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I can tick the box for another great WWOOFing experience after being made welcome at Alandi Ponds by Albert and Linda. Small things can alert you to what you might expect from a place and the wheel on the gate, a seemingly simple and practical gesture, gave an instant impression of thought and care that was reinforced during my stay. I had the opportunity to help with feeding, netting and delivering fish to customers, amongst other chores. Of course, I got to sample the produce – enjoyable in all the different cooking styles on offer. Silver Perch are slippery, wiley and speedy little suckers but Albert is wise to their habits and has learnt most of their tricks over the years. All too often we humans can swiftly slap a judgement on another species: we misunderstand their behaviours and underestimate their intelligence. With Silver Perch, nets need to be laid adjacent to the pond long before the netting takes place and a new person on the feeding roster can make the fish more wary about feeding. Goldfish, apparently, are also not as stupid as we might believe. As with all farming businesses there is much to learn about land-based aquaculture – water quality issues, stress factors, the best time and correct amount to feed and exactly how much clove oil is required to calm and sedate the fish for transport – and it is not knowledge that can be gained in a short period of time or without practical experience. So, no I am not a silver perch expert but I’m a good deal wiser about what it takes to get a perch on the plate, including the most humane method of dispatch. Casting fish feed into a pond and hearing the splishing and splashing of hungry mouths – perch are usually too fast to see – is a satisfying sound to hear. Feeling a fish slip gently against your foot as the nets are brought closer to the pond edge and being able to catch and hold a perch without being pierced by their dorsal fins are not experiences that come round very often. Besides all the interesting things to learn about fish farming, the property, with all the ponds and trees, is very picturesque. There is other local wildlife that delights and surprises: the frogs that disappear with a splash into the house pond, the long-necked turtles that amble carelessly along the tracks and Gina who is a sucker for the high five command that has her instantly sitting upright on her square behind. Sewing a smiley face into a fishing net was a small gesture of thanks in return for a great visit.