Koi Muppet's On Tour

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Bob Hart
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Bob Hart »

vippymini wrote:now youve put up pictures of cars i'm going to ask. how come you didn't make a detour to see some of the world rally championship?
Hi Jane,

If the offer had been there to go to the rally, I would have turned it down. I didnt even want to go tothe Japanese garden at first, perfering to see more Koi. The garden was fitted in anyway so that was OK, but it was a Koi trip for me, koi and more koi.

As Gazza has said it was very hectic anyway, lots of travelling by car or train each day, it wouldnt have been everyone's preference. Most dealers wont do these miles, prefering to go to Niigata where you stay in the same hotel for the week and go to the same places in the evening. We had the added excitment of not knowing where we would stay and whewre we would eat each night and what would be served up. We also dined with many of the breeders who were pleased we had taken the time to travel to them.
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Gazza »

I think thats a good point Bob many of the breeders where only to happy we had gone all the way to see them and spend the evening with us which was always great fun :D

And some of the views we had will stay with us for a long time :D

Bob on the job

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8531.JPG[/img]

Nice :D

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8659.JPG[/img]

Who was the lucky guy getting all the lifts :D

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8567.JPG[/img]

I think Mike liked this one

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8523.JPG[/img]
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by kayoss »

Hi Guys

Just had a chance to read this thread through properly. It's a shame Gregg's photos have been moved :( , but what a great account of your trip! :D

Gazza's Shiro and Bob's Showas look really terrific and, whether the scales do come through or not :wink: :lol: I think that doitsu Sanke looks pretty special too!

And Gregg's got an invite to return for a week to help with the harvest - jealous or wot???!!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to post guys

Cheers
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Bob Hart »

Put some new batteries into my small camera tonight, found another 100+ photo's, so thought I'd load these up for you all to see.

We arrived in Okayama on our first day, the second morning we went to Momotaro, then we got on the bullet train and went to Mihara. At the hotel here we met up with Glenn and Annette and went for some food. More or less went strainght into the first OK looking place, where absolutly no one spoke any Elglish and none of us could speak any Japanese. Luckily the menu had pictures.

As you can see it was one of those Korean BBQ's, where you get a large BBQ to cook the raw meat you order. Annette was in charge of the menu, you can see what happenned here!

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics068.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics070.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics077.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics080.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics081.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics082.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics083.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics088.jpg[/img]

After this we finally made contact with Mike and Darren, who had driven for 5-hours that day and were looking a tad tired. It didnt worry us though, we found a local bar and dropped in for the odd pint. It was the wee early hours before some of us crept back in, Darren did a bit of pole dancing on the way back!!!!!!

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics094.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics095.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics096.jpg[/img]

Glenn's new friend, they conversed through laughter and pointing!
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics097.jpg[/img]


I've got loads more pictures to put up yet, so keep watching!
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Gazza »

I had forgotten about that bar Bob do you remember that guy who joined in and become Glens new mate :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Bob Hart »

That's a picture of them Gazza
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Bob Hart »

While on our Tour, we were invited to a Harvest of Large Koi at Takigawa. There were only 16 Koi in this large mud pond, at least one of which was Mike's.
Up early and on the road at 7am, quick stop at a 7-11 shop for something to eat and arrived at the darm just after 8.

This is a view of the farm as we approached
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics921.jpg[/img]

Views of the pond and a load of Muppets standby nearby to 'assist'
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics925.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics926.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics927.jpg[/img]

One of the ponds inhabitants awaiting being netted
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics928.jpg[/img]

The guys then quickly netted 10 of the Koi which were togather in one area
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics930.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics931.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics932.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics933.jpg[/img]

They were each 'walked' up the steps and put into the container on the back of the van
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics934.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics935.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics936.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics937.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics938.jpg[/img]

Back at the koi house, they were unloaded one by one and put into a measuring bowl. Each measurment was recorded in a folder against each Koi so that that summers growth would be known and recorded on the day. The Koi were then gently put into the large indoor pond where they will reside for the Winter. No floating bags here, mud pond to indoor pond in a short time.
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics940.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics942.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics944.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics945.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics948.jpg[/img]

