Hamilton

20/3/23

Gee whiskers, the alarm went off without a hitch at 5 15am and the mistress was out of bed very quickly. No phone call to say the balloon ride was canceled either. So off we went in the very dark time of day in her little hot sassy red Suzuki Swift Sports.Gosh nobody else was on the road. They must have known to stay off it when the mistress is driving. 😂

It was so dark, as I am never up at this time, and neither is the mistress. Very strange time of day I say. The mistress was very positive that we would take off today. I asked why she knew, and she said she sensed it and could feel it in her bones and water? Says she has angels on her shoulders. What does this mean? More things to look up. Gosh, I don't get any rest on this holiday. I think when I get home, I will have my holiday. I will have to hide somewhere, so she can't find me.

We eventually found these blokes, but the faces on these fellas looked doubtful as the fog was coming in while we waited by Hamilton Lake. It was a long wait, but they don't take risks, and we were very happy about this. It was quite a performance getting it all organized for takeoff at 8.40am.

Putting balloon together

BUT you should have seen her trying to climb into the basket. I wish I could operate the camera, because it was quite a site and worse getting out on our return. The old girl was shaking for a while, but don't tell her that I saw her. She held onto me so tight, and I could feel her legs being very wobbly jelly.

Hooking up

Now this wait made me very anxious and the noise of this thing. The mistress had to shift to the other end of the basket as she wasn't at all comfortable with this carry on, and just as well as I wasn't amused.

Great people on board too. 8 passengers and the pilot/driver/thingy. She said I was to look up in my books as to what this fellas title was.  They all enjoyed the experience. We did too eventually when she stopped shaking and was very peaceful until he pulled the trigger to put more hot air up into the balloon to keep us airborne. The fella said we were 2,000ft up. He is not allowed to go higher because of airplanes. We just hoped he didn't run out of gas. 

The mistress loved the views straight out but not down. I wonder why? She won't tell me either. The locals pointed out where Gordonton was because the tall lanky son lives out there. Just as well we didn't get too close to their place because his partner has horses and wouldn't want them frightened. She would be on his tail!!

It really was worth the nerves and collywobbles for the experience, of being totally out of our comfort zones. Wait till I tell my mates at home.

Getting gas into the balloon

Nearly there and getting nervous now

Getting noisy now

Up up and away

A little fog as we rise

View of Hamilton

Its called LOVE

Now landing in a paddock full of cow pats, and oh poo when someone stood in them was interesting. We all had to help the team who came out to collect us, to fold/roll up the balloon. Bums in all directions. I should have taken a photo of this too. Quite spectacular!!

Landed

Back to Cafe for breakfast

Now in the past 24 hours, this mistress has had a lot of computer problems and the poor daughter in Tauranga tries so hard to help. She keeps apologizing to her. But the daughter just says it's ok your just OLD.

OMG, the TV1 breakfast producer has just asked if we are available tomorrow morning at 8.20am to Zoom. The mistress reckons the daughter has been on the phone with them, but she is denying it. HMMM. 

Gosh, things are really happening here today. The Air B&B lady asked about stats. The mistress was a bit mystified. Then realized how to do it. 5000 followers........Thanks, everyone. Keep reading as loads more to come.