The shed (and shed-loving man) hasn’t become extinct, of course. But, in some gardens the shed has evolved into a more attractive space: the summerhouse. This is somewhere you can relax without having to share footroom with the lawnmower, plant pots and soil bags.

So, what are the things you should be thinking about if you’re pondering buying a summer house for you garden? Here are some pointers.

Positioning :

What parts of the day will you be using the space, and which direction will the sun be coming from at these times? There’s no point in calling it a summerhouse if you can’t make the most of the sun, but you might not want it to be baking-hot either. Also, do you want you summerhouse to be a hidden gem or a focal point of the garden?

Planning permission :

This is something you probably won’t need to think about, although it’s worth making some checks if you can - including with the neighbours. If your construction is made of timber, you generally don’t need local authority permission unless it’s over four metres tall, it’s close to the house (less than five metres away), it takes up over half of your garden, or you live in a conservation area.

Above and below :

To maximise the life and maintenance of your summerhouse we recommend you don’t have trees or shrubs overhanging it. You should also have a firm, level and dry base such as concrete or paving. Building straight onto grass, or onto something else that soaks up water, can be a real threat to the wood. Remember to take into account all the dimensions of the building when you’re working out the positioning for it.

Construction :

Summerhouses are usually constructed by the company you buy them from. But, if you’re thinking of doing-it-yourself, make sure you’re realistic about what’s possible. The more DIY you have to do (like cutting and assembling), the more difficult the work’s going to be.

Maintenance :

Get some advice from the company you’re buying from. In terms of the material it’s made from, it’s sometimes worth re-treating the wood annually - make sure the building has space around it (away from walls and fences) so you can do this. You might also want to oil any moving parts like hinges on doors or windows at times. And, if at any stage water leaks in through the roof, make repairs as soon as possible, as this can be very damaging.

Palm trees were once thought to be suitable for planting only in tropical landscapes, however, several cold hardy palm trees occur naturally, growing in America, where snows fall during winter. The windmill palm tree, Trachycarpus fortunei; the Dwarf Palmetto palm tree, Sabal minor; the Saw palmetto, Serenoa repens; and the Sabal Palm, sabal palmetto; and the Needle Palm, Rhapidophyllun hystrix; Much of the information that is published in book from, magazine articles and Internet websites is extremely conservative, perhaps because the testing for national cold hardiness is of a recent origin; and also temperature fluctuations caused by global warming increases the survival rate of palm tree plantings in recent years. Try buying a few palm trees in your garden to plant and grow. Very large specimen palm trees can be purchased for semi-truck fast delivery at a few Internet nursery websites.

The Windmill palm tree, Trachycarpus fortunei, also is called a Chusan palm and a Chinese Windmill palm tree, was imported from Japan, perhaps first, into the United States, but most botanists believe that this palm tree originated in China, where many seed and specimen trees were purchased to import into the US. Windmill palm trees are a common landscape sight throughout Europe, the United States, and Canada. These Windmill palm trees are very cold hardy, and can be see flourishing along the city streets of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, where the palms grow up to 40ft in height. The slender, graceful trunks are covered with brown-black fibers that appear as hair from a distance, and with aging, the fibers turn gray, and on large old trees the fibers fall off to reveal a slick beautiful trunk. The waxy leaves are bright green above and silver-green below; growing 2 feet long and 2 feet wide, smaller than most other palm trees. Windmill palm trees grow a flower stalk 2 feet long, with yellow, pleasantly aromatic flowers developing into ½” long blue fruits.

Windmill palm trees, Trachycarpus fortunei, are so cold hardy that semi-truck loads of large specimen sized trees have been nursery distributed for customers in Canada who wish to buy a palm to place in a tropical landscape design. The famous Cloister Hotel at Sea Island, Georgia plants grouping of large Windmill palms, some 20-30 feet for planting near entrances and landscape positions close to buildings. Windmill palms are tolerant of salt water spray and are very adaptable for planting and growing in most areas of the United States.

The Dwarf Palmetto palm tree, Sabal minor, is not a fast growing plant, and gorws abundantly in pine tree forests, and in poorly drained lowlands. Innumerable colonies of dwarf palmetto palm grow next to the highway between Albany, Georgia and Blakely, Georgia on swampland, that is under water periodically, and the dwarf palmetto palms grow in very heavy shade. Native to the Southeastern US, this palm grows small trunks that remain hidden behind the leaves. The flower stalk grows four to six feet, and white flowers grow into one-half inch, black fruit. This extremely adaptable palm tree is drought tolerant, and popularly is grown as a native, landscape specimen shrub or in rows as a privacy screen. This dwarf palmetto grows beautiful, pest resistant leaves, and can be seen growing as a salt water resistant plant in large landscape borders of Sea Island, Georgia, where land purchasers value the natural appearance and incorporate the plant into landscape designs.

