To find properties to rent and to make sure these properties are worth your time to view, take note of some of the questions you should be asking. Firstly, list what you are looking for in a property. Do you want a bath and shower? Do you want a furnished or unfurnished property? Think about how many bedrooms you want and whether or not a garden is an important feature for you.

Check how much space you’ll need and if you’re looking for a family house or a flat. If you are looking for just yourself you may well be willing to share with someone else, so don’t forget to add this to your list. Renting also impacts on your choice of transport so check if there is space for parking and how close you would be to public transport.

When you’ve got your list it’s time to start looking. Newspapers will list adverts for rental properties but it’s quick and simple to check what’s available with an on-line property search website. These sites provide features that enable instant and wide searches, with results returned within seconds and each property easily examined in more detail.

When beginning your search it’s worth starting with a specific area, a price range and possibly a specified number of bedrooms. However, if you’re not tied to being within a certain area, you may find better options for rental properties if you expand your search up to 10 miles. If you’re on a tight budget, take a look at the latest trends for towns and cities and specific postcodes and where you’ll find properties for rent at lower rates.

Take care when reading the specification of each property, identifying questions that you would need to ask the agent and landlord. Then take a look at the photos and where the property is situated in relation to local schools, parks and main roads. Think about what local amenities you would need and if a property can meet these needs.

Then, with a final list of properties, start ringing estate agents to arrange viewings. Never rent a property without viewing first as photos can miss things out. Take your list of questions with you when you view and check the building over to make sure all equipment works. Make sure it has running hot water, a working toilet, furniture that meets fire regulations and fire alarms.

Next look at the building as a whole. Consider how safe the windows and doors are, how well built the house or flat is and how safe the local area feels. It is also important to think about local noise levels. Sometimes it can help visiting an area at different times to check how a neighbourhood feels on a Friday or Saturday night.

You may find you view many properties before finding something that looks and feels right. However, once you find a place that fits and that meets your requirements it’s all well worth the trouble. A rented property really can feel like home.

Now I must confess that while we had expected to enjoy our stay, I don’t believe any of us thought we would return home with ideas on how to improve our own lifestyle. But, this did turn out to be just such an occasion. We found ourselves on the outskirts of a one traffic light village, with no chain supermarkets or restaurants in sight. Therefore, we stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables being sold in a roadside booth by the very people who farmed them. The fish and meat we travelled farther to obtain at a lovely traditional market. Again, we were probably in the presence of those who had caught or raised the product. Sure, we can do something similar at home, but trying to negotiate a price with someone with only a Portuguese phrase book makes it feel auspicious.

Once back at the accommodation, which was situated on three acres of beautifully landscaped property, we found ourselves at a loss for what to do next. Nowhere really to go, we decided to make full use of the handmade brick barbecue and table set under the pergola. It took some time to settle our minds, and wind down from all of the stimulation we are accustomed to back home. Still it did happen, and we agreed that inhaling the scent of the beautiful wildflowers all during the day, and feasting on barbecue at night was divine.

After a full week of nothing but board games, picnics and sing-a-longs, we were ready to reunite with our former way of life. Still, we promised ourselves that we would make a few changes once back at our cottage. My list included the following, getting a great barbecue for our garden, as we liked the experience of eating out under the stars a great deal. However, a more modern version would be our preference, as we would like to have more control over the way the bbq cooks. Also, we are going to craft our own pergola and then install our outdoor table and chairs underneath. Eventually, we hope to have Clematis growing up the wood of the pergola, which will remind us even more of the valued time we spent together. It is such a nice thing to be able to come back to reality with a few ways to make everyday life a wee bit more magical.

The hard work of a gardener should be applauded, and the diligent work should be commended. So gardeners treat yourself to something in the garden that is all for you, a seat of some sort. I believe the type of seating should reflect the nature of the individual, and in my case I chose a hammock. Not sure why I have never thought to write about its importance in my outdoor living space before, but at least I have finally arrived at the moment. Better late than never, I know.

I have made a pact with myself to lie in my hammock at least once a week, during the warmer months. Everyone should have a pretty bench, tree swing, tree stump, or whatever they fancy to go to and reflect upon their labour. To sweeten the draw I am growing topiaries on either side of the hammock. That’s just another thing I wanted to do anyway, as I haven’t trained one in years. So, when I make my way over to maintain the holly topiaries, I then follow by relaxing for as long as suits me that day in the hammock. Do what you must to entice you to spend that downtime in your special seat, it truly is productive, as long as you place it in a spot that allows you to see the fruits of your labour.

Just keep in mind that once you have completed the task of selecting the object of choice to call yours, and then decorating the surrounding space as you wish that its moment has not passed. The underlying purpose is to use it consistently. No excuses you overachievers. Trust me, you will be amazed at what you observe from this vantage point. Expect to have moments of clarity over what to plant next season, or the realisation that you should replace the border you no longer are so fond of with some tulips.

In the instance of the barbecue, there was no way I was going to intentionally avoid getting a smashing new Weber just so I could have something more uncommon to decorate the garden. That would be taking things too far in my opinion, plus I really love to barbecue, so convenience and accuracy are far too important to take chances with anything other than a modern one. Yet, I still wanted to whip up something interesting to go with it as a compromise.

So, I decided to get a hand painted slate sign to go next to the appliance. On it I had several regional variations for the word barbecue written in cursive. For, I doubt anyone else I will ever have a the luck to encounter, or whose garden I might visit will have had the very same idea. And if they do per chance, then it will be equally as unlikely that they will have chosen the exact same choice of terms, font or materials.

On my one of a kind sign I included an Australian word for bar-b-q, barbie, a South African one, braai, along with the more common one I associate with the United States barbeque too. It is supposed to be finished next week, and I am very eager to see how good it looks in what I have deemed the official grill area. Just one more personal touch to keep things interesting, I highly recommend it to all.

This week I will be awaiting the arrival of my new swing, as the old one needs to be made redundant, if we are to be able to continue to refer to our garden as polished. As you might imagine, the choice is an important one. I have set my decision upon an ammonite inspired design, reminiscent of the one I grew up with. I allowed my daughter to select the pattern for the upholstered cushion, and she did a great job. As my own daughter will soon turn twelve, it is critical in my mind that the swing continue to be a place she loves to sit with me on Sundays. We have few family traditions, but this is one I intend to pass on for generations.

Let’s start out with the fact that prunners come in different sizes. For example Fiskars makes a three sizes, basically small, medium and large. Each will offer the assistance of doing one task better than the other, or perhaps a chore that could not be completed at all with either of the other two. Depending on the type of garden you keep, or work you personally conduct in it, you may or may not find a cause to purchase them all.

The large version will be able to reach into long stemmed bushes, or just deep ones. Without these you will probably find that you get pretty scraped up when trying to cut into those bushes. The medium pair weighs less, but can still get handle some pretty big cutting projects. The smallest of the bunch will most likely be a tool that you reach for frequently, as it is easy to handle and can cut very well too.

One dynamite product for this task is Goo Gone Patio Furniture Cleaner. It comes with an adjustable stream trigger, so you can designate how much and how fast. It does not require dilution, so there is no need for anything like a bucket and water to get started. It seems to be fine for most surfaces, including canvas, rattan and plastic. All that is required of you is to aim, spray and wipe. Thus, you can be reclining on that lounger, and snacking off that table in three shakes of a lambs tale. Love it. It would be hard to get simpler than that, especially with similar results.

One of the most important things is to make sure your pots, or containers have holes for drainage in the bottom. I have read that one hole is enough, but I take no chances, as these can become clogged, and opt for two or more. Also, I have learned that a great way to recycle things like cracked coffee mugs, or solo decorative bowls is to use them as the home for such plants.

The mix you insert into the container is also something of significance. Newbies might be very tempted to save a bit by using the soil from outside. If you are ok with bringing in insects, weeds and fungal diseases then do it the cheap way. My partner has told me that my particular type of sarcasm is not always detectable, so let me point out that I was being sarcastic in saying go ahead and use soil straight from outdoors. Do not do it, tooooo risky.

Now outside I use my much loved spices in the garden. They ward of uninvited guests, and they are my form of pest prevention. The ones I am most partial too, and that the interlopers are least fond of are cumin, cayenne and believe it or not cinnamon. Not only do I think it all too appropriate for a spice maven like myself to branch out on uses for those flavourful powders, but also I am extremely happy with the fact that they are not toxic for the trespassers. It works out more like a prank on them than anything more diabolical. They go away, and I feel clever for having made it happen in a safe way.

If you find that you do have space for water lilies in your well contained pot or small pond then you will have the fun experience of selecting the colour you want to highlight your water area to look forward to. Anything from subtle pinks to fuchsia, or stark white to buttery yellows are available. Expect the lilies to bring a striking splendour to your garden, and enjoy how they bring your water feature to life.