The pond

 

The pond

This is the year of clearing the pond.

So was last year, and the year before, and the year before that, though other things took over and required more attention. This year, however, really is the year of the pond, and to prove it, waders have been purchased, to go alongside the long waterproof gloves, appropriately called ‘Pond gloves.’

                                        Note the integral boots!

                    Close-up of integral boots in their pristine state.

The sludge at the bottom of the pond, in which all sorts of beasties live and reproduce, will be removed and added to the garden to enrich the soil. Naturally, it will be left to drain beforehand so that they can make their escape before being sentenced to life on dry land. Rocks which have fallen into the water over the years will be retrieved and replaced around the edges of the pond. The water will be replaced, and the waterfalls will be reinstated to flow once more.

We have done all this before, but this time we promise ourselves that we will ‘keep on top of it.’ Mmm! We shall see. One of our daughters suggested filling in the pond, or at least part of it. This was met with horror and cries of, ‘Oh, no!’ (What’s that saying about the child being father to the man?)

                                            Lizard tail roots

                                    Lizard tail (Saururus cernuus)

The waders were given their inaugural dipping, and much of the tangle of lizard tail roots was pulled up. Many newts were displaced and replaced. So far, no frogs have been discovered, but we live in hopes.

A start has been made. It remains to be seen if our good intentions – and we have many of those in several areas of life – will be fulfilled.

There may, or may not, be periodic updates . . .