Friday, 8 February 2019
Note: While on staycation, I mostly take photos with my phone, leading to photos that are a bit softer, unfortunately.)
We still have snow.
Front window view:
The temperature was still so cold that in the back garden, not even in the shade, wheelbarrow ice had not melted.
First, I gave biscuits to my friends next door.
I’d had a brainstorm before rising this morning: plastic window boxes would work well for plants on the pond shelves.
I fretted for awhile on whether green or brown would be hidden better under the water. (I can’t plant these up with marginal plants yet because my plants are still frozen into their pots.)
Our friend Mark, a pond owner, reminded me later that algae will hide either color!
The cold water felt painful on our hands. Nevertheless, Allan redid the driftwood edge on the back of the little pond that has gotten dislodged while making the big pond; he inserted blue broken pottery to hide the liner.
I worked on placing rocks and broken pottery “waves”. Just using the rocks we have makes for a rather jumbled effect which I hope to improve on later.
This time, I added some green broken pottery. A friend’s photos of waves at nearby Cape Disappointment State Park have enlightened me that ocean waves contain a lot of green.
Icy cold rain sent me indoors. Allan decided to go, despite the rain, to a secret driftwood collecting spot; we needed some to hide the liner that is tucked up against the boat at the back of the big pond.
On his quest:
Before he returned, the rain stopped and I went back out for more pond edging.
Allan unloaded his excellent collection of driftwood and went into the pond like Monty Don.
He had found the perfect very thin piece of wood to screw into the boat in order to hide and secure the top of the liner.
The long pieces of driftwood will further hide the liner and make good shade for frogs…but not today because daylight ended.
You guys are too much. Wish I had that kind of ambition on these cold, wet (frozen) days. Cheerio — good for you! Pretty cute, that little boat beached on the water’s edge.
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If we were retired, we’d do this sort of thing in spring or summer 😀
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Lots of work, but wow that is going to be a nice-looking pond!
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Thanks!
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They make it look so easy on the gardening shows. Your ponds look brilliant, and have me thinking about creating one. When it is much warmer!
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If we were retired, we would have waited for warmer weather!
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Exciting developments. You have done amazingly well in very discouraging weather.
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Thanks, Mr T!
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Nice work! Allan looks almost blue from the cold. Time for some Builder’s Tea and biscuits?
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Exactly what happened!
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