What do you do with a dam full of gambuzia? Study them from the inside out!
These small fish are an introduced species which people put into freshwater dams to control mosquitos by eating the larvae. Problem is, they eat everything else as well...frog spawn, native fish, good bugs, and so, have become a pest - rather like the cane toad of the freshwater system. So, armed with nets, bread and some Bear Grylls inspired fish stunning techniques, the boys and their mate K went on a mission to catch gambuzia out of our dam and feed them to the chooks. But only after having a good look at their insides first. This curiosity led to the boys also dissecting zucchini plants, radish seed pods, slugs, snails and jacaranda flowers. We all wondered at why the zucchini stem was hollow (so it was lightweight? to have a greater internal surface area for water storage?), how strong the 'veins' were in plant leaves, how you could see the eyes in the gambuzia eggs, how a slugs nervous system kept working after it was 'dead' and how easy the jacaranda flowers were to cut. A great science/nature exploration afternoon!
Then it was time to play! For ME that is!!!
Our great neighbours N and J were hosting a "Soiree Opera" at their place and I was taking my parents out for a fancy, glamorous evening of fine food and magical music. The rising star tenor Brad Cooper www,bradcoopertenor.com - sung, accompanied by talented tinkling on the baby grand piano. We supped on stuffed squid, cold mushroom and white garlic soups, slow cooked goat and wild weed salad, followed by brown sugar merange with a chocolate and pomegranate filling. All food was locally grown or sourced and everything was impeccable, stylish and delicious. We were at the 'locals' table and I have to admit feeling a real sense of privilege to be there. Our little part of the world felt like the epicentre of the universe!! After dinner we retired to the back deck to chat, laugh, drink red wine and patiently watch the full lunar eclipse happen in a clear star-filled sky. Thanks J and N for another stunning evening where country living and culture collided!
Our great neighbours N and J were hosting a "Soiree Opera" at their place and I was taking my parents out for a fancy, glamorous evening of fine food and magical music. The rising star tenor Brad Cooper www,bradcoopertenor.com - sung, accompanied by talented tinkling on the baby grand piano. We supped on stuffed squid, cold mushroom and white garlic soups, slow cooked goat and wild weed salad, followed by brown sugar merange with a chocolate and pomegranate filling. All food was locally grown or sourced and everything was impeccable, stylish and delicious. We were at the 'locals' table and I have to admit feeling a real sense of privilege to be there. Our little part of the world felt like the epicentre of the universe!! After dinner we retired to the back deck to chat, laugh, drink red wine and patiently watch the full lunar eclipse happen in a clear star-filled sky. Thanks J and N for another stunning evening where country living and culture collided!
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