What's Better Than Britmums?

Even though it was my choice not to attend Britmums Live, in the run up to the event I still couldn't help but feel a teeny tiny bit jealous of those attending. Meeting up with other bloggers I'd love to meet in person. The wonderful buzz of excitement of the attendees on Twitter over the last few months leading up to the event. Then I heard about the wonderful selection of Keynote speakers I was going to miss out on too. I was really starting to wish I had decided to go after all. I was actually pondering the possibility of devising a last minute plan to go.

Then fate intervened. Fate dropped in my lap something far more exciting and precious. A special visit. A reunion. A much anticipated return. The Australian relatives were coming over! To say I was excited would be a gross understatement. Now to be clear, they aren't actually MY relatives. They are David's. Well one of them is. David's cousin and his wonderful girlfriend will be here on Saturday!! Some people ask why we are so excited as "it's only his cousin".  Well really David and Pete  are more like brothers than cousins. They were born 6 weeks apart and spent most of their childhoods together. Playing, fighting, but most of all laughing. They have a truly special bond. David and Pete are so very alike in lots of ways I can't even begin to explain, you really have to see them together to understand the magical bond they have. Seeing them together is a real joy to behold. It's not just Pete though. There's also the wonderful Sarah, Pete's amazing other half. Laid back, witty and fun. The pair of them are like a force of nature. It's like getting an injection of sunshine when they come to visit. Pete moved to Australia roughly 9 years ago after finishing uni and comes back to see family roughly every 2 years so time with them is precious. The last time we saw them I was 20 weeks pregnant with Holly, and now she is 18 months old! I am so looking forward to introducing them to our little toddler. I hope she likes them (she can be funny with strangers)! I'm hoping though that she senses somehow that they are family and grows to love them as much as we do. 

Fun Times!

 We have so much planned for while they are here, and so little time. I just know it is going to wonderful. So sorry Britmums. I know you are amazing, I know you are wonderful, but this year I have something better.

Good neighbours and boundaries (I'm not just talking fences)...

We moved to our new house 2 weeks before Holly's due date (cutting it fine I know).  We were extremely lucky to get our tiny flat sold and find and buy the house of our dreams in time for our baby's arrival.  As it turns out the little madam ended up being 2 weeks late, which was quite handy as it gave me time to do the only decorating we needed to - the nursery!  One of the main selling points of the house was the garden though.  I wanted a lovely garden for Holly to play in.  As soon as I saw this garden I knew it was perfect.  Railway sleepers.  Decorative slabbing. Beautiful patio.  Lovely lush plants.  The whole things had been beautifully landscaped by the previous owner (thanks Jacqui).  Even better is the fact that it isn't particularly overlooked.  There is one house behind us, a bungalow.  If anything, we overlook it.

Now here is the problem.  Our neighbours, either side and over the back.  The problem? They are lovely!

I should be pleased really.  Our neighbours have so far:

• showered us with gifts when Holly was born
• Invited us to summer barbecues and parties
• Baked for us
• Offered to babysit Holly any time
• Offered to cook for us and get our shopping when Holly was a newborn
• Brought our bins in when we've been out
• Put our bins out when we were away from home
• Taken in our washing when it started raining
• Given us gardening advice
• Given us energy saving lightbulbs

I could go on...

Here's the thing though.  I find it overwhelming.   I'm a friendly chatty person, but I'm quite a private person too.   I really don't mind having a chat, or going to parties or accepting parcels for them when they are out, or feeding their cat when they are on holiday.  It's just constant.  They see you pulling into the driveway, they are out to say hello and ask about your day.  You go to hang out the washing, it takes 30 mins because they are straight out to talk, and won't let you go.  Now its good weather and I have Holly out in the garden, they come straight out, and I'm expected to talk to them the whole time I'm out there.  I don't mind a quick chat, but that wasn't why I went outside.  If it isn't one neighbour its another.  It's never ending.  I just want to enjoy my garden in peace and quiet, just me and my family.  Is that too much to ask?  Am I being mean?

I understand how lucky I am to have such lovely neighbours, I really do.  In our old flat we really weren't blessed with nice neighbours at all.  No one would speak to anyone.  I used to get glared at if I dared say hello!  There were always arguments about the shared gardens, and it was pretty much left up to us to do all the gardening and maintenance.

At the new house I just want a little peace. Please. Please?  Is it really a lot to ask?  Hopefully the neighbours will settle down when we've been in for longer, maybe it's still the honeymoon "getting to know you" period for them.  What do you think?  I'd love some other opinions or advice.

PS

Want to see my lovely garden? NO?  Well tough, here it is anyway!