I usually run with a theme. As I will this week. First things, first though.
I am back, and very grateful for the emails and messages of support I received. Thank you very, very much. Both Batty and I still have some more medical appointments to make/attend but I hope the bulk of them are done and dusted. I am still feeling less than stellar and fear I will have to adapt to a new normal.
In my absence my city moved into festival mode - first Enlighten (photos will follow) and then the Balloon Spectacular.
I LOVE the balloons. Sadly the youngest of my brothers who also loves them got a birthday treat of Covid and couldn't attend. Himself announced that he would rather not go. It is too early for our public transport so I booked an early morning taxi and headed down to the lake.
Many photos follow.
And then my more or less patient wait was rewarded.
We have a feature balloon every year. This year it was Lucy, a much travelled international star.
I hope you find treats in your week too.
Jamie here: Glad to see you back! Love the balloon wit the braids and bow.
ReplyDeleteJamie: Thank you. Not only do I look forward to the balloons each year, I am always excited to see the feature balloon.
DeleteWelcome back! Great photos featuring balloons!
ReplyDeleteDUTA; Thank you.
DeleteWelcome back! Your photos are lovely. Sunrise, water, balloons and swans: a recipe for tranquility. :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: It was a lovely start to the day. Himself slept on for some hours after I returned home. His loss.
DeleteI am so glad to see you are back, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThose balloon images are beautiful!
Lon Anderson: Thank you. The balloons WERE beautiful.
DeleteDid you miss us? 😄
ReplyDeleteAre those uber balloons picking people up from the lake?
Mike: Of course I missed you all. Lots. Lucky kayakers/canoeists and paddle boarders are sometimes taken for a tow by the balloons.
DeleteHi Sue - so pleased you're here - still adjusting, but back with us ... so so pleased to see you. I'd been cowering under my warm covers ... but love seeing the photos - more importantly hearing from you here ... so pleased. Take care and with thoughts - Hilary ... sent with hugs xoxo
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: How I wish it was time to cower under the covers here. It is getting cooler though - which I love. Thank you - and hugs to you too.
DeleteI am very glad you're back.
ReplyDeleteThat is a festival that I would love to see.
: )
Caterina: It is a truly wonderful festival and I would be more than happy to share it with you and other bloggers.
DeleteHa. Good to see you back, Sue! My heart is rising like a balloon. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. The second one is very atmospheric.
Sean Jeating: What a lovely thing to say. My shaky hands meant that I deleted a lot of photos (hooray for digital cameras). It was a truly lovely start to the day though.
DeleteBeautiful hot balloons in the air
ReplyDeleteRoentare: Thank you.
DeleteGlad you are back! I hope your spirits are as uplifted as the balloons.
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: Thank you. How are you doing?
DeleteBit Lost. My wife and mother both died on Feb 11th so two big holes in my world at present. But getting by.
DeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: I am so very sorry. I knew about your wife but to lose your mother on the same day is beyond cruel. Hugs.
DeleteA wonderful, heartwarming surprise to see you're back, EC. I intended writing you an email today, but you've beaten me to the punch. :)
ReplyDeleteTake each day and moment steadily, as I imagine you are, without me telling you to do so. :) Hopefully, the horrid heat has finally departed all areas, and yours, too, giving you respite and peace.
My best wishes and thoughts are with you....and my special cuddles to dear little Batty and Odie.
Lee: Thank you. I am still taking things slowly and go back to bed several times each day. Which frustrates me. We are cooling down finally which is lovely though the very big temperature range each day is not kind to me. Batty and Odie thank you. And Batty asks whether you would be so cruel as to force him to have an inhaler twice a day? If not, he would move in with you.
DeleteRiver Fairchild - I’m so happy to see you’re back! I’m glad you got to see the balloons. The swans seem to take them in as just another fiery bird in the sky. :)
ReplyDeleteI do so love the murals in your city. Thank you for including them. They are wonderful!
Take care and ease back in to the activities. You are an exceptional person and well loved by many, my sister across the sea. Give Batty and Odie scritches from me.
River Fairchild: Many, many thanks. I really liked those murals and wouldn't have seen them if Sir slugabed had taken me in. A win. And the swans were totally unperturbed by either the balloons or the water craft. I am still taking things very slowly - and rejoicing because next week I have only one medical appointment
DeleteWelcome back. That early morning taxi was worth getting up for. An impressive array of balloons and swans.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: Definitely worth getting up and heading out for. And I loved the swans.
DeleteI always love seeing your hot air balloons and I love the Lucy one. I never see hot air balloons here in Adelaide. The murals in the underpass are so much nicer than the graffiti of past years.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I love our balloons too. We see much less graffiti now there are more murals - and mostly the murals remain untagged.
DeleteWelcome back EC and those balloons feel like they are celebrating you! Marvelous shots!
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: I was certainly celebrating the balloons - and the very pretty dawn.
DeleteWelcome back EC, I have missed you.
