Sheets were sorted in to double and single piles and I found it a little easier to part with a few sheets that were looking a bit shabby. I even added 2 or 3 double duvet covers to the bin bag, but it is hard to be ruthless. I found the duvet set that I had at college and with considerable reluctance I added to the bin bag, it hadn’t been used for 20 years so I don’t need it, but it feels like throwing away memories. The towels are even more difficult, they are like old friends. Some were wedding presents (the first time) some were collected along the way at significant events. We still have the towels I made for the children to go over their heads and make it easier to get dry after swimming lessons, they refused to part with them. Then there are the pets towels, am I the only one to demote towels to dog towels when they get a bit worn? OK, I admit that we have quite a lot of pet towels – but when my husband baths the dog he always ends wetter than her and the bathroom looks as though there has been a tidal wave.

Eventually I sent several big bags full of sheets and towels to the recycling centre and what remained was packed away neatly in the cupboard, but it will be only a matter of time before the door refuses to close and once again I will revisit all those memories.