On 8/9/07 16:54, in article , "Klara"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
Thanks, Sacha. We have been so gobsmacked that someone could be so
insensitive that thinking rationally has been difficult. It never
occurred to me that indeed asbestos might well be a magic word here....

I'd think so. It seems to me that while you're keen to keep good
relations with your neighbour, he's taking thorough advantage of your
good natures! He doesn't appear to be at all concerned about the effect
his actions are having on your lives and these things surely have to
work two ways.

Well, it's particularly painful because we do have a good relationship
otherwise - we've looked after each other's houses, children, pets, etc.
companionably for some 30 years, and I imagine we must be reasonably
pleasant to have next-door because while since (early) retirement he has
been a never-ending source of DIY noise, smoke, etc. we barely have time
to look up from our computers, so run no machines, burn nothing, etc.
etc. - and even while the thing was going up, my husband spent some 10
hours or more sorting out their computer, etc. problems.... We would
never have imagined that it would occur to him to do this. Perhaps he
doesn't realise how obtrusive it feels, given that it's something like
120 feet from our back wall....

I think he may just not have thought about it. It sounds as if he's
happily playing in his new found freedom and is enjoying it so much, it
doesn't occur to him that not everyone else takes vicarious pleasure from
it. But while your first recourse is to talk to him - and mention you're
worried about having asbestos around! - if common sense doesn't prevail with
him, you'll have to try other avenues. It's all very unfortunate after
harmony for such a long time. ;-(
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'