Q. As a novice user of Instagram I was flattered at how quickly I gathered followers – 200 already. Many of these are old friends of 40 years or more who I never get to see, partly because my circumstances have changed – very much for the better – and I have moved out of London. Although I say it myself, I have posted 16 stunning videos, which have been viewed multiple times, but I am averaging only 12 ‘likes’ per post. Mary, how should I interpret this traffic?

— M.N., Bridport, Dorset

A. Unless you are selling something, and your Instagram is designed to drive commercial traffic, you should restrain your impulse to boast. Bear in mind that fellow Instagram converts of your age group will be posting similar stunning videos. Even when old friends are well-disposed towards (rather than envious of) one, there is such a thing as stunning-video fatigue. Cut it down to one video posting per week and you may see a better result.

Q. May I pass on a tip to readers? This winter my husband and I have agreed to restrict ourselves, unless we are entertaining, to heating only two rooms downstairs, namely the study and the kitchen. Unfortunately these rooms are separated by a long and draughty hall with a very high ceiling. Normally we take the edge off the chill with oil-fired radiators but this year the cost will be prohibitive. My idea is to repurpose a poly tunnel and place it in the hall to link the two rooms, securing the tunnel into place with books from our library to weigh down the sides. Sunlight comes through large windows in the early part of the day and the rays will heat up the poly tunnel for us. Do share this idea with your readers if you think it a good one.

— T.S., Yorkshire

A. I ran your delightful suggestion past industry leaders Northern Poly Tunnels and was disappointed when they replied with the following warning: ‘Our poly tunnels are designed to be installed outdoors… As the tunnel heats up, it will cause some amount of condensation which in turn will cause damp in the home. It cannot be installed without the door frames, and these will need to be buried in the floor, again not advisable in a home. I believe you will need to find another way to heat your home.’

Q. My husband has decided to start foraging for mushrooms. I am trying to humour him at the moment and don’t want to undermine him by casting aspersions on his expertise as a mycologist. Yet I will be fearful if he insists I include them in my cooking. What should I do?

— Name and address withheld

A. Why not hide his offerings and substitute them with perfectly safe dried ceps which come in a jar?