What the movers wouldn't take in Runaway Bay

We've been in Runaway Bay for a while now, and this was the first time I'd paid someone to take rubbish away. We were moving to Brisbane for my partner's job, and the removalists quoted by the cubic metre. Suddenly half of what we owned didn't seem worth paying to move.

Old bikes, a busted pram, a washing machine we were replacing, a pile of moving boxes from the last move and an outdoor setting held together with cable ties.

Runaway Bay is canal-front homes with pontoons, boat sheds and manicured gardens, and getting things out isn't always simple. We protect pavers and lawns when carrying loads out from behind pool fencing.

When I rang, the person who answered asked a few simple questions about what it was, where it was and how to get to it, and said they could come and look that afternoon.

The crew pulled up, had a look, and told me the price straight away. No surprises, no 'we'll see how it goes'. I said yes and they got started within five minutes.

Timing was tight because the removalists were due at noon. The crew loaded in the order that cleared the driveway first, so the big truck could still back in when it came.

What I appreciated most was that nothing was rushed and nothing was a hassle. They explained where everything was going: charity, recycling or the tip. I felt good about it.

It's a small thing, but having someone else carry it all out made a much bigger difference than I expected.