@rachelmidlands, thanks for the links and advice we are eventually going to move out (after 2019 wedding) we are preferably looking for a house with a garden as we have no nearby allotments and no public space attached to the flat (3rd floor). The reason I ask about pet proofing the back garden is so that Selene has the option to go outside if she wishes to, as at present she is strictly an indoor cat, she's fully chipped, spayed and up to date with her vaccines, flea and worming my ONLY worry is that she is an exotic breed (Egyptian Mau) so we are understandably very concerned about her security that she will be stolen if she ventured out of the garden as we have had numerous cats in our neighbourhood stolen (and worse killed) hence why we want a secure and safe place for her to explore and enrich her life. I have experience introducing dogs to cats and know what dog would suit our lifestyle. I will look more into it closer to the time but thank you for the advice for now.

Rachel and Carolina, thank you both so much for taking some of your time to think and design those sketches, it has really helped me in a stage I was blocked in my project. I now can keep on moving forward, that's so great. Carolina, I like your designs and they are actually similar to the sketches I was doing before I imported the soil in the garden but I think at this stage, following the natural curves of the garden will be much easier for me. I really like a lot of ideas you emitted. I will indeed add a birdbath somewhere and possibly a mini pond :-D Rachel, you just put into words and sketch a vague idea that I had but that I didn't know how to formulate! you basically read my mind. yes, I noticed there was some natural lines, and I wanted something more in curves but I didn't know how. your design makes it all look possible and realistic. to answer your questions, the round things are wine bottles. I was thinking of adding more wine bottles for edging but they might be a bit too short for high enough raised beds. I'll have to think about it... yes, the silver planter is a dolly tub. I was thinking of planting a clematis in it and some colourful flowers at the base of the clematis. I thought it would look nice somewhere against the white wall... thank you both so much about your ideas. I'll send you an update when it's more advanced. (it might take a long time though, but I'll get there!)

Hi! Your path needs to lead the eye to a focal point. I would opt for a meandering path to provide a 'journey' through the garden, leading to an area (the focal point) with feature planting, or perhaps a water feature? The washing line area can be disguised behind planting or a water wall. You can make some deep planting beds along the meandering path to provide interest. Include some play areas for the children in between the planting and make some nice 'outdoor room' areas for sitting and enjoying. All the best!

I have a garden on the slope, so feel your pain. I ended up planting a row of buxus and 8 rose bushes at the edge of the drop, to stop my then 4 yrs old and her friends falling over. It helped, whereas before they naturally gravitated towards the edge, almost giving me a heart attack