Out There Blog

Hard to believe this is a street in Kensal Rise. A twister left a trail of destruction this morning, ripping the rooves of cars, smashing windows and injuring six people. On the BBC website, local resident Daniel Bidgood explained what his experience:

I was in my living room and I heard a big crack of lightning and thunder, then as I went to the window I heard a sound which was like standing behind a jetliner. I could see a huge cloud rolling up the street, making this tremendous sound. I went to try to take a picture of it but a shower of debris smashed all the windows of my house.

[via BBC]

Posted by Bronwyn at 06:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kisses under the mistletoe, wreaths of holly and ivy, and tinsel topped Christmas trees are just a few of the associations we make with plants at Christmas time. At this time of year, garden centres, florists and supermarkets are awash with colour providing us with a vast range of plants or flowers that we can we give as presents or buy to brighten up our homes. With such a dazzling array on offer, it is no wonder that buying the right product can seem almost daunting.

Christmas foliage is quite difficult to choose, with such a vast selection available but with a little guidance, even the most green fingered of shoppers can make the right decision.

The colourful red leaves of the poinsettia have made this long lasting plant a popular choice to brighten up any festive table. Another option is the cactus plant but be sure to choose one with small buds now or most of the bloom will be finished by Christmas.

Another festive favourite is the amaryllis bulb, which you can plant immediately and you will soon have a stunning flowering houseplant to show off to neighbours. With a range of options available, whether you want something delicate and colourful or exotic and distinct, this plant will brighten any kitchen or hallway.

Very much part of the Christmas tradition, Helleborus niger is treasured for its pure white flowers with golden stamens that act as beacons of light in the garden during the winter months. This enchanting plant can be admired at close range indoors during the festive period, making an unusual centrepiece for the dinner table, and can be planted in the garden to flower every year once the festivities are over.

To ensure getting a plant of your choice, ensure that you shop early and buy the plant and care for it yourself prior to giving it as a gift. Select plants that are clean and healthy and at the start of their blooming period. Keep in mind that all gift plants are subject to freezing and at this time of the year must be protected. Ask the sales person to place the plant in plastic and always transport it in a warm car. Should you be moving the plant, place it in a rubbish bag and twist-tie the bag shut. Place this bag and plant into a second bag and blow into it so that air can act as insulation. Twist - tie the second bag to keep the air in and your plant insulated from the cold.

Posted by Bronwyn at 05:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Christmas light fanatics should avoid decorating the outside of their homes if they want to sell up over the festive period.

When questioned in the summer of 2006, Christmas lights came 8th in the rankings of what was most likely to put you off buying a home. However, house exteriors that are over-enthusiastically decked in Christmas decorations have rocketed to number three in December's survey of home buyers' pet hates. 

There are some perennial eyesores, the prospect of which fill buyers with apprehension all year round. Broken down vehicles and rubbish in front of homes have remained top of the list overall, the survey concluded. However, there is a clear indication that seasonal factors come into play in repelling potential buyers. Back in the summer ubiquitous World Cup flags proved a real turn off to buyers. Now December has come around they have been replaced by Christmas bling, equally off-putting to buyers.

Visual factors most likely to put off buyers

Rank
1.   Broken down vehicles/old furniture
2.   Rubbish in front of the house
3.   Over-enthusiastic Christmas lighting/decoration
4.   Caravan
5.   National sporting flags
6.   Pebbledash/stone cladding
7.   Unkempt garden
8.   Peeling paintwork/poor state of repair
9.   Garden gnomes
10.  Election material 

Wealthier households with incomes over £60,000 were twice as likely to be put off by Christmas decorations as households with incomes under £30,000. Warren Bright, Chief Executive Officer of propertyfinder.com commented:

Christmas and the New Year is a notoriously difficult time to sell as people like to be settled over the festive period. Sellers will have to be extra careful not to alienate the buyers who are still out there and over the top decorations are sure to put a lot of people off.

People want to see an unadorned house and imagine themselves in it. That means bold personal statements like these must be avoided.

Posted by Bronwyn at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)