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AIBU?

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Original poster

What caused this mysterious wet patch?

163 replies

EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 08:36

As for most of us, yesterday was very hot and dry, so I was surprised to notice a wet patch in the front garden, almost but not quite, a puddle. This was about 5pm. It had a bit of an oily glaze to it, and was about the area of a plastic bag. The leaves on the side of the privet hedge near the patch were also visible wet. The liquid was odourless and tasteless, but felt a bit oily.

Can anyone explain what this was?

OP posts:
LyndaSnellsSniff · 01/08/2020 09:42

Can you post a photo?

Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 09:45

I should have taken a photo @LyndaSnellsSniff but we were on our way out and I didn't have my phone on me. Then we had storms over night. Now it looks the same as the rest of the concrete path.

OP posts:
vikingwife · 01/08/2020 09:50

You tasted it Star oh thank you OP, loved that belly laugh

Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 10:00

Yes, I plucked all of the leaves off the hedge, and squeezed the pee liquid in to a glass and drunk it down. Then, I got on my hands and knees and licked the concrete path dry.

I am, however, still none the wiser of what it was.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 01/08/2020 10:05

Honestly it’s not a good idea to consume unknown substances off the ground op.

JRUIN · 01/08/2020 10:06

Unless it was water/tea/coffee/orange squash/wine or something how would you be able to identify it through taste though?

Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 10:08

Honestly it’s not a good idea to consume unknown substances off the ground op.

I didn't.

OP posts:
Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 10:09

Unless it was water/tea/coffee/orange squash/wine or something how would you be able to identify it through taste though?

I would know if it was bitter or sweet or tasteless (or that taste you get after you've run your fingers under the rim of a toilet and lick them).

OP posts:
GladAllOver · 01/08/2020 10:10

I hope this isn't one of those threads where the OP suddenly stops posting. :(

IAmFleshIAmBone · 01/08/2020 10:10

Can't help but so, so impressed that you tasted it 😅 I'm really depressed right now but that made me laugh out loud ❤️

Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 10:11

I hope this isn't one of those threads where the OP suddenly stops posting.

Aye! I wonder why that might happen!

OP posts:
Coldspringharbour · 01/08/2020 10:13

You tasted it. I have no words 😶

Burnthurst187 · 01/08/2020 10:15

Crikey, who are you! Bear Grylls?

Fieldofgreycorn · 01/08/2020 10:16

in to a glass and drunk it down. Then, I got on my hands and knees and licked the concrete path dry.

Well you may as well have. What an odd thing to do tasting it.

When you say ‘oily glaze’ do you mean like that sort of rainbow pattern that you see on fuel type oils, or more like oily like cooking oil?

Also just to rule this out, could any vehicle have been on the path and is the part of the affected hedge at exhaust pipe height?

callmeadoctor · 01/08/2020 10:20

maybe some random, coming home from the pub weed in it (and you tasted it? ugh)

fuckinghellapeacock · 01/08/2020 10:21

You tasted it? WTF?
Weedkiller, urine, fuel - how would you identify this by tasting it?

As someone who grew up in a developing country I can honestly say this is terrifying and mad. Why on earth you you put something in your mouth when you do not know what it is?
With this level of common sense is it any wonder we have a fucking pandemic!

fuckinghellapeacock · 01/08/2020 10:22

BTW when DGM had a recurrent damp patch in her garden she found out the sump of her neighbours septic tank was blocked and bubbling up in her garden.

Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 10:23

Also just to rule this out, could any vehicle have been on the path and is the part of the affected hedge at exhaust pipe height?

Good question, but no, it's not accessible to any kind of equipment with an exhaust pipe.

Oily as in oily to the touch from the leaves and a slight nacreous look to the patch on the ground

OP posts:
ButterMeCrumpets · 01/08/2020 10:25

@IKEA888

can t believe people are focused on the tasting.. typical mumsnet.
Sorry but I can't get past that bit Grin.
Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 10:26

You tasted it? WTF? Weedkiller, urine, fuel - how would you identify this by tasting it? As someone who grew up in a developing country I can honestly say this is terrifying and mad. Why on earth you you put something in your mouth when you do not know what it is? With this level of common sense is it any wonder we have a fucking pandemic!

This made me and DP laugh so much, that for the first time I can actually understand why people make situations up on MN.

OP posts:
Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 10:27

maybe some random, coming home from the pub weed in it (and you tasted it? ugh)

Anyone coming in to the garden, having chosen my garden to wee in, would have been picked up on the camera. Also, there would have been a puddle. Also, their wee would have smelt and looked like wee.

OP posts:
Vebrithien · 01/08/2020 10:27

Full marks for the use of *nacreous"

Original poster
EggBoxes · 01/08/2020 10:28

BTW when DGM had a recurrent damp patch in her garden she found out the sump of her neighbours septic tank was blocked and bubbling up in her garden.

Thanks. I think this is unlikely, seeing as we don't have septic tanks and there was no bubbling up. Through. The. Concrete. Path.

OP posts:
vikingwife · 01/08/2020 10:28

I don’t even let my dogs drink puddle water

MactheRover · 01/08/2020 10:29

You tasted it - Kudos OP