I've never been in a Hot Air Balloon before, now I have! Yesterday I was taken up into our magnificent Hunter Valley to Peterson's Champagne House in Pokolbin. From this location Balloon Aloft run sunrise flights 7 days a week. I was picked up at 3.30 am by dear friends, Nate & Shell and three of their boys... we got there a bit early, but others were already waiting. There were two teams, blue and yellow.. we were in yellow. Our team consisted of 15 persons, 12 adults (including our pilot) and three children. We were briefed on all the do's & dont's of ballooning, then headed off in buses to find the best take-off spot. It was exciting watching how these enormous balloons are first filled with air then propane gas, an awesome sight! We were the first of 4 balloons to rise up into the early morning sky and float effortlessly across the famous vineyards of the Hunter Valley. At the end of our one hour flight we landed perfectly in a paddock and everyone was enlisted to help empty the balloon and pack it back onto the trailer. We had a scrumptious champagne breakfast back @ Peterson's before driving home. Albeit the skies were overcast and we only got a short glimpse of the sunrise, it was altogether an unforgettable experience!!! Thanx ever so much Nate & Shell!!