Several gates on our property had, over time, slipped lower and lower on our renovation to-do list. With the damp weather, mould had grown across them, and eventually they were moved back up the list. After several days of dry weather, it seemed the right time to pull out the high-pressure hose, put on the face mask, gloves, and safety glasses, and see whether the gates were worth saving.

It was not how I wanted to spend a Saturday afternoon. So, in the spirit of focusing on the positive, I drew a smiley face on one of the panels with the hose and got started.

That simple act brought a few smiles to neighbours walking past, but it also revealed something else: beneath the mould, the timber was in surprisingly good condition. It was light in colour and still sound.

Several hours later, with a few coffee breaks in between, the black mould had been removed from both sides of the gates. Now they are ready to be varnished and protected. The rain has returned, but once there is another break in the weather, the job will be completed.

It would have been easy to pull the old gates down and buy new ones. But the timber is fine, and the panels are solid.

The whole process does make you think. With a bit of work and ongoing care, we can often retrieve something that might otherwise be discarded too quickly. Perhaps that idea can be applied to many aspects of life.

There are many jobs around the house that can be refreshed rather than replaced. But what about us? Can refreshing begin in small ways? Can a short stroll become a longer walk? Can gradually reducing unhealthy foods or drinks, and replacing them with healthier choices, change our bodies for the better?

Under the surface of what looked like black, mould-covered gates destined for the tip was perfectly good timber and strong framing. A little effort changed everything.

Now it is time to look at what else can be updated, reused, reactivated, and restored – and not only the fence.