The Old Candle Factory

It's saturday. It's the weekend. So before I upload pictures from my glorious flight this morning I'll read the paper online and see how England is getting on. What do I find? Read HERE ! But don't go away... the picture of sunrise over The Murray River is magic. And who cares if the horizon is not level? Neither was the basket. It's time to introduce some of the crew. Let's start with STEVE. He is THE MAN. Look at him. Scrambling in and out of his balcony being careful not to tread on the hanging flower baskets. He is completely fearless - despite being returned to Earth a week ago at 40mph in a wicker basket and dragged across hard rocks for what seemed like an eternity. He's also good with a camera. While we are on the letter 'S' I shall tell you a bit about Sarah after lunch. I think she's studying meteorology and wants a picture of a tree being struck by lightning. She spends all her spare time lying under trees looking brave. And her c...

We've been driving, we've been drinking, we've been ballooning, we've been sleeping.... more of some and less of the others. The crew are all fantastic, and as we get to know one another friendships are formed which will last a long time. The moments we share are often priceless.... such as this morning's flight in The Barossa Valley. These guys are champions whose workload is constant. This shot was taken about 30 minutes before THE landing. None of us knew what mother nature had in store. Sunrise this morning was altogether a different story. Why oh why can't days always hold such magic light, welcoming views, interesting terrain, distant vistas that make you breath deep and thank your lucky stars to be alive. When I find internet access at less that £10 an hour I'll share stories of wonderful folk we've met along the way - like these stockmen who personify generations of tough settlers who have forged an existence in this harsh arid land that holds...

Sign in window in Quorn where we stopped for lunch. I shall keep trying to upload a video of a Camel doing its thing. But they know how to charge for internet access here! Just arrived in heart of wine land - hotel has ipod speaker unit beside bed. These people are good!!

Flew across Wilpena Pound this morning. 40 mph landing Feel like I've been run over by a bus wish I could tell you more but I need a drink..... No - it's not make-up on my face, it's good honest Australian dirt.

Here we all are at Canberra airport waiting for the flight to Adelaide and from there we drive up to Flinders Range. We started at 5am this morning and drove to a cricket pitch ouside Canberra where we tethered the balloon to a heavy vehicle and inflated in the strong wind. Bit scary, but I pulled the rip when we were taken up by a strong gust. Local press covered the Canberra balloon meet (CLICK) And listen to a radio interview HERE . I hope the weather lets us fly. If I'm on the ground too long I get distracted. EBAY

Just back from long tether with the cameraman getting braver and braver leaning out further and further. Boy...it's HOT. Pics follow soon.

Click on image for bigger version. I've been reading 'Let's talk strine' ( see below) and was comforted today with this meteorological lesson. I am much comforted now I have a better understanding of the weather here, and since it rained today, I am glad the Sarn's calmer nairt. ( Say it out loud... then again... and as you see those around you fall about laughing, you'll slowly realise you are indeed talking Strine. I can confirm its a Spewffle climb a treely.