The majority of my neighbours are lovely - we feed each other's cats, chat when we see each other out front, bring in bins when people are out. All very nice.
Apart from the elderly couple next door. Over the years they've upset everyone. A sample of their crimes include going through drawers in a holidaying neighbour's house when they were looking after the keys (it was dark and the lights were on, many witnesses); reporting a neighbour to the council for not having planning permission for his garage even though he had it and had spoken to them about it; letting their grandchildren spray my washing with water pistols; climbing into our back garden when we were at work, going into the garage through the back door (lock doesn't work). This set off the burglar alarm - they then told us a total lie that the main door was open at the front and they'd gone to investigate (it was locked)...
Anyway, we've tried to just be friendly from a distance (and extended the 3 foot fence to 6 foot). I took her flowers when she was ill, etc.
We've never challenged them about anything, but now I have the urge. They are bloody loud. Several times a week their grownup children visit until late. When they leave, they don't just leave. They stand outside talking regurgitating their conversation from the night before for ages. Ages, I tell you. And they don't lower their voices despite it being midnight. And my room is right by their driveway.
This has been the way for years, and although it's irritated me I bear in mind that we leave for work very early and our car noise might disturb them, and our cats have been known to leave terrible surprises amongst their hideous garden ornaments (which aren't in proportion - elephant standing shoulder to shoulder with a duckling type thing)... except now I have a baby, and they keep waking her up with their late night ramblings.
Wibu to say something, and how to do so tactfully? I thought about standing at the bedroom window (ground floor) staring out at them with my strict teacher eyebrow raised, with crying dd and my usual night time look of mad hair and not quite fully removed eye make up as this would alarm anyone and make them rush inside to a place of safety...
I know this isn't a terrible problem. But it's annoying that they keep doing it. Grrr.