Caryl

OK, with the recession hitting quite a few, holidays may be off the radar for a while. This offer is for those who need a break but can't afford it. We have always told people they are welcome to stay the night if they are travelling between the islands and need a break at the halfway point so this is just an extension of this. We have met some great people over the years! :bounce: We live in Blenheim and have 2 spare bedrooms available (queen bed, single plus stretchers etc). Whether you are single, a couple, or have kids, we are offering a place to stay for free for a few days for those for whom money is tight at the moment. Buy your own food, or contribute to the groceries. We also have a car that seats 7 so as long as you can get to a ferry terminal, airport, bus or train station we can pick you up. The car could be available for your use (assuming you are over 25yrs and have a clean, current driving licence) as long as you pay for fuel or we are happy to show you our district. The wine trail is very popular There are a lot of things to do in Marlborough, especially if you like out door activities like biking, walking, hiking etc. The Sounds are 25 minutes away or you could do a day trip to Nelson. Kaikoura is also a scenic drive and an easy day trip. We have the Wither Hills walk and bike tracks right behind our house so easy to access and lovely views. Pelorus Bridge is a great place for a day's picnic with nature walks and good swimming (although very cold water!) We don't care when, or how many of you, just give us a PM or email to discuss possibilities and it will be first in first served. If necessary, we can pitch a tent in the front yard or, if you decide to visit late January/Feb kids would love sleeping in the open on the verandah. There is room to park a small camper if necessary. We live next to a small reserve with plenty of space for kids to run around and it has swings and seesaws to play on. We also have a large pond they could fall in :lol: You would get to meet Bud the wonder budgie! There are plenty of places to visit (many free but some with entry costs). We have the Omaka Warbirds Museum which is excellent, Brayshaw Park (model train rides for kids on certain days) the riverside railway (again, only on specific days) plus a great mini golf course and Eccoworld in Picton (not to mention all the beaches). Pollard Park is a lovely garden park with a river running through it and play area for kids. Feb 6th is the Blues Brews and BBQs. Always popular and sold out in advance. Tickets to this R18 event are $40 and we live a 3 minute drive or a 15 minute walk (assuming you can walk in a straight line when you come home). Happy to drop you off and pick you up. If you have kids we will even babysit for you! http://www.bluesbrews.co.nz/blenheim will give you a list of entertainers booked for this. The Marlborough Wine and Food Festival is Feb 13th and is $48. If you are willing to work there for the morning (an easy job of guarding the chillers) we may be able to get you in for the rest of the day for free http://www.wine-marlborough-festival.co.nz has more details. Liam Finn is headlining. Again, we can get you there and back, depending on times as we both work out there all day. Our home was built 30 years ago and we only have one bathroom (no fancy en suites here!) but plenty of room for visitors. This offer is open to all from now onwards. Whether you just want a weekend away or a week please contact me.

I know you can get stuff to keep whites white (be it dye or bleach based) but not heard of a black one. I would assume, even if it isn't a dye, that it should not stain the washing machine as the dyes you buy certainly don't. Read the label on the container, it should tell you, or have an 0800 number you could ring and ask.

Is it possible some work was being done on the water supply in your area? I know they have been doing major stuff to it in ChCh recently. I assume they were the only fish in the tank affected?

All under 3ft I think but don't quote me. :roll: Outside, the size of the tank will make little difference to what temperature it can reach, although it will have less swings to it. My paddling pools I breed the fish in get over 28C (and over 32C at times on really hot days).

I picked up a booklet today called the National Pest Plant Accord (2008) which says all the plants listed in it are considered pests throughout NZ. All are banned from sale, propagation and distribution. One of those listed is Vallisneria spiralis. I can't find a V. nana in any of my plant books. A full copy of the NPPA booklet and updates can be viewed at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/nppa Further information can be found on the Weedbusters website http://weedbusters.co.nz

In Nelson you would have to be very careful where you put it. I remember Billaney attempting to breed fish outside in tanks last summer but found the temperature got too hot and was hard to regulate.

Looks really good. Well done!

