Parasols

One parasol does not make a Summer, but like the first swallow, the first parasol sighting of the year means that warmer days are close at hand. So when do you get yours out?

The parasol is defined as a light umbrella, designed to shade you from the sun - bet you already knew that! But until recently, they’ve been known to be anything but light! In fact, there was a time when a pleasant day out in the garden could only begin when the trial by parasol had been won! One hernia inducing struggle with canvas, spokes and spike later and the family could finally gather under the dome and enjoy the sun. For an hour or two anyway; by which time the Sun had crept across the sky and the whole process had to begin all over again!

Not anymore! Today’s parasol is lightweight, manoeuvrable and even rust resistant. And they don’t just come in green anymore!

When picking your parasol you’ll soon find there’s a huge range of dazzling designs and ever more elaborate features to entice you. Table mounted, free standing, rigid, adjustable, collapsible to name but a few. Frames are typically lightweight aluminium or stylish birch wood, while canopies generally come in water resistant polyester – just in case! You can even choose the best base to show off your new parasol to its best effect.

Diameters vary, but generally range from 2.5 – 3 metres; which should be shade enough for all your domestic requirements. Better yet, many modern parasols are fully adjustable, giving you more control than ever before! (If only they’d always been this easy to use, there’d already be a parasol in every garden in the country!) You can even tilt them like an awning in some cases, giving you full blown protection against the sun for hours on end.

The parasol is of course the essential garden accoutrement. Perfect for shading your Summer picnic table, ideal for keeping the sun off delicate food and delicate heads; just as good for cooling you down in your very own oasis of calm, even if it is the height of July. You don’t even need a table. Not anymore! Freestanding parasols not only free up your garden table, they free you up too. Just pick up your parasol and pick your spot. Perfect for picnics, garden parties and Summer excursions. Guaranteed shade whenever and wherever you want it.

But hold on just a minute! Parasols aren’t just for shade! Planning an evening soiree in your back garden? Then why not invest in an illuminated parasol! That’s right; now your party doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. When the darkness starts creeping in, just flick a switch and the integral lights within the wooden spokes will bring fresh vigour to your evening. The lights are each mounted in the wooden spokes and the wiring is tidily concealed within the pole itself. Perfect. (Just don’t forget to invite the neighbours!)

There’s something oddly comforting about a parasol; whatever the time of year. Like uncovering your old Christmas tree in the middle of summer, it’s guaranteed to make you smile. It might be minus five outside, but uncover your parasol and you’ll immediately think of lazy days and long hot summer nights.

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