Walking onto the beach, charcoal still littered the sand and the headlands either side were sandy and black, lacking any hint of regrowth or recovery. Watching the sunrise one morning from the rocks, I sat for almost an hour enamoured by the changing light and ocean life.

Starting in the North from Historic Georgetown, the road climbed up into the hills before easing slightly. Clear Creek provided a handrail for the tarmac as I navigated the hairpins, stopping frequently to admire the changing scenery.

As the balloons drifted West at the mercy of the morning’s gentle winds, I turned my attention to a previously identified spot looking out over the Molonglo Valley. After most of the morning rowers had moved past, I happened to catch the moment this four-person crew passing in front just as the bright yellow CBR Balloon spun to show off its livery in full.