“Passion within your soul is the flame that will light your way.”

As I accumulate more years during this lifetime I continue to be blessed with a happy heart and loving family. And my friends are special too.

When COVID hit in Australia early 2020 I was ballooning in Canberra at the annual festival. Having a fabulous time even though a heavy cough fought for my energy. The cough won driving me to see a local doctor for support to conquer the invader in my body. Panic on his part, called an ambulance and in no time, I was in Canberra hospital, locked in a windowless room, his staff entering in hazmat suits.  They were convinced I had COVID – one of the first.  So many tests. After four days sent me home. Influenza A they finally decided.

It was enough to push me to finally finish my memoir Conquering Clouds that I had started writing 18 months earlier.  I had returned to Australia from Switzerland after  competing in the fabulously challenging Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race representing my country as I had done also in this race 1999 from Albuquerque.

Launching from Bern Switzerland at night, climbing in the balloon Bernadette full of hydrogen with sandbags for ballast, I was leaning on the basket edge shovelling tablespoons of sand to maintain level flight. The night was extremely cold. The snow-covered mountain tops at 16000 feet shimmered as the full moon settled over us.   I experienced a moment of clear clarity.

Age does not define us, should not define us. My birth certificate showed an age of 75. I felt years younger. Alive from the adrenaline the challenge was offering. Especially from my thoughts. Thoughts that created emotions. Emotions that created belief.  Belief that had me controlling my gas balloon flight for over 18 hours airborne, with no rest or sleep. Water and food frozen. After my best balloon landing since 1975 I had been awake for 33 hours. I soon fell asleep on the hard ground for 4 hours.

It was this experience that propelled me to finish my life story. To endeavour to share with others the power of thought on emotions, on belief, on action in life. December 2024 I added 27 pages to launch Conquering Clouds Second Edition.

My 2026 diary has me travelling to various destinations internationally and nationally both for ballooning and spending precious time with friends.

Happy Festive Season. May 2026 bring brilliant  blessings and much joy to all.