Nightmare neighbours . . . Ahhh!!

[nellypope]

I have moved into a lovely house, with great garden, but I find myself relgated to upstairs lest my nightmare neighbours spot me. Don't get me wrong they are very friendly . . . a little TOO freindly! Friendly in the sense that they invite themselves round, and it is truly impossible for me to sit in the garden and read a book, sunbathe etc without CONSTANT interference (and I'm a pretty easy going sort of girl).

Anyone else had this, and what lengths did you go to to?

[sara3]

oh dear, yes!

you need high fences, and will have to be a bit assertive. tell them it's not a good time to come over. when I get a knock on my door, I always answer with the phone in my hand saying "hang on" to no one. then I say "sorry, I'm on the phone.. is it urgent?"

be strong!

[nellypope]

LOL! yes I fear sunbathing topless is a big NO! and I think keeping my mobile close to hand may prove handy . . . plus any theatre skills I have to hand when faking phonecalls :-)

Unfortunately I'm worried that if I put up high fences, they may get a bit "funny"? and to put this politely they are not the sort of neighbours you want to upset! . . .

[dothawkes31]

absolutely hate this and since my new neighbours moved in last October my garden has seemed like it is just not my space anymore. I posted a thread last night about their latest aquisition, the John Smiths parasol, they've left it up all night though and there's bird mess on it lol I am sick of running the gauntlet every time I go in and out to the car, (we have hard standing spaces at the end of the garden) they doss about out there all day and drink from cans and bottles, no class lol

[ummmm]

The woman next door to me, who's my step sisters best mate, but Jesus Christ she's so fcuking loud. You can't read a book in the garden because I spend the whole time wanting to tell her to shut the fcuk up. She doesn't even have to be in the garden....sometimes her gob wakes me up in the morning...

They're nice though....so I bite my tongue and clench my fists....and smile.

[nellypope]

The ain't no class anymore! :-) I have an 8 month old so I'm not anti-kids. But their garden contains a plethora of children's activity toys, which is fine except it also contains every child from the county. . . I don't mind that so much I'm just kinda glad it's not just me. My hubby and I wanted a quiet BBQ last night, just me and him, and couldn't believe it when they just literally walked through our gate with a "mind if we join you" complete with their 3 year old and obnoxious Doberman! . . . Unbelievable!!

[ummmm]

You have no option but to be firm then.

I'm lucky....OH is very firm so he deals with everything.

[eddy51]

Are these neighbours a family, a couple or what?
I would be a lot more worried if it was a group of males. I think you have to be polite but firm, tell them you work from home are reading for research and you need to be left in peace to concentrate.Consider asking them over at a specific time and day for a drink BBQ or similar but make it plain you need time work with out interruption other times.

[sara3]

tell them you're thinking of getting a dog, and will be putting up a high fence to keep it in. you can always change your mind about the dog ;o)

putting up proper fencing was one of the best things I did, although a couple of years ago I asked the kids if they wanted to go out for dinner.. and the old bag next door shouted "give me 5 minutes, I'll come with you!" and she bloody well did!

[eddy51]

Get a bolt or lock and put it on your gate, that will give a hint that you do not want to be disturbed.

[dothawkes31]

No word from the Ed yet about your account EDDIE?

[piggynose]

hello nellypope. why dont you try some reverse psychology. pop around their house at some stupid hour and frequently, and hang around for ages, even better any chance of getting someone to look after your child, so you could go around their place either drunk on arrival, or get drunk whilst there. then make a lot of noise. i´m no expert. hopefully another ab will give you a better suggestion

[nellypope]

Piggynose! I'm liking that suggestion! Was also thinking of turning to some strange new cult like religion and making them my new recruits! Mr Nellypope can be particularly outspoken after a few Speckled Hens! ;-)

[dothawkes31]

But look on the bright side, do they play the Aladdin theme song or Celine Dion over and over again for about an hour every day? lol I put a garth dvd on last night off his greatest hits and played it quite loud from about 11.50 til after 1am, that told em!!! lol

[ummmm]

Did it though Dot?

That would depend on how much they had to drink......

[my4ds]

they brought there dog as well.OMG .so you have a baby and then they let there dog pee all over your garden where your baby will be crawling in it.eeeww .
i like the reverse pysicology bit.but i would def put a lock on back gate and tell them not to bring the dog if they do come round.
good luck with this one.

[Mosaic]

Other white lies you could try: you are getting a rabbit / guinea pig / an egloo n chicks so need to make fences a bit higher, gate more secure - and oh dear, nobody will be able to bring a dog into the garden.
Also - do you have an ipod ('other brands of MP3 player are available') - wander round with your plugs in all the time, no need to actually play anything if you don't want. It helps to give an excuse why you didn't answer their cheery greeting.
You don't mention how other neighbours cope with these folk - can you learn from their tactics?

[woofgang]

Yup, fences and don't ask them in...I would also start having headphones on when you read in the garden so you have an excuse for not hearing them...you don't need to have the player turned on.....
What's the betting they say "these neighbours are just like the people who lived there before"

[mightyWBA]

Invite some Jehovahs witnesses round for some tea and cakes in your back garden.. Ask your neighbours if they'd like to join you and your "friends" to discuss the meaning of life and the end of the World etc..
You won't see them for dust.
They might even plant some massive conifers..
:-)

[nellypope]

Loving these suggestions!! I hadn't thought about the headphones thing! do Songs of Praise do a DVD?