Amazing what a lot of money and some hired help can create. Doesn't mean they enjoy it any less, but I have more respect for those that do the creating themselves. These are not real gardeners, they simply have a garden. A very nice, very expensive garden. jb

I agree Rick, never let good wine go to waste. You can recork a bottle and it will keep in the Fridge for a few days. Or better yet, pour the wine into an empty plastic water bottle. They come in almost any size and are easy to find. Put the wine in one, squeeze out any extra air and put the cap back on. It will keep for a week or two in the fridge. Its contact with air that makes it go bad.

When i was in England My brother in law would drive the mini over to France by the tunnel, and load up with wine as much as he could as it is dirt cheap there, like $2 and $3 a bottle and he would share it with family, he always went thru nothing to declare, and the mini was hugging the road, also he had to remember to drive back on the other side of the road which is a real chalenge.

Hi Charlie, I do recommend going for it--there is so much joy to be gotten from watching little fishies! I had made lovely pond in my last (rental-sigh!) property, and it wouldn't have had much more volume to it than a half barrel. It was a ripper! I did some net research first (for those cosidering a small pond, just dig a hole, line it with carpet underlay, then put on proper pond plastic, and bob's your uncle). The main thing I'd be worrying about is coating the barrel. Goldfish are just carp, and (as we in Oz know all to well) they'll put up with pretty much anything. However, it would be a bummer if any chemicals in the barrel were poisonous. Best basic bet would be to fill it with water and leave it for, say, three days, then emptly it and fill it again, then repeat (terrible waste of water, but you could put it on the garden. Maintanence of a small pond is easy. About every month, bucket out about 1/3 to 1/2 of the water (which will get fish poo-y) then refill with fresh water. Your aquarium person will try to convince you to use a water conditioner, but I never bothered, and to no ill effect. Just plop the hose in on slow drizel and let it refill. Mind you that's Melbourne water, if your water is bad, this may not be a good idea... Once or twice a year (depending on water disgustingness) catch your little fishies and put them in a bucket (takes a long time, think of it as a hunting game), take out your plants, empty out all the water with a bucket (it's disgusting at the bottom, but the compost will adore it), give it a good clean with water only, refill, replant, refish. And remember the goldfish=carp thing. Very resiliant, tho float their prison-bucket in the new water a couple hours to get the temp the same before you toss em in. Re the mozzies, fish love 'em, so shouldn't be a prob. The best mozzie caching fish are commets, little bugers that cost about $2 each from the pet shop. They're crazy! If your'e feeling sadistic drop in an evil fat green caterpiiar and watch them go! No mozzies for you. I found the native water lilly the best (the pond was under a gum tree), but in warmer weather and with at least half a day of light a traditional one might work, as long as you've got a couple feet of water. Good luck! It is the best fun ever--my fish made it through a good few years until a big storm washed in polution from the tree above them (or so me and the aquarium dude decided) and they all died. But the next batch are doing fine, so the new residents tell me. Cheers, Emmaline PS:Thanks for the tahitian lime suggestions, all.