Family, Flying, Friendship

I recently drove to Narromine for two author talks, a 7 hour trip each way. Thrilled to see my memoir Conquering Clouds standing on the library’s Biographies shelf next to the book of Anne Frank. And I so love sharing my experience flying and competing in the famous 2018 Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race.

Australia has some strange town names. I stopped at Dunedoo for lunch. The coffee decor was splendid. My bedroom decor in Narromine had a romantic touch. Will post 2 photos.

My immediate family is small in number but enormous with attitude to life and love. Two amazing sons who look out for me when needed. Two daughters-in-law I regard as dear friends. Two fantabulous grandchildren – although both adults now. My gorgeous granddaughter Josie Wilson signed recently as a professional footballer (soccer) and about to graduate as a lawyer with a law career already in place. My 6ft 5ins (196cm) grandson and his lovely partner both visited my home recently for a sparkling stay with lots of joy, laugher and card playing. I won not one game against Tyler or Emily. There is always the next time. So blessed I am to be surrounded by these amazingly beautiful humans.

For more than half my life I have been involved with Aviation. Flying hot air balloons for 47 years, a few years flying Cessna aeroplanes and flying gas balloons – mostly filled with Hydrogen for long distance flight. In 1999 my gas balloon was filled with helium for a race from Albuquerque. Expensive. Gas balloons today are built with an antistatic coating to allow for the use of hydrogen as fuel. With all my flying I have been blessed with making special connections. I feel privileged to have a global family of aviators I can call friends.

As I grow more and more reflective about my life’s journey I can share unequivocally that family and friends have proven the most important and special part of my story.