Delaying major decisions...

It must be almost three years ago now, that I took the decision, probably the most important I would ever make, to repaint the front garden gate.

A vote taken within the family confirmed I had a consensus to gather the paraphernalia together and a strict understanding agreed that work would complete by the beginning of spring, but not before informing our less than enthusiastic neighbour, the colour of our front gate would be changing.

Problems arose when the full impact of our decision brought forth all the doubts and fears that had thus far lain dormant within our once agreeable neighbour to be replaced by the way forward littered with objections of every shape and size.

‘Why could not the wretched gate stay the same colour it had always been’. Dust from the sandpapering would have to be monitored and an impact assessment made.

Likewise the paint, top coat, undercoat, and all the fillers and primers would require the same degree of time-consuming scrutiny.

What with that and the odd paint brush disappearing, sometimes followed by a pot of paint momentarily left unattended, I began to despair of our hopes ever being achieved with things unchanging until the gate having finally rotted from its hinges would allow all and sundry to pass in and out at their leisure.

Until that is, having arrived