I’m waiting for a phone call. When I was in Leeds earlier today I swung one leg out of the car after parking, the car rolled forward and, before I could get my leg back in to use the brake, I’d hit the car in front. I left a note under the windscreen and am currently waiting for a call. I’m not sure if I’ve done any damage – there was nothing obvious – but you can’t be sure. I have three areas of damage on my car where people have hit me (twice in car parks and once at a roundabout) and just driven off. It always annoys me to see them, thinking that someone has done that and driven off. That’s why I left the note, though I could do without the hassle.
I’m also about to embark on a major argument with one of the neighbours. I won’t bore you with the details, but the day my dad died I got a letter pushed through the door. Since then I’ve being trying to solve the problem, avoid arguments and bring it all to a conclusion. I have enough other stuff to do at the moment so wanted to settle as quickly as possible. They keep wanting more and I’ve reached a point where I’m going to have to say enough is enough. Tomorrow I’m expecting the fireworks to start. It’s cheaper to give way rather than go to court, but they are trying to make me take joint responsibility for a dodgy supporting wall in their garden and that could be a problem for years to come.
Then there are the neighbours on the east side, who are encroaching on the boundary. I have to sort that out before it becomes a problem, though I don’t like making a fuss.
Meanwhile, the rear chimney stack needs attention as it’s starting to look a bit rickety. That won’t be cheap as it never is when a man goes up a ladder.
The re-wiring still needs doing, and the decluttering is progressing slowly.
We are now finishing disposing of Dad’s possessions, which is a sad time. I remember reading a poem about the tyranny of heirlooms. So many items hold great memories, and, as we don’t live in a grand country house. I can’t keep them all but It is so difficult letting go.
And that is why I feel like I’m standing in a pit.
Sorry to be so negative, but sometimes, if you set out to give an honest appraisal of your day, there will be days like this.
I used the butterfly photo as a reminder that there are good days too.
Oh, Simon! I am so sorry for all your troubles.
They will pass, and to be honest, I could have avoided most of the house maintenance troubles by taking more care in the past. 🙂 To be honest, it started to feel better as soon as I told people.
Yes, I find that too.
It’s so good of you to leave a note – not everyone would. I think you are admirably calm about everything going on and I hope it all gets sorted for you very soon x
Thank you. I hate it when people hit my car and run off so it seems fair. Plus my son was watching, and even though he’s now in his mid-twenties I still feel I should set a good example. 🙂
I thunk today is neighbor day or something like that….
HM. Pardon my grumpy cycnicism. The best neighbours I ever had were both half a mile away – one set never spoke to me in three years and the others spoke once a year when they came with a charity collecting box. I should never have moved into town.
This lot would try anyone. I wish you good resolutions.
Thank you. I’m trying to solve what I can by spending money. This is painful, but not as painful as the irritating neighbour.
Neighbours can be a nightmare and they can take the joy out of a day at the best of times, good luck, hope you have a speedy and satisfactory resolution.
Thank you. It’s coming to a point where I’m about to make my final offer. I’m actually bending over backwards and giving way on all sorts of points but they keep asking for more. I’m afraid I encouraged them at the start – maybe I should have argued more!
Your writing style is so engaging that even though what I was reading was not happy, I was still smiling!
Thank you. 🙂
I hope that any damage is minimal and that you win all your battles.
We will see. Some of it is simple and just revolves round builders and money. (though I do hate spending money). Some requires tact, which is not my forte.
My mother always used to say to me when I criticised others, “The faults you see in others are those prominent in yourself.” It was annoying at the time but it has caused me to be more polite than I might otherwise have been.
It is a good thought to hold while arguing. Mothers are like that.:-)
Oh, gosh! What a time you are having. These things always seem to come in waves, which makes them even worse to deal with. Best of luck and keep us posted. After all, what are blogging buddies for?
I thought I was getting on top of things but they just multiplied over the last week. Ah well…
🙁
Well, good for you for leaving a note! Accidents happen and that’s all it takes to be a decent person about the situation. Hoping you don’t get a call. Most people would be so happy about the note, that if they saw no crazy damage they’d let it be.
Re: the rest of the troubles, I hope it al turns out well. We have so few neighbors and they are so far away that we never have to deal with such things.
Hoping your next days are good ones, Simon.
If we keep working at it the troubles will gradually go away. 🙂
Boundary fence issues are not fun. Out here, people try to use boundary fence for livestock, and the livestock generally destroy the fence, and the livestock owners end up wanting one to cough up 1/2 or more, in some cases of brazenness, for the cost of repairs to keep out their livestock.
Yes, what we have here is a common problem. The neighbour is moving and the wall is in a poor state of repair so they are claiming it is a boundary to make me pay half. I don’t want responsibility for the wall to attach to this property so I now have no choice but to fight it.