Ken always has a 'next' project. This summer, he plans to re-line the pond.

Fourteen years ago a liner was placed on top of the pond-shaped, scooped-out hollow of sand (the remains of the 10,000 year-old beach) and topped with a thin layer of cement and rounded beach stones. Over the years the stones have slipped to the centres of the upper and lower ponds, making them too shallow and exposing the unattractive cement layer. Decaying debris also settled between the stones, making them very difficult to clean and encouraging the growth of the dreaded blanket weed.

So, new plan: remove all the stones (finding new homes in the Clunes' and Kennels' gardens across the road). Cement in place a thin layer of Achilty stone (as used on the bridge over the pond). Replace plants, newts and assorted pond life. Result: hopefully, a more maintenance-free pond.