So just to continue, somewhat briefly, the theme about "renters" that I began on Monday.
We quickly discovered the first time we stayed in our vacation home way back in the day that summer renters in surrounding properties could be somewhat entertaining and at times, even downright frightening.
Take that first weekend, for example. The homeowners of the adjoining property appeared the same time we did. Couple in their late forties, say, with a couple of teenagers. Then there were more teenagers. Then more. Sensing a problem? We were. Especially when the grownups drove off. And left behind all those young people. Unchaperoned.
Noise level started to rise as the number of kids increased. So far so good. The frightening part was when we noticed they had brought out a hibachi grill. And that one of them decided the best place to use the grill was on the roof. Yes, the roof. Of a two story wooden frame house. Since we could have literally reached over to shake hands from our deