Dear Peter, please find my cheque for final payment on my Koi pond. I must say it has exceeded all my wildest of expectations.

On our initial meeting I did mention my great fears and misgivings regarding my isolated location here on the North Yorkshire moors, especially with regard to the proximity of the River Esk and the numerous herons it attracts.

I also had grave concerns regarding heating costs due to my exposed garden, which is subject to endless howling gales that produce significant wind chill especially in the winter months.

To add to both of my real concerns I also stressed that I needed good accessibility to be able to feed and see my Koi daily. I also urged you to come up with a formal finish to the final vision and you did this perfectly.

I need not have worried in the slightest because you came up with all the answers to my complete satisfaction and it has been running perfectly for some 2 weeks now. The herons just glide overhead and I’m sure I can see the expressions in their eyes saying ‘Oh no, Waddy’s been here’ and they just fly over. Also there are no dangers from wind chill at all with your cleverly thought-out design.

The handrail some ¾ of the way down was indeed a touch of genius, as I only need to go down to that level before throwing food to the Koi below; the binoculars you supplied are of the highest quality – I reckon they will easily detect anchor worm even. (Not that I wish to get any!)

Also the bucket on the automatic chain you provided allows me to take water samples very quickly for testing purposes. If you do not object, yesterday I bought a 3” gin rin Chagoi from my local garden centre, placed it in the same bucket and auto-winched it right from the top level into the pond below, it took less than three minutes of travel and was no worse for wear when it swam out of the bucket and into the pond!

The only thing that spoils total perfection is something you did warn me about on several occasions and that is the dreaded ‘Green Water’ that has now appeared literally overnight. After writing this, I will climb down and switch on the skimmer and U/V and hopefully be back in time for tea.

As you clearly pointed out to me at the outset, the excavation and build costs would be something to consider, not mentioning the 350-metre run of armoured cable from my garden shed to the pond itself. However, all things considered, I think all the expense has been well worth it.

You are welcome to use the picture attached for your pond portfolio if you think fit and can give my name as yet ‘another contented customer’.

Isiah Barnstoneworth Sr., Tor Farm, Windy Hill, Eskdale.

PS. Here’s a shot of your fibreglass team going to do the final gel coat.

Main contribution from my very good friend and avid Koi Kichi person - Dr. Louis Leh from Malaysia.