This is Mike's Koi, which Takigawa San thinks is the best Koi on the whole farm
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics950.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics962.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics963.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics973.jpg[/img]

Then it was back up to the mud pond to capture the other 6 Koi.
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics974.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics975.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics976.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics977.jpg[/img]

Supervisor!
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics979.jpg[/img]

You can see how near the ponds were to the indoor ponds, as I'm photographing from the indoor pond after wandering back down.
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics980.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics981.jpg[/img]

Unloading these Koi
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics991.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics994.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics997.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics998.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics999.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1000.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1001.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1002.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1015.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1016.jpg[/img]

Now that is a big lantern
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1021.jpg[/img]

No fishing sign
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1022.jpg[/img]

View of mud pond, the one at the top is the one just harvested
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1023.jpg[/img]

Some of Takgawa's koi houses
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... cs1026.jpg[/img]
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Koogakoi »

105.JPG
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Bob Hart »

Think you'll have to try again Chris!
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Koogakoi »

Hi Guys
Had a little bit of spare time on my hands,so I thought I'd have go at posting a few pictures of our recent trip

The first fish I bought , 3year Goromo form Takigawa
[img]http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp159/Koogakoi/105.jpg[/img]

I intened not to buy a Kohaku, but this instantly caught my eye. A 3 year old from Matsue
[img]http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp159/Ko ... am0020.jpg[/img]
A small showa from Matuse, not a great picture,but should be interesting to watch it grow
[img]http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp159/Ko ... am0026.jpg[/img]
Your rarely see good showa's. This was exceptional . From the Breeder Okawa. I should of bought this!!!!!!!
[img]http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp159/Ko ... ko0002.jpg[/img]

I'll post some more soon.
The Northern Koi muppet
Bob sent you an email today did you get it I had some trouble sending it ?
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Gazza »

Ello from the Northern koi Muppet :D

Great to see you got the pictures sorted Chris and yes a stunning Showa imagine what it will look like in a few years....awsume :!:

I like the Goromo but remember the one swimming nest to it.....it had to be the No1 so it shows you have a good eye young man :D

Hope your back to normal now and managing to get the odd power nap in :D :wink:
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Bob Hart »

A few more pictures here of the Japanese Hobbists pond we visited

Late one afternoon, we visited a hobbyists pond about an hour from Takigawa's. This was a 100 ton pond, which equates to 22000 gallons. There was another smaller pond alongside it, which must have been around 4000-500
The owner was Tokoyama San, who Mike Snaden has met at Takigawa's on many occassions and was very keen to open up his pond to a bunch of Muppets to have a look around.

The pond is covered by this large structure as you can see and the house and pond are right alongside a very busy road which is 4-lanes wide.
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics892.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics893.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics897.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics898.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics906.jpg[/img]

All of his Koi except one come from Takigawa, with the 2 largest go-Sanke being 88cm. A large Chagoi (or is it a Mukashi Ogon?) was measured a year ago at 105cm.
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics899.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics900.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics901.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics905.jpg[/img]

The filter is very large running along the back and side walls of the pond. It is filtered by 'Izeki Nets' which are hung vertically from pipes so the water passes through them. These are the best pictures I could get as it was a bit dark.
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics903.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics907.jpg[/img]

As is common on a lot of Japanes ponds and dealers ponds, they use simple pipe pumps to return the water. With the filter being adjacent to the pond all the pump has to do is move the water a few feet.
[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics908.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq196/Bo ... ics909.jpg[/img]
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Gazza »

Hi Bob,

What a lucky bunch of Muppet's where where not only was our guides second to none and new a bit about Koi but we had the opportunities of dining with Breeders and going to hobbyists homes to see a great set up which was basically all open and just off a main road :shock:

Is that young Chris " I want that one"

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8401.JPG[/img]

A right couple of Muppet's :D

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8416.JPG[/img]

A view from the pond :D

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8411.JPG[/img]

How big is this structure :D

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8427.JPG[/img]
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Gazza »

When we was at one of the mud pond harvest we was surprised to see what Mike had grown on in this pond,not to my taste but Mike liked it :D

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8601.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_8602.JPG[/img]
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Re: Koi Muppets On Tour

Post by Bob Hart »

What was the Turtles name then Gazza, I think I may know?????????
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