Hot air

A tragic event occured in my town today.  The hot air balloon crashed.  This interests me for a few reasons:

1.  It was an activity excluded from the Adventure Activity Regulations/Adventure Tourism Review  I worked on a couple of years ago because its covered by Civil Aviation Rules.   I know statistically air ballooning previously had one of the lowest fatality rates.  It was statistically one of the safest activities you could do. I guess those statistics will be reversed today.

2.  The pilot lived in the street next to mine, and so I knew him as a guy I passed in the street.  He seemed a nice guy.   There's a real stillness about the neighbourhood.

3.  I've been facinated by the hot air balloon ever since I lived in Carterton, watching it go up.  I found it beautfiful to watch.  I used to take time off work for the balloon festival sometimes, that the pilot was the organiser for.  I sometimes use to wave out to the balloon.  I'm not sure why.  It just seemed a fun thing to do - and sometimes those on board would shout back recognition back.

4.  Having a ride in the balloon is/was on my list of five things to do - and going to be a significant thing I did when I get to 65kg.  (The theory would go rides will statistically be safer now because operators will be over cautious...so it shouldn't deter me.  But the attraction was not just proving I didn't have a fear of heights, and was a wieght I was comfortable to go up in the balloon, but flying over my property with the Pilot from the next street to mine).  I'm not going to delete it off the list quite yet. I could fly from another location, but it wouldn't quite have the same attraction.

5.  I had plans for this Summer that I'd aim on some on my weekend rides to "follow the balloon" by road on my bike.  I thought it would be a fun thing to do - to see where it ended up.  Maybe not so fun anymore....

The link below includes a link with a local cyclist who witnessed the accident.  I post it becasue I recognise the guy from the Kuratau stop at Lake Taupo.  He was cyclying with his son when I saw him in Taupo - and I thought if that "old dude" can do it, then I can.  And little reminder for me, he can do Taupo because he was in his gear out riding this morning, while I was in my bed!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6224922/Hot-air-balloon-crash-near-Carterton-kills-11


This accident is tragic, as all accidents by their nature are.  It really brings home that thing about living a quality life while you can. 

There is justifiably a sombre feeling about my little town today.  I went to get some fresh bread from the local bakery.  It was shut in respect to the balloonists - which is how I first found out about the tragedy.  The really sad thing was the tables were all set for what should have the champagne breakfast that are usually held there.  So at the time I was there it should have been a scene of people celebrating an adventure for them.  A very telling picture seeing the closed shop but the tables set.

The sound and sight of the local hot air balloon will never be the same now.  That will be a loss in my landscape for me.  Not though the loss for the families and friends of the people who have died today.

Today is my neice's birthday, and officially the day I start recording everything I eat and exercise  (I'll post more on that tomorrow).  Be easy tomremember the date. It was going to be today anyway, but the local tradgey just gives that extra nudge to think a little further about making the most of life.