Front Garden Before

Here is an almost 'before' picture. 
I did not think to take a photo earlier.

Here is the next one where we have dug further along the path. 

Next is to dig to the end of the path, then go through all the soil for stones and yet more weeds and roots, then lay a layer of newspaper, which, hopefully will slow down the weeds and roots left behind. 

Then plant lavender, and maybe some carrots. all this could be problematic as there are no fences or garden walls and deer come and graze on whatever takes their fancy. Any ideas for deterring the deer?

Ivy

There is SO much ivy here that it is EVERYWHERE!
Up the sides of buildings, on walls and up and over trees. 
The ivy that was cleared from the side of the barn at the end of last month is already a foot back up it.
There are some old fruit trees here and the ivy has been allowed to climb up them and we have worked very hard to at least clear the ivy from the bases; we are unable to get to the top of the trees to clear the ivy off there but hope it will now die with no root system to keep it going.