All I can say is, you were brave!  Son in law just fitted us a ring doorbell, so we can avoid cold callers.  After a horrid experience with a man wanting us to sign for power just before Christmas, we don't want to open the door to any strangers, especially after dark.

Glad you got most of the work done, and I hope for a reasonable price. 🤞🏼

Ireland is a place that is politically always on the wrong side of history .
We should close the free travel area else all those on the streets of Dublin will be over here before you can say Mickey Finn.

Quote from: Ruthio on Yesterday at 01:15:14 PMHow about this one to really make you cringe.,,
CRILK  meaning the cream off the top of the milk! 😅

Not seen that before. 🤣

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I have just had an interesting afternoon
Some villainous looking bloke came cold calling offering tree felling , garden work etc
He had pie key practically tattooed on his forehead .
So ( whatever was I thinking of) I showed him a raised bed I wanted removed .
Yes says he  quoting a price I can do it right now .
I have just finished a job nearby . Hmmmmm ok (what am I crazy )
I will get my man sez he  ( his son )
Up comes the son a lanky lad who is clearly a sandwich short of a picnic poor boy .
They had disturbingly  little equipment ( one shovel ) which the son seemed puzzled as to how it worked .
Nevertheless dad set to with gusto shovelling earth for all that he was worth .
I loaned him my spade and a wheel barrow.
Son immediately tipped the said wheel barrel over .
However after a few tries he got the hang of it .
Our conversation was bizarre . He confided to me the son was single at 16 but soon to marry .
What I exclaimed  that is ridiculous he's far too young .
I married at 14 he said ( he was 30 so that figured )  that's what WE do .
They both wore huge rings reminiscent of oversized knuckle dusters which they claimed were solid gold even taking them off for me to feel the weight !
They requested tea ( with fIVE sugars ) and bikkies .
I told them they all their teeth would fall out
They told me their favourite dish was rabbit .
I asked them if they were poachers ( they treated this joke with the distain I usually reserve for unfunny  ones on another forum which shall be nameless )
I didn't like to leave them alone ( I'm fond of that spade )
They told me they had horses and went to Appleby Fair ( an event I hate ) and another more local one . Had I even been ?
What !
Do I look like Grandma from my big fat gipsy wedding ?
Make that great grandma ( Grandma is only 32)
Clearly I need to do something about my wardrobe .

Eventually  dad ran out of steam and they more or less finished up ,well more less than more .
He needed to do some shopping .
I resisted the impulse to inquire where he shopped for rabbits .
( we are defenceless old pensioners after all )
The garden is now reminiscent of the Somme but I really can't blame them for that .
Everything is wet and claggy
Most of the raised bed is gone .
And it was an experience to say the least
Next time they come calling I will hide behind the sofa .



 

Too right ! 

Quote from: muddy on Yesterday at 11:41:56 PMI would not like to be hugged by a stranger but ....I get lots of hugs and the physical touch of another sentient being is very important .
That is why people love their pets especially dogs who give love so unconditionally .
They care not for looks or riches .
Even cats by their warm and comforting presence give people a nice feeling .
The warm of another living being .
It's sad though that so many people never get hugged .
Old people because they are alone , young people because they are not loved enough .
British people are not known for being physically affectionate when I married my latin American husband I found it charming how physically affectionate his family was .
We all need to be hugged .

I don't think I would like to be hugged by a total stranger either, Muddy,   but I suppose it could also perhaps depend on the circumstances?  And as you say,  it is very sad some people never have any affection shown to them.   
I used to work in Care,  and not everyone had family to visit and give them a hug.

I also agree about us loving our pets and how they  freely give us their company and affection  -  without moaning about missing the football!!   

Quote from: klondike on February 04, 2026, 04:48:43 PMThey don't look like they are on the rocket science course. Must be brain surgeons I suppose.