AGES AND STAGES

from Your Time Magazine Brisbane - Jan 2022

PUZZLES

with Mocco Wollert

I THINK we are all familiar with osteopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physios and massage practitioners; whether we use them is a different matter.

The medical profession is usually not that fond of using alternatives, although physiotherapists are regarded as traditional, and are recommended by most doctors.

I am not fond of needles of any kind and the very thought of having someone sticking needles all over my body gives me the proverbial heebiejeebies.

But, at one time in my life, acupuncture seemed to be the only method I had not tried to get rid of an ailment. A persuasive friend convinced me to give his acupuncturist a go.

I was prepared to bolt at the first sight of a large needle about to be stuck into my body. I lay on the treatment table while the acupuncturist asked me a few questions and prodded around my body.

When he turned away from me to grab his first needle I shut my eyes tightly, ready to bear pain or scream loudly. Soon something pricked my leg, then there was another prick in my foot. It was not too bad at all.

I don’t know how he found the spots to stick the needles into. All he seemed to do was run his hand lightly over my skin.

So far so good. He walked out of the room and left me to my thoughts for a little while.

On his return he asked me to “throw your top off” and lay face down. Just as well I was wearing a decent bra that day and not one of my “I definitely have to replace it soon” kind.

The acupuncturist stuck needles all over the place but I hardly felt them. He departed again with the words “I won’t be long”.

Right, I listened to the soft music that was playing and waited for him to come back and take these needles out.

He did not come back. I was alone in a room – admittedly with soothing music – my back probably looking like a porcupine with its quills up.

I tried to think about an upcoming lunch and what I would serve. That occupied me for a while. Nothing happened. No door opened, no acupuncturist appeared and I suddenly had the horrible thought that I had been forgotten.

Should I call out? Should I get up? Probably not a good idea with all those needles in my back. Then I heard the door opening and a friendly voice asking me how I felt.

“Bloody abandoned,” I wanted to say but held my piece. The acupuncturist removed the needles and I went on my merry way.

Since then, I have been having regular treatments by my favourite acupuncturist – favourite because I don’t feel his needles at all. They have rid me of vertigo, anxiety, headaches and lots of other annoyances.

The most amazing thing is that those little, fine needles are also a cure for motion sickness, which could have spoiled many a cruise or boat-trip.

May you overcome your fear of needles and try acupuncture some time. fabric. Fear was quickly eplaced by awe.

Between the roar of the flame, the peacefulness of floating above tree covered mountains and descending gently into valleys, it was mesmerising. We flew close enough to treetops to briefly touch the leaves.

A car enthusiast, hubby pointed excitedly at old vehicles on farms where cows looked like toy animals.

Throughout the flight, Jon shared fascinating ballooning facts, clearly showing his passion for flying. Contact with the ground crew was by mobile phone as they drove to where we would land.

The location needs to have access to pick up both the passengers and balloon.

While a balloon is allowed to land almost anywhere, permission was sought from the paddock owner where we descended.

The landing was without drama and after climbing out, we stood inside the partially deflated balloon for a photo.

We helped fold and pack the balloon, an activity a little like folding a giant tent.

I’d have been happy to stay airborne until the gas ran out!

Traditionally, champagne is served to celebrate the safe return of flyers so breakfast capped off the morning beautifully. I’d happily fly again. It was definitely majestical! If you’re looking for an adventure, I can heartily recommend sunshinecoastballooning.com.au

with Cheryl Lockwood

IT IS hard to pick an adjective to describe my latest adventure. It brought to mind a movie where the characters argue over whether “majestical” is a real word.

If that’s a mix of magical and majestic, then it’s quite apt. As a joint birthday gift, hubby and I lashed out on a hot air balloon flight. We met Sasha Oehm of Sunshine Coast Ballooning and were whisked off to a secret site for launch. Well, not really secret.

Hot air ballooning is subject to weather conditions, which determine take off point, direction of travel and landing. The exact location is decided the evening prior to flight and can change on the day if the weather is unfavourable.

As the first rays of sun tried to peek through the clouds, we watched our pilot, Jon Oehm, blow air into the balloon with a heavy-duty fan. With several blasts of heat from the gas-fired flame, the balloon inflated above its wicker basket.

Climbing in was not a graceful, but we were soon standing in the basket gazing up inside the balloon. I had a brief moment of questioning the wisdom of going up in something that looked like grandma had made at basket-weaving class.

However, Jon with his years of piloting experience here and overseas, soon had us at ease. We were assured wicker was not just a traditional material, but found to be superior in terms of strength, weight and flexibility.

Before we knew it, we were wafting gently upward and looking down on the Bruce Highway from under flimsy, air-filled