Page 96 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 19
P. 96
relax and watch his Koi. These were Showa, growing Graham is a landscape gardener, and it shows! Winding
on from spawnings over the last three years. There was paths led you around the garden, at each turn there
one particular Hi Showa, I think it was a Sansai, with was a horticultural surprise, through an arch you could
balanced Motoguro which took my eye. Adjacent to this access a hidden seating area to view the pond,
area in the fishhouse was another working area with everywhere there were interesting plantings. There was
ponds of fry and brine shrimp hatching in containers. a display of plants for sale including some very
interesting and unusual succulents, and several of the
Dave has achieved a lot with his Showa breeding South East members purchased them.
programme so far and I think he will achieve a great
deal more in the future. He is a modest man but at The pond was oval, raised and constructed of brick
some point I would like to feature his achievements with a capacity of 7,000 gallons. Graham showed me
with Showa in Koi Net. But at the moment Baker san is photos of the pond in various stages of construction
avoiding the limelight. and I was amazed at how quickly he managed to carry
out the work.
We arrived at Graham and Cathy Hall’s home in
Wickford about 3.15 – again, teas, coffees and cakes. The raised brick walls were just the right height to sit,
I sometimes wonder how so many Koi keepers can eat chat and enjoy the refreshments. The pond had two
so much but still retain the bodies of Adonis! bottom drains which fed the filters, these consisted of
two 4 bay filters, a skimmer and a roto shower. The
water was returned to the pond via three 55w UV’s.
Carefully thought out planting around the pond
softened the edges of the brickwork creating a pleasing
restful impression. We said goodbye to Graham and
Cathy and moved on to our last pond owned by George
Simmons at Bowers Gifford.
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