Saw palmetto, Serenoa repens, is one of the native Southeastern plants that has become the rage for planting as a cold hardy palm in Northern States, where it can survive temperatures of -10 F. The beautiful blue or green colored leaves are shiny and waxy, growing about five feet long. The flower stalk grows 3 feet long and appears in the heat of the summer, covered with white flowers that form blue fruit one inch in diameter. The saw palmetto palm tree is very adaptable for cold hardy growing in Northerne states, where temperature extremes damage most other palms. These palm trees are grown mostly as clumping shrubs in naturalistic landscapes. You should buy large Saw palmetto palms, as they do not transplant well and should be planted and grown from a container plant nursery. Very exotic trunks form on century old Saw palmetto palms, that can be seen growing on the sand dunes next to salt water waves spraying the leaves at Sea Island, Georgia. Trunks on these trees had the lower leaves removed to reveal trunks 4ft long that can grow parallel to the ground or at right angels or twisted. All palm tree trunks obviously shaped by storms or hurricanes, that may have blown over the plants rooted in the sand, only to regrow at a different angle. These palm trees must be seen to appreciate a dune of sand landscaped properly.

The Cabbage palm tree (Sabal palmetto) is also called the Sabal Palm, and is believed to be the most commonly planted palm tree in the Southern US. This palm tree is native to that area, and grows in forests throughout Florida and coastal Georgia. The Cabbage palm tree can grow to 40 feet, but only grows about one foot per year. Upon aging, the lower leaf stem remains (petioles) attached for many years, giving the trunk a bazaar, forbidding appearance. After many years, the leaf remains can be removed artificially, or naturally, giving the trunk a slick, desirable look in the landscape. During hot weather, white flowers grow fast, to 6 feet long, to produce one-half inch black fruit that fall to the ground. Sabal palm trees grow as far North as coastal Virginia, and Carolina landscapes, and are cold hardy to below zero temperatures. This Cabbage palm is drought resistant, requires little care or growth maintenance when planted in the landscape, and is so salt water tolerant, it can be found growing along the sea coast, sometimes falling into the ocean with sea erosion.

Sabal palm trees are considered as the State tree in Florida and South Carolina. Because Sable palm tree roots do not branch like other palms, transplanting the tree can be difficult unless the leaves are all removed before transplanting into home landscapes, and since they are not fast growing, it is not unusual for the palm tree to require 3 to 4 years to regrow the canopy leaves to normal size. The cabbage palm is also susceptible to hurricane damage, because its roots are not largely branched like other palm trees to anchor the trunk into the earth.

The Needle Palm, Rhapidoe phyllum histrix, is native to the Southeastern United States, and is considered to be one of the most cold hardy palm trees growing in the United States. Buyers find it difficult to purchase this palm tree, because it has been removed from most of the forests, where it is not a fast growing palm tree. Large trunks up to 4 feet tall are rare, and very expensive, costing each thousands of dollars. But, this needle palm has survived minus 10 degrees F at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in New York for many years, unaffected by the snow and cold temperatures. The leaves are two feet long and 4 feet wide, and the trunk is dangerously armed with white, sharp, 5 inch needles, easily being detached from the trunk, with the overall appearance like that of a porcupine. Even though the needle palm trees hundred of years old are expensive, it is possible to buy smaller plants at reasonable prices for fast shipment at many Internet nursery websites.

Copyright 2006 Patrick Malcolm

The famous Garden Route is truly one of South Africa’s gems, stretching from Durban way up on the Eastern Coast, right down to Cape Town, passing South Africa’s most southerly point, Cape Agulhas.

One of the best starting points for those people starting out from Cape Town is Hermanus. Situated about 90 minutes drive out of Cape Town, Hermanus retains much of it’s original small fisherman’s village feel, with low, white-washed cottages clinging to the cliff tops, very reminiscent of Cornwall, here in the UK.

The drive along the coast between Cape Town and Hermanus is spectacular in itself. Winding its way long through villages such as Betty’s Bay, you’ll find such delights as the Harold Porter Botanical Garden, famous for its ericas and proteas, proteas being the national flower of South Africa.

Catch the Jackass penguin colony at Stony Point. The penguins have had a name change to African penguins, but they were called Jackass because the noise they make is remarkably like a donkey. You can actually swim with the penguins down at Boulders Beach, if you take a trip down to Cape Point, but that’s for another day.

