Saturday 5th April 2008.
The big day is here, everything, well almost everything is ready, I headed off to the farm at 6.45am, arriving at 7.00am. First job was to make sure everything was fine with the koi and then I set about the final preparations. Boxes and bags readied and a sweep through with a brush. Then it was all down to putting up signs and photos of the koi.
Stuart was the first of the of helpers to arrive at 7.45am, he set about the water changes in the vats which were just completed before the gates opened at 10am. From 8.30am on slowly my trusty band of helpers arrived and we were ready for the onslaught, although perhaps a little chilly as the weather was sunny, but very cold. Lynn was in the worst position as she was outside with the wind blowing straight at her and the prospect of running the barbeque looked a little daunting!
So 10am arrived, the early customers were let loose and koi sales had begun. Things were a little slow to begin, but things soon started rolling and koi were bagged all day long. The barbeque was fired up just after 11am and Lynn was dressed to kill! I hope someone has a photo of how she looked, a bit like a Michelin man with around 20 coats, one on top of the other! The food and drinks rolled and a great job was done by her, aided by Bekki, Nicola and Al on delivery service to the workers.
The end of the day came and all water changes were once again carried out by Stuart and we headed off home for our evening entertainment. Lynn seems to draw the short straw as she was once again in charge of food preparation. She catered for 18 of us with a choice of three main courses (one of which was made by my wonderful mum-in-law Bettine) and three deserts. Drinks rolled and a few soon seemed a little under the weather!
Time for bed at 2am, Stuart a sleep on the dinning room floor, the Chetters in the spare rooms.