Cousins - January Edition 2019

January 2019

Property NEWS

Romantic getaways for two Page 12

Inside this issue Find the perfect buyer for your home

Page 2

Wrap up warm this winter

Find your perfect match

Page 6

Page 10

EDITOR’S LETTER

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elcome to the January issue.

At the time of going to press, the new year is just around the corner.

With the end of the Christmas festivities, January is often viewed as the perfect time to make a fresh start in all aspects of life – whether that be health, wealth or happiness (or all three!)

But don’t forget your wardrobe too! We’ve been on the hunt for some winter warmers that are not only on trend, but cosy too.

So, take a look inside at our finds.

And with the arrival of 2019, thoughts for many naturally turn to making a fresh start; whether that be moving home or finding love.

On February 14th it’s Valentine’s Day so we’ve gone all romantic in this issue! Inside we give recipe inspiration to get you in the mood for love and take a look at some of the best destinations to escape to that are perfect for a romantic getaway. Plus, there is also a fun quiz to see who your perfect Valentine would be!

As ever, there is plenty inside to keep you reading and all of us here would like to send you best wishes for the new year ahead; we look forward to helping you with your property move in 2019.

Linda McKeown Editor

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Planning your house move from start to finish is crucial

Find the perfect buyer for your home The new year often signals a chance to start something new. And now is a great time to market your property and find the perfect buyer for your home – while finding the perfect home for you!

Millions of people access property websites and apps during the new year as they start to dream of making changes to their life.

Previously, it was common practice to see house hunters waiting until the warmer months to buy or sell a property. However, thanks to the internet, house hunters are trawling through properties 24/7; so if you list your home now, you can be guaranteed that it will be shared with a captive audience.

In fact, the darker and colder evenings could work to your advantage when selling your home, as you can use lighting to make the house seem homely and stylish.

Incorporating different light sources, such as table or standing lamps and overhead lights, can improve the mood of the room.

When the weather is cold outside, putting the heating on an hour before the viewing, and making your potential buyers a nice cup of tea will make them feel cosy, happy – and perhaps more inclined to put inan offer.

If you’re looking to buy, then viewing a house in the winter can help you to try out things you wouldn’t be able to in the summer. For example, it may be cold outside but if the house you’re in is nice and warm, it shows reliable insulation and no signs of drafts.

Plan, plan and plan!

During anytime of the year, planning your house move from start to finish is crucial; no more so than the hectic month of January. However, kickstarting your property move in the new year doesn’t have to be difficult – you just need planning!

Set yourself a plan of what you need to do to achieve your big move, and a date you would like to realistically be moved in by. It’s worth remembering that people are busy during January so flexibility, as always, is crucial for speeding up your sale.

Within your plan, it’s also worth outlining your budget, who you need to notify of your change of address, and how you are going to move your belongings from one home to another.

Ensure all remnants of Christmas – from decorations, the tree and unused gifts – are all packed away.

It’s important that the home is as free from clutter as it can be. Having too much clutter around the house may impact the viewer’s vision, harming your chances of selling. And like-wise when you come to view a property – pay particular attention to available storage spaces, so you can be confident that all your belongings will be able to find a home.

Those small house repairs that you said you, “will do sometime after Christmas” can also help to sell your home quicker too. If you were to change the broken lightbulb in the bathroom, touch up any cracks in the wall, repair the leaking pipe, or unclog the drain, then you could find that interest in your home takes a big rise.

The garden Now is the perfect time to give you garden a spring clean too. Pick out any overgrown or dead shrubs and weeds, cut the grass and brush away any dead leaves on the ground. One good idea is to show viewers pictures of the garden in the summer, with the family gathering on the patio, soaking up the sun and enjoying a barbecue!

Once you feel like you are ready to get your house on the market, it’s important that you choose an agent who is the perfect partner for you – who you can rely upon and understand your needs and flexibility.

Which is where we come in!

