**Diary Entry September 5th**
Bloody neighbours. You couldnt tell thyme from parsley if it werent for the labels in Tesco! And I bet the only berries youve seen are the ones in jam! Thats what our sour-faced neighbour, Margaret, muttered under her breath as she stomped off.
Valerie and IWilliam, that ishad just arrived at our new countryside cottage. Wed bought it last autumn, and now, with spring in full swing, it was time to sort the place out. The house itself was solid, fit for winter, but the garden? A proper mess.
The old orchard needed tidying, and wed already ordered a new sauna, due in a week. Just had to pick the spot. While we were at it, we planned a laundry shed beside it, a woodshed, and a little gazebo. The kids promised to visit and lend a hand.
Its lovely here, Valerie said. Peaceful. We could stay year-round now were retired.
Id checked the cellaronly needed a new door. Valerie had inspected the back veranda. Remember we talked about a gazebo? Pointless. This verandas perfectbig round table, vintage chairs. Just needs a bit of polish, and itll last another century. The view over the gardens lovely for tea. But the door needs replacingfeels like someones been inside lately.
Aye, doors first. Well sort the backyard properly. Out of sight from the road, but nice for us. And out front, just lawn and flowers.
Plenty of perennials coming up already. Well see whats where, maybe move a few things. But no rush this summer.
A week later, the sauna arrived, and so did the kids. The real work began. Margaret popped over to introduce herself, her grandkids already tearing around our garden.
Got grandkids yourselves? she asked.
Aye, theyll visit.
Whyre you putting up such a tall fence? Weve always got on fine without one.
Without one? We just took the old one downrotten through. You didnt care, but we like order. And dont fret, its right on the boundary.
No gate between us? Theres always been a path.
You mean cutting through our garden? Not happening. Entrance is from the road.
But where will the kids play? Yours, mine? Youve gone and cut down the apple treesmy lot loved climbing them!
Didnt cut thempruned and replanted. Your kids can climb yours.
New everything, isnt it? And why shrubs along the fence?
For looks!
She kept coming back with more questions. Her grandkids ran wild until we fitted the new gate.
Youve settled in proper, Margaret remarked. Staying through winter?
Well see.
Whys the gate shut? Kids always played football out frontsafe, flat. The roads no good with cars.
My fronts all flowerbeds, not like yours. You wouldnt know thyme from parsley without a label. Only berries youve seen are in jam. Be neighbourly, eh?
Gates shut to keep your lot out. Two days ago, they let our hens loose. Not ones been found.
Youve got chickens? So youre staying, then?
Were staying.
Late August brought my birthday. The family gatheredkids, grandkids. The men grilled, the women prepped salads on the veranda.
Then Margaret appeared. Just popped by to say happy birthday! Weve always done that round here. Kids already knowsaw your preparations. Well join you, make it merrier. High time we got friendly.
We didnt invite you. Family only.
Oh, thatll change. Kidsll grow up, well be like family!
She wouldnt leave. Her grandkids shook our fruit trees, scrambled onto the sauna roofmiracles none fell. Then they found the decorative stones. Next thing, rocks were flying into the inflatable pool. We noticed too late. A shriek rang out as water gushed from the torn lining.
No harm done, Margaret said. Nearly autumn anywaytime to pack it up. Kids had fun.
Time you went home.
But weve not even sat down! Kids are starving after all that running. Go on, everyone, tuck in!
The day was ruined. But a week later, the family returned for our anniversarythirty-five years. Someone had the sense to lock the gateour youngest grandson, seven years old.
Knocking echoed from the gate. We all pretended not to hear. The smell of barbecue and fresh air mingled as the evening cooled.
Whens your lot heading back to London? someone asked.
Well see. Autumn first. Then winter. Apples to harvestcrops grand this year. Love it here, cept for Margaret. But shes no bother. Weve learned how to handle her.
Laughter all round.
The guests left. Valerie and I stayed. Autumn ahead, then winter Wed try it. If not, theres always the flat in town.
As for Margaret? Turned out shed leftschool starting, her daughter needed help with the grandkids. Valerie and I just sighed in relief. God save us from daft neighbours.
**Lesson learned:** Good fences make good neighbours. And sometimes, a locked gate does even better.
