The 3 S's, Sun, Sand and Sement (ok cement then)

Its that time of the year, when blogging slows down. It should be because of the hot summer we are having over here, but we know that's not true. There hasn't been a summer in this country for a few years now. There's so much I wanted to accomplish this year when it got warmer, but it just didn't happen! Of course there were the odd days here and there, but most of them were during the week when I'm meant to be working. We have had one BBQ this year and that's it.

Not all hope is lost though! One project I was determined to accomplish was relandscaping my pond. Boring !!! Well I agree it probably is, but as I didn't realise I even had any fish in this pond i'd inherited, it shows how uninterested in the subject even I am. It was after living here for a month or so that a mate of mine said, "you do know you have fish in that pond, don't you?", "No your kiddin". Apparently he wasnt and I have about 5 of the hungry chappies in there. Knowing this meant I have the responsibility of making sure they have a pleasant home to live in. One that looks a bit smarter and a lot less ...green. Problem is, I don't know anything about ponds or building and I have little DIY know how too.

This didnt stop me from deciding buy a new pump for the pond and wiring it along the edge of the garden, so we could have a water fountain feature. Also I wanted to kill the old waterfall/rockery that looked like it came from the sixties. This involved a lot of clearing and shovelling, quite a few hours worth. Then the same again with the aged crazy paved edging and stones. I really didnt realise it would be so much work. Come the bank holiday Monday, this was it, I am going to have a go at bricking in my own surround for the pond. How much sand and cement do you use?? Whats the mix? I guess I could have asked a man in Wickes, but I was too scared he might laugh at me. You see as a man you are meant to know this stuff, well thats what we are led to believe. Its the same with directions in the car. If we ask for help on jobs like this men are scared that their voice will sound like a choir boys and we would lose all our body hair.

So I had to just try! And thats what i did, it even went quite well. So this summer I have one job I can smile and say i've got done. With that in mind I can now clear off to find a proper summer, I quite fancy Califonia, sun, sea, sand and......I think i'll skip the cement though.