Hermanus is a very popular destination, part of its attraction lying in its history. The tiny harbour with its coloured boats pulled up onto the quayside is as pretty as a picture and offers visitors an insight into Hermanus’ past. Artists and crafters are drawn to the area for its light and dazzling array of possible subjects.

In the early 1900’s Harley Street doctors prescribed Hermanus for its “champagne air” to their patients, simply because of the excellent fishing, outstanding beauty and “healing air”.

From here the village has gone from strength to strength. Hotels and guest houses to suit every pocket have sprung up, while still retaining that wonderful tranquillity which first attracted travellers to this area.

More than the sun, sand and outstanding beauty, Hermanus is best known for whale watching. Because of the magnificent 14 km cliff path, Hermanus offers visitors some of the best land-based whale watching in the world.

Dotted along the path are telescopes to best view the whales that are a bit further out, generally the ones with their very young calves. Also watch out for the Whale Crier, who sounds his kelp horn to announce where the whales have been sighted. You’ll find him down in the town, with his sandwich board on his back, directing you to where they’ve been spotted.

Expect to see the Southern Right Whales on a daily basis from August until the end of October, although the season starts in June, they’re more difficult to see. The whales are attracted to Walker Bay where they can mate and calve in the calm waters. The calves are almost all born by August and that’s why it’s easier to see them at this time of the year.

The wonderful spectacle can be seen from as close as five meters from the rocky cliffs and they seem to enjoy entertaining the crowds with their frolicking. You’ll find that dolphins are frequent visitors too, so don’t forget to add these delightful creatures to your “must see” list.

Of course, watching the whales is only a part of the attractions on offer in Hermanus. The calm waters that attract the whales also attract their two legged cousins in boats. Yachting and boating of all kinds take place around the bay, along with fishing, diving and fly-fishing.

Coupled with bird-watching, hiking, cycling, golf, bowls, riding and more dangerous sports such as shark diving and paragliding, I think we can safely say there’s something for everyone here.

Whilst you’re there, don’t miss out on one of the world’s most unusual restaurants - a cave. Bientang’s Cave Seafood restaurant really must have one of the most spectacular settings, being 10 meters from the water’s edge. Quite an experience - watch the whales at the same time as you dine!

For more information on where to stay and what to do in this region, contact us on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-and-tourism for your own personalised tour itinerary.

Take the strain out of your planning; let us help you find your own magical Cape Town vacation.

If you are planning a trip through the Garden Route this summer, Mossel Bay is a stopping point (on many Garden Route tours).

There is a plethora of ‘fun in the sun’ activities as well as relaxation and rejuvenation for the weary traveler. Go bungee jumping, bridge swinging, abseiling, and South Africa’s sport for the brave, shark-cage diving! You can ride on elephants through the Botlierskop Game Reserve and take a trip out to nearby Seal Island with its 3000 Cape Fur seals. You might find that dolphins will accompany your boat to seal island, or in season (July to November a whale). If you want to do something glamorous this festive season, embark on a helicopter flip over the town and its gorgeous bay (also known as Bay Of Attractions).

Mossel Bay is South Africa’s historical gem. For the culturally minded, there is the Maritime Museum, Cultural Museum, the Shell Museum, the Aquarium, and the Ethno-Botanical garden. Visit Hough’s Herbal garden in Great Brak and the many art galleries in this small town. Take a drive to the original mission village of Friemersheim in the Outeniqua hills and revisit the South Africa of old.

Fun Festive Activities

Catamaran Sailing: The Seven Seas is a 60-foot luxury catamaran, expertly fitted out for ultimate style and pleasure. Passengers can enjoy the seal island trips and sunset cruises in comfort, while watching stunning sunsets from the deck, restaurant, dining room, or cocktail bar.

Oyster Catcher Trail: This coastal hiking trail starts in a Khoi San cave at the old fishing village of Mossel Bay and ends with a small boat trip across the Gouritz River. This is not just a walk - it’s a love affair with nature!

Horse Riding & Horse Trails: Go horse riding, ride on the edge of coastal cliffs where you can watch the whales frolicking below. There is also a multi-day horse tour of the Garden Route’s beaches, mountains, and indigenous forest on horseback.

Face Adrenalin: A major theme in the development of humanity is to face and overcome fear; your ultimate adrenalin test would be the 65-meter Gouritz bungy jump and bridge swing.

Mossel Bay Deepsea Adventures: Come and enjoy a deep sea, fishing trip on the expertly rigged 8m, Butt Cat in Mossel Bay. Can accommodate up to eight people and all tackle and bait is available. All fish caught, may be kept (subject to Bag Limits).

