Welcome 03.12.2024
Good grief hadn’t realised that nothing has been put up since January. I have no idea where the time has gone but do know that so much has been going on I seem to have been severely distracted. Appalling state of affairs on our part but things have been a tad hectic to say the least and ballooning rather too political at all levels. On the home front we have lost quite a few good friends and best friends this year. The first anniversary of Pete’s passing back in February and John’s missus getting even poorlier has not helped. We cut back on work days on account of a falling workload, John’s commitments and my shoulder getting worse. Stewpot Seager fell off a ladder and broke his femur, then Godders fell off the Pyrenees which pulled us all up pretty smartish then, not wishing to be left out, I managed to obtain a complicated spiral fracture to me humerus which was far from funny at the time. That took out doing anything further to the crumbling remains of a gutted Victorian-cum-Edwardian house that we should have moved into by Christmas. Just as well I had decided to take September and October off to do the house! The licensing issue does seem to be getting partially resolved but don’t hold your breath. The final version is far from sorted despite what was surely one of the most complicated and devious consultation paper ever written. That so many did respond was reassuring and well appreciated. HS2 have continued to casually continued to wreak havoc and mayhem and have just announced that Rocky Lane that leads up to the workshop is likely to be closed for six months in 2025. Does make you wonder. On a much brighter note our youngest grandchild Willow, now just turned three, is following the tradition of being a fine little rider and at the weekend qualified for The Sunshine Tour event at Hickstead next year. Proud? You bet.
I have no idea what we are posting in this late edition but hopefully it will be of some interest to someone somewhere. As far as Easy Balloons is concerned we are still here and not planning any sudden departure from the ballooning world. We will be downsizing to no more than a couple of days a week (when we can). We are truly really, really grateful to all the support and kind messages we have had over the past year and the support of our brilliant inspectors. We couldn’t operate without them so huge thanks. Huge thanks also for the understanding of all our customers especially in the last three or four months. Pete Bish summed it up recently that we are all getting older and definitely won’t be around forever! Be a bit more on that in the News bit I suspect. Nearly forgot there is a bit on Ultramagic hopper bottom ends whic I fear will not make us popliar (as they say). We are also intending to get back on track with flogging a load of stuff in the coming months, more on that in the New Year. In respect to that my lovely 105 basket is still up for grabs as a result of a few ‘no shows’. Once me arm is mended we’ll get the ‘56 and ‘84 back in the air but everything else can go.
The lottie has not been very good this year apart from some impressive potatoes and beetroots everything else has been meagre at best. HS2 has now transformed it into a bog though as all the topsoil below the farm has been removed so the last area of soakaway has been the potato patch. Put a fork in and they floated out! On top of that all the local wildlife has moved in. We see rabbits in the yard now! Bottom line is, through talking to our horticultural mates this year, it has been mostly disappointing across the board. Even the toms, put in early, failed to ripen and the runners, although briefly plentiful, sort of lost the will.
The Dark Barn has become a store shed. It got tidied then trollied, which is the current state of play. Come a brighter warmer spell it will be largely chucked outside, sorted and become a working proposition as ARO, my old Standard 8, is going back on the road. No tax, cheap insurance, frugal (as they used to say) and ULEZ compliant (haha) it makes sense. Bikes various need sorting and part of mezzanine needs to come down before it falls down thanks to a leaking gutter rotting the main beams. Thank the Lord for Acrows. Having said that Project downsize house
will be taking priority so not really expecting too much progress, apart form tidying and sorting. Grandson Charlie has got himself an apprenticeship with the local garage, The Red Rose, which has some really great aviation connections (next time) so his fate is sealed. “Charlie! Brakes need doing on the pickup, Grandma’s car needs an MOT.” and so it will go on I’m sure.
Having said all that let me wish you all a great, happy and lovely Christmas and wish you all the very best for the New Year and, of course, thank you for still being there. It is much appreciated. All the best from John, Jane, Chris and Polly.
Top picture is the current pile of chalk opposite the lottie which will have been moved before this gets published. Where to? Who knows. Second down is what will probably end up being the ‘new Dark Barn’ Not much left of number 2 Sydney Terrace and don’t slam the door! Bottom picture is latest happy horsy person Willow on Tess having just qualified for The Sunshine Tour at Hickstead.