Rain Fail, and Steps

28 - 29 January 2020

Overnight we attempted to fill the pond with rainwater.  Unfortunately, the most recent deluge came before we had installed all the gravel, so we still had to wash down and pump out before starting with a clean pond.  We had rigged a hose up to the two x two-thousand litre tanks which collect all the rain off the north side of the roof, and overnight we let that run into the pond.

 There was some rain overnight, if not a deluge, but including the stored water in the tanks we were pleased the next morning to see the level was over the first shelf.  Nothing to do now but wait for more rain.  And order the plants, of course.  These are coming from a specialised nursery near Marathon, called Gryllis Water Lilies.  Ioannis who runs it has been very helpful, obtaining the liner for us, and now providing a wishlist of water plants, including edible ones.  We cut down the list a bit - the pond is, after all, an experiment! - and arranged for delivery hopefully on Saturday 1st Feb.

 Waiting for rain ...  tum ti tum ...

This is a mock-up of our intended outdoor kitchen - a barbeque and cob oven where the workbench is, and a double sink at right angles.  This had to be positioned in order to make sure we kept open pathways to the washing line and log store behind it.

As the workforce are away on another job, we set to organising their next phase: the steps and the herb/salad garden by the kitchen door. We've had a kitchen garden here since we've had a kitchen, constructed out of roofing board offcuts, and only just still holding together.  The new design is bigger, with a 'keyhole' entry for easy access, and will stand about 40cm high.  

There are things growing in it which we would prefer not to sacrifice: rocket, mint, parsley, kale and young cabbage plants, also a self-seeded Mulberry sapling, and two baby avocado trees.  We dug out the parsley, mint and the avocados and relocated them (the mint temporarily homeless as it will get its own contained section of the new bed).  Some of the rocket ended up in lunch, and the remainder, with thecabbages and Mulberry, we are hoping can be built around, to continue growing until we need to put more soil in to raise the level.

 The pared down bed - which, after various trials for shape and size, turned into a heart shape.  Slightly kitschy, but if that's what it wants ...

 Work continues on fabulous new steps leading down the bank towards the pond.

Still no rain.  Despite forecast. 

 If it holds off, we will have to fill with tap water, at least a day ahead of the plants' arrival, to let the chlorine evaporate out.