Our outdoor area has been undergoing a transformation lately, since we had the new screen room installed. Some of you may remember my photos of iguanas sunning themselves on a pile of rocks around a defunct pond.
It was also a favourite perch for Samantha squirrel to eat her breakfast.
The occasional visit from the otter family also made for good entertainment value.
This was all well and good for the wildlife, but not a very pretty sight from my kitchen window, so hubby tackled the job of improving the aesthetics. First thing was to rebuild the waterfall and install a new pump.
After much thought and hard work, it took shape and the transformation began to look rather pretty.
The next thing to do was buy a few little fishies for the pond. We adopted six goldfish and two koi and have also grown some lotus from seeds, which seem to be doing quite well. The two koi are named Blue Flash and Silver Streak. The orangest goldfish is Donnie of course, and the others I can’t tell apart except for little Freddie who is the smallest and least sociable. Whilst the koi show off as they race up and down the pond doing laps, the goldfish mostly paddle around together in a jolly group. Poor little Freddie however, just keeps to himself and hides between the plant pots. I sit on the bench and call him to come and play but to no avail. I hope he’ll be okay but only time will tell.
The keeper of the pond is Ali, who we found hiding out at our local nursery. Because he’s so scary, his presence is very effective at making sure that all the inhabitants behave themselves.
We also have two toads on lookout duty from the edge of the waterfall. Warty and Rocky may not look very menacing but I can assure you that they stand for no nonsense.
Little Sammy would love to pop in and join the fun, but has to make do with peering in from the outside of the screen.
This is a bit late for the WPC ‘Transformation’, but better late than never.
Hope you’re all having a splendid week. I’ll keep you updated on Freddie if he ever shows his little face again. I’m not hopeful.
What a magnificent transformation!!! And your iguana picture is a work of art!
Thanks so much, Lisa. 😃
Quite the project! It came out beautifully.
Thank you. 😘
Definitely a pleasant view to look out at and it must be nice sitting on the bench and listening to the water.
Thanks, Karen. Yes, it’s very relaxing out there.
Oh this was quite the project, and so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it. Totally inspiring. You do have spectacular wildlife, how fortunate to see. All my best to you.
Thanks, JoHanna. I think the previous owners wouldn’t recognize the house they abandoned many years ago. Lots of work on hubby’s part has made our home into a wonderful place to live. 🙂
Beautiful water feature, space and everything else except the iguana. There is just something about reptiles that I can’t warm up to.
Thanks so much, ZL. I think I’d rather cuddle a squirrel than an iguana. 🙂
What a transformation. I would have loved to have an indoor garden like this. It’s really beautiful.
Thanks so much, Otto. I love sitting out there and chatting with the fishes. 🙂
Thrilled to visit your garden and view transformation. Loads of creativity and congrats to your hubby and you Val.
Cheers 😀
Thanks so much. 😃
You and hubby have a marvelous sense of decor. I bet having that waterfall is totally relaxing! As for Freddy, if he’s very much smaller than the other fish he may be worried about becoming someone’s lunch!
Thanks, Gunta. Yes, it’s very relaxing sitting out there, especially now that we’ve bought ourselves a wonderful swing chair. 🙂
What a transformation, Sylvia! Love all the peaceful inhabitants in your beautiful oasis. Congrats to hubby …and you. I can see your hand in this too 🙂
Thanks so much, Helen. Yes, I always have my say in every project he undertakes. 🙂
A great transformation, hubby is very clever!
Thanks, Gilly. I have to agree with you. 🙂
Amazing photography.Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Marylou. 🙂
Hubby’s transformation is inviting the natural. Excellent!
Thanks so much, Frank. I love what he did. 🙂
Fred will emerge as soon as he grows enough not to be lunch for the others.
That is a lovely bit of garden design. He could take it up professionally!
I really hope so.
Love it and so serene could also be part of this weeks WPC. We originally had gold fish in our out door ponds, but the gold colour attracted all the fish eating birds to dinner and they didn’t last long. Now we have native, dull coloured, small fish who breed like rabbits and are very fast so the birds have given up on them…
Ooo – so pretty!
Thanks, Fi. It’s a big improvement. 🙂
What a beautiful transformation!
Thanks so much. We love it too.
What a lovely peaceful spot! Looks lovely Sylvia, I am sure you and hubby will enjoy this spot.
Take care and regards,
GAIL
Thanks, Gail. We love our outdoor living area. xx 🙂
A relaxing oasis!
A good description, Nancy. 🙂
how beautiful!!
Thanks, Lisa. 🙂
Very nice pond! All my thumbs are up to your husband. It is a great work..
Thanks, YC. So happy you approve. 🙂
Beautiful transformation. 🙂
Thanks so much, Lynette. 🙂
Sylvia it looks remarkable. Is there nothing your husband can’t do? What a soothing sound the water must be and of course I would love being on the watch for the pond inhabitants.
Thanks so much, Sue. Chris will tackle anything with his usual fervor. I truly believe there’s nothing he can’t do once he puts his mind to it, especially with my enthusiastic encouragement to spur him on. 😀
That’s quite a transformation Sylvia, your hub has many talents. But your Iggy photo is splendid and I hope he will still visit.
Thanks, Jude. Yes, he has many talents and I’m always keen for him to use them. 🙂 The Iggys now have to be content with looking in from the outside, and they are always around.
The pond looks wonderful, Sylvia! I think Sammy wants to make friends with the fish. 🙂
Thanks, Jill. I don’t think the fish would welcome Sammy to their watery world. 🙂
What a lovely area you’ve created between you, Ad. 🙂 And, phew, you just beat Ben to it on WP! 🙂 Is your vision fully restored yet? You’ve had a bit of a time of it.
Thanks, Jo. My vision has improved a lot, but I’m hoping that as time passes, it will get even better. xx
What a wonderful indoor room to keep you cool and with on going fish entertainment. I hope little Freddie settles in & becomes sociable. I always think it is very relaxing watching fish swimming & they are very greaceful.
Thanks, Gerrie. It is very relaxing out there and I love the sound of the waterfall. Freddie did surface yesterday for a short while, but he’s definitely the ‘runt of the litter’. i hope we don’t lose him.
Our goldfish were often a bit fragile.
That is a pretty area and should give you many hours of pleasure. Perhaps the other creatures are better staying outside. Some of them might think you’ve laid on dinner for them.
Haha Very true, Carol. Our pond could definitely be mistaken for a sushi buffet. 🙂
Poor little Freddie! Cute post and it is looking very pretty indeed!
Thanks so much. I’m very concerned about little Freddie. Haven’t seen him at all today. 😯
Oh no!
Can’t you leave a door open so Sammy and the iguanas could come in for a drink? And those otters – swoon💕 I think I’ll come and install myself in your bathroom🤣
Thanks for the suggestion, Marina. The iguanas can drink from the lake. I wouldn’t want them accidentally gulping down any of my little fishies. 😀
Lol 😂
S- I feel like I have been on this house journey with you on and off for a while – and that is fun!
and seeing the and before and after was nice – your hubs did a fine job – I like those circle stones in red – ahhhhh
Thanks, Yvette. It’s been quite a long but very rewarding journey. Thanks for tagging along. 🙂 xx
I think I can speak for many of your followers to say we enjoy it –
Thanks so much, Yvette. xx