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Some might be tempted to think that if the weather were 100% predictable, we might never need to build shelters above us – unless the weather was 100% predictably rainy. On the other hand, even in the sun, it’s good (and health) to have some shade. This simple acknowledgment about nature has been known for a long time. While it seems that in building strong, temperature-controlled buildings and function halls, we have removed ourselves from the beauty of nature and of the outdoors. But thanks to modern technology and innovations, some of which are actually rather old now, we can make the great outdoors a major feature of the next big celebration or special occasion.

Enter the vast and expansive world of outdoor activities, where a heavy duty marquee is all you need to give you and your guests just the right amount of shelter for a truly special event. And nowadays, marquees are used for all kinds of celebrations, from milestone anniversaries to annual summer parties. That’s why planning for a party requires more than just a big tent. A full service hiring company can bring you more than just a party tent, but also offer furniture, flooring, lights, sound systems, other party equipment, and yes, even chandeliers for those who are really out to impress. In fact, a full-service business can provide you with everything you need except the occasion and the guests. Fortunately, these are all you need to provide.

One of the fun aspects of hiring a marquee is the flexibility that it offers. With the property already chosen, you can situate your marquee and guest facilities any way you like, with your choice of views of the scenery and the countryside.

As with any service business which offers marquees for hire, there are several considerations to make in your choice of tents as well as service provider. Here are some things to think through:

• Do they have experience and a reputation of success? In other words, check out the testimonials. Late set-ups or broken equipment is not a good way to impress your guests. Vigilant businesses will keep their equipment in tip-top shape, and have a crew that is well-rehearsed in set-up and take-down, so there should be no unexpected problems with scheduling or preparation.

• Full-service delivery, set-up and take-down: this last minute surprise is one the mother-in-law definitely does not want to deal with. Make sure the contract is written plain and simple, where the service provisions are spelled out in black and white. Maybe for some occasions you will want to save some money and does the set-up work yourself, but for large marquees that is simply not possible. Even the furnishings inside can be set up and arranged by professionals, which is also something you don’t want to have to worry about doing at the last minute.

• Type of marquees – there are many different options, but once again, make sure that you feel confident in the business that you are working with, that they know what types of marquees are right for the occasion, and that their equipment is of good quality and in good repair. Nobody wants to experience a fresh gentle breeze coming down from the mountains, and then turn around to see the party is over due to a fallen tent.

While there are many businesses in Australia which provide marquee hiring services, one of the best – and most experienced in the business – is Swan Marquees, which can be found online at www.swanmarquees.com.au. They have many customer references, and their business has stood the test of time.

Consider an outdoor event for your next wedding, anniversary, tea party, graduation, summer bash, family reunion… or whatever, and enjoy the great outdoors with a party-sized marquee.

I have always enjoyed having a greenhouse. In all seasons and in all times of the year, a well-kept greenhouse offers a place filled natural beauty as a part of our own home. It is a quiet place to go to, away from the TV and other household electronics, to enjoy a broad range of some of nature’s finest esthetic wonders. Growing lively, luscious greenery also affords one a sense of accomplishment. Having successfully taken care of some of nature’s most delicate plants, and watching them grow to maturity is a truly satisfying experience. As well, New Zealand has such a wide variety of indigenous plants; it is a lot of fun to learn about what we have. For choosing among the many different types of plants for your glasshouse, NZ doesn’t make it easy!

Reaching this point of enjoyment with a greenhouse also requires some dedication and commitment. Even a little like having pets in the house, there is a restrictiveness to the hobby, having to ensure that the plants are taken care of during summer holidays, making sure they have the right nutrients and amount of water, while taking care of little details like removing excess foliage and weeds, all of which requires detailed attention being given to each and every plant. For some hobbyists, this is no simple task. A full home greenhouse can easily have a couple hundred plants. Dedicated hobbyists would have many more. To be sure, it is a hobby which requires a keen connection with nature. For those who choose to cultivate this connection with nature, literally, the experience is simply divine.

