THE POND IS TRANSFORMED 2010

After months of debating what to do with the leaking pond we decided to make a start on replacing it on 11th August. What a job it turned out to be. Having started to move all the plants in the area it was time to scrape off the gravel and top soil.

As there were still fish in the pond and we had no idea how long the project would take, we had to leave the old pond in place for as long as possible .As we removed all the plants from both the area and the pond we realised how much bigger the pond looked and then wondered if the new one would be big enough, especially when the cane frame was made.

The digging began but the next job was to beg and borrow bags as we had nowhere to pile the topsoil and no idea there was so much clay to move. What a back-breaking job it turned out to be. Only half of the new shape could be dug out to start with , then the old pond was emptied. By then most of the frogs and newts had fled to other areas of the garden.

Having broken through the wall that now divided the two ponds it was time to complete the new  shape and fill in parts of the old. At last the new preformed pond could be installed.

Never let anyone tell you installing a preformed pond liner is easy - it turned out to be a long job, but eventually it was in place , the waterfall was re-sited and the fish were allowed into their new home.

All the stone blocks we'd saved were gradually put in place, the weed suppressant was down, plants and pebbles were retrieved from various parts of the garden and the transformation was at last taking shape.

Finally we put down new paving in the patio area and on 17th September the mammoth task was completed. All the time we had worked we had been lucky with the weather but it was lovely to finally be rid of the dust and to be able to sit and enjoy the transformation.