River Pumps
Using the force of the flowing water in the irrigation race, two bright orange river pumps used to swish water down a wriggling stream in the Wattle Woods. They provided enough (when they were both going) to keep the sweetest little pond at the bottom of the slope completely filled.
River Pumps
The wriggling stream was lined with black polythene, and I covered the plastic with stones, so you couldn't really see it. One of the Wattle Woods' paths crossed the wriggling stream in two places, by means of cute curved footbridges. All down the length of the stream were Phormiums and Astelias. The soil on either side was too dry for any traditional marginal plantings, and far too free-draining for the trickling water to reach the little pond without help. It was a really lovely, inspiring garden feature.
RIP, Waterwheel...
In earlier days Non-Gardening Partner had made me a water-wheel to fulfil this same function. It was so groovy when it went. But, alas, it became temperamental, spasmodically stubborn, and then totally stuck. It was made with a wooden cable drum, and now rests on the water race bank, a rotting relic hidden in a bulky Cortaderia.
Orange Rife River Pump
I loved my bright orange low-tech river pumps. They were perfect for my needs (which were, after all, purely ornamental). But alas, over the years important pieces broke off, and Non-Gardening Partner couldn't easily get replacements. So now they are both sitting in the garden near the water, totally out of action, and the little pond has to be filled with water from one of my hoses. So sad!