The Random Thread

[Kaz]

[JanB]

Fence secured, pics taken, goats now where they should be, we-ll pop down in a couple of days and see if he-s done anything else.

David asked for the phone number of the police in Ourique, in case he needs to call them. Not being the owners, we can't do anything.

[cromwell]

Bad neighbour is a right piece of work isn't he?

[JanB]

Words can't be put on here Crommers

A friend said that normal people can't work out how his brain works, as its a corkscrew.

[cromwell]

Our neighbour David is acting a bit strangely. I've already mentioned that we've seen him looking in bins the evening that we all put them out.
A while since he gave up driving. We don't know why.
So now David does the shopping by walking to our Sainsbury's local. It is half a mile away up a steep hill. He takes a haversack for the shopping.
The thing is that he's OK setting out but by the time he gets back his body is arched to the left quite severely. Today MrsC saw him go out and come back twice, and then a third time. But the third time David could hardly walk as he was coming back and was having to hold on to a wall to get along.
A neighbour, Barry, was walking his dogs and he, MrsC and her sister got David back home. Barbara was very upset when she saw him and started crying. She said that she couldn't stand much more and told David he needed a stick. He was adamant that he didn't. She isn't in the best of health, she had a stroke a couple of years since.
This is the third time to our knowledge that David has had to be helped back to the house.
Plus the haversack was empty and he said that Barbara was out. She wasn't, she'd been asleep upstairs.
Barry's wife called the doctor and a bit later an ambulance showed up.
All things considered it seems likely that dementia might be kicking in. The repeated and unnecessary trip to the shop. The looking in bins, the forgetfulness.
We do try to look after each other down here, but they are a very private couple and hate others knowing their business. They have no family nearby.
We'll have to see how it goes.

[Workingman]

Poor David and his wife.

The back problem hints at a hip joint on its way out and the trips, the strange ocd type behaviour and forgetfulness point at the onset of some form of dementia.

Hopefully the ambulance and a short stay in hospital will make people look at his problems in the round.

[Kaz]

Sorry to hear this Crommers, I hope he can be helped xx

[JoM]

That’s so very sad Crommers
I hope he can be helped.

[JoM]

I’ve been having a bit of a quiet seethe today.

You may remember I mentioned that our cul de sac were planning on stringing some lights between the houses to jolly it up a bit for Christmas. When it was suggested by the wife of one of the electricians she said that she’d worked out what was needed and had priced it up at being around £380 between 11 houses if everyone wanted to be a part of it. Roughly £35 per house which sounded reasonable so we all agreed and plans were made for how it’ll be done.

Last night she messaged everyone and said she’d got the final quote and it’ll be £229.
£229 EACH.
£2519 between 11 of us.
And that’s with a discounted price for lighting which is only valid until Friday so it needs buying before then or it’ll be dearer.

Quite honestly I think it’s taking the p, as does John, and I’d be more than happy to say no thanks we’ll sit this out but John won’t because he said it’ll make us look either poor or tight so we’ll have to pay

[meriad]

no you don't.... ask her for a breakdown of costs. If the original estimate was 35 each then how can it go up that much

Jo, in all honesty - times are tough for most households at the moment so you are well within your rights to query that cost, I would. And if it makes sense then agree to it - but I bet that you're not the only household that's a bit taken aback x