Great pics, thanks for sharing :bounce:

The dark thinner ones that jerk in a Z pattern are mozzie larvae.

We have 2 spare bedrooms here so anyone looking for free accommodation when passing through, or attending a local event, is most welcome.

That is a kind offer Mark but we don't drink so would not like to be responsible for you overdoing the alcohol intake 8)

Dahnia change colour depending on the colour of what they are eating. If they have green water they are green, otherwise they are usually brown. I have never tried to separate mine from other greeblies in the water as I figure it is all good live food. I am more worried about transferring algae from troughs so am very careful to check for any signs of an unwanted algae that could infect my aquarium. Stock troughs often have long filamentous algae growing in them. Mossie larvae

Times have changed I guess and many no longer know their neighbours You are lucky suphew, as is your elderly neighbour. We have a good system going with some of our neighbours too and keep an eye out when someone is away and clear each other's mail boxes. One neighbour has just lost his job. He wanted a trailer and noticed we had one tucked away in the back yard, obviously unused for a long time, so asked if we were wanting to sell it. Grant suggested if he cleaned up our back yard (very much in need of it!) and took away the old batteries (we paid the dump fee) stacked all over the place, he could have the trailer for free. We now have a lovely clean area and neighbour will get a trailer (as soon as we move the dead Isuzu out of the way so we can get it out) :roll: Grant often does computer work in exchange for goods. We have a reasonably steady supply of whitebait, wild pork and venison, lamb chops and roasts, fruit, vegetables and seasonal fruit cake (from friends who are Jehovah's Witness or something who don't recognise Christmas so we can't call it a Christmas cake :lol: ). Many of our customers are elderly with a limited income but many grow their own fruit and veg, something Grant and I have discovered we suck at :roll: ) One person swaps computer expertise for her wonderful Dutch apple pie

Gee Alan, you took the fun out of it :lol: Are these fish in a tank or pond?

Speaking for Cryl, I agree :lol: That is not an egg bulge :-? Not looking good. It may be a tumour or something else growing under the skin. It may eventually burst and either heal, or kill the fish. I don't know what to suggest in the way of help for it though.

We enjoyed our visit to Living Art's too but were so busy chatting we didn't get further than the fish room! :roll:

They should be fine for a while but make sure you have plenty of filtration and regular water changes as they are messy fish and produce a lot of waste. Their growth will be slowed if kept in there too long.

Due to some people voicing concerns about this matter, we would like to point out that Erythromycin is a prescription only drug and therefore we believe it may be illegal to distribute it. Most of you know I am actually one who has offered some in the past as I know two doctors who have been happy to give me the small amount required to do the job. One was intrigued with why I wanted it and actually ended up eventually getting an aquarium himself. 8) I am more concerned with those who have some to offer because they did not finish the course prescribed by their doctor. Erythromycin is an antibiotic. If you are prescribed these you should finish the whole course. If you do not do so your body can build up immunity to these drugs and they lose their effectiveness. We have trouble already with super bugs appearing. We would like to point out that the FNZAS does not condone the illegal distrbution of prescription medicines.

Welcome back bikiegirl! Long time no see. What fish do you have these days? PS It's been over 3 years since you were here last

Perhaps it is because my aquarium has a lot of driftwood in it with tight hidey holes and is also heavily planted. I have no idea where the BNs are laying and the only way I know they have spawned again is when I see little fry munching their way along a log or leaf. I guess a lot are being eaten or I would be over-run with them by now. :roll:

I bet he is one happy fella :lol:

I find other fish do not eat BN fry as often as they do other types of fish. Perhaps the spines put them off :-? No special food needed. The fry will live off their egg sacs for a few days then will be off to see the world, happily nibbling on everything as they go.

My pond is a real hot bed this morning with groups of fish spawning all over the place!

I will see what I can do. In the middle of printing November Aquarium Worlds at the moment.

I am tempted to reply "His left knee is popular" but I will control myself :lol: You will love whatever bits you manage to visit and regret not seeing the bits you missed so it won't matter what you end up doing in the end. The kayaking offers some spectacular scenery.