IT’S TIME TO GIVE THANKS

To readers, writers and the team who help put this page together

IT HAS been a very strange year. As I write my last column for 2017 it is pleasing to see rain being diverted via my down-pipe extension into my pool, which I topped up with “smelly” well-point water. This year has been all about water, and we have possibly lost some focus on the building and DIY aspects of the column. In reality, if we don’t look after our water, there is going to be little else to write about. It is almost 10 months since I first wrote about ways to save water. I hope in some small way I’ve made a difference. We’ve had many great ideas, and some not so good. There were also recommendations for products where, unfortunately, suppliers could not keep up with demand. To those who were inconvenienced, my apologies.

I have lost count of all the names and ideas that have come into my inbox from people who care. To each of you a heartfelt thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences.

I apologise to those whose e-mails I have not used, but hopefully I managed to reply to you. There is no better feeling than seeing emails from readers.

Also, a big thank you to the team at Independent Home for looking after me so well. The column has to be edited, subbed, checked and the page laid out. There is a team of very special people who make it all possible. ( Our pleasure, Don.)

Because the column won’t appear again this year I will not be able to tell you what the current president of the Master Builders Association has to say at our annual past presidents lunch next week. It has been a terrible year for builders and we are all worried about what work will be available next year.

Having said that, driving along the Atlantic Seaboard last week I was amazed at how much work is being carried out on “luxury” apartments and homes. Hopefully it is all approved by the council and those with influence are not getting away with illegal building.

Despite the economic downturn it is heartening that the Building Bargaining Council and Master Builders Association are attracting new members. Without some form of control, standards will start to drop.

Let me finish by wishing all my readers a relaxing and safe holiday period, together with hope that after a certain conference we will all feel positive about 2018.