Summer house and pool, that’s the garden we dig
A LIGHTNING bolt strikes a tree against a beautiful purple sky in this spectacular snap.
The strike was so powerful it shook neighbouring houses during a wild electrical storm.
The tree that took the direct hit is in farmland in Glenfarg, Perth and Kinross.
Resident Sheila Addison, who took the memorable picture, said: “It was a lucky shot. It was just prior to midnight.
“The crack when the bolt touched down shook the house, causing glassware to rattle in the kitchen cupboard.”
Another incredible photo captured a waterspout off the south coast near Portishead, North Somerset.The huge funnel cloud appeared over the
Bristol Channel on Sunday as heavy storms hit the UK.
Flooding chaos is likely to continue today after warnings of further torrential rain.
The Environment Agency has issued a number of flood alerts for parts of the Midlands.
Nicola Maxey, of the Met
Office, predicted further deluges, bringing up to 1½in of rain within an hour in some areas.
OUR dream garden stretches 88ft, faces south and boasts a summer house, pool and vegetable patch, researchers discovered.
A built-in barbecue, shed and fire pit are also must-haves.
Half favour a flat plot over a tiered one, while 32 per cent aspire to stone flooring, just edging decking for popularity.
And when it comes to the grass, 72 per cent favour the real thing while only 14 per cent would like to have astro-turf.
The poll of 2,000 people found an adult’s dream garden would be colourful (48 per cent), inviting (45 per cent) and tidy (41 per cent).
Roofing firm Onduline commissioned the survey. Boss Paul Duffy said: “The research proves how important gardens are to us and how we all aspire to have a dream garden.
Goats
“This has definitely become more apparent during recent months, with increased time spent at home, as we have all been day-dreaming about what our perfect home and garden would look like.
“What was particularly interesting from the research was seeing how much time people spend in their gardens and outdoor buildings and therefore want it to be the perfect space – whether for entertaining, working out or relaxing.”
Designer Tim Miller created a 3D image to show the nation’s perfect plot.
He said: “Many clients are looking for these top ten garden features and it’s lovely bringing them altogether in one project.”
The poll also found a third would border their dream garden with a fence, while 32 per cent prefer hedging.
More than half would like a big enough
Plots of love...our dream garden would include a pool, summer house and area for barbecues
space to house animals, including chickens (57 per cent), ducks (32 per cent) and goats (17 per cent). A tenth would also include a tennis court and another 10 per cent want an outdoor gym.
It also emerged we believe the dream garden will set us back more than £5,000.
Nearly a third feel it is important to use sustainable materials but only a fifth would actually splash greener products.
More than half of us would get professionals in to create their inspirational garden but a large number – 30 per cent – would get stuck in themselves.
The study also found that despite 31 per cent being happy with their outdoor space, only 17 per cent feel it matches their out more to use dream. A sixth are unimpressed by it, while a tenth even admit they are embarrassed by their garden.
During the typical week, homeowners spend seven hours outdoors along with three hours in their outbuildings – 13 per cent have a summer house and 55 per cent own a garage.
More than a quarter use their outdoor buildings for relaxing, 15 per cent have them as their work space and 17 per cent enjoy hobbies in them.
Almost two-thirds use their garden as a place to relax, while a fifth regularly dine al fresco and 17 per cent play outside with their children.
Paul said: “Outdoor buildings have always been a key feature of any garden, whether it is a shed or greenhouse, but this survey highlights that people dream of being more adventurous with their choices.
“Summer houses or animal pens may seem like very aspirational products but making the dream a reality is much easier than many may think.”
Other features wanted in fantasy gardens range from the humble – bird feeders, hanging baskets, raised flower beds, sun loungers and a goal net – to the decadent.
The pricier wishlist includes a sauna, hot tub and water feature – some even want one big enough to warrant a bridge.