Friday 17 July 2009

UP, UP & AWAY

Finally the weather conditions were right. Our phone call came at 4.55am and we were on the road at 5.05am. We got to Melbourne at 6.05am and met with the 'pilot', his assistant and 8 other passengers. We were driven to 'Goshes Paddock'
(Melbournians will know where I mean)
Once the balloon was set up and then 'blown up', it was time to
hop in the basket. Mmm..that was fun!!
Lets get that balloon right up

Here are Max and I ready to leave the ground. Iam surprised at how at ease I was - can't say the same for Max. Just remember how little sleep we had when you look at these tired faces.


Off we go-the cranes on the right are on the new Olympic Park stadium that is being built

Here is a photo of our group. There was a camera hanging on
a Trapeze type of thing that took 7 photos while we were up there.


There were 4 other balloons flying at the same time.



The views over Melbourne were fabulous

The MCG is in the bottom right corner of this one

There are 3 other balloons in this shot

See the No smoking sign near the gas flame.
Who in their right mind would want to light up when they were in the hot air balloon!!!

Sunrise

Such a beautiful morning

Some light fog came in but didn't stop us seeing anything

See the reflection of our balloon in the river below

After a 70 minute flight we landed with a couple of little thuds in Yarra Bend Park Golf Course - slightly off course and putting a hole in the balloon (thanks to a tree we hit). It all added to the fun of the morning as we entertained the golfers as we landed. Once the balloon was packed up we went off in the mini bus to the Botanical Gardens cafe for a Champagne breakfast.


60 comments:

a Pocket Angel said...

Alison, OMG..Wow! How fabulous! What fun that looks like.
I'm having my 400th post give-a-way..stop by and enter!
Hope you have a great day! ~Mary~ :-}

Lori said...

Alison, how AMAZING!!! you are a brave girl, i would have been peeing my pants...i would never have the nerve to do this...i bet it was so cool to see the views from up up and away in your balloon!!!

Connie said...

All I can say is that you are very BRAVE, chick! No way would I get up the nerve to fly in ANYTHING! I used to fly a lot but I told Love Bunny when we retired that was it; I ain't flyin' anymore. Looks like ya had a good time though, sugar.......
xoxo,
Connie

cherished*vintage said...

Hi Alison!
What an amazing fun thing to do. I love to watch the big balloons flying near our home, but I don't think I have the nerve to actually go up. Loved all your pictures, what a beautiful morning it was!
-Karoline

Unknown said...

Oh, I LOVE the song you have for this post! That is so cute! That sounds like a blast! Where I live I can very often see hot air balloons above us! It's such a refreshing sight to see!

Thank you for entering my giveaway! Good luck to you!

Unknown said...

I bet it was worth the wait, it looks fabulous, and cold! So pleased you finally did it!
Sue

Gail McCormack said...

YAY!!! At last, how wonderful!
That's a birthday present Max will never foget.

Fantastic photos

Have a good weekend

xo

bj said...

AWESOME, Alison...this is too cool for school...I know you had a blast..I'm like Lori, tho...p'd pants for sure!!

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Alison,
Hooray, You finally got to have your balloon flight.
Wow, that took a while to achieve.
Love the pics.
Hugs,
Anna

Jeanne said...

Hi Alison,
I was away on vacation, so I missed your giveaway... boo-hoo! But these photos from your balloon ride are amazing! What awesome views and what a wonderful experience for both you and Max!
xo
jeanne

Kathleen Grace said...

I think balloons are so beautiful, we had one land in our yard once! I have to admit I am terrified of heights, I don't think I could actually go up in one:>O

Cindy said...

Alison, it would have been an awesome time. that sunrise was incredible. what fun.

Anonymous said...

Hi Alison,
What a magical view from way up there? Glad to hear that you had an awsome time. Your pictures are fabulous.
~S~

juliaD said...

Hi Alison,
Thnaks for the lovely comment re my junk journal pages, wow...thats something I have always wanted to do, but as I am not a mornig person, I dont see it happening..you looked very apprehensive or just cold in the pics...xx

Unknown said...

Alison,
Wow, what a wonderful adventure. I love the photographs that took us all along with you. What a gorgeous day you had too. I love the song. You just made a gorgeous memory to carry with you forever.

Karen

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

I have to agree.... You are one brave soul!
I could never do that!
I am afraid of heights.

Thanks for taking us along as we had both feet on the ground.... I enjoyed the beautiful pictures!

Hugz,
Dolly

Gabriela said...

Hello Allison,

This is a totally awesome experience!




~ Gabriela ~

Monica said...

Oh wow Alison! What an adventure..you are a adventourous one! I dont think I could ever ever try that , but my how beautiful :)

Cathy said...

Alison,

Wow, wow, wow. What an absolutely amazing post. I just loved those pics of the hot air balloons. It looks like you had a blast! Have a wonderful weekend.

xo Cathy

Cheryl G. said...

Looks like an amazing ride! I just found your site. My last name is Gibbs and I have four children and a husband but no grandchildren, YET.
I LOVE mosaics too!

bluemuf said...

Hi Alison, way to go....What fun!!!

You finally made it. It's been awhile coming, but from the pictures, well worth the wait.

Beautiful country side.

Hugs Karen

Ps...love the music

Cindy said...

Looks amazing, truly! But I have to tell you, my fear of heights would have kept me curled in the fetal position in a corner of the basket! LOL. But, what an awesome ride AND champagne to boot! Cool! :D

-c
yapping cat

vicki archer said...

It does look like fun Alison and how intrepid you are too. I might be a bit scared but I am sure it is worth it to have such a magical ride in the sky, xv.

Sugar Bear said...

Holy heights! I would have been scared to death and probably passed out. So so beautiful. Yay to you for being far gutsier than I!
Karla

The Wrought Iron Gate said...

