Moat Maintenance

With Penny and Duke nesting it was time to get some overdue moat maintenance done prior to any cygnets arriving later. 

One of the big spates a few years back, burst out the side and thereby reduced the height of the moat water. This meant newly hatched cygnets getting out of the water and onto the island very difficult, the same could be said for the ducklings too. 

Shovelling and raking stones is not my ideal pastime, but it had to be done without bringing in machinery. Pity my poor arthritic shoulder though !

Penny and the ducks seemed to like the improvement, but Duke was on guard ready for action.