Model Shipyard: You can watch shipbuilders in action while they are busy building their model ships. They supply and build scale model ships from times gone by.

Garden Route Casino: If you are an avid Egoli fan, get to the Garden Route Casino between 18th and 22nd of December so you can meet your favourite star.

Garden Route Game Lodge: Get to see the Big Five and various other animal species in this malaria-free area. The Reptile Park is also an interesting way to spend an afternoon. You can enjoy an authentic African meal at the thatched boma and relax in a jaccuzzi under the African skies.

Footprints Social Entrepreneurs: Explore this community! Visit the Arts and Craft Centre; there are guided tours to experience the Cultural and Natural Environment of Tarka Village, and a visit to St Mary Magdalene Chapel built on a natural spring. Tour guides to the angling spots that will deliver the ‘big one’. A visit to the Community Craft Centre housed in the Lutheran Mission School, where handcrafted articles are on display, and can be purchased.

Emqolweni Kamama Café: This is South Africa’s only non-alcoholic shebeen. It introduces a brand new concept of socialising in the townships. Adults normally have fun in shebeens whilst children play in the streets. Imqolweni has changed this: now women and children have the opportunity to have fun together at a coffee shop, where women chat and the children play in a safe play park environment.

Prince Edward Island, known as the Garden Province, is located in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence north of Nova Scotia and east of New Brunswick, separated from the mainland by the Northumberland Strait. Charlottetown is the capital and largest city situated in roughly the center of the island’s southern shore. The second largest city is Summerside, located in Prince County, in the western part of the Island. PEI’s total population is about 139,000, with more than a third of it in the capital region. Both Charlottetown and Summerside are built around natural harbors.

The Confederation Bridge was opened in 1997 connecting the west end of the island to New Brunswick. There are still two ferry services remaining: one from the east end of PEI to Nova Scotia and one from the town of Souris to the Magdalen Islands.

An estimated half of the island is covered with woodlands, though very little of the original forest remain. Almost all the island is dominated by agriculture, being blessed by a distinctive red sedimentary soil. Potatoes are a large cash crop, with PEI potatoes exported as far west as Ontario, south into the USA and some twenty countries around the world. There is a fishing industry, being dominated by shellfish harvesting - most notably lobster. As the province is surrounded by sea ice between December-April, the fishery is entirely seasonal.

The island’s coastline consists of a combination of long beaches, dunes, short sandstone cliffs, salt-water marshes and numerous small bays. There is a high amount of iron oxide in the rock, which explains the distinctive reddish sand of the beaches and dunes. At Basin Head the grains of white silica sand cause a humming noise as they rub against each other when walked on. On the north shore large dune fields can be found on barrier islands at the entrances to various bays and harbors. The shifting, parabolic dune system is home to a variety of birds and rare plants and is also a site of significant archeological interest.

Prince Edward Island was originally inhabited by the Mi’Kmaq people. They named the island Abegweit meaning Cradle on the Waves. As part of the French colony of Acadia, the island was called Île Saint-Jean. Roughly one thousand Acadians on the island, many having already fled a British-ordered expulsion of Acadians in the mainland British colony of Nova Scotia in 1755, were subsequently deported in 1758 when the British seized Île Saint-Jean during the Seven Years War. Many of the Acadians ended up in the Bayou country of Louisiana, today’s Cajun country. In 1798, Great Britain changed the colony’s name from St. John’s Island to Prince Edward Island to distinguish it from similar names in the Atlantic area, such as the cities of Saint John and St. John’s.

In September 1864, Prince Edward Island hosted the Charlottetown Conference, which was the first meeting in the process leading to the Articles of Confederation and the creation of Canada in 1867. Prince Edward Island presents itself as the “Birthplace of Confederation” with several buildings, a ferry vessel and the Confederation Bridge using the term “confederation” in some way.

Author Lucy Maud Montgomery looked to Island life during the late Victorian Era for the setting of her classic Anne of Green Gables. Born on the exact same day as Sir Winston Churchill, she wrote many novels, books of short stories and poetry. The Japanese in particular are enthusiastic about Anne of Green Gables, using the book for both study of the English language and of English literature. As a result there is a booming tourist business in Japanese women visiting PEI and Green Gables.

Today, many of the same qualities that Montgomery and others found in the Island are enjoyed by tourists who visit in all seasons. They enjoy a variety of leisure activities, including beaches, various golf courses, eco-tourism adventures and simply touring the countryside and enjoying cultural events in local communities around the island.