Mooching and melancholy in the garden| Allan Jenkins

December in the garden is a time to sit, watching the birds and appreciate the silence

It is largely empty at the allotments. The usual few hardy gardeners linger. Covers are coming on in different corners of the site. Wrappings of various types. I am still a little resistant, more open to accidents: unexpected shoots breaking through, flowers falling over. My preference is to see, say, robins rushing around and searching out seed, watch them and hope I might unearth a worm, turn over leaf mould or manure. Though I am more mindful now since seeing a kestrel swoop and carry off a young bird distracted by keeping me company.

We have netted two small areas of the plot, being careful to leave sections of the sides open for birds to get in and out. And, yes, I know their freedom of movement is not the idea, but I have had too many traumas freeing frightened blackbirds caught in others’ fruit cages. Our thinking is to limit the damage of hungrier pigeons as they decimate the kale leaving only brassica bones, a bird battlefield.

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Mooching and melancholy in the garden| Allan Jenkins

December in the garden is a time to sit, watching the birds and appreciate the silence

It is largely empty at the allotments. The usual few hardy gardeners linger. Covers are coming on in different corners of the site. Wrappings of various types. I am still a little resistant, more open to accidents: unexpected shoots breaking through, flowers falling over. My preference is to see, say, robins rushing around and searching out seed, watch them and hope I might unearth a worm, turn over leaf mould or manure. Though I am more mindful now since seeing a kestrel swoop and carry off a young bird distracted by keeping me company.

We have netted two small areas of the plot, being careful to leave sections of the sides open for birds to get in and out. And, yes, I know their freedom of movement is not the idea, but I have had too many traumas freeing frightened blackbirds caught in others’ fruit cages. Our thinking is to limit the damage of hungrier pigeons as they decimate the kale leaving only brassica bones, a bird battlefield.

Continue reading...

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A guide to selling your first property Nottingham Estate Agents

Here are some top tips to help take first-time sellers from novice to know-it-all. And don’t forget our jargon buster Get a rough idea of what your home’s worth You can see what properties have been going for in your local area quickly and for free at OnTheMarket.com. Simply go to the homepage, click on ‘Sold […]

The post A guide to selling your first property appeared first on OnTheMarket.com blog.

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How to make last-minute Christmas gifts from your garden | Alys Fowler

Infuse gin or vodka for a delicious festive tipple

I am tempted to say that you cannot find a better Christmas present than a small Jack Russell in a big red bow, but I am not in the business of suggesting puppies for presents. Instead, I am here with a few ideas that you can raid from your garden for a more individual, sustainable gift.

You’ve still got time to infuse the flavour of your garden into something – be it gin, vodka or vinegar. Find a pretty bottle and a nice label, and you’ve got a present that won’t go to waste. You don’t have to buy expensive alcohol – own-label brands are ideal; and I tend to use raw cider vinegar for infusing, but white wine vinegar is a good substitute. Then it’s time to get inventive with the flavours.

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How to make last-minute Christmas gifts from your garden | Alys Fowler

Infuse gin or vodka for a delicious festive tipple

I am tempted to say that you cannot find a better Christmas present than a small Jack Russell in a big red bow, but I am not in the business of suggesting puppies for presents. Instead, I am here with a few ideas that you can raid from your garden for a more individual, sustainable gift.

You’ve still got time to infuse the flavour of your garden into something – be it gin, vodka or vinegar. Find a pretty bottle and a nice label, and you’ve got a present that won’t go to waste. You don’t have to buy expensive alcohol – own-label brands are ideal; and I tend to use raw cider vinegar for infusing, but white wine vinegar is a good substitute. Then it’s time to get inventive with the flavours.

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Boost your income: make money from the spare room Nottingham Estate Agents

The spare room was once a place where we stored all those things we didn’t know what to do with. To help you decide if it’s a good idea, we have put together 10 tips and facts. The spare room was a hoarder’s paradise full of dusty paperbacks, old shoes, furniture and an untidy pile […]

The post Boost your income: make money from the spare room appeared first on OnTheMarket.com blog.

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Super-rich family buy £65m house after Johnson's victory

Family decide to buy property in central London as direct result of election outcome

A super-rich European family on Friday bought a house in central London for £65m, saying their decision was a direct result of Boris Johnson’s historic Conservative party election victory.

The family instructed the luxury estate agency Beauchamp Estates to buy the property in an undisclosed “prime central London” location as investors and the very wealthy celebrated the Conservatives’ 80-seat majority.

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