Take time to read and listen to what people have said about our service – and you can talk to us too about how we can achieve your home’s full potential.

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How to care for, and get the best out of your garden Even during winter, your garden still needs your care and attention if it is to be at its best in spring. So, here’s how to keep the love you have for your garden as warm as can be

garden look neater and create more space for your garden life to grow and flourish. Since autumn has just passed us, what better time to clean up all those leaves that have fallen onto your lawn and plants. Get the rake out, gather them all up, and make your garden tidy again.

Weeding, pruning and raking

Sowing fruits and vegetables

Though inevitable, weeds are a gardener’s arch nemeses. Getting them under control can be timeconsuming; but the more you manage them, the easier and quicker it will become to get rid of them. A good tip is using approximately two inches of mulch in your garden. This should not only retain moisture for your plants but will also suffocate weeds and prevent them from growing.

One of the wisest jobs you could undertake at this time of the year is sowing your fruits and vegetables, as the time they will spring into life is just around the corner!

So, with your sowing kit ready, make sure you are prepared for labels, module trays, seed compost, and a couple of markers.It would almost be a crime not be get so prepared for sowing and then not buy tomato seeds, so, if you haven’t already, now’s the time. The best time to plant them is at the end of February.

Your garden needs regular pruning, particularly any fruit trees, overgrown hedges and buds. Trimming the excess growth right down to their base will make your

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There’s really nothing like fresh peas straight from the pod, and early types such as ‘Feltham First’ and

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Winter is the perfect time to plant hedges and bare-rooted trees, because by the time spring comes around, they will really start to grow and develop

‘Early Onward’ are hardy and should be sown at the beginning of the new year. Garlic is another vegetable which should ideally be sown as early as possible in the year, while onions, although it’s traditional to sow them on Boxing Day, can actually be sown anytime in January.

Planting/pruning hedges and flowers Winter is the perfect time to plant hedges and barerooted trees, because by the time spring comes around, they will really start to grow and develop. Lining your garden with hedges may mean the world of difference in terms of enclosed privacy in the warmer months, or it could just mean encasing your garden with a wonderfully attractive border. Pruning various growths in your garden such as Wisteria, Clematis, Cornus, Salix cultivars, Winter Flowering Jasmine and summer sideshoots, will do the world of good for when spring and summer come around. One particularly handy tip is to remove any faded flowers from your winter pansies to stop them from setting seed and encourage a flush of new flowers for the warmer months ahead.

Cover your plants Covering your plants before nightfall arrives each day will mean protection against some of the coldest

temperatures of the entire year. Do so before dusk as if you wait until darkness falls, most of the stored heat in your garden will have dissipated. When covering your plants, try not to leave any openings for the warmth to escape. When dawn breaks and the frost has thawed, remove the covers in good time. Delaying doing this could cause the plant to break dormancy and start actively growing again; which would make it even more susceptible to frost damage. For this job you could use bed sheets or blankets, drop cloths, or even an inverted flower pot or bucket.

Some great plants and flowers to grow this time of the year are: Lilies Allium bulbs

Winter flowering shrubs to add interest to borders Daphnes

Roses (in a sunny position for better colour)

Viburnum x

bodnantense - Wintersweet

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Find your perfect match

Your perfect date night would be.. . .

A. Dinner and a show B. Staying in with a takeaway and a film

C. Doing something active

We are all looking for a little romance in our lives and with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, why not take our quick, fun, quiz to find your perfect match!

Pick a meal for your perfect date A.

bath – alone

Love you

A. B. C.

Beer and a Chinese

D.

Fish and chips eaten on the beach

D.

Meal deal for one

Which type of film would you go and see?

A.

Chick flick

B.

YOU & ME 6

Whats your favourite musical genre?

Three-course fine dining experience with wine

B. C.

D. Taking a long bubble

Comedy

C.

Action

D.

Drama

70’s soul

80’s anthems

Classic rock and roll

Anything I can sing loudly to using a hairbrush as a microphone!

