa nearly three weeks before seemed a distant memory as we sat down for a farewell lunch and prizegiving. Even that was a bit of a hoot as Denis managed to buy a special shape balloon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the charity auction for $60. The plan: paint it up and use it as a static display (it has been decommissioned) at next year's Levin event. And I guess for this blog that will be the next phase, the beginnings of next year's events. It may come up as another blog, but I'll keep you posted. Until then, you're clear above, so fly on.
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