No sand here, but you have to put down lots of rock in order to avoid the mud. I put down the fabric, then 2 inches of packed rock, then a 4 inch concrete pad, then 6 inches of rock around the concrete, extending out 10 feet from the waterer. I don't how well it work in your country, but that fabric that you put down, is supposed to keep the rock from sinking. You might want to check it out.
