Skunks news page 3
My new job
A while ago I had a job in the local aquarium shop but he went bust in the credit crunch,but after five months a new owner took it on and I was recomended by the last owner to him and he took me on.Paul the new (Boss) is a great guy and we seem to have the same idea's on what we need to do to make the shop a success.We have been busy setting up the shop over the last three weeks and its starting to look ready for the grand opening on this Saturday 21st March.
The shop is still called Kaywoods and will stock all animals foods,bedding,houseing and a large selection of tropical,coldwater and marine fish as well as some very nice corals and invertibrates,Reptiles are also on sale as well as the all the rest and of coarse what pet shop dosn't have a parrot,and we have our lovely african grey parrot for you to talk to(but mind your fingers).
Come on down and chat to us about finding the right pet for you and your family wether its a new pup,kitten,fish or spider we will be able to help you on getting your new pet set up in your home.If you want help setting up a new tank Rob is only to willing to pop round with advice with fish keeping and maintance of your tank.For the outside pondkeepers Paul can advise you on all aspects of Kio keeping as he has had many years in the retail and making of ponds,so what ever your going to do,do it right and get the advice that will help you on the way to having a happy pet.
GRAND
OPENING
Kaywood aquatic and pets
131-133 Old road
Clacton-on-sea
21st March 2009
Updated at last
Sorry for the lack of updates but to tell the truth work has kept me of the field and the flying I have been getting in was nothing to write about.But last Sunday has to be my best flying day this year,the weather was perfect,the wind was perfect and the people with me were pleased as me with the day.Every kite stayed up all day,except the planes as in the afternoon they did float down on the ground when the wind changed direction.I put up the Blue meanie,food theme and the four planes was tethered near the ground and yound Pete had up a nice selection of spinning balls and tails as well as all his seahorses which have gave birth to another few in the collection.
Old Pete and the family turned up and set up a shelter for Val to sit and read her book,while the two men got the rev's out to join in with Bruce and Colin.It was one of them perfect days when you put up a kite and it stayed up all day giving me time to have a fly with my rev,we even had time to cut a set of 100 foot lines so we all had the same lenth lines when flying together.Lots of messing around and fun was had by all when Colin put two flags on his rev it was just a target for the rest of us to knock them off his kite.At last I have had a day when you get home and realise why we all love kite flying,and its giving me the needed boost to get a update on here for you all..........
This was the first time for me at the Layer Marney two day kite festival and it reminded me of Teston when it first got going,nice relaxed atmosphere,one kite stall courtesy of 'Highwayman',nice camping field and kiting areas and with the added attraction of the historic 
buildings and the farm animals(wife thought they were better then the kites)....
Only two things crossed my mind that would make the venue better and one is portaloo in the flying field and the other cant be solved as its up to the wind on the day,Sundays wind was blowing from the direction of the building making a very bumpy flight for any sort of kite,even flying a rev was 'off putting' in these conditions,but as I had time in the morning to see the weather it allowed me to try and
takes kites and things that would fly in it,I was happy with my choice at the end of the day which was mostly things for the higher winds.
At the venue the wind would only be good from one direction which would make a perfect flying area for all kites,On sunday the event had a good selection of different kites.. power boarders and buggiers,inflatable,revs,streamers,spinners,ladybirds and heaps more single line and others.There was plenty of room for all but with the wind conditions it made for a
few tangles throughout the day.
I didn't like the flying conditions this year but if that wind is in the right direction next year I will be there for sure,I think I will be there even if the wind is wrong as it is very nice to be out at a nice quite 
venue with some friends,I can see this venue building up each year,as I heard the 'lady of the manor' telling some old boy how marvelous the kites were and that she wants it to get bigger and better each year..... I didn't go on the Moday as the weather did not look that great and I was very tierd from me weeks work,also it aloud me to get the video edited up,but I hope those that did had another great day there.Next week is a local fly and then its Rougham the week after so lots coming up in the den later....
As far as Layer Marney is concerned I had a great time and like the venue lots and will defo be back.....
Rougham kite festival 2009
Rain,sun,gusty winds we had it all this weekend but I was still glad I went.Our camp 
site contained all my close flyers from Clacton,Bruce,Colin,Pete young and old,Val and Simon,Lynn all under the one roof so to say.I arrived last and the others had got most of the camping site done but with my wife and sister inlaw we soon had the kiteden tent up and running,then off they went home,(thanks girls).
