The couch that wouldn't fit through the door in Hope Island

We've been in Hope Island for a while now, and this was the first time I'd paid someone to take rubbish away. I'd moved into a smaller unit and the furniture from my old place simply didn't fit. I had a dining table, a buffet, a king bed frame and two bookshelves sitting in the hallway.

The suite had been assembled inside the room, I think, because nobody could remember how it got in. The recliner section had a motor and a cable running under the carpet.

Hope Island is gated golf and canal estates with strict presentation standards, and getting things out isn't always simple. Gate passes and estate speed limits are arranged before arrival.

They offered a time the next morning. I asked if they needed me to move anything to the kerb first, and they said no, they'd take it from where it was.

They arrived a few minutes early, introduced themselves and did a quick walk-around. The price they gave me was a bit under what I'd budgeted, which was a pleasant surprise.

The buffet was still in good nick, and they asked if I'd mind it going to a charity shop instead of the tip. I was thrilled. It felt better than chucking it.

The space is unrecognisable. I keep walking past it just to look. I'd use them again without thinking about it, and I've already passed the number on to my sister.

If I'm honest, the hardest part was deciding to do it. Once that was done, it was easy.