Page 56 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 17

CROUCH VALLEY

VISITS SOUTH EAST

David Brown

It was Sunday 21st July and our chance to repay the
hospitality that the Crouch Valley BKKS Club had given
us at the end of June.
We started off early and headed to the first stop our
visitors would make at Harry and Paula Ratcliffe’s home
in Chatham, as the ladies had to prepare breakfast for
our guests.
Although Harry and Paula have been members of the
South East Koi Club for many years, I have never seen
their pond and garden. So with the welcome smell of
bacon and sausage wafting through the air, I took the
opportunity to look at their pond and garden.
Their pond has a capacity of 8,000 gallons and is an
informal style, almost like a narrow winding river
running through the garden. A decorative raised seating
area with circular table and chairs provides an ideal
position to view the pond and garden whilst taking
refreshments.
3 bottom drains deliver water to a below ground filter
A red traditional Japanese
style bridge spans the pond area where a Burtons drum filter feeds water to a
which winds across the Burtons Bio Chamber with K1 then it flows over a bakki
garden.
shower. Water is pumped up to a waterfall which flows
down a cobblestone waterway before returning to the
pond. Harry pumps wastewater through pipes,
strategically laid around the garden which takes care
of most of the watering.
Close to the pond is a traditional style water pump set
in a decorative stone circle, which actually works, close
by is a red painted ‘Japanese style bridge’ which
crosses the pond to the other side where carefully

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