Oh Alison, you have experienced one of my life long dreams. Even as a child, I wanted to fly in a "beautiful balloon." (reference: your music)

What spectacular views, and that sunrise.....worth getting up early, yes?

Here I stand, on good old terra firma, feeling envious.

Best Wishes,
Kay

blessings said...

Oh How Lovely!! I'm so excited for you that you finally got to go. I would've been terrified =}

Blessings... Polly

The Pink Poodle said...

dear Alison...melbourne looked beautiful..
what a GREAT city we live in!!

I think I would be far tooo scared to venture up in a balloon..so good on you!!

whats the next adventure going to be?? sky diving perhaps!! lol..

xx andrea

Porchlight Interiors said...

Looks like a perfect Melbourne morning! What a lovely way to start a day! Tracey xx

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

You're my hero! Love your banner pic of the beach. Perfect summer image.

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Oh, how fun!! I have always wanted to do that!
The photo of the balloon's reflection in the water is fabulous!
Thanks for sharing this!
:)
~Becca~

Karen Bosch said...

What an adventure! I am so afraid of heights, I'm not sure I could do this. The "Up, Up, and Away" music playing in the background made me smile!

Kellie Collis said...

What an amazing experience and such gorgeous photos to savour the memory!! x

Deb said...

What an exciting adventure Alison & great photos :-)

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Not in a million years would I be up in a balloon...you are so cool and so brave! I wish I had the nerve. I'm so glad you took us along with you, (that would be my only chance at going up! ;)
I love the picture of the reflection over the river...it's priceless!
everything vintage

Michelle said...

Wow! I'm afraid of heights so I envy your bravery..

Thanks for stopping by and entering my giveaway.

Michelle

Ro Bruhn said...

It looks so exciting but very cold and such an early start. I'm sure it was worth it though.

Antique Rose Designs said...

Hi Alison thanks for visiting my blog. How exciting for you the views look gorgeous. You'd never get me up there in a zillion years. Take care Carol

Candice Carpenter said...

Oh wow! What a dream!

Andrea Singarella said...

Oh, that looks like SO much fun! I have been wanting to take a hot air balloon ride for years! I'll live through you....:)
Wonderful pictures.
xo

Sherry said...

Obsolutely gorgeous Alison! What a wonderful thing to experience!

Sherry

cherry said...

MOG>.....holy cow...what fun! look at you go! cherry

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

Amazing photos Alison. Worth the wait I'm sure.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

A Romantic Porch said...

Oh my! How wonderful. I love the photo of the balloon reflecting in the water. Thank you for the sweet comments about Melody. Please drop by and read about our final gifts. xo rachel

Pearl Maple said...

Oh the views are beautiful !

How nice of you to take all those photos to share with us. Melbourne is a beautiful city in so many ways but from that lofty view just that little more prettier.

Yes, we are lucky in this part of the country to be able to stand on the shore and watch the whales go by, really exciting to see.

Tutti Chic said...

Yikes Alison~That is way up there! I don't like heights so I will enjoy the view from your blog! :) chris

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Oh Alison,
I can hear the "swish" of the balloon as it rises! How lovely for you, I am so happy the weather finally allowed you to fly. Happy weekend!
xo~Tracie

a Pocket Angel said...

Alison, I am so slow sometimes..LOL.. I did not notice you had a web site until this visit to your blog.
I love and it, it's just FABULOUS! What wonderful things you have..
Good luck
Blessings ~Mary~ :-}

shabbyfufu said...

I must show this to the hubby Alison, what an adventure! It's funny but my eldest daughter who is turning 26 in a couple weeks asked for a sky diving session as her birthday gift! All you brave souls!!~xo~ Janet

Rosemary said...

Wow Alison,
How fantastic is that!!
Very impressive!
Rosemary

rochambeau said...

Your words, your photos and the music all gave me the chills. SO happy for you and your husband to have this wonderful opportunity. Thank you for sharing it here Alison!

xox
Constance

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

Hi Alison,
OH my! What a ride you had. VERY cool photos! You are very brave to have done this. I'm not sure I could include the word "fun" in the same sentence as "hitting a tree on landing."
But truly, what an amazing and memerable ride in a hot air ballon over a beautiful city and goregous country. You lucky girl!
Patricia :o)

passion4pink said...

Hi Alison
I featured your post on my blog http://balloonsnstuf.blogspot.com . sounds really romantic but hubby is actually scared of heights so I don't think I 'd be doing this trip any time soon LOL pity it looks fabulous hope you had fun!!!
Vicki

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Hi Alison,
That looks like so much fun!! How wonderful that they had a camera set up taking photos, while you were up in the air. I love how you paired up the music with your post, so fun!
Karen

Alicia ~ Time Worn Style said...

oh wow how fantastic is that trip, great photos!! Tried to answer your email the other day but your email address bounced for some reason. Thanks for visiting my blog though, I love having you over!!
Alicia

Lori said...

Oh how glorious!I'm so glad you had the experience! I'm sure it was well worth the wait! Lori

roseroomnz.com said...

How absolutely fabulous! Rachaelxo

Stephenie said...

This is such a pretty post..I always wanted to go on a hot air balloon..The view looks amazing...You really got such amazing pictures...
STephenie

Unknown said...

Alison, wow how wonderful! That looks amazing! We were just saying the other day that we would like to take a balloon ride and now I want to even more. Thanks for taking us along ...

Natasha Burns said...

YAY!!! you FINALLY got off the ground! Our city looks so wonderful from up there doesn' it! I'll have to send my mother in law to your blog and she can see the pics - I believe she booked with the same company with my brother-in-law to go up like you did. How cool they can take pics of you all up there!

Robin said...

oh you were brave! The pictures are stunning! I don't think I could do it!