Annual Balloon Spotting

Indi and I ventured to the top of Mt Painter in order to spot the balloon Aoife, Bailee, Cath and Eoin were in. They lifted off from near the Mint in Deakin, thankfully a little later than anticipated as Indi and I accidentally slept in a little longer than expected. So as we were trekking up the side of Mt Painter, the inflating balloons began peeking up over the tops of the buildings and trees.

Eventually two balloons rose into the sky and I got a message that they were in the black one. Indi and I said hi to Pippa (whose ashes are scattered next to a rock which faces the Brindabellas) before finding ourselves the best vantage spot facing south. It was a stunning morning to sit and enjoy. The sunrise colours, cloud formation, silhouette of the Brindabellas with the mist lining the valleys were all impressive and peaceful. It made me feel so grateful to live in such a beautiful place!

Indi and I watched the balloons slowly meander closer towards us wondering where they were planning on going and snapped photos of their progress and the ever changing landscape. As the balloons were tiny dots on the horizon, the photos of Indi look way better than any of the balloon ones!

The light winds meant that the balloons didn't come over our heads as hoped and over the course of half an hour, with cold fingers and a cold bum, the black balloon finally dropped out of sight as it landed at the rock garden by the edge of Lake Burley Griffin. That signalled time for Indi and I to head to the coffee shop to warm up.

While I was balloon watching, Andy, Katy, Al and Mira drove south to participate in the Tuggeranong Parkrun. A first time for them all!