I'm like telperien in that it depends on the season. I love hanging out on my leather sofa with a nice fire and a glass of scotch in the cooler months, and on the front veranda in more temperate months. We're on the side of a mountain facing northwest so we get some fantastic sunsets.

As we hand our lovely house over to new owners - thank you for the time we have been given in your embrace; thank you for your beautiful space and light, and for giving us the most peaceful and lovely place to eat, sleep, enjoy with friends, laugh and love.

I really dislike the way paling fences look just a few years after being built. Solution: paint them with fence stain. I can't understand why more people don't do it. They look amazing and also weather better, so you don't need to replace your fence too often. robandlyn it's time you house-break your sons and make them clean their own bathroom... If they're old enough to shave, they're old enough to clean up IMHO.

Dear Creatively Challenged , I can recommend Dulux Colour Consultants, I gave up after about 5 sample pots . At the time it cost me $150 and if I used dulux paints I could claim a full refund . That was 12 years ago . I didn’t realise at the time just how good they were , the colours are still in fashion but it’s ready for another paint job for sure. It was such a relief to have someone in who is trained and fully understands colours and fashion and what goes with what . I finally stopped stressing about it and got the job done ✅