I would have reported sooner, but was without internet access last night due to a changeover of ISPs. 
I met up with Graeme and Mark (Mad Duff) at about 10:30am. I was running late, as is usual for me (terrible I know). It turned out that they had a really good journey down and had got there about 9am!!! They said they had half thought about calling round at my house instead of the shop because they were earlier than planned, but it was quite lucky they didn't as I was probably in the bath!
Anyway, a bit later on Helen arrived and we all had a good laugh chatting about all manner of things (!) and looking/talking about all the loaches. Although I'd heard from Lee (KhuliKhilla) the day before, to say that him and Dave (palaeodave) were planning on coming up for a visit, a few hours went by and we thought that maybe they weren't able to make it afterall. So after some coffee, we decided to start catching fish out for Graeme and Mark. Then to our surprise, Lee and Dave walked round the corner into the loach section! Turns out they had had quite a journey up to us via train, coach and bus! It was really great to meet up with these two at long last, and everyone seemed to get on really well.Once I had bagged/oxygenated up Graeme's fish (including the naughty XL Syncrossus helodes who managed to spine through several layers of bags) and loaded up his 2 fish boxes with lots of loaches and a couple of eels, I then helped Steve with Marks' purchases. Mark went back with 3 fish boxes (outdoing Graeme this time!
) including some very lovely XL Botia histrionica 'Ataran' that we'd had in for some time. I've never actually taken any pics of these, as when they came in they were very skinny, and several months on (after having been through several Levamisole treatments) these secretive loaches were spotted by Mark and snapped up. So hopefully he will do the honours and get lots of pics for us, as the markings are something quite special, as is the sheer size of them.Before my two favourite northeners left, we went to take a group photo and Helen Nightingale decided to do a disappearing act! We looked all round for her, but there was no sign.
So we had a quick couple of pics taken with the trolleyfull of fish boxes:
Left to right:
Dave, Lee, Graeme, Mark and me.
But then, just as we got round by the till area, I found her and dragged her into these next photos
:
Steve actually sneeked into the background of these pics too.
After Graeme and Mark were on their way, the rest of us went over to the restaurant in Wyevale's for a drink and something to eat. We all had a good chat and then went back to my house to see the loaches. Despite our best efforts, including bribery by prawns, Marge would not make a proper appearance this time.
However, the guys did get to see a lot of the others, including the 2nd biggest clown, Stripes, who is pretty impressive himself. Marge could be seen lurking around the side of the tank under the bogwood, so at least they did manage to partly see her, although it would have topped the day off nicely if she had graced us with her presence. 
Never mind, maybe next time!Martin, I'm sure that you'll be pleased to know that Helen, Dave & Lee all showed much interest in the river tank and I think you'll have another assimilation on your hands pretty soon!
We showed them the manifold from the old river tank, which kind of helps to visualise how to construct these things....so watch this space, I don't think it'll be too long now, heheh! Helen hinted when we were driving back to the shop that Graeme and Mark have some sort of plan hatching, and wouldn't tell me anymore. So who knows what they are thinking up next!
Should I be worried?!Back at the shop, Lee spotted an unusual Botia histrionica with a really cute round-nosed face, which I moved to another tank and reserved for him on his next visit. Steve then drove Lee and Dave back to the station whilst I caught Helen out some lovely little Rasbora species and a slightly squiggly marked Botia striata.
Wish the day could have gone on longer, so Helen has put forward the idea of people staying over the night before at her place (bring your tents!) and even a proper LOL evening out somewhere where we can really let our hair down!
Graeme is already planning on driving back down in a few weeks time, as I am supposed to be receiving an order of an exciting new Tiger Botia species this week, and guess who wants to add them to his Grrr Tank! Don't blame me if you are put in the doghouse once again Mr R!
Emma
You will be assimilated..Portsmouth, London, Ivy Todd...Resistance is futile.
Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