Pick a romantic weekend away

What do you notice first about your date?

A.

B. Sightseeing in Budapest

A. Their smile B.

Gondola ride in Venice

C.

Their personality

C. Their physique

Long walks in the Lake District

D.

Camping at a music festival with a group of friends

D. Their Christmas jumper

I just love thats all So, you've answered the questions.

Now simply find whether you have answered mainly a, b, c or d's and read all about you and your perfect partner below!

Mostly A

Choose your favourite box set A.

Gavin and Stacey

B. C. D.

You are a true romantic and a lover of the finer things in life. Your ideal match would be someone with sophistication who could take you for an intimate candlelit dinner or whisk you away for a romantic weekend.

The Office

Mostly B

Games of Thrones

You appear to be very down to earth and enjoy spending time with family and friends. A perfect match for you would be someone who would happily fit in with this and you would do the same. You are happy either out and about or spending the evening in front of the TV with a takeaway and your special someone.

Pride and Prejudice

Mostly C

You are throwing a party. What theme would you choose?

A.

Sophisticated and intimate dinner party for a few friends

B.

Barbeque with family and friends

C.

A rustic garden party

D.

Fancy dress!

You clearly love the great outdoors and are not afraid of adventure. Your perfect match would be someone who isn’t scared of getting their boots dirty and would happily go into the wilds with you – along with a tent to sleep under the stars!

Mostly D

You are a free spirit and the type of person who knows their own mind.

You do not conform to the norms of a perfect match but will know them when they come along. You are happy to wait until someone comes along who will love you just the way you are; until then, just go with it and embrace your inner Bridget Jones!

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Be a bathing Beauty!

Give some love to your bathroom (as well as yourself) with these quirky finds that’ll leave you longing to spend more time in the tub!

Next Elephant Toilet Roll Stand - Pewter

Hudson Tiered Caddy This on-trend three-tier storage caddy is the perfect addition to add a rustic touch to your bathing space.H: 78cm x W: 43cm x D: 30cm.

Add some animal fun to your bathroom with this unique toilet roll holder.

£22 www.next.co.uk

£90 www.next.co.uk

Unicorn Rubber Duck

Margo Selby Toilet Brush An essential for any bathroom, this attractively decorated toilet brush is decorated with an intricate geometric pattern in striking metallic hues. Perfect for adding statement style to a contemporary bathroom.

£30 www.johnlewis.com

No bathroom would be complete without a rubber duck. Bling up your offering with this Unicorn Rubber Duck!

£4

Giraffe bathroom art

www.next.co.uk

This high quality illustrated print is printed onto white matte paper that is between 160gsm to 300gsm thick. The perfect quirky touch to any bathroom.

River Rock Granite Stone Wash Basin

£19.00 Prodigy Prints at Etsy www.etsy.com/uk

Modern Bathroom Light Pull Choose from metallic copper, silver or gold for a stylish bathroom light pull.

Ideal for adding a sophisticated touch to any bathroom. Comes complete with the jute rope cord.

£15

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by Pushka Home www.notonthehighstreet.com * Prices correct at time of going to print

Looking to update your wash basin? This hand carved Mini River Rock Nobu Granite Sink, makes for a fantastic addition to any modern bathroom.

£79.99 https://marblemosaics.com

Super Bowl LIII - 2019

Super Bowl LIII, the 53rd Super Bowl and the 49th modern-era National Football League championship game, will decide the league champion for the 2018 NFL season. The game is scheduled to be played on February 3, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

32 teams compete in the NFL Play-Offs across two divisions: The National Football League (NFL) and the National Football Conference (NFC). After the regular football season, the NFL schedule moves into the playoffs, which ultimately lead up to the Super Bowl. In regular-season games, teams compete for the best win-loss records, and those teams with the best records advance to the playoffs. The playoffs, meanwhile, decide who goes on to the Super Bowl.

