The little pond, not a big puddle !

I think it does and yes, the slabs do make it look bigger! :) It will look even better in the summer :)

I have to agree Rose. It does look bigger. It is surprising that a few bold decisions can make such a difference. I dk if you are watching the amateur painters being whittled down to find the best amateur painter in UK 2015. It makes me see things in a whole new light. I do like your frog, I hope it encourages some wildlife for you. Your OH must be delighted to follow the seasons around his very own pond.

Yes I think so. Keeping the spirea smaller will help as well. I do love the man sitting on the bench Rose, he's great!

Yes, me too. He is a perfect size for the pond! From his perspective its a grand size!

I think the pond is lovely, and I agree that it looks bigger with the new slabs. I bet the wildlife loves it!

You make a good point Melchi, and it's something I meant to say yesterday. Rose's neighbour might call it a 'puddle', but it's big enough for a frog to call home, and there will be damselflies etc. darting around your garden in the summer! With ponds, size doesn't matter that much (unless you want fish of course)!

Just a thought, is there easy access to and from the pool for frogs?I don't have a pond (yet) but have seen references to that from other members.

I agree Rose it has made it look bigger, definitely a pond not a puddle and the beauty of it is you can reach everything without falling in, I know you tried, lol...I too like the gentleman, he looks right at home....
Got to sort the planting out in my fishpond but waiting until the weather warms up a bit, the iris took over last year so its a big must and I don't think they will go back in, that won't really matter as some have taken root in the bed at the back and I also have them in the top pool, its just going to be a very messy job of which I'm not looking forward to......

I agree too Rose.It looks much better with the slabs..I think we sometimes think,because we have a small space,it has to have small plants or little bricks.and I have done that in the past...not the case really,is it? .your man looks right at home there too :o) I hope you didn't lift those slabs on your own !

..just spotted a fox on the right bank! :)

Whoo hoo! Karen. Lucky you!

Rose, that looks lots better and bigger. Our perception of size can often be fooled by little tricks. I love the little old man. He seems right at home...Scotsgran has a point about access for your frogs etc.

Small is beautiful Rose :o)

Frogs always manage in our ponds just by using the pots as stepping stones so I think they'll fine...

Thanks Karen, after listening to what you all said, I don't feel that it is too small now ! The little man was bought for me by a friend a good 20 years ago ! Last year someone gave us some tadpoles and I did see one little frog, but it disappeared not long after I had seen it . I do hope we see more this year now that its well established.
Did you like MY fox, Karen !

Thanks Scotsgran, I haven't seen the programme you mentioned. I would have liked to as I do water colours myself, although haven't done any for a while !
If I was lucky enough to get frogs, then they can easily get in and out via the marginal plants. Its not very deep either!

Thanks Steragram ! I can't believe my little man still looks good after all these years !

I can't believe you remembered that Sue ! You wouldn't have thought that could have happened in such a little pond ! Hahaa!
I have found a brilliant online article all about little ponds and what plants to use and am going to try some different ones this year . I don't envy you your job !

Those slabs , Sandra were not as heavy as they looked! Unless of course I'm stronger than I look ! lol.
I'm definitely leaving them there after every ones comments .

Thanks Waddy. Yes...I have remembered about the access for the frogs ! The pond is very shallow and the marginal pots quite low , so they can use these .

Oh..thank you Hywel ! You couldn't have put it better !

I had to go in to BBC iplayer to find out the name - it is 'The Big Painting Challenge' on BBC1. It started on 22.1.15. The first programme was 'Landscapes'. It will be on iplayer for another 20 days. Programme 2 was 'Portraiture' and it will be available for another 27 days. I have set the recorder to save the series. I have only ever painted one picture - of the Kukenhof Gardens river of blue scillas. I'm interested to see if I can spot what is niggling me about it. Two professional painters are judging and commenting on what works or not. The programme has a website and there is a viewer competition. I don't watch a lot of tv but this seemed to compliment my gardening hobby. Lots of our members paint.

Thank you for the info Scotsgran ! We can't record at all as we only have the basic Freeview tv ! I will look on iplayer though ! I love doing landscapes and have never tried portrait painting. You should show your picture on here. I would love to see it .

I'll have a look to see if I can find it. I did show it on GOY but it must have been before I left and returned. I think you will enjoy the series.

Hi Rose I have taken and posted another photo of that painting.

It is a darling little pond Rose, and yes small is beautiful!! I love the man sitting by it, lost in his thoughts!

Thanks Chris . It actually looks bigger in the picture !
I hope you enjoyed your time at your Mums and that she had a lovely birthday. xx