We needed to clear some reeds from the pond today, so I was in the water cutting, hacking and sawing the reeds to get them under control. Eli and Grace were busy helping to collect the bits which fell into the water.

Grace has wanted to take a swim with the fish for a long time, so she was asking if she could go in. I didn’t really want her in, as I was thinking that it would cause issues with Eli wanting to get it. At one point Grace was struggling to reach the bits of reed floating in the pond, so I decided to let her have a “swim” with the fish. She was in for a short while feeling the cold of the water and getting to grips with the slipperiness of the pond.

Eli now felt that he really should have a turn, and was trying to climb in on his own. I wasn’t going to get out of this one, so in he went for a brief stand in the pond and then out again. Luckily he was happy to get out after a very short dip.

And that makes today the official first swim in the pond day for Grace and Eli.