The NFL schedules all those regular-season games — 256 in a typical season — to separate the good teams from the bad. On every level of sports, people want to declare a champion. In the NFL, a total of 12 teams qualify for what amounts to the road to the Super Bowl.The Super Bowl is the NFL championship game. It pits the winner of the AFC against the champion of the NFC. The game was born out of the merger agreement between the former AFL and the NFL in 1966.Six teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs, with the four division winners qualifying automatically. These winners are joined by two teams called wildcard teams, who qualify based on the win-loss records of the remaining teams in each conference that didn’t finish first in their respective divisions.

The Super Bowls finalists have yet to be decided, however, the early favourites for 2019’s prestigious prize are: Los Angeles Rams after their great start to the season, and last-year’s runner up, New England Patriots, as well as Kansas City Chiefs. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won the most Super Bowls with six championship wins, while the New England Patriots, the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers all have five wins respectively. New England has the most Super Bowl appearances with four from 1990 to 1993.

The Super Bowl has become a massive event in America and over 111 million Americans tuned into 2017’s match between Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. The American sport has generated a lot of support across the pond to the UK, with over one million Brits staying up into the early hours to watch the Super Bowl. Many people up and down the country go to Super Bowl parties, which are effectively American-themed parties which show the Super Bowl on a big screen.

The Super Bowl has recently become just as iconic as the game itself, with many legendary artists performing on the pitch at half-time. Last year, the well sought-after slot was filled by American singer Justin Timberlake, while legendary guitarist Slash famously joined Black Eyed Peas on stage in 2011 to perform “Sweet Child O’ Mine” with Fergie.

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The American sport has generated a lot of support across the pond to the UK, with over one million Brits staying up into the early hours to watch the Super Bowl

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Wrap up warm this winter!

Last year, the UK experienced snow that seemed to last longer than probably most of us hoped for.

So, this year, make sure you are prepared for the coldest spells that come at this time of year with this season’s fashion finds

So far winter has brought us wind and rain, and with this likely to continue over the coming months, it’s time to ensure that you are getting the warmest – yet fashionable – clothing you can, to help avoid a struggle this winter! Parka coats are going to be popular again this year.

This Parka from H&M comes in six different colours, so you can choose your favourite! The great thing about winter is every colour is coming into the fashion world ready to keep us warm, so colours such as red and yellow work well with our clothing choices. And when it comes to choosing a coat, this season is all about length – the longer the better!

Opting for a long coat will help to keep much of your body nice and warm. Opting for one with a big hood is a great way to help keep the chill out. For extra warmth, get a woolly hat to match your parka to keep you toasty-warm when it’s really cold outside!

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This season, shirts are going to be popular for a smart look. However, key features to look out for are long sleeves and high necklines – which will help protect you against the colder weather, as well as your style being on-point!

Fleecy and fluffy coats are just everywhere this season. There are plenty around in high street shops and online; coats like this blue shearling faux fur longline coat from 3 River Island is available for £70. Pair this with a long sleeved top and a cardigan underneath with jeans and boots for a warm and cosy outfit.These lady’s tops from 7 New Look at £9.99 are also great for this season; long sleeves and roll necks, keeping your neck to your waist warm! Pair with some checked trousers, a pair of boots and a block coloured coat for a warm, yet stylish, look.

And not forgetting the kids; these shirts from 6 H&M are just £14.99 and are thick enough to keep them warm, but can also be layered and feature long sleeves with collared necklines to help keep their chests warm. Bright coloured gloves are making an appearance on the runway this season.

Block coloured, bold gloves are a great way to brighten up the dreary winter days. These fuchsia suede gloves from 5 John Lewis at £14.00 are simply perfect for doing this! Big scarves and snoods are also a must! This men’s snood from 1 Next is £14 and is the perfect thickness to keep you nice and warm! Over the knee boots are also a great way to keep your legs and feet warm!

With jeans, jeggings or thick leggings, you can wear these with pretty much any outfit! These Black suedette ‘Cretch’ stretchy block heel knee high boots from 4 Debenhams cost just £31.50.

