Once we'd caught our breath from the summer season, it was time to start planning the big work properly.

JAMES WALKS THE LAKE

James spent hours walking the lake to find anything he hadn't spotted during the season (bear in mind he'd been out there all summer, so he knew what was wrong - he'd even spotted issues before we bought the place!). This was about making a proper plan for the work and what needed fixing.

He knows what healthy lake management looks like, and he could see what needed doing.

PLANNING THE DREDGING

The dredging work is a big job. You need the right kit, the right contractors and careful planning so you don't stress the fish.

Through autumn, we sorted the details, lined up contractors and made sure everything was ready to go when winter arrived - the best time to do this kind of work when the lake's quiet and the fish are less active.

Shallow End - Before

Shallow End - After

PREPPING FOR THE WORK

We also kept on improving access around the lake. More clearing, more path widening, making sure we could get heavy machinery to the areas that needed it most.

The emergency summer work got us through the season. The autumn planning set us up for the big changes ahead.

James & Liza