On neighbours

24 November

There’s a lot of noise coming from the flat upstairs at the moment. It began last night really when Lady, a rather larger rough coated greyhound cross that’s soft as lard, was given her weekly bone. They must be large bones though, she keeps dropping them and that’s how we know she has one. Thing is, he’s been told a number of times that he has to rehome her and he hasn’t done so. Anyway, back to the bone – I heard it drop a couple of times just after midnight and then again at around 5.30 this morning. Hang on; it’s gone quiet up there now; but when I began this there was a lot of running around and shouting going on. It’s been some time now since we last had a lot of noise from up there, so we can’t really complain. Anyway, it’s quiet now.

We have lived here for over four years now and even though we have tried to get to know some of the neighbours, they are still stand offish. Oh yes, they are friendly when we meet up anywhere and will stand and chat, but we haven’t made any friends as such. There’s Roy across the way, elderly and increasingly frail and confused. He has no friends at all apart form an old school friend who calls on him every so often. Speaking to his friend, Roy has always been like that right back to school time. Sandra lives in the flat above him; she’s OK but we don’t see much of her at all now. Mark above us, well, I’ve just mentioned him. And that is our block of four.

The whole block of flats is divided up as smaller blocks of four, each with their own entrance and rubbish area. The next block of four we only know two of the residents, Sue who is a bit prickly at times, depending on if she is taking here meds properly. June and Tony moved out and they were the only people got to know. There’s another lady in their flat now and she too can be prickly too. Some of her family have ruffled a few feathers too because of the language they have been using out back. The guy above her we don’t know, but that one is now privately rented. We have no idea about the 4^th guy in there. And that is just about it.

Sad, isn’t it. In our little area of communal rear gardens and in most cases most of us don’t know much about any of our neighbours. I don’t think it’s a generation thing either. But I do think it is about the old ‘English Village’ thing that’s going on. The ones who do know each other are the ones who moved in 20 or 30 years ago. They seem reluctant to draw in and welcome any newcomers. That’s sad, as I said above. But what can we do? Nowt much really. Its something that can’t be rushed, but at this time of life, I can’t be bothered about trying too hard; which is a sad reflection on me.

Today’s photo …

A blue flower, but I can’t remember where I got it.

Today’s funny …

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Snow.
Snow who?
Snow joke standing out here in the cold.