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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbour and my washing

227 replies

insan1tyscartching · 14/09/2016 13:10

Don't have much to do with neighbour generally, say hello if we meet and pop a Christmas card through her door so it was strange for her to shout to me over the back garden fence when I was pegging out the second line of washing today.
She says that my constantly having washing out spoils the enjoyment of her garden as there is constant movement and noise from flapping clothes and so she wanted to know if I could have a day or two every week where I didn't peg out.
I was gobsmacked tbh and trying not to laugh but explained that with seven in the family there is a lot of washing and drying to be done and I like to take advantage of the drying days so planning days not to peg out wasn't really possible but come October I rarely peg out anyway as garden is mostly shade then so not much longer for her to be bothered now anyway. But of course come October she won't want to sit in the garden then anyway.
So AIBU to peg lines of washing out when neighbour wants to sit in her garden? For clarity there are no small children here so no noise in the garden otherwise and other than cutting the grass and me pegging out our garden isn't used so it's not that we do anything that might disturb her if she's in the garden anyway.

OP posts:
whirlygirly · 15/09/2016 20:30

As a Cornwall dweller I'd be pretty pissed off if one of my neighbours encouraged seagulls tbh. They're an absolute menace round here and cause so much mess and damage.

I'd have no issue with washing though. That's mad.

gemma19846 · 15/09/2016 20:39

Tell her to get stuffed 😂

cheval · 15/09/2016 21:16

Yikes. She sounds like hard work. Tell her you're saving the environment. Sticking it in dryer is bad energy-wise.

Pettywoman · 15/09/2016 21:47

Get some massive wind chimes and those glittery spinner things.

Mycraneisfixed · 15/09/2016 21:53

Strange woman! Suggest she invests in ear defenders.

northernmonkey1010 · 15/09/2016 22:24

I'd buy a flag pole and a flag see how she likes that!?!?

iminshock · 15/09/2016 22:38

Katherine what a kind reply

Ubertasha2 · 15/09/2016 22:45

What a nutter! Please please start putting out solely
racy underwear and fetish gear for her to really get an eyeful too- might make her shut it!!

PurplePenguins · 15/09/2016 22:54

She is insane. How else are you are suppose to dry clothes for 7? in the tumble dryer? Bill her for the electric it will cost.

buttercup54321 · 15/09/2016 23:09

Put up an extra line and fill it. Lots of wind chimes in the garden too. Oh and make sure you sing at the top of your voice every time you are out there. If she says anything else tell her you will be fostering disturbed teenagers soon lol

di2004 · 15/09/2016 23:12

I love seeing a line full of washing, especially on a lovely fine day..gently blowing in the wind!
Your neighbour is weird.. tell her next time to either get a life - or move.

pollymere · 15/09/2016 23:32

Does it put her garden in shade? That would annoy me but otherwise ynbu. Maybe not on a Sunday as people generally very precious about having silence then.

liz70 · 15/09/2016 23:34

My mum is 70, and every chance she gets she'll be pegging her washing out on the line. The OP's neighbour is batshit, regardless of age.

Soozikinzi · 15/09/2016 23:59

YANBU That's ridiculous must have some kind of issues xx

suzybe · 16/09/2016 00:52

Keep on pegging. I could understand her being annoyed if large sheets were left out for days and kept her garden shaded but we get so little decent weather we have to make the most of it.

mylaptopismylapdog · 16/09/2016 04:39

I had the same thing years back from a neighbor living in flats overlooking our garden,who actually thought the line should be removed! She was old and lonely which Ii would have had more sympathy for if she hadn't been so unpleasant And phoned regularly to complain. Keep pegging away.

Anushka · 16/09/2016 06:26

Bonkers! However I think my Mum made me obsessive about getting my washing on the line(she comments if neighbours don't put washing out), I am over the moon if I can wash, dry, iron and put away all in the same day. I'm so sad when the winter comes and I have to dry indoors. But I have come to realise I'm not totally normal in this obsession, my in laws only really put out towels and bedding, everything else stays in their "drying room" ....(shudder!). Dh bless him sees nothing wrong with having drying clothes all over the house (shudder again).
If she mentions it again make some flippant remark about not having many line drying days left this year.

HeteronormativeHaybales · 16/09/2016 06:33

If she complains again, smile sweetly and say, 'Of course I will stop drying outside, if you buy me a tumble dryer [if you don't have one already], pay for its running costs between April and October - that's an average of two loads a day, that's xp/day - and make a contribution to an environmental charity to offset the increase in my carbon footprint.'

Lillithxxx · 16/09/2016 07:15

I hope to be in my 70's one day. (52 now) I also hope to not be one of these miserable elderly with nothing important/life affirming to think about waiting to die types. Carry on hanging your washing out she's being completely potty.

user1472391113 · 16/09/2016 09:08

The reason why seagulls have started to scavenge is because we have fished their natural resources in the ocean dry. Anyone who lives by the ses should expect there to be seagulls there. My little family is lovely. They come each morning for their food and then re quiet for the rest of the day.

KingLooieCatz · 16/09/2016 09:23

Get a peacock.

KingLooieCatz · 16/09/2016 09:25

Get a peacock.

mammamic · 16/09/2016 09:55

She does sound a little over sensitive but we don't all have the same levels of sensitivity.

I doubt someone would make this sort of request lightly. So with that in mind, I would maybe have a think about it. If there is washing out every day and lots of it, as you say, then maybe it would be nice for the neighbour to have 2 days when she can enjoy her garden the way she wants to.

Of course, she'd have to understand that actually planning days is difficult so it may have to be on an ad hoc basis but I don't think her request should be dismissed so easily.

It's really sad to see so many negative, rude, intolerant comments. Apart from OP, none of you know this person. Very quick to judge and name call.

mummy2zni · 16/09/2016 09:59

Seriously?! Some people! Smh!

Lillithxxx · 16/09/2016 10:25

Mamma!!! Really? What next - 'please change your curtains I'm offended by the pattern'
This is line drying washing, not loud music, screaming children or a football constantly against her wall.