Pyramid Views FEBRUARY 2018

IN THE GARDEN
with Carmel Peatey
When you walk through the gate of Carmel
Peatey’s one acre property on the outskirts
of Gordonvale, you know you are in for a
special treat. This garden is a true labour
of love, time and knowledge for what plants
work well with little water in the dry times.
Deep mulching with shredded prunings
from their shrubs and trees is an integral
component in drought proofing the garden
and there is not a weed in sight.
The boundary beds are full of contrasting
shrubs and trees including many gorgeous
Maniltoa lenticellata, ‘Handkerchief tree’.
All the numerous garden beds have been
raised and edged with substantial rocks
creating neat and easy mowing spaces.
You feel compelled to meander through
shaded lawn areas designed for quiet sitting
and contemplating. Other striking trees in the
garden are the dainty leaved Radamachera
‘Chrystal doll’, Xanthostemon chrysanthus
variegated, ‘Golden Daintree gem penda’,
Xanthorrhoea ‘Grass trees’, together with
many citrus trees.
Carmel has a keen interest in bromeliads
and has a huge collection with riotous
colour everywhere including shade houses
chocked full of stunning well maintained
beauties.
It is no wonder that Carmel has been the
worthy winner of Cairns Garden awards for
many years when it was running.
TASTE BUDDIES
with Tenielle Massey
Perfect Lemonade
A great way to use up lemons and quench
your thirst.
Ingredients
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of water
1 cup of lemon juice
2 to 3 cups of cold water to dilute
Method
1. Make a syrup – place sugar and water
in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
Stir so sugar dissolves completely and
remove from heat.
2. While the water is heating for the simple
syrup, juice your lemons. 4-6 lemons
should be enough for one cup of juice.
3. Pour the juice and the syrup water into
a jug. Add 2-3 cups of cold water and
taste. If the lemonade is a little sweet for
your taste add more straight lemon juice
to it.
4. Refrigerate for 30-40 minutes
REAL ESTATE MATTERS
with Robyn Hawley-Whitton
What Do I Do to Get the Best Price
for my property? – Part I – Selling.
If you are thinking about putting your
property on the market for sale it is
surprising the little things that you
can do to improve your end price. For
Example:
• Declutter your home, especially if
you have years of memorabilia and
treasures everywhere. Buyers want to
be able to imagine their own belongings
in the property. Sometimes it is worth
renting a shed or starting to sort and
pack, something you will have to do
anyway.
• “Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses”
so, depending on your budget, it can
be as small a change as replacing old
taps, shower and towel rails, replacing
plastic or timber handles for chrome,
that make such a difference.
• Moisture readings from leaking
bathroom and kitchen taps caused by
cracked grout and silicon are always
found during a building inspection and
can be easily avoided if attended to
prior.
Written by Robyn Hawley-Whitton from
Cairns Property Office South
Page 5 - PYRAMID VIEWS, FEBRUARY 2018 “Celebrating and connecting our community”