Welcome to Koi Forum. Is this your first visit? Register
Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Testing Times

  1. #1

    Testing Times

    Hi Everyone,

    For anyone who doesn't know me I'm Bryan living in Sussex & married to Rosemary (the lovely one!). We have three adult children and a year ago Annabel our first grandchild was born.

    This year has been far from easy. In Koi terms we had the most traumatic experience of KHV in our pond. But for the kindness and generosity of many on here we would have found it extremely difficult to re-start our koi hobby.

    Life has been far from easy since my serious illness in 2007 which prevents me from having a working life (this is tough).

    Rosemary has therefore been our sole bread-winner; an extremely competent Financial Manager. Yet in these current difficult financial times the two Directors/Owners have seen fit to out-source (from India) the whole of the finance work; thus making Rosemary redundant through no fault of her own. In fact they (the Directors) say that they cannot fault her performance on any level.

    So, here we go again with more trauma; and a seemingly impossible situation. It means we shall have to carefully re-assess all outgoings (including the annual amount we spend on maintaining the pond).

    In dealing with livestock (in our case the 8 very beautiful koi you have helped us to buy) how can we cut corners? Or fail to care for them as we ought to and want to?

    One of the most helpful things is the advice and encouragement I receive from many on here; and particularly some (you know who you are) who go out of your way to help; advise; and encourage.

    When a fund was set up on here to help us buy some new koi it was staggering to find out how much was raised; with many contributing.
    It was not just the finance itself (great as it was) but the boost of incredible encouragement that went with it.

    Because we have these beautiful koi; we are constantly reminded of the goodwill of many friends on here; and whatever happens from here on in we shall never cease to appreciate all that has been done for us.

    Rest assured we shall fight with every ounce of energy to a) keep going with a positive attitude to life and b) care to the very best of our ability for the koi.

    Hope it is OK to share this personal news on the Forum? If not, afraid it's a bit too late now - I've done it. I realise that many others pass through very difficult times as well - so it's not just all about us!

    Cheers & Best Wishes,

    Bryan



  2. #2
    whiskey1944
    Guest whiskey1944's Avatar
    most welcome to the both of you, i pray and hope our koi keepers, never have to go through your shared experiences.
    So glad koi bring you both as much joy and pleasure as they do us.

  3. #3
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion miles41's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Redditch, Worcestershire
    Posts
    8,611
    Thanks / Likes
    346
    What a really poor year it's turned into for you & Rosemary and I'm sorry to learn of more bad news in your household.

    I know how you must feel at the thought of less income as I too felt that when my job position was made redundant this year. I was fortunate though, and manage to apply for another position within the organisation which I did get. But the initial shock and thought of 'now what' is horrible.

    Hopefully you can see a way forward from this and still maintain the 8 lovely koi you have now. Good luck to you both.
    1630 Gallon raised pond
    4" 'Avenue' bottom drain
    Estro sieve
    Econobead EB60 bead filter
    Sequence 18000 pump, 6000 pump on skimmer line
    Elecro 2kW in-line heater
    Evolution Aqua 70 air pump
    Standard wall skimmer
    Hozelock Vorton 55watt UV
    and some nice koi

  4. #4
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion miles41's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Redditch, Worcestershire
    Posts
    8,611
    Thanks / Likes
    346
    ps, will move this to the 'non-koi' section
    1630 Gallon raised pond
    4" 'Avenue' bottom drain
    Estro sieve
    Econobead EB60 bead filter
    Sequence 18000 pump, 6000 pump on skimmer line
    Elecro 2kW in-line heater
    Evolution Aqua 70 air pump
    Standard wall skimmer
    Hozelock Vorton 55watt UV
    and some nice koi

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by miles41 View Post
    ps, will move this to the 'non-koi' section
    No probs I put it in General section because the news has direct implications for the well-being of our koi. I won't go into more details but (for no fault of hers) Rosemary has little opportunity of finding another job of anything like equal remuneration.

    We're really not looking for sympathy; but as so many on here I treat as friends I felt they should have the opportunity to be aware of what we're facing. I don't think members are inclined to read this section as much as the main one of course, which is entirely understandable.

    Thanks for all you do as moderator - it's much appreciated.

    Bryan

  6. #6
    Sorry to hear you ve had more problems, Bryan. Im sure all will turn out alright in the end. Just try not to worry, and hopefully next year will be better xx

  7. #7
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion pondwithnoname's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Suffolk
    Posts
    6,983
    Thanks / Likes
    1663
    Oh hell mate, it never rains and all that.
    Hang on in there, tomorrow is a new day and the sun will rise and the birds will sing and good people like you will make a difference.
    Not much consolation but I admire your strength and honesty and wish I was half the person you are.
    Regards
    Pwnn

  8. #8
    Come on Bryan it'll soon be spring and the covers will be off:-)

  9. #9
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    6,653
    Thanks / Likes
    5635
    Sorry to hear your news. What a bad time of year to be facing that prospect too
    I don't know Rosemary but from what you say she sounds like a great person, hopefully a new opportunity will present itself before too long.