While not anybody can simply pick up the hobby of horticulture, with attention to detail and a willingness to learn, the right skill set can be learned, no matter how much one would think that he or she lacks the requisite “green thumb.” Above all, however, one must have patience, not only with oneself during the learning process, but with the plants themselves. While vines can grow a centimeter per day under the right conditions, other plants take much longer. The patience aspect itself is highly therapeutic. While the hustle and bustle of life moves on in the world outside, there is always a sanctuary of calmness and serenity to which you can return.

Some of the more technical aspects of cultivating plants within a glasshouse include understanding the right balance between heat, water, nutrients, and care that your plants require. Here is a brief overview of the key skills that you will need to learn for a successful home greenhouse:

• Controlling temperature: Most importantly, extreme temperatures and sudden changes are to be avoided. The goal is not to have a constant temperature year-round, but to protect the area from extremes, which means not higher than 35C during the daytime. When temperatures get high, it is necessary to ventilate, or apply shading over the glass.

• Air circulation: remember that plants require carbon dioxide for photosynthesis; therefore too much oxygen in a greenhouse can actually slow their growth. For this reason, even if the temperature control is compromised for a short time, a fresh whiff of carbon dioxide does your plans well.

• Humidity: Contrary to what many people think, greater humidity is not necessarily better for plants. The target humidity level is 70% to 80% (although this range can vary, depending on the type of plants you’re growing).

• Soil: Generally, greenhouse soil is lighter than outside gardens. You’ll want your soil mixture to easily drain excess water, with a bit of acidic pH level. This can be tested with testing kits, usually available at flower shops.

Finally, there is the construction of the glasshouse itself, which is all about controlling the lighting. Again, it is worth having a thought in advance about what types of plants you want to grow. Factors such as UVB and light transmission levels can affect the well-being of your plants. One of the most important construction aspects to consider is the rubber glazing strips and frame construction. Choosing the right materials which can withstand UV light while reducing rattling sounds and other inconveniences can help to lengthen the life of your investment while requiring as little infrastructure maintenance as possible. A well-built greenhouse should have a twenty-year warranty, so be sure to compare manufacturers on these points.

Mastering these points can take some time. It is even sad for me to say that I have lost many plants through the years due to my own mistakes and improper care. And yes, we do grow attached to our plants. All the more motivation to take care and ensure the technical aspects of their care are known and understood. The farther away a plant is removed from its indigenous setting requires that the grower be that much more knowledgeable about its care and maintenance. For sure, nearly anybody can simply grow grass (and I have seen some beautiful arrangements out of the most common of varieties), but when the challenge of growing an even broader range of diverse species catches on, then to me, that’s where the real fun begins.

There are many different brands of working boots and Mack boots are one of the more popular. When you are looking for boots, you usually need them to fulfill several criteria. These will not be the same for everyone; it really depends on where you work. Some people need their boots to have steel toecaps so that their toes will not be crushed if something heavy drops on them.

Others need boots that are impervious to moisture or chemicals, and that give them a good grip. Your feet are an essential part of your lifestyle and so must be well protected at all costs. However, protection is not the only thing that the wearer of such boots needs. Comfort is also essential for those who are on their feet for many hours of the day, often out in rugged terrain. The last thing they need is boots that are uncomfortable.

Some people need boots that are quick to put on. If you are called out to an emergency you cannot spend five minutes lacing up your boots. Someone could well die in that time. You need to have pull-on boots or boots that zip as well as lace up. Then you can leave the laces done up and simply undo the zip to get them on and off quickly. The lacing is just there for adjustment such as when you wear thicker or thinner socks.

Mongrel boots are another brand that many people like. They offer you the classic, elastic sided boot often worn by cattlemen and others who do hard outside work. They also have slip-on shoes that are strong enough to wear on the jo, when you want something a little dressier, as well as sturdy lace-up boots. Hikers are another popular jogger-style shoe in this brand.

Steel blue boots are not so named because they are made from blue steel; however, they may have steel toecaps. This brand of boot is popular because the style options include high-top boots that come well above the ankle, offering maximum protection in all dangerous environments. They have some with a padded tongue and ankle to make them extra comfortable. And of course they also offer elastic sided boots and more dressy shoes.

So when it comes to footwear that is sturdy, durable and comfortable, you are sure to be able to get just what you want from a store that carries these brands. You can be well shod whether you are on the job or going out on the town.