Associating the mini digger as a feeding opportunity, the hens make it impossible to excavate material without putting them in danger, so much to their disgust they had to be penned up for the afternoon.
With all the girls safely out of harms way the new excavations were started, and it didn't take long before it started to take shape - it was going to be a big one.
Having the dumper meant that it was easy to move the excavated material, it was amazing how much we generated in a short space of time, but with Sal on the dumper it was shifted in no time.
With the main part of the digging complete we let the hens out while we had a cuppa and reviewed progress. Next step was to smooth off any uneven bits, ready for the liner. The hens couldn't get to the digger fast enough - there were worms to be had!!
Next it was the part we weren't looking forward to, the installation of the liner 18m x 18m.
Then as if by magic - a stroke of luck - two more pairs of hands arrived - friends Geoff and Heather - what perfect timing!! The liner was unrolled and there was no going back now - thank goodness it wasn't windy or we might have had a Mary Poppins moment!!
Four pairs of hands, meant we could have a pair on each corner and drape the liner perfectly over the excavated area - it fitted - magic - my word it certainly is big and going to be amazing when full of water - no time to waste - little 2" pump put to action.
It soon started to fill the deep section and we excitedly waited for it to start spilling out in the shallow bits
Good job it was a warm afternoon - air had collected underneath and it needed to be forced out before the water got to high - any excuse for Melv to take his shoes and socks off and have a paddle - he just couldn't resist it. Sal was on hand with the camera just in case he slipped!! :o)
As the water rose, there was a bits more work to do on the margins, the make shallow areas for emergent - thank goodness for the digger, it would have taken an age by hand.
Once we had used as much of the liner as possible it was time to backfill the margins, lining the edges with hessian. This would hold the soil back and allow the water to penetrate in - perfect conditions for wetland plants to establish and an excellent way to finish off the edges.
It soon really started to take shape and the reflection of the trees in the water in the late evening sun looked magical.
We are continued our way all round the perimeter
And before long the edges complete the water was coming up and the hens were spuddling
The water up and the liner trimmed it started to look like the perfect pond - just imagine all those wetland flowering plants lining the edges, the water lilies floating on the surface, the dragonflies emerging and dashing about, the swallows swooping down to drink and catching flies - magical - our perfect pond.
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