When taking the dog out for a walk, it’s nice to know that they will be nice and warm whilst out in the cold winter air. This doggy coat from 2 The Pet Express is not only adorable, but it’s also waterproof and practical. If it rains or snows, your dog doesn’t have to get in your car or jump on the sofa completely soaked through! * Prices correct at time of going to print

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Romantic getaways made for two If one of your new year’s resolutions is to explore new places with your partner, look at our guide to suit all budgets. Including romantic European cities, cosy British countryside and the dazzling Northern Lights

Iceland On nearly everyone’s bucket list is a trip to Iceland to see the spectacular Northern Lights! The best time to see the lights is from September to mid-April, as these are the months where there are full dark nights. And the best places to see the Northern Lights are remote cabins, outdoor hot pools and the black sand beaches, all of which can be reached on one of the many Northern Lights tours.

Situated only a few hours drive from Reykjavik, there is plenty of beautiful countryside, valleys and peninsulas.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous tourist spots, known for its chalk white water and healing properties.

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Venice

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Venice, also known as ‘The City on Water’ tops the list of romantic places in Italy for its tradition, history and beautiful architecture. Venice’s famous Bridge of Sighs was made popular as a place to kiss in the movie, A Little Romance. In a touching scene, an American girl and a French boy declare their love with a kiss on a gondola ride beneath the Bridge of Sighs.

Recreate that scene for yourself with a gondola ride through the city! It’s worth noting that some gondola rides can take you to the quieter back canals away from the tourist hotspots.

Venice, also known as ‘The City on Water’ tops the list of romantic places in Italy for its tradition, history and beautiful architecture

The famous Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge across the canal and offers spectacular views of the city. The Grand Canal is one of the most iconic parts of the city and there are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and restaurants overlooking the canal.

You can also get close to nature – and to your loved one – by spending an evening at the romantic St Mark’s Square in the heart of Venice. Stand close to each other, hold hands and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the city.

The peak of the summer sees gorgeous sunny weather; however, the city does get very busy. The winter sees cooler temperatures and quieter streets to explore – perfect if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle.

Paris

Amsterdam With its romantic canals and cobbled streets, there are so many reasons to take a break to Amsterdam. The magical sight of Amsterdam by night will, all by itself, put you in a romantic mood. The city is famous for its bridges and they are lit up at night to create a truly beautiful sight. Book a night time cruise to really enjoy the city landscape at night.

Mention ‘romantic getaway’ to anyone and straight away they’ll think of Paris!

Also known as the ‘City of Love’, the French capital is romantic for its sights, native language and its popularity as a honeymoon destination. Standing above this historical city is the most romantic of places, the Eiffel Tower.

The city itself boasts cobbled streets, architectural buildings and something beautiful around every corner. Paris can be enjoyed all year round, although Valentine’s weekend is a popular time of year, while the summer averages high temperatures.

The city also makes for a perfect winter getaway.

Cornwall Cotswolds The picturesque area of the Cotswolds is set in SouthCentral England and is steeped in history, charm and beautiful countryside. After a day of picturesque countryside walks, you can enjoy one of the many pubs the area has to offer where you can expect roaring fires, period features and an authentic old-world feel.

The Cotswolds is home to some of the UK’s oldest pubs which offer locally sourced produce.

Visiting the Cotswolds is a relaxing getaway and the area is well known for its star gazing. So, you and your loved one can sit by a fire outside with a glass of wine trying to spot shooting stars. Don’t forget a blanket and a flask of tea in the colder months though!

If you’re looking for an unforgettable romantic break in the UK, then Cornwall is the place for you. Aside from the popular tourist seaside towns and villages, there are plenty of secret, peaceful beaches and coves perfect for a romantic getaway, including Porthcurno and Housel Bay on The Lizard Peninsula. Whether you’re looking for strolling country walks, watching sunsets or a spot of surfing, there are plenty of places of romance.

