As well as being a dedicated Koi nut I am a keen (but not very good) photographer. The two go hand in hand quite well sometimes and over the course of 2009 I have taken literally thousands of photographs. It’s that time of year when we look back and think about the places we have been and the things we have seen. The selected photographs are not always technically the best, but remind me most of the key points of my personal Koi year. 

 

 

January started with my first visit to a new local dealer. UK Nishikigoi opened its doors so a visit was necessary!

 

 

 

 

My good friend Tam Webster offered me a vortex he was not using so off to Scotland to pick it up!

 

 

 

 

February was a cold month with some serious snowfall – say no more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March showed some promise and at the first hint of bright weather it’s a trip out to Holmeswood Koi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April next and the first Koi UK Open day of the year – a must event for me. I wanted to pick up some babies for the forum's summer grow-and-show competition.

 

 

 

 

May saw the forum's annual pilgrimage to Cuttlebrook Koi Farm. The weather was excellent and all the members that came had a great day.

 

 

 

June was a manic month with many highlights. Included would be my first ever visit to Allendale where I fell in love with a fish – but permission was not granted!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June is synonymous with one event – the BKKS National Show. If you only visit one show a year make sure it is this one.

 

 

 

 

July comes around and was even busier June if that is possible. Time for my birthday present, so a trip to Koi magazine’s Dealer of the Year 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rain and lots of it – just how many Koi keepers can you fit under one gazebo roof? Come rain or shine Koi Keepers always smile. This is the Northern Koi Club on a day out.

 

 

 

 

 

Ichiban Koi held a Koi Health Day. Very informative and helpful and worth the trip. If your local dealer holds one then go.

 

 

 

 

 

August already and a disaster at the Mid-Staffs Show – my camera battery went flat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

YKS Barbecue and the awards presentation for the photographic competition, fantastic weather and lots of proud Koi keepers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture sums up the South East Show – FUN. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September now and that must mean the North East show – lots of friends around there and we spent the weekend. Here a few of us at Eddie’s pond.

 

 

 

 

 

Club outings continue and the YKS 'do' the Wirral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

October and back down to Koi UK for their October Open Weekend. The busiest I have been to, and lots of Essex lads there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

November and madly busy with the end of the summer grow-and-show and the start of the winter competition. A couple of guys local to me get me to take some piccies of their entries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December already and the year is ending must be party time! The YKS at play.

 

 

 

 

End the year on a high – a visit to Bob Robson’s pond and his fantastic collection!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But which is my favourite Koi picture of the year? This is my personal winner…

 

 

 

 

 

Well that is 2009 – let's hope we all have a great 2010.

 

Donald, hobbyist and forum moderator

More photos can be found here - http://community.webshots.com/user/djsmgibbs