Goodbye Lawn, Hello Pond!

Really stunning @kindredspirit . You must feel very proud of what you've achieved there. Superb.
I converted my back garden grass, which I'd created about ten years ago after moving here in 2103. It was a few years ago that I did it, and is now a gravel garden with a larger pond. It's far more interesting.
The orchids are lovely when they appear. I have a little one which came in with a plant, and it's very happy. I need to move it again, and might try and establish a bit nearer the pond itself.

 

It's nice to have a "natural" garden to relax in. (Although, all gardens manipulate nature to varying degrees, so are not totally natural.)

 

Absolutely @kindredspirit . No matter how natural we try and make a garden look, they're all artificial.
It's what suits us and our conditions that matters most though. If we can try and get a natural look, it can certainly be very relaxing, although I don't seem to do much of that! Watching the wildlife enjoying the pond is one of my greatest pleasures..

I also love very formal gardens though, so it's possible to like many different styles, and still enjoy them all.

 

Autumn flowering at the edge of the pond.

 

Pink dandelions growing recently besides the water garden. (Crepis incana).