New Fish Tank

I've set up a little 20 gallon fish tank with 6 neon tetras, and last night I added three peppered corydoras catfish. The tank's been up about 3 weeks and everyone seems to be doing well.

It's not as simple as you think to start a fish tank, because at first there aren't enough bacteria to turn the fish waste into less harmful nitrates, and that's why lots of people have fish die when they first try their hand.

I set up a web page to help me monitor the fish tank health. You have to measure the pH, ammonia and nitrite levels every day, and do partial water changes if the levels get too high. It's not hard to do though, especially if you have a small tank. It can take one or two months before the levels settle down.

Bird Feeder

I've put a bird feeder on a pole outside my window. Here was one of the first uninvited guests. Of course, he's very welcome, though he does sometimes keep the birds away.

Physiotherapy for my wrist

Here's what I have to do, 6 times a day for the next 2 months. I have to do each exercise 10 times. I hope this will make my wrist work properly again. It is still very stiff, and there are lots of movements it won't do.

Hand straight up:
1. Curl fingers to 2nd knuckle - karate chop
2. Bend all fingers to 90 degs
3. Move thumb from full outstretch to the left to th base of pinky
4. Place hand palm down and lift each finger separately
5. Alien hand - move thumb UP from palm and back - use opposite hand
6. Thumb wave - move thumb to side and back to index finger - use hand to help
7. Hold thumb at first crease, bend and straighten
8. Hold thumb at 2nd knuckle, bend and straighten - use other hand
9. Arc, wiggle thumnb in a circle in front of finger bases.

Rest elbow on table with hand up.
10. Turn palm to face, then away. Help with other hand.
11. Band hand down and back from wrist. Help with other hand
12. Make O's with all fingers to thumb
13. Make fist, push fingers wide

Place hand flat on table.
14. Keep forearm still, slide hand to left and right
15. Raise and lower elbow

Hang hand over edge of table
16. Bend down and up at wrist

Bend elbow to 90 degs by side
17. Turn palm up as far as it will go, then down
18. Touch shoulder with fingertips.

Halloween

This was our pumpkin head. It attracted many children of varying sizes, and varying concepts of what halloween costumes might be like. Older boys favoured ice-hockey garb, while older girls tended towards the witchy look. Younger children were more imaginatively decked out by their parents. They were all polite and well-behaved, and took our candy in a good-natured way. I probably ate too much of our own candy.

Mazda 3

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Originally uploaded by davidmold.

Got my new car - this was taken on the forecourt at the garage.

Back Garden

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Originally uploaded by davidmold.

Around lunchtime, the sun in the south streams through the trees, and the trunks of the pines make long shadows.

Office Panorama

I should probably tidy my office at some point. Maybe tomorrow.