Caryl

From memory ours cost $15,000 (but that included landscaping the whole front yard, installing an automatic sprinkler system, and replacing the verandah that runs the full length of the house and has 2 levels :roll: )

It is good to see so many clubs holding tank crawls recently and having them attended by other clubs. Keep up the good work people! :bounce: It is a great way to meet fellow fish keepers, see other aquariums and ponds, see fish you may not have seen before, get a chance to swap or buy fish or plants etc and get ideas for your own aquascaping. I have never attended a tank crawl where I did not enjoy myself and find plenty of interest.

What a shame Jim, you would have enjoyed it If it is just a lack of data projector I might be able to help there. Peter is talking at our place tomorrow night so anyone who wishes to attend is most welcome. 7.30pm, 8a Faulkland Drive, Blenheim.

Blair you have GOT to go and see Stella's fish. You will not think natives are dull or boring after that. They look unassuming at first, sure, but they catch the light beautifully in subtle ways.

It is no because it is illegal to take driftwood off some beaches, like Hokitika beach. This is because the majority of it is dried wood up above the tideline and stopping erosion. Nobody objects to you picking up a bit of interestingly shaped waterlogged stuff closer to the waterline The salt is not a problem. Soak or hose off the driftwood when you get it home. The small amount of salt stuck in nooks and crannies will not affect anything as there will be so little of it.

You can possibly get those trays for free at your supermarket if you ask nicely.

I'd vote for Organism too

All the dining room light shades at Lochmara Lodge were made from used computer parts as seen in the pic. The light shades over the bar were cut in half wine bottles. I thought the computer ones looked really cool and different :lol: One way of using waste instead of dumping it.

I have done so and I did like it I like Japanese style cooking. John Eastwood introduced me to it.

I didn't say I don't eat raw fish I said I don't eat live fish I like sushi Tsar - shut your eyes when you eat them 8)

Once you experienced reptile owners are in agreement as to the information given on Livingart's fact sheets, copy and paste the finished 'sheets' into a new message then sticky them please Livingart

Sorry Barrie, I was just asking Grant (who has just arrived home) which he preferred and realised it was you, not Jim! :oops: PS. Grant prefers yours too

Nothing wrong with those pics Stella

By the way, when my dad was a boy they used to fish for whitebait and fill 44 gallon drums with it. They then spread it on the garden as fertiliser as nobody wanted to actually buy them!

OK, tried both and I think Jim's (and Navarre's) recipe wins. I split the amount in half and got 18 patties from dad's and 12 using Jim's recipe. This number used to feed a family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids) but since it is just Grant and I these days - we ate them all ourselves :lol: here they are... Jim's recipe on the right. I did not use butter - that is a no-no here. I used non stick spray. Burp 8)

aroma

Too late, she knows what we are up to I might split my amount in half and do half your way and half mine. Will try and remember to take photos and give a report later tonight 8) DON'T LOOK STELLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Err I never said there was a fish tank in the loo - it will be in the bathroom! Come to think of it, when renovations are finished we will no longer have a bath in there. Perhaps bathroom is a bit of a misnomer now :-?

Barrie, do the whitebait all stick together your way, patty-like, or are they more like short noodles? :-?

When I asked if that is what they were, I was told they were herrings. I have no idea.

Sorry Stella. I promise to feel guilty as I eat them and I will apologise afterwards too I will give Barrie's suggestion a go but don't touch beer as it is loathsome stuff :-?

The if it goes wrong - you can blame Morcs! :lol:

I don't eat live fish! I don't buy whitebait either - too expensive. This bag was given to me this morning and is 1lb which is about 450g I think. My dad (born and bred on the West Coast of the South Is) uses this recipe... Beat together 3 eggs and 1tsp salt Add 1/2 - 3/4C flour and 1tsp baking powder Mix to a smooth batter with milk. Add 1lb whitebait. Don't mix too much and don't mix it again after it has been first mixed. Cook as patties. This makes the whitebait go further than Barrie's method

Look what we're having for tea :lol:

When feeding the fish with bits of bread... Don't throw in a whole slice... The fish get a bit excited... and then have the bread stolen from above... More pics here