October 2nd / 3rd

Nov 2nd
Woke up to gale force winds. Morning tasks cancelled, and winds expected all day. Invited the Australian team over for coffee and they helped us plan some of our Australian trip. Went for a bicycle ride, which was a bad decision, as the winds were coming across the fields at 18-20mph! Lots of pedal pushing for no distance!!! Went out to dinner at Great chinese restaurant. They had their own vegetable and herb garden in the back, where you could see the chefs clipping their ingredients. Every dish had a unique taste, the best food I've tasted in a long time. If you ever visit Saga go to Chine Umenohana restaurant.
Nov 3
Beautiful day! Competition has begun again. We had to find a field to take off in, drop a beanbag at a target of our choice, then head towards the launch field, and spectators and try to land a beanbag on a target in front of the spectators. Then fly to a judge declared target. The choices have to be declared beforehand to the observer in the basket. It was a little windy , but we had plenty of crew to hold the basket down.
Derek goes off to work-- nice way to commute!
After dropping the beanbags, Derek lands in a cut rice field. Homestay family got there before us and helped steady the basket. We had to wait for 3 other chase vehicles to clear the road, as they had abandoned their vehicles to hold down their pilots balloon.
Plenty of crew to help pack the balloon away. No, the girl with her arm in a sling, was not Dereks last passenger!!!! Went home for our lunch time ramon noodles. This afternoon is the Key Grab competition. Chance to win a Honda car, motorbike or a generator. This is also the end of the competition.