Up, up and away 10-13/6/10

We've had a gift certificate for hot air ballooning that Jim and Janice gave us as a wedding present for almost 2 years now. It's not that we didn't want to use it. It's more that a lot of stars need to align to go ballooning. Wind or rain or the wrong phase of the moon and it's off. Luckily, we managed to get signed up for a trip in Northam (in the “hills” east of Perth) and finally did it. Thanks J&J! Not what I was expecting as there were 16 of us in the basket and it was so gentle I could barely tell we were in the air. Amazing.

The guy behind Jeff didn't have much concept of personal space and was regularly bumping him in the butt. Jeff was complaining about this to me as the gas was going (which is quite loud) but as the pilot abruptly let off on the gas, the rest of the ballooners were likely to have heard Jeff say, "Jeez, I hope he's wearing protection." Too funny.

On the way back to Perth, we stopped in the Avon valley and checked out some more wineries. Yes, we've tasted more wines in 6 weeks than most do in a life time – I'll let my liver rest later. And yes, that's me with a case of wine. They were giving them away at $6/bottle for a case. Being poor travellers, it seemed best to buy in bulk.

In other news, Jeff's letting his natural crazy man show and has a serious mountain man look going. I think it makes him look a little scary but it's good cause no one will hassle us!

Heading to Margaret River area now and happy to be out of the big smoke. It's Sunday morning and we're back to country radio. Makes me laugh. The only channel available here has a guy who rambles about various things and then plays elevator music with birds chirping between segments. Gotta go, the crop report is coming up...