We've created a flurry of interest within our little community, almost without having to do anything.
Turns out the people that used to live in our house, were rather obtuse. In fact, the man of the house was found to be stalking one neighbour, taking photos of him about his business, complaining to council and almost ending up in fisticuffs with him one day about perceived noise.
Four weeks in, I suppose is a bit too early for us to decide if there is any basis to these complaints. Then again four weeks in we were expecting to hear at least a tinkle of noise to cause us concern.
Do I need to say zip? nada? nothing? I go to sleep and wake up to the sound of the local birds. There's an occasional truck goes past - we live at the very back of the local shops so I would have thought this would be expected. Apart from that, it would seem pretty mean to complain about the only noise I hear - the sound of the little girls next door making merry, the neighbours chatting to each other and the occasional lawn mower doing it's thing.
The village is lovely. I try very hard sometimes to pop up to the shop, all dirty and sweaty from my walk, hoping to be incognito, to no avail. At every turn there is a neighbour, or local person, who just knows we are the new people and wants to have a chat.
These chats have been so far illuminating. Apparently there was concern that Happy was Tongan. One neighbour though said that if he could afford to buy a house then he would be ok. Several neighbours have remarked on how quiet we have been - are we here? are we around? Happy though that we aren't about to noice up the neighbourhood. A group of them are itching for us to put our flyers out with locally grown produce available for delivery. The local butcher is almost a firm friend since we gave him some hot hot hot chillis to try - he's now keen to sell our chilli pasts. And the local bottle shop guys who are also new are so pleased to chat with us that every time we go in there they have something new to give us as a pressie.
I think we've been a breathe of fresh air to this neighbourhood, and only becuase we can't hear, don't wish to see, and always have a few mins for a chat. if this is how my life is meant to be then bring it on.
(Oh geez I hope it stays this way!)