ReplyDeleteLove your selections..swans are gorgeous, the ballons amazing.
Margaret D: Thank you. The swans looked like they were watching the balloons too.
DeleteYou were missed. I perked up considerably when I saw your kind comment. She's back! I just were all adjusting to new normal's all the time. But it just we must. I'm glad you're taking care of yourself. I hope. Batty is doing well. I must congratulate you forgetting out there and going to the balloons. I know sometimes it is easier just to remain at home. And we are all the richer for those beautiful pictures. Thank you dear friend. Aloha
ReplyDeleteKindly excuse the bad dictation!
DeleteCloudia: Many, many thanks. Batty is still not right, but it bothers us more than him. Which is as it should be. I am very glad that I went to the balloons. I was tired, but v happy.
DeleteWonderful light, wonderful balloons, and wonderful that you are back....
ReplyDeleteBill: Many, many thanks.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely that you are back. You were missed. I agree with the commenters above , you have captured some wonderful light in your photos and the balloons look so serene. The murals are so bright and cheerful. I am sorry to hear that you and Batty and still not quite there yet, but hope that you will both be feeling better than you were.
Take good care of yourself.
Have a colour-filled week. The tulips are starting to flower in my garden!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Tulips? Already? You must be so excited. I am still weeding and preparing the ground for our spring display - though some of them are poking their heads up already.
DeleteIt's so good to see you back! The weather is finally cooling a bit so hopefully a bit more pleasant for you.
ReplyDeleteNew normals are a bitch, it's like a rollercoaster of loss.
The balloons over the water look very serene. Lovely shots
kylie: It is much more pleasant though while the nights are cooler the days still get too hot for my wimpy self. You are right about new normals. Sigh. The balloons were lovely - and I agree with you about the serenity.
DeleteW E L C O M E B A C K! W E L C O M E B A C K! W E L C O M E B A C K! Too bad that you had to go to the big event by yourself, but I am glad that you felt well enough to go, and I am glad that you took a taxi and rode there in comfort. W E L C O M E
ReplyDeleteB A C K!
David M Gascoigne: I was sorry for my brother who loves balloons as much as I do. And thank you (so much) for your enthusiastic welcome.
DeleteJust so happy to see you posting again! Glad you got out to the balloon festival. May you continue to recover.
ReplyDeleteAlex J Cavanaugh: Thank you too. I am really glad I went to the balloon festival - and didn't have to feel guilty for waking himself.
DeleteThe balloons in that early light are spectacular, EC. I have never seen anything like it.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see you again! I hope your health continues to improve!
Marie Smith: Isn't it a magical start to the day? I think I counted nearly twenty balloons aloft at once. And thank you.
DeleteWhat's the building in the background atop the hill? Looks interesting. Did any of the balloons take a dunking in the lake? It almost looks like a couple did, like the baskets are lake level, but maybe I'm wrong and not even quite over the lake. Our balloon fests in August have fizzled somewhat due to weather, although the venue goes on, even if the balloons don't go up. I hope this coming summer the weather will cooperate for balloon flight during the days for the festival.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: That building is Telstra Tower. There used to be a look out and an expensive restaurant up there but it has been closed for some time for renovation. The balloons were over the lake and quite low - sometimes they give some of the water craft a tow. I heard a pilot years ago complaining that it is a bitch if you dip into the water and spend the rest of the flight with wet feet and legs.
DeleteFabulous pictures! Thank you for all the balloons and the swans, too.
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you. I am glad you liked them.
DeleteI'm so glad you're back and hope you are doing better. I love the pictures.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: I am glad.
DeleteIt's lovely to have you back.
ReplyDeleteThese are as delightful as always.
You and Batty are in my prayers.
My selections are over here.
messymimi: Thank you. On all counts. I thoroughly enjoyed your selections.
DeleteWelcome back my dear friend, I am beyond happy to see you posting again. Sending lots of healing energies your way for you and Batty, and for your brother too. Thank you for these amazing photos, especially appreciated because I know you are still having to deal with things. Onwards, onwards, you have impressive fortitude to go on this photo hunt. My love and best to you always.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I think I would have to be contagious (as my brother was) or at death's door to miss the balloons willingly. And thank you.
DeleteI certainly understand that and thank you for visiting me again. I get a big smile on my face every time I see your name.
DeleteDeniseinVA: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteWelcome back. And what a return post! If I lived at your place I would join you in that taxa for ballon viewing. They are just wonderful, and the murals are a great extra. I like the dragonfly, and the ballons with mosaic patterns best.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): You, and rather a lot of other bloggers would be very welcome to join me. Aren't the balloons lovely? I really liked the dragon fly too and was thrilled to find some new murals.
DeleteA very warm welcome back, so lovely to see you posting again.
ReplyDeleteHoping yours and Batty's medical appointments proceed well.
Sorry to read that your brother has Covid, hope he feels better soon.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful photographs of the balloons and how lovely to see those murals.
