Circus Of The Air
March 21st, 2006 at 09:49am
The Canberra Balloon Fiesta has been moved from the week leading up to Canberra Day, to the April school holidays this year, but a shorter “Circus Of The Air” has been on in the lead up to Canberra Day. It is basically the same as the balloon fiesta, just with a circus at ground level added to it.
Anyway, on Sunday morning I got up early at about 4:30, having not slept, and rang John Kerr. I eventually had a chat with John at 5:15am about various things including whether or not the audio you hear when you’re on hold with a radio station is on delay or not, my first pay packet (which was one of the subjects of the show), and the fact that I was going to take Nattie to see the balloons.
At 5:35 Nattie and I left home and started walking to the lawns of Old Parliament House where the balloons take off from. We were just going around London Circuit and about to go up the bridge to Commonwealth Avenue when John Kerr signed off with “Good Morning Good Morning”, one of the songs from “Singing In The Rain”. I was singing along quite loudly during this 30 seconds or so which were played before the news. Nattie and I continued along Commonwealth Avenue and across the Commonwealth Avenue bridge, then we turned left and walked along the side of Lake Burley Griffin until we reached the lawn which goes right up to old Parliament House (with a couple roads crossing it). We then walked up there to the balloons.
Once we got there it was time for a bit of breakfast. Nattie and I got the “small” breakfast, of bacon, egg and toast, I also got a coffee. Nattie ate most of the bacon and half of the egg, I ate the rest. We then went back to the food tent and Nattie had half a sausage.
We then went and watched some hot air balloons being inflated and then later taking off. We turned the radio back on (David Young’s Garden was on) and walked over to Commonwealth Avenue where we got a good view of the balloons, which were drifting over Yarralumla and Lake Burley Griffin.
Afterwards we walked home. It was about 8am when we got home, and I had a cup of coffee before having Hot Cross Buns for breakfast.
Nattie and I might make the journey again for the actual Balloon Fiesta in April, and if we do, we’ll take the Camera with us.
Samuel
Entry Filed under: Canberra Stories,Samuel News
2 Comments
1. Pandora | March 23rd, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Sam, this is a truly beautiful portrait of man and dog. I see why they say dog is man’s best friend. Does Nattie walk with a lead when you are out and about? What did Nattie think of the balloons? My dog Bonneeiiiighy goes mad when they go over our house. And camera makes three! I hope so next time.
2. Samuel | March 23rd, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Nattie is a wee bit too adventurous to walk off the lead I’m afraid. Her road sense isn’t great either, she seems to think that once one cars goes it is safe to cross…words such as “sit” and “stay” are meaningless once we’re out the front gate!
Nattie was interested in the flame, which provided a bit of heat on a slightly chilly morning…she was also interested in the way the balloons eventually all flew away. I’m sure the food made the journey a bit more worthwhile.
The balloons don’t often get blown in the direction of my house, but when they do Nattie has been known to bark at them.
Next time we will take the camera.