All things ballooning
Rob Robertson's Discussions
Worst ballooning photo of yourself
Replied Sep. 19, 2008
Worst ballooning photo of yourself
Replied Sep. 19, 2008
Worst ballooning photo of yourself
Replied Sep. 18, 2008
Rob Robertson's Page
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- City, Country:
- Melbourne, Australia
- About Me:
- Strange how life goes!
Rewind to 1979. All of a sudden, for no apparent reason, a voice calls me and says, “You have to fly a balloon”. Note – “fly a balloon”, not “fly in a balloon”. Bizarre, really, when you consider I had never actually seen a balloon and didn’t even know if there were any in Australia.
So, I went on a search and with considerable persistence (a story in itself), I found a balloon and an instructor, and so began the slow journey through student pilot, pilot, instructor (for a while), competition pilot (not a very good one), and event organiser, over more than 20 years of regular but infrequent flying. Well, not that regular either, when I think about it.
Fast forward to 2007. Currently I’m not current - but I’m thoroughly enjoying crewing, navigating, retrieving ( a much more positive term than “chasing), getting in the way, and offering unhelpful advice as part of Andrew’s crew. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed lurking on Aunty Monkey - but the time has come to join up so I can get out some of those embarrassing photos that everyone is afraid I’ll produce. And I couldn’t resist the opportunity to be Member #400.
There was a time when Andrew was known as “Rob Robertson’s son”. Now I’m known as “Andrew Robertson’s father”. The baton has been passed, and I can live with that. But competitive ballooning does get in your blood (or in mine anyway), and something is going to have to be done about that.
So watch out!
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Looking forward to see you again soon in your beautiful part of the world.
G
For more information and registration, go to www.bfa.net and come visit the BSOK page at: www.myspace.com/balloonsocietyofkentucky
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You can be next Ambassador to the Imperial Court. You are right man for job! You show correct deference, understand the way of the Dragon, and it’s little vanities. You go far boy, apply now! I have Emperor’s ear once we toss out commies and scientists.
Thank you for thoughtful word about aerodynamics. I try to use them as little as possible myself. Dragon’s wings are ceremonial and mythical. We travel on wings of thought, not feathers and flesh.
Never fear good sir your Aunty Monkey is safe in my hands! The Wind Dragon protects the innocent. Besides Monkey is very clever with the inner spirit of lightning speed, learning quickly Monkey has power of new ideas and is not easily angered, also quick to make friends and helpful in time of need. Monkey is well cared for by it’s family and has great self-confidence. Monkey is high achiever with secret ambition to be hero. Monkey learns from mistakes and carries on. I check this with court astrologer.
Your ears not that big. Young Mr Robertson is real with fine torso- see him in softly flowing water in mystic East. Flying Lemming must get out more and meet real people, he is becoming Internet junkie, cannot tell fact from fiction!
Do not show concern about Flying Lemming - he has already seen light and is more Rabbit than Rat. Actually warm and fluffy on inside, sensitive new age rodent with rich emotional life. And clever too.
I give you bonus for best reply so far. Sure you not Monkey?
Keep crouching tiger on right, turtle behind and follow your phoenix and the Hidden Dragon will guard your left. This is Wind Dragon’s competition tip for The Masters.
For you a poem by Humbert Wolfe:-
Give me the wings, magician! So their tune
mix with the silver trumpets of the Moon,
and, beyond music mounting, clean outrun
the golden diapason of the sun.
There is a secret that the birds are learning
where the long lanes in heaven have a turning
and no man yet has followed: therefore these
laugh hauntingly across our usual seas.
I'll not be mocked by curlews in the sky;
Give me the wings, magician, or I die.
— Humbert Wolfe
I am interested in the fact that you have alluded to competition flying - again. When we were in Motegi your enthusiam for competition was rising - I think if the girls keep talking up "girls only" you and Phil should think about The Masters.
Thought I would join the bandwaggon and am enjoying the ride so far. See you in the sky.
Les
The Wind Dragon
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