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Small pond or big puddle !

26 comments


Most of you who know me will remember Willow Cottage and why we had to leave, and this is to show that there is always light at the end of the tunnel ! We love our bungalow and I love my little garden. I never thought I would, after having the land we had before. The one thing that my hubbie has missed is his ponds , so I planned one day ( Cottage Karen will remember me talking about this ) to put a small pond somewhere in this garden.
I decided , now that I have finished landscaping the garden that I would surprise him with one for his birthday.
I had found a perfect spot for it in one of the raised beds and over the weeks , dug it over to make sure all the weeds and stones were removed. My neighbour , who is now a good friend ordered the pond and kept it at her house. Nearer the time we then went out and bought pond plants , which she also hid in her garage. The night before his birthday, the 22nd of this month, we planned to put it in while he was having his usual after tea rest.
Needless to say, I was in a panic incase it rained or worse still, he came outside to see what we were doing ! I was in luck…the weather was perfect and he was watching the snooker !
It took over two hours to get it dug and level. Getting it level was the hardest part ! Keeping quiet was even worse ! Have you ever tried to laugh quietly !
Luck was on our side and after putting the plants in, we then decided to add a Happy Birthday banner. It wasn’t all plain sailing though ! At one point when we were trying to get it level, I stretched over it and nearly went in head first !
I couldn’t wait for morning to come so that Rick, my hubbie could see it ! All the hard work was worth it just to see his face ! He loves it !


I’ve shown the pond from both sides so that you can see that a small pond is possible in a raised bed ! I just hope the bigger birds that come into the garden don’t think its their new bath ! lol

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Comments

 

VERY NICE.

25 Apr, 2014

 

What an Amazing Birthday Present Rose, how you and your neighbour managed to pull it off is even more Amazing lol. It looks Brilliant, well done..

25 Apr, 2014

 

i've been thinking about a minipond, not got any further than thinking, but this has inspired me to start again, thanks, and habby birthday OH!

25 Apr, 2014

 

Rose I absolutely love it and would have loved to have seen Rick's face, you did well especially doing the work without his knowledge, thank goodness for snooker, lol and for neighbours and their garages, I'm really pleased to hear you now have a good friendly neighbour, it makes all the difference doesn't it..
Your garden is grand, I do like the little man sitting near the pond, I hope he wasn't the cause of you nearly falling in, actually it sounds as though you had a fun time doing it..... Belated Birthday Greetings to Rick....

25 Apr, 2014

 

It's really nice ... and what a lovely surprise for your husband on his birthday :o)
I like the statue of the little man ...
It's nice to have good neighbours too.

25 Apr, 2014

 

That's lovely and as has been said, it's nice to have such good helpful neighbours.
Is there room on the bench for your OH to sit too :)
Wish him a belated Happy Birthday!

25 Apr, 2014

 

Thank you Kokkinotra. You see I can spell this after all ! Hahaa!
Thanks Daisy, You can't imagine how many sleepless nights I had planning and worrying about this ! I half expected my friend Pat to come walking down the drive carrying the pond as Rick came out the bedroom !
Thanks Fran. Go for it ! If you know where it can go and you know how to do it, then don't think about it any more...do it !
Thanks Sue. I can honestly say, I have never laughed so much ! I've had the little man since I was 40, a birthday present. No...he wasn't the reason ! I thought I could be clever in moving the little slabs about by stretching over instead of constantly running around it. I was so worried incase Rick looked out the window as it faced the pond ! We kept ducking behind the large Spirea and if we heard a door go, then we raced into the garage and shut the door ! Hahaa!
I'll pass on the birthday greetings. Thank you.

25 Apr, 2014

 

Thanks Hywel. Its lovely living where we are now after the other place. Every one here have been very friendly and helpful.
Thanks Scottish. There isn't room for Rick, but I did consider getting the little man a fishing rod ! lol Mind you, he would be waiting a long time as its just going to be a wild life pond. Unfortunately its too small for fish as its not very deep and Rick said they would boil in the summer and freeze in the winter.