Lloyd had contacted me earlier to see if I could give him shelter for the weekend and as the kiteden tent has plenty of room and a spare bedroom he was welcome to use it,after his first fart I started to regret it (just joking Lloyd).Friday was used just setting up the kiteden camp with night light banner poles and things,and I went and spent loads with Mike at Kiteworld he 
had in my tortoise inflatable ground art and I am well pleased at how good they look,also in the list of new items was a train of 20 diamonds,3 x tortoises,a banner and pole and a nice green sled and tail.Even in the horrible wind I managed to test them all out over the weekend and am pleased with my new additions to the collection.Friday evening a few flyers went out with kites with lights on myself and Colin had the rev 1's lit up and just as always the wind had died down just when we wanted a bit,but we still had a good hour or so flying and it was Colins first night fly.
Saturday night and we all meet up at Pete's tent to go over to the auction and evening meal,we had met 
Bazzer on the saturday and he sat with us for the evening of fun and food.The auction went tits up ending with Lloyd walking out after selling a couple of items leaving the rest to get on with it,Simon saved the day by doing the auction and on time ready for Appo's lights and music to blast into me.I spent the rest of the evening with James and Michelle dancing like a fool with young James and getting a little drunk,have to thank Michelle for all the drinks she brought and will repay her back next time.Then on the way back to the tent I met up with some others for a couple of beers and wobbled to the tent to crash out,a much better nights sleep than friday.
Sunday and after a nice cup of tea and a fag to clear my head I looked out at the
weather to see Bruce arriving back for the day and he hadn't brought the sun with him,the wind was a little lighter so I went out to the arena and got the food theme up,but with the rain and wind it wasn't easy and my spar popped out the back of the 81 making the sled dive down to the ground,that kite had had it for the day and a 36 was borrowed from Pete to keep the theme flying for that day.
The best bit of Sunday for me was to meet up with Jason and his son Danny,Jason has been a friend from years back when my hobby was fishkeeping and not the kites.It turned out that Danny was keen to get his hands on a rev and so he had a go with my rev 1,Bruce and I both agree that this young lad has a natural talent on the rev's and even though he had only flew a few times before he handled the rev 1 in gusty wind very well indeed.It turned out that Danny is a regular up at our local haven venue and I think after the weekend he had with his dad at the festival it won't be long before we all help him get his first rev.Infact Danny you can have the use of my rev 2 until you can save up enough for your own rev,I will give it to Bruce as he will see you before I do.You will need to get handles and line for it though and I can help you save some money there as well I will mail you about this later.Anyway I am hoping Jason is wrong in saying that Danny goes through phases and gets bored with most of his last hobbys only time will see.(prove your dad wrong Danny)
There was a bright spell between 3-5 and so it was a good time to pack up the kiteden ready for the girls to return in the van,and it wasn't long before they did.Over the weekend I was wishing I wasn't there and then glad I was but by the time I left on Sunday I was pleased I went and met loads of friends that I won't see for the rest of the year cos for me its all local events.Must thank Martin for the invite again this year and congratulate all involved in the festival it always is a great weekend even though Rougham gets the roughest weather.
The 'THINGY' banner see you all next year Why I fly at the Haven If you have a day like we did up at our local venue(the Haven) then you too We had lots up in the air,spent time talking to the new folks and just having a wonderful day,I dont even care that I am a bit sunburnt afterwards.Danny's mum Carol came along in the afternoon and it must be about 10 years since I last see and spoke with her and then Jason's brother Andrew turned up with his power kite and stayed around till we headed of home which was around five thirty,I did hear that Gareth and Kelly stayed till around seven as the venue was his second best he has ever flown at and wanted to make the most of it.