My good wishes for the coming new week.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. Only one medical appointment this week. Yay. I knew I would love the balloons if they flew but the murals were an unexpected treat.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning shots of those early morning balloons EC, and absolutely brilliant to have you back online
ReplyDeleteKim: Many, many thanks.
DeleteWhen one's spirits need a lift, go see balloons.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding spectacle!
Gini and I are very happy to see you return. We hope you feel better today than yesterday.
You were missed.
Wally Jones: Thank you and Gini. The balloons most certainly did give me a lift. A huge lift.
DeleteYou were very much missed. You are very much loved. Go gently, beautiful woman.
ReplyDeleteRawknrobyn: Thank you - as are you.
DeleteJust had to come back for another look! So happy you are back in my days. Love you, S <3
ReplyDelete<3 = Heart
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Many, many thanks. You epitomise the kindness I have found in the blogosphere.
DeleteIt's wonderful to see you back, Sue, although it's sad that you still don't feel so well. The balloons are just amazing and reminds me of the first balloon festival that we witnessed here in California in our very first summer here. It is just something very special to see them rise at dawn.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: It is a totally magical start to the day isn't it? Himself would rather sleep but I am so glad I went without him. MS is not a friendly disease but I have been lucky. With some adjustments it remains mostly manageable.
DeleteThe balloons are so beautiful. Most of them anyway, but Lucy looks like she's going to eat us! 😬😂
ReplyDeleteSandi: I am sure you are wrong about Lucy. She is friendly - really she is.
DeleteThe balloons are beautiful. Gives one a sense of peace just looking at the pictures.
ReplyDeletemxtodis123: You are right. Peace and gratitude was what I was feeling as they took to the air.
Delete...I love hot air balloons, even though I've never ridden in one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the beautiful pictures.
Hug
Barwitski: Thank you. I have been lucky enough to ride in a hot air balloon and loved it. I doubt I could climb into the basket now, but would certainly try given the opportunity.
DeleteWhat a nice treat to have you back! Thanks to the balloons that made me smile. Aloha from Hawaii.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: I am so happy for you that David is home again. The balloons made me smile too - broadly.
DeleteBeautiful and Lucy is adorable!
ReplyDeletee: It really was a wonderful start to the day.
DeleteI've gone back until I was sure I gotten caught up your news. I don't know how anyone can not balloons, but until I read your mention of Lucy, it hadn't occurred to me that some balloons are world travelers.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: I assume the missing word is like. Sadly some people in our city wrote letters to the editor suggesting that the balloons were a waste of gas and that the festival should be discontinued. Lucy originated in Belgium I think and has been to the UK, your country and Canada at least.
DeleteLove your photos, as always, and have missed you very much.
ReplyDeleteCindi: Thank you.
Deletenice to read your post again....^^
ReplyDeleteyour photos always amazing...it sound a great balloon, especially the cute one is the girl balloon.
Mbul Kecil: The balloons were lovely - and it was nice to see Lucy too.
DeleteThe balloon festival looks amazing, and I love the picture of the swans!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Midori
https://www.midorilinea.com/blogs/midori-linea/my-daughters-turns-one-photoshoot
Midori: Welcome and thank you. Both the balloons and the swans delighted me.
DeleteWelcome back! It just hasn't been the same without you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely treat, the balloons, swans, sky, water and you.
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: Thank you. I missed all my friends in the blogosphere. A lot.
DeleteIn my humble opinion, one can never take too many photos of hot air balloons rising majestically into the sky. Keep smiling!
ReplyDeleteShammickite: I was grinning from when I saw the first, and still smile looking at the photos.
DeleteAll the pictures are wondrous, but the swans look so serene, especially against nature's beautiful backdrop. Hoppy Easter, my friend. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Thank you - and to you. I was thrilled to see the swans too, and loved that they were unphased by the activity.
DeleteI love the balloons so much too! They used to do them in a park once or twice a year (depending on weather) when we lived in a different state. I would scramble to get there bright and early every single time. It never got old. :) I love your pictures and am glad you're back. Good luck to you and Batty w/the future appointments. Glad the bulk of them are finito.
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: Balloons never, ever get old. The balloon spectacular is a must for me.
DeleteI can't imagine how lovely it must have been, to actually be there, seeing all those beautiful balloons!
ReplyDeleteLon Anderson: It was. It was quiet, it was peaceful AND it was beautiful.
DeleteIt's great to see you back, Sue! I'm glad that you feel well enough to return. Your balloon photos are wonderful. I love balloon festivals, and kudos for you going on your own! The pictures of the swans in the water reflecting the dawn sky are beautiful! May you feel better and stronger every day!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: I was not going to miss the balloons and am so glad I went. Himself was still asleep when I returned. His loss. I do feel sorry for my brother though - he loves the balloons as much as I do.
DeleteI have a good friend who also loves them. Here's to you getting to 100 %.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: Thank you. Still adjusting to the new normal and still smiling at the balloons.
Delete