Parasol disaster last summer, what do I buy now?

[accessorizequeen]

After much research, bought a hardwood 3m crank parasol off ebay last summer in dark green. Looked gorgeous, after 2nd time up didn't have time to put it down overnight, strong winds and one of the struts broke. DP spent an hour fixing it, same thing happened again next week so he threw it in the tip. . He also got rid of the base I'd bought specially (and expensively) for it. Sigh. But really need a parasol so we can dine on our patio!

Should I buy something smaller this time, not hardwood, not crank? Because we're not going to remember to put it down every night quite frankly, 4 young dcs and we barely remember to do some other more important stuff.

I would really like green, 3m was a good size but could live with 2.7 I suppose. Don't want to spend more than £60 and ebay would be great as we have some money in paypal.

Any ideas, please?

[jancolls]

Why not have a look at this and other Karlso parasols from Ikea: www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60163372

They are all steel so won't crack in windy conditions. They will need a stable [metal] base though.

I bought mine from Ikea last summer for about £67 and I've never regretted it. It has a crank handle and the wind vent in the top and I've used it in very windy conditions. All that ever seems to happen is that it falls over, taking the glass table with it! Good job its reinforced glass. It still works perfectly after all that.

The only other thing you might find, is that it will be too big for the standard parasol covers. If you need a cover, you will have to get an extra large one, I got mine from a garden centre.

HTH
Jan.

[accessorizequeen]

thanks jan, I don't think I can get to ikea any time soon but will look for a steel/aluminium jobby I think so it won't break again!