When we came to the cottage the pond at the front of the cottage has some gold fish in it.  These fish have become very important to the under gardener.  We had an attack some weeks back when a Heron had its supper from the pond and after that we have had the most amazing barricade around the pond to keep him away.  I have decided that it would be much easier to protect the pond if the plants in the pond did not stick up so far.  With this in mind I have decided to take everything except the water lillies out of the pond.  I spent two days taking everything out and then re-potting the lillies that we are keeping.  It was VERY hard work and so many of the plants had tangled themselves around each other and it took a good deal of effort and a sharp knife to separate them.   I am pleased, as is the under gardener, with the effect.  Now the winter net is over the pond to catch the leaves which are now coming down but we shall have to re-think covering the pond in the spring.  I am not having all that wood and wire hanging around for the summer.