The seaside town of St. Ives has a gorgeous harbour and plenty of fish and chip shops, whilst Penzance offers sea safaris including wildlife cruises where you have the chance to see dolphins and seals! There are also vineyards, breweries and cider farms around the county, providing a great day out for couples. There are also plenty of spots to propose! 13

Spice up your Valentine’s Day Featuring fresh scallops, prawns and hot chilli, this speedy starter for two is the perfect luxurious treat for you and your Valentine

Seared garlic seafood with spicy harissa bisque MAKES 2 | 15 MINS PREP & COOK Calories per portion: 457kcal

Heat the garlic butter in a frying pan until starting to foam.

400g can lobster bisque 1 tbsp harissa zest and juice ½ lime 2 tbsp single cream, plus a little extra for drizzling 8 large raw king prawns, peeled 6 scallops, roe removed 1 tbsp garlic butter small handful coriander, leaves picked ½ red chilli, thinly sliced toasted bread (to serve)

Then add the seafood and cook for 1 min on each side until the prawns are pink and the scallops are cooked, start to brown, but still have a little bounce

Heat the lobster bisque, harissa and lime juice in asmall pan until bubbling. Add the cream, reduce the heat and then keep warm while you cook the seafood

To serve, pile the prawns and scallops into the centre of 2 shallow soup bowls, pour around the spicy bisque, scatter with a few coriander leaves, chilli slices, lime zest and a drizzle of cream. Serve with toasted bread.

Season the prawns and scallops.

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This recipe can be found at : www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ 2892668/seared-garlic-seafood-withspicy-

RECIPE CORNER

We have all grown up with the rhyme, “thirty days have September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31 except for February which has 28 days clear and 29 each leap year”. But have you ever stopped to think why February is short changed in terms of days or what a leap year actually is?

full moon and is the seasonal equivalent of August in the southern hemisphere.

February consists of 28 days in a common year and 29 in a leap yearbut why do we have leap years?

February is the shortest month in the year, which many welcome due to payday arriving that little bit earlier! In the current calendar, February is the second month of the year and in the northern hemisphere, it’s the last month of winter.

A leap year occurs every four years to help synchronise the calendar year with the astronomical or seasonal year. A leap year, also known as an intercalary or bissextile year, is a calendar year with an extra day added. This is because the time it takes for the earth to orbit the sun is 365 and a quarter day each year. So, every year, another quarter is added. The next Leap year will be in 2020.

Until 713 BC the Roman calendar consisted of just ten months. January and February were added by emperor Numa Pompilius, so the calendar would reflect a standard lunar year of 365 days; February was added as the last month of the year. Prior to this, the Romans had considered winter to be a month less time which had no value.

When the two extra months were added, one needed to have an even number of days even though even numbers were unlucky by the Romans.

On a more personal , if you are born on February 29th when do you celebrate your birthday? According to government sources you would celebrate on 1st March. Those born on this day are known as leaplings and the odds of this happening are 1 in 1,461. However, one Norwegian family defied these odds and had three children born on consecutive leap year days in 1960,1964 and 1968.

Others with leap year birthdays are the composer Rossini and musician Ja Rule.

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February is the only month of the year which can pass without a single full moon and is the seasonal equivalent of August in the southern hemisphere

February unfortunately drew the short straw being given only 28 days. When the calendar was changed again in about 450BC, February was moved to the second month of the newly arranged year.

Due to it only having 28 days, February is the only month of the year which can pass without a single

Having an extra day in the year has been debated as to whether it is lucky or unlucky, with Scottish tradition implying that it will be a bad year for sheep.

However, if you are on a fixed monthly rent it’s good news as you receive a day of free living! And it was good news for Hattie McDaniel who became the first African American to win an Oscar on February 29th 1940 for her role in the film Gone with the Wind.

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DISCOVER something different this year.

Let us take care of your property journey.

We’ll be by your side every step of the way, whatever your needs.

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