    As far as the koi are concerned, you have already invested in the equipment needed to keep them, so hopefully you will be able to keep going on a tighter budget without impacting too much on their care.

    There are many aspects of koi keeping where some would have you believe you absolutely must invest in the most expensive brand of things. As with all areas of life, this is simply not true. Just as an example there is no need to go splashing out on expensive Japanese sounding brands of koi food. Some of us on here are growing healthy fish on much more affordable food.

    Good luck with the difficult times ahead. No doubt Rosemary will be in much need of your support, and I am sure you will be there for her. Best wishes.

  10. #10
    what was your job/trade before you got ill? Can you not work from home?



    i could only dream of having a place like yours.Would it not be sensible to downsize if things have been so hard since you were ill

    i dont think the koi pond is the focus here unless you are heated

  11. #11
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion pondwithnoname's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Suffolk
    Posts
    6,983
    Thanks / Likes
    1663
    It doesn't matter where you live or how big your house is, what matters is it's your home and your sanctuary.
    I would think that like most people the very last thing Bryan and Rosemary want to consider is giving up their home, especially when everything else is doing it's best to shatter their lives.
    The thought of giving up my home that I have worked extremely hard for over the last 35 years would devastate me at the best of times let alone when the world was ganging up on me.

  12. #12
    very true PWNN. im on the other side of the coin

    its nicer to live comfortably by your means than struggle. materialism is not worth such stress.

  13. #13
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Andy1671's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Dartford
    Posts
    6,161
    Thanks / Likes
    3257
    I think both the above comments are right but its whats right for you. Sometimes its hard to let go of something you've worked so hard to achieve but ones happiness and health and well being are really important too. Good luck Bryan and Rosemary. I think you've had enough heartbreak already this year. Something will turn up
    5000 Gallon Fibreglassed Pond With 54" x 27" Infinity Window
    BD300 Drum Filter
    Artesian 0.5hp - Aquadyne 4.4c Beadfilter - PS4 Protein Shower
    Badu Eco Touch - EP20 UV Sterilizer - ASHP - Venturi
    Hi Blo 60 - Medo 45 - Spindrifter Bottom Drain
    Wide Mouthed Skimmer

  14. #14
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion pondwithnoname's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Suffolk
    Posts
    6,983
    Thanks / Likes
    1663
    Quote Originally Posted by Pukka View Post
    very true PWNN. im on the other side of the coin

    its nicer to live comfortably by your means than struggle. materialism is not worth such stress.
    Hear what your saying mate but with me it's nothing to do with materialism is to do with everything I've worked 14 hours a day 7 days a week for.
    This isn't directed at you but one comment that really pees me off is " it's alright for you" I started work when I was 11 years old and have worked every bit of overtime available and changed my jobs to up income.
    Hour for hour I should have retired 10 years ago and I'm only 55.
    If you don't want f#¢£ all good for you, but I want to give my family and myself a bit more.
    I've got a saying that maybe deleated but here goes......life is a shit sandwich, the more bread you've got the less shit you have to eat.
    I'd love to have a drink and bullshit with you, please don't take offense It's all just chit chat.

  15. #15
    hopefully the tide will turn, we all endure the bad times to get to the good times that lay ahead, keep positive and as you know too well good things happen to good people

    kind regards,
    Nigel

  16. #16
    i dont take offence

    i work damn hard and try and get more bread for the shit sandwich myself......

  17. #17
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Andy1671's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Dartford
    Posts
    6,161
    Thanks / Likes
    3257
    I think every decent person works hard for their family. In the sewerage/drainage work I do, I can go to work on a Monday and not see home for days or even weeks. The money might be good but working 24hrs a day cant be healthy. I have a picture of my 2 year old daughter in my cab which reminds me why I do this. Dont talk to me about shit sandwich because if you want i can deliver 18 tonnes of it....
    5000 Gallon Fibreglassed Pond With 54" x 27" Infinity Window
    BD300 Drum Filter
    Artesian 0.5hp - Aquadyne 4.4c Beadfilter - PS4 Protein Shower
    Badu Eco Touch - EP20 UV Sterilizer - ASHP - Venturi
    Hi Blo 60 - Medo 45 - Spindrifter Bottom Drain
    Wide Mouthed Skimmer

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by Andy1671 View Post
    Dont talk to me about shit sandwich because if you want i can deliver 18 tonnes of it....


    hahahahahahaa

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. hozelock aqua force pump
    By chriscarp in forum General Koi Carp Chat
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 25-03-2015, 07:56 PM
  2. koi food
    By Craig2211 in forum General Koi Carp Chat
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 15-02-2015, 10:06 PM
  3. Phosphate and TDS.
    By pondwithnoname in forum General Koi Carp Chat
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 22-10-2014, 07:02 PM
  4. Quick question please
    By miggsy in forum Pond Construction and Pond Build Diaries
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 21-07-2014, 08:56 PM
  5. Trichodina help?????
    By 14crazychris in forum Koi Hospital A+E
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 03-01-2014, 09:01 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:50 PM. Online Koi Mag Forum
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3
Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

vBulletin Improved By vBFoster® (Lite Version), © UltimateScheme, Ltd.