When a Foxtons employee looks in the mirror, the estate agent can discern a reflection that others cannot.
To them, the figure smiling back is a dashingly attired young tycoon – confident that their sharp wits are about to land them another tasty commission. But many of those attempting to buy a home in London might interpret that same image as – how shall we put this? – slightly less heroic.
Continue reading...The pandemic is giving us a lesson in life, hope and death. It’s one we should never forget
Back in the days when we all still hurried oblivious through crowded city streets, the names chalked on the pavement must have been easily missed. But now a long-running campaign by rebel botanists across Europe to highlight overlooked nature in the city, scribbling names and plant details alongside a pretty weed growing through a wall or a tree spreading overhead, has unexpectedly found its niche.
Going for a walk is the only real freedom many have had for weeks, and with no particular place to go but out, there is finally time to notice nature creeping through the cracks: the birdsong no longer drowned out by traffic; the daffodils in front gardens giving way to frothy peonies; a fat supermoon hanging heavy on the night horizon.
Continue reading...The pandemic is giving us a lesson in life, hope and death. It’s one we should never forget
Back in the days when we all still hurried oblivious through crowded city streets, the names chalked on the pavement must have been easily missed. But now a long-running campaign by rebel botanists across Europe to highlight overlooked nature in the city, scribbling names and plant details alongside a pretty weed growing through a wall or a tree spreading overhead, has unexpectedly found its niche.
Going for a walk is the only real freedom many have had for weeks, and with no particular place to go but out, there is finally time to notice nature creeping through the cracks: the birdsong no longer drowned out by traffic; the daffodils in front gardens giving way to frothy peonies; a fat supermoon hanging heavy on the night horizon.
Continue reading...I’m interested in growing things, but don’t know which shops, garden centres or websites to go to
Every week a Guardian Money reader submits a question, and it’s up to you to help him or her out – a selection of the best answers will appear in next Saturday’s paper.
Like many other people I’ve got a new interest in gardening, but I don’t know where to get seeds and other supplies. Can anyone recommend any good websites for plants, compost and the other things I’ll need to get growing?
Continue reading...About 2m Britons have paused payments in the coronavirus crisis. Readers share their experiences
Almost one in five UK mortgage holders have now been granted a payment holiday, it was estimated this week – but people’s experiences of the process have been very different. Some struggled to get a holiday while others say it was almost too easy. And while for some it will add just a few pounds to their monthly mortgage bill, others say their outlay will rise by a lot more.
The Guardian asked readers who had applied for a mortgage payment holiday, or help with other debts, how they got on. Almost 200 people contacted us to tell us their stories.
Continue reading...I’m interested in growing things, but don’t know which shops, garden centres or websites to go to
Every week a Guardian Money reader submits a question, and it’s up to you to help him or her out – a selection of the best answers will appear in next Saturday’s paper.
Like many other people I’ve got a new interest in gardening, but I don’t know where to get seeds and other supplies. Can anyone recommend any good websites for plants, compost and the other things I’ll need to get growing?
Continue reading...