Posts Tagged ‘water’

Soothing Sounds of Water in Motion

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Fountain and private porch outside Confederate Memories Room

Fountain and private porch outside Confederate Memories

There is something soothing and relaxing about the sound of running water and cascading fountains.   We have several here at the Inn and they are some of our favorite spots to sip a glass of wine or just pause and relax for a few minutes. We have one that is a Koi pond and all the others are just a source of bubbling and musical water in motion. The fountain at left was set up over the old cistern for the Hearthstone cottage when it was a private home, and when we came here it required constant water addition to maintain the level.   After digging around I found there was no bottom and the sides leaked as well.   I tried several solutions but eventually water patch cement has done the job and it now can maintain levels without wasting water.   We feed the fish each morning in the Koi pond and they are extremely adept at remembering the time for feeding. As soon as food hits the water they instantly appear like a herd of cows and gobble with significant flapping of tails and competition.   A couple are nearly a foot long so naturally, they tend to rule.   Cinnamon the cat  drinks from this fountain but leaves the fish alone; at least so far.

Koi pond/fountain in back courtyard

Koi pond/fountain in back courtyard

The Koi pond is a favorite place for kids at weddings, and sometimes the fish even surface, or I give them a little extra food to make them appear.  There alway seems to be a fascination with ponds and fish for children.  The gurgling  jug as I call the other fountain in the back courtyard was a replacement for one that was leaking when we arrived.  We got it over on 8th street at Well Tavelled Living and then drilled a hole in the bottom for the cord, sealed that with silicone, filled it with rock and started listening to the sound of water. 

Gurgling jug outside Island Get-A-Way

Gurgling jug outside Island Get-A-Way

The other fountain near the Rose Garden and Arbor was crafted by a fountian maker and except for pump replacement has been trouble free for the past four years.   We have a couple of  benchs in the rose garden and it is a pleasant place to sit for awhile without the world intruding. Regardless of which fountain you find on your visit here, the soothing sound and moving  water can only add to your escape and relaxation at the Williams House.

Rose Garden fountain

Rose Garden fountain

Egret Invades Downtown Fernandina Beach

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Crane looking for food at theWilliams House

Egret looking for food at theWilliams House

The town has been experiencing a visitor recently in the form of a large white Egret.  Normally located near marshes and streams, I’m guessing he is about town searching for the secluded but reachable Koi and fish ponds.  As a later picture shows he visited the woman who lives next door to check out her fairly large Koi pond. He came so often she has now decided feeding Egret’s is not one of her hobbies and has given away the Koi and closed the pond. We have a smaller Koi pond at the Williams House, but apparently he hasn’t found it yet, or the fish hide effectively near the bottom.  I noticed our resident attack cat Cinnamon was no where to be found when a worthwhile  adversary showed up.  When you operate a bed & breakfast you’re never really sure when your next visitor will be arriving!

Crane on neighbors roof studying Koi pond

Egret on neighbors roof studying Koi pond

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crane studying opportunities at the neighbor's Koi pond

Egret studying opportunities at the neighbor's Koi pond

Fernandina Beach Marina

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Fernandina Beach Marina, originally uploaded by heyitsmelissa37.

Fernandina Beach Marina, Shrimp Boat at sunset.

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