Back to the Lakes

One year on, and we are back at Testwood Lakes where my Blipfoto record all began.
Yes, 365 blips on I just had to return to the lakes, formed as a reservoir by Southern Water to supply water to parts of Southampton and the Isle of Wight, and managed as a nature reserve by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
My blip on this day one year ago was in the same location, although not exactly at this spot.
Today, I found a view across the biggest of three lakes from a Waterwise Garden at the Trust education centre. The two organisations got together to develop this garden to illustrate that gardens can be made attractive and wildlife friendly without leading to a waste in water.
Southern Water assert that in hot dry spells 70 percent of the water it supplies to homes is used for garden watering, and they contend much of it is wasted.
So the idea was to design this garden with plants that do not require much watering.
They contend that the more we use water, the risk to the environment increases. Wetlands, ponds and streams, even lakes like this could dry up, which in turn would put plants and animals at risk.
The idea of a drought resistant garden therefore is intriguing. Of even greater impact to me is the view it affords of the lake with the garden making an excellent frame.
I just love this place!