Livin' In Levin

Well, it kinda felt like it anyways. After a brief rest in Wellington, it was back up the coast to Levin for the next four days to get into the nitty-gritty of organising our "own" Fiesta. This event was always aimed to be organised from the balloonists perspective, sponsors were being taken care of by a single balloon (Denis') to avoid putting pressure on pilots to have to fly other people apart from those they wanted to take. Balloonists were paid an amount relative to their participation (some could not make the whole event) and could then arrange their own feul and accomodation and food - so they could go luxury and burn it up, or go budget and come out with something at the end. having said that, we suddenly started to have a new-found respect for the professionals who organise the other events - even though they may not always know much about ballooning, the peripheral stuff takes up so much time and effort it is astounding.

In some ways we felt a little removed from it until the Tuesday night, when we had a meeting of volunteers and interested parties from the community, and suddenly it became very real. Here were a group of people working really hard to bring something special to what some have referred to as a dieing community. We even had our very own protester, who had written letters to the Council and CAA (Civil Aviation Authority - New Zealands regulating body) before before the event had even begun. this gentleman had set himself up as the spokesperson for the people of Levin, questioning the validity and safety of the event. Until now he had been the nagging voice of reason that you could almost believe, but after the meeting it became obvious that he was speaking for no one but himself.

We were also generating some media interest - although like much media interest these days it wasn't particularly well informed. If you check out the link you'll see that they have set an expectation by posting a picture of the two big lovely Buzzy Bee balloons - there was never any way we were going to afford to bring those two to the event. We had the local special shapes and that was going to be about it. To generate the interest in the town we took up local DJ Dave Key from More FM Horowhenua for a flight on the Wednesday morning. With a live radio link and a flight right over the town the effect was astounding and there seemed to be an almost electric atmosphere develop in the town. Could we come up to expectations?

Lift Off? Yaaaaayyyyy!!!

Finally, some air time. After much careful maneouvring to get us heading over the Key Grab target area - we missed completely. So we landed beside the lake, got a few bods to drag us around the shore a bit and tried again. And still missed. With balloons above us and below us it was certainly an interesting flight, but by no means a long one. Touchdown was safely and gently in a park. So at least we'd gotten something out of a frustrating week. We had been over to Levin a few times where our little event was taking place and had seen that the weather would have been good for flying when it wasn't so in Wairarapa. Would the tables turn the following week and rain on our parade? We'd find out soon enough. Meanwhile it was farewell to the other pilots and a reminder to those flying with us where and when to be there.

Lift Off? So close...

Lining up at Henley Lake in the early morning light, letting off pibald after pibald go to try and judge the wind, it became obvious that not everyone was going to fly today. So it proved, with a brave few taking to the conditions, including one pilot who took out a fairly substantial chunk of his envelope on a tree. While he was able to safely fly on, it did put a few off taking an early morning dip. After a bit of wandering around, Denis decided to inflate Welly. I was sceptical to say the least, but when the wind dropped during the inflation, I was beginning to think I should start calling him Nostrodenis for being able to pick the conditions. However, there was still too much wind up top, so once more we ripped out and packed away, agonisingly close today.

For the organisers it was a big fingers crossed for the Nightglow. This had to succeeed, otherwise they were staring down the barrel of a lost event. The weather cleared, the wind died and it was a successful event. Nightglows are a funny thing for Balloonists, it is quite a removed experience sitting on the ground firing the burners slightly off-cue and watching everyone else do the same, staring into the darkness where it was assumed there was a crowd. From a distance it must look marvellous, but close-up it's just hard work. But the organisers would have breathed a sigh, and all in it looked good (by the way, if you check the link, we're the balloon just to the left of the winking daisy).

Lift Off??!! Arrrggghhhh!!!

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.

Lift Off? Not

Well, we can't say we didn't try. It was obvious that we weren't going to fly first thing in the morning with the weather the way it was, but there was hope for the afternoon. This turned out to be a no go as well, so Denis and I headed to Levin to do some more sorting for the event to be held there next week. This in itself was a bit of fun as Denis is a very gregarious character who can keep you amused and alternately terrified for hours with his conversation and driving.

Lift Off (Still Not Quite)

As predicted in the last entry, the weather has proved to be the winner on the day, just dropping from the sky at very regular intervals. It was looking ominous on the drive down yesterday and set in just after coming through Eketahuna (find that one on the map). So this morning's Mass Ascension became a Mass Depression - not really, because balloonists take the weather in their stride, it's all part of the sport. The forecast is for clearing, so meanwhile it is an opportunity to enjoy the delights of Masterton on a rainy afternoon. Hmmm. I think a movie may be on the cards.

Lift Off (Almost)

The time has crept closer. Since my last (and first) blog back in January things have definitely firmed up on the ballooning front - although we don't really like fronts as they can cause havoc with a flight. First thing out of the way was getting time off to pursue three weeks of madness. Having got that confirmed I have had to work my way through the last few weeks of mayhem, but with the goal of March 30 in my sights. Now it is just a day and a bit away. Tomorrow will be for travelling down to the Wairarapa and linking up with my pilot, ready for an early morning mass ascension on the Wednesday morning. Problem is the weather is looking a little scruffy - Easter in NZ is normally pretty patchy weather-wise, so it should be no surprise that it will continue in the week following. But that's all part of the ballooning life - you just have to live with it.

Details of the secret mini-event between the two main NZ ballooning events is firming up. This is to be held in Levin starting April 7 and running through until Monday 11, or even possibly Tuesday 12. As you may have gathered from that itinerary, this event will be a laid-back affair more in keeping with general nature of NZ sport pilot's leisurely nature. There will be a Nightglow organised for Saturday April 8 (I think) with at least 15 balloons participating. Watch this blog for more details.

If you are out and about at the Wairarapa, Waikato or even the Levin event, keep an eye out for us in the Absolutely Positively Wellington balloon. If you want to say high, I'll probably be the one holding onto the rope. If you want to know what I'm doing, ask Auntie Buhabs.