by pennifold 10 Jan 2023

Well what a morning! Up at 3.00 left Montvalley at 3.30 to be at the designated pick up spot at Peterson’s house, then on to the Cessnock gun club to get the balloons inflated. We got into the air about 5.30 ish. Best time to go up. It was wonderful, very quiet. I could hear some dogs barking on farms and birds of course.

After the ride we had a great Breakfast at Peterson’s house with Sparkling Rose and a juice plus Trev and I had mushrooms on toast with Avocado and eggs.
All in all a great morning.
We then went to Cessnock to buy Prawns for tomorrow’s birthday lunch for Jewl’s and Mum.
We found out Mum’s neck brace is off next Monday. I think I’ve told you, but I’m not willing to go and check as I’ll lose my place here in my phone. Love Chris

1. Trev and me on landing
2. The whole group - we are on the left hand side at the back right hand corner - you can see my grey hair!
3. The lighting of the balloon.
4. Inside the balloon on landing. If you enlarge it you can see Kangaroos watching us!!

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by dailylaundry 11 Jan 2023

This is so cool!! Happy you had the chance to enjoy it!! Hope you find your Mum doing well, when you see her!! Bunches of hugs, Laura

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pennifold by pennifold 12 Jan 2023

Hi Laura, thanks and yes it was good to see Mum. I've been seeing her everyday for so long and with these 3 weeks of respite it's been weird. Jewls is doing a great job at home, unfortunately we have to sell Mum's home to pay for her Nursing home costs.
Trev and I both commented on how small Mum was looking and her conversation is so muddled. We just agree with her, it's easier to say yes. Love Chris

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by dragonflyer 11 Jan 2023

How exciting.... so wish I could see the photos here to enjoy... so glad you and Trever got to experience this...

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pennifold by pennifold 12 Jan 2023

Hi Kim, I'm sorry you can't see the pictures, is there something going on with the site? I can see the pictures with no problem. Love Chris

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by 02kar Moderator 11 Jan 2023

Wow! What an exciting day you had! I admire your courage. I have a terrible fear of heights, so I prefer to live vicariously through people like you who share pictures. I'm glad to hear your mum will be losing the neck brace soon. I know it has been a long scary experience for all.

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pennifold by pennifold 12 Jan 2023

Hi Karen, I loved it, but there are 2 things I won't do and that's jump out of an aeroplane and Bungy jump! I've done SCUBA diving and loved it (my father was a Marine Diver and used Aqualungs all the time) and the other great thing I've done was White Water Rafting, although I did manage to crash into a rock that blew my knee up the next day. Dana was with me (her graduation present) up in Cairns, Queensland, where she Bungy jumped!! Not me!!
Mum came up to Montvalley today with my sister for Jewls' birthday. It was great to see them both. I'm going back down to Jewls tomorrow to help tidy up again as we have another open house on Saturday. Jewls has been going through everything in the house to get rid of things and things to pass on to our children. Love Chris

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by mrskiki 11 Jan 2023

Wow what an amazing adventure. It's on my bucket list for sure. Hugs. Nan

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pennifold by pennifold 12 Jan 2023

Hi Nan, whilst still young enough to do it, go for it. We were the oldest couple on there. There was a group of Irish girls (4) and they had an absolute ball. It was so funny watching them trying to get out of the balloon in dresses!!! Thankfully the girls said they had short like pants underneath!!! Love Chris

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by sebsews 11 Jan 2023

WOW! Did you float to a different location? That's the largest basket I have ever seen. I once parasailed and once up it was the so peaceful and enjoyable. Glad you had a great time.

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pennifold by pennifold 12 Jan 2023

Hi Suzanna, yes we floated all over the Cessnock area for about an hour. The highest level we attained was 4,000feet, but at that height we were in the low cloud and you could feel the temperature drop. Other than that it was quite warm. Yes, that basket held 20 people and the other 3 balloons also had that size basket. It was peaceful and we loved it. Love Chris

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by asterixsew Moderator 11 Jan 2023

Exciting stuff going up in a hot air balloons. Looks great fun. I remember a family friend telling me her experience. Seeing the photo were there two balloons and the photo taken from the other?

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pennifold by pennifold 12 Jan 2023

Hi Caroline, no the photo was taken from our balloon they had a go-pro camera attached by a sort of swing thing. There were four balloons in our group by Balloon Aloft and another company had three, so it was lovely seeing them all floating by. Love Chris

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