Hi scottspond, some how didn't think she would, Florida vs Manchester, no contest really ;-) The area I live in is New Mills, in High Peak in Derbyhsire. If it doesn't ring a bell, it's just past Lyme park, Buxton is about 2 miles away, Stockport 9 miles and Manchester 20 miles (all via road) Handily the railway station is about 5 mins away from my home, so trips to Manchester are pleasent through the countyside and don't require I use the car ;-) And in summer I get to hop on the odd steam trian, every boys dream. My Mancunian mates reckon I've gone "all posh" living here, as I was born and grew up in Fallowfield and went to school in Rusholme. Regards ChrisC.

I'm no fish expert either, but this is what I did. I read about ways to get your fish to eat out of my hand. One thing is do not feed your fish for a few days. Don't worry, fish will find little things to chomp on, so they will not go hungry... much. Sit by the pond (quietly) and put your hand with a little food (3-4 pellets) in it, into the water. Release the food into water. The key is to move slowly and quietly (as they become used to you, they will tolerate faster movements and some noise). Also start out feeding in one select spot until they get use to you as their "food source". They will come to the food. Just stay there quietly. Stay there until all food is eaten. Add a little more. Soon they will SEE you as the source of food (right now they see it as falling out of the sky - lucky them). It takes patience; Presently I have one fish that comes right up to the side (I can rub it under/around the mouth). Anyone walks out to the pond, that fish moves, and the others follow. The others are just there, a foot away. I've gotten caught up in summer activities and haven't focus on the training of my fish much recently. My next step is to choose my next fish to selectively feed and focus on it to come to the side (there are a few candidates). LP Here is a link that might be useful: Handfeeding koi

Jubilation! My 2 sisters and friend are visiting my mom's house for the weekend. This morning, while I was still at my apartment, my sharp-eyed sister spotted a female hummingbird at my home made feeder by the window. She told my mom, who was also sitting at the table, eating breakfast, and they were both thrilled to see her. They were so excited that they shouted up to my sister's friend, unconcerned that my other sister was still sound asleep and on California time! Mary Lou, the friend, (how can I put this delicately?) was upstairs in the bathroom, and came charging downstairs, with no idea what the hubbub was all about. She thought for sure that there was some grave medical emergency and was no doubt wondering if she should dial 911. By the time she got downstairs, the little lady was gone, but Mary Lou got to see her later when she returned within the hour to sip at the feeder. They said she came at least 3 times during the morning hours, and I got here about noonish, but haven't seen her. I'm putting some fresh nectar out, and at the moment, the feeder's sitting in the freezer, cooling down as quickly as possible so I can put it outside again. I am so psyched! It looks like we're finally getting a regular, and much earlier than last year. The native columbines are in full bloom, and I also have what I think are Salvia coccinea that are blooming lightly. It's been so darn cold and wet that the Salvia is sulking a wee bit, but I know that when we get back to normal May temperatures, the swelling buds will burst into bloom. I've got some "Billy Green" Fuchsia in an 18" pot, so hoping it will bloom soon so I can see if it's as good as Gartenmeister Bonstedt. My Monarda, "Gardenview Scarlet" is also looking good, but no flowers yet. ..And this just in... While writing the previous paragraph, with the feeder still in the freezer, my sister shouted again that she was back and looking in vain for the feeder. I dashed to the freezer, grabbed the cooling feeder, and raced out the door in time to see her giving up and zipping off to the Steinmetz's house, across the street and diagonal from us. "Oh come back," I shouted foolishly, but she didn't listen. They've got lots of flowers over at the Steinmetz house, so I imagine she's enjoying a fine dining experience over there. The feeder's out again, and I'm hoping she'll reappear. Unlike our one-time male, it looks like she's here to stay. I am so, so happy! Can you tell?

I started putting plants in mine after a couple of days. I think you are meant to wait several weeks before a trial fish or two. Personally I would wait till you have it well stocked with plants....but proper fish keepers here will advise you. What sort of fish are you going for? Are you having it as a "natural"/ wildife pond or will you have filters and waterfalls and fountains?