Yes we have inherited a leaky pond with a broken paving edge so thats a project soon to be started. Also we're building some decking and I'm considering extending the decking slats around two or three sides of the new pond. The garden is surrounded by unpainted breeze-block walls, so I'm desperate to get them painted but the weather is not on my side!

Hi there, I know we recently featured a story on a shipping container home in Denmark, and a railway carriage here in the UK - might serve as some inspiration and a resource going forward! Sounds like a great project, would love to see it unfold! https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/world-of-design-10-unconventional-homes-packed-with-personality-stsetivw-vs~53172186

Collecting rainwater is a fantastic way to re-cycle water and requires minimal effort from your side. Our experts have compiled their best advice on this subject in this blog post. Good luck!

hi - I am no expert and my spelling/memory of these plant names will be awful - , but have faced similar challenges with wet clay. In the shadiest border I have Iris, ferns, honeysuckle, astrantia, philadelphus/mock orange. Sunnier spots have fatsia japonica, deutzia strawberry fields. climbing roses, I recommend an RHS A to Z of plants, something like Right Plant Right Place as it avoids you spending money on plants that just won;t thrive in the soil conditions. For a bit of summer colour day lilys are ok in clay but may not be suitable if you have cats.Another one for good early summer colour is bleeding heart, its very pretty. Lavender and sage I am pretty sure won;t like the conditions in your photo. I have a fairly neat tall evergreen which is called crinodendron hookerianum/chile lantern tree. I've also got a silk tassel bush "James Roof"and hydrangea petiolaris, but these may be too big for your space. Christmas box/ sarcococca confusa is a nice fairly compact evergreen. As I say I am no expert, just letting you know what has managed to survive in similar conditions in my home garden. For herbs like lavender and sage I agree with Jen P's recommendation for a raised bed. Good luck with the planting!