25 Apr, 2014

 

What are you like,Rose? I have this vision in my mind,of you and your lovely neighbour trying to keep quiet,whilst doing all this..:o) I really can't believe you managed ,without Rick coming to see where you were ! Did you plan it for snooker night ? :o) Well,my dear,it is a credit to you,and so glad Rick loves it too..plese wish him a belated Happy Birthday,from Russell and I..xx

25 Apr, 2014

 

That's a cracking story! I can't believe you managed to do all that without attracting his attention....snooker comes in handy eh? What a lovely job you've done, and you are quite right. A small pond works fine I a raised bed! Thank you for proving that Rose! I could just imagine you both trying to suppress your laughter as you nearly went A over T into the pond!

25 Apr, 2014

 

that's lovely and I'm sure he will enjoy watching the wildlife move in.

25 Apr, 2014

 

Brilliant ! Well done, it looks really nice there.

25 Apr, 2014

 

Absolutely brilliant - the story had me giggling, I can just imagine you two working through this trying not to laugh out loud. You are a star Rose, well done and belated birthday wishes to Rick from me. It looks really pretty and I love your little old man watching over your hard work. Great job well done!! Certainly was the best move you made - great to have nice neighbours at last. :O)

26 Apr, 2014

 

Hello again Sandra, no...I didn't have a clue snooker was on ! Obviously someone up there was looking out for me ! Hahaa! Rick said thank you for the birthday wishes. When are you coming over this way again ? xx
Thanks Karen. I was unsure at first, but it does look right, doesn't it!
Thank you Seaburn girl and Cinderella. Its amazing how soon the wild life does move in !
Thanks Barbara. I was laughing that much, I needed the loo ! Hahaa! It certainly was the best move and to have one good neighbour is great, but to have a street full of them is fantastic ! What a change after all those horrible people who surrounded us on the allotment cottage !

26 Apr, 2014

 

I've seen some gorgueous miniature water-lilies online, and wanted to try them in my own mini-pond - even if that was a plastic bowl sunk into the earth - or one of those floating fountains, or both!

26 Apr, 2014

 

I'm not sure if we are coming over or not this year,Rose..a lot going on just now..I will PM you later :o)

26 Apr, 2014

 

Rose that was such a lovely idea of yours and it is such a success. It is the perfect size for your little statue and he looks very contented with his new surroundings!

27 Apr, 2014

 

Don't forget Fran, that you will need oxygenating plants as well ! Best of luck !
Ok Sandra, I will look out for your letter.
Hello Chris and how was your holiday ? That little man has been waiting for a suitable spot for years ! Hahaa!

27 Apr, 2014

 

That's lovely, Rose! What a thoughtful present - your OH must have been delighted. I can just picture you and your friend trying to suppress any sounds, and laughing your socks off!

28 Apr, 2014

 

Thanks Mel. It was funny, but so nerve racking as we thought he was going to appear any minute and catch us !

28 Apr, 2014

 

thats awesome!!! well done you and your neighbour, i wish you were my wife ha ha, id love a gift like that, its lovely and will be for years to come x

28 Apr, 2014

 

Rose, I loved the holiday and as soon as I get used to our new computer I will be in touch! This is on John's I-pad.

30 Apr, 2014

 

Thanks Andrea for your lovely comment.
Hello Chris . I'm pleased you enjoyed it and how soon will it be before the next one ! Hahaa! I'll look out for your letter !

1 May, 2014

 

I've been very busy so missed this Rose. You did do well. Happy belated birthday to your OH. The best thing is knowing you now have a treasure in new neighbour and friend.

1 Jun, 2014

 

just saw this, Rose...thanks for taking the time to post...i've been toying with this same idea...think i'll start saving up for a new raised bed in my courtyard..the bankroll is depleted for now, but it's fun to have future plans..i also have athritis, and find the raised beds the best solution...have added to my favourites...

7 Jul, 2014

 

Your welcome Odaatpat ! Thats the one good thing about being on goy, there are always ideas to pick up from other gardeners ! Thank you for adding it to your favourites. I hope you get your raised bed in the not too distant future !

10 Jul, 2014

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