Home and garden show (Plough corner) Food and drinks were very poor...The favourite ice cream van and bar was there,but not a lot else unless you wanted a sandwich or sausage in a roll,or pay for the fudge,theres plenty of fudge.Needs for next year ...hog roast stall,pizza stall,jacket tatter man,chips van...... On a brighter note some of the stalls were great though most of them out of reach for rest of us peasents that work for near mimimum wage,I loved the bronze statue's and all the garden stuff and I would have brought one if I had a spare £900.The item I wanted the most Looks like we picked up a new flyer for the Haven as Daz showed up from colchester to meet Bruce and us others,he's been speaking with Bruce about getting a Rev and flying up the Haven with the other Rev flyers which makes the rev flyers nearly in double figures and another rev sale for Mike at Kiteworld.Talking of Kiteworld hope you see the Banner Mike? 'KITE WORLD MOBILE SHOP' New items coming out The people at 'Colors in motion' have some great new things out this year.Not only was the awesome turtles/tortoises out but a load more things are being release in August.If your looking for some strange new designed windsocks then these might be just your thing,or how about a inflatable windsock COW ...... I was thinking what a lack of new stuff this year but not anymore,plenty of choice now. Click HERE for the 'Colors in motion' catalogue. Mike at kiteworld will be putting in an order to stock of most things so keep an eye out for his updates at www.kiteworld.co.uk
would have a passion for the hobby of kiting.Not only was the regulars there (other then old Pete and family and Terry who we missed)but we had the added company of our newest rev flyer Danny and from the essex kite flyers Gareth and Kelly and two others who names I cant remember,so so sorry folks but it takes a few meets for the names to sink in me brain,but anyway it was lovely to meet you all at the haven.
The day was at its best,light offshore winds just right for the inflatables and the revs,the colour of the kites against the blue sky was superb and everything stayed up from early morning till late afternoon giving pleasure not only to us flyers but to a whole load of people who went up the haven that day.Compaired to Rougham it was 100 percent better flying and I am sure when Gareth tells the rest of his group we will be seeing them again.
One best bit of the day was when a dog came running up barking at the revs and even though I took a real chance with Colins rev I gave the dog the run around missing biting the kite by centimetres (I even worried myself at one point) when the dog did a extra large leap just as the wind dropped and I didn't have the rapid speed needed to get out the way,but I just did.Danny one day you too will beable to enjoy this sort of rev skills just make sure you too borrow Colins kite,tee he he.
Even with all us there we only take up around a quarter of the field so there is plenty of room for loads more flyer to come up and have a day with us,the more the merrier.I have to say it was my best day yet this year for the ammount of items up and people there it was just perfect,but don't get me wrong its not always that good sometimes the wind is low or gusty,cloudy or raining but that just makes the grass greener for next time.The Haven has it all large flying venue,toilets and a cafe 
down on the cliffs a few minutes away ok parking is a fiver for non tendering residents but us regulars get a yearly ticket for £20 so its a cheap day out for us and at even a fiver for the rest it well worth it on a day like today as you can pay that for a festival and still have a bad day.Thanks for all that was there today showing of there lovely kites and flying skills and just keep an eye on the new kid on the block (Danny) as I feel he is going to be something special as time goes on,he has only flew a rev a few times but has a his own now and with time will be something quite special.
I have been looking forward to this venue but the weather turned it into a washout,Sunday was so bad I didn't even go up as it was raining so much.Shame cos I did enjoy Saturday even under the dark clouds,but I do think it could do with better planning of the stall areas and kite arena and it needed more entertainment there for the public,ok there was things on like I see a school drum team,and heard some singing,but things like the FOUR fudge stalls was a bit silly,the kids area was just a bouncy castle smaller than the one I have and not much else in that area(needs for next year..jugglers,clowns,punch and judy show,small rides)kids need more than a bouncy castle.
at the show was on a wood stall and it was a huge lizard carved out a piece of wood,looked stunning and would look great in the window of Kaywoods(the pet store).The stall with the coloured gel beads was cool well displayed and interesting to hear about and the covered shops had a range of clothes and jewellery,in all the stalls were good to look round and buy that odd thing.
The kite den area was smaller than visioned and right next to a thorny 8 foot fence but it did the job for letting me and Pete place out the ground displays and banner poles with items on them,the area looked bright and colourful and most things stayed up all day.The boys(Colin,Bruce,Danny,Roger )went over to the area not in use for anything to fly the revolutions while Pete,Lynn and me stayed around the arena trying to put things up but the wind was so changable 10mph gusting to 30+ it was hard to think of kites that would put up with the lumpy winds,we done the best we could and I was happy with it.
The things I do for you,the shop didn't do well as it had the wrong stock,could of sold loads of nemo fish and turtles if I had em,next year more inflatables and less kites.Must thank Julie and Samantha for running the stall on Saturday and the rest of the family in helping with transporting the stuff and for the boyz/girlz in supporting the kite den display,TA all very much.Another good thing for me was to meet Audrey the lady I am in talks with in organising a kite festival there,with the right planning it is a ideal venue for one.I will be writing more on this in the kite den later.In all Saturday was poor weather,poor planning and lack of food and Sunday was cancelled due to rain.I would like to try again next year if planning has been tweaked and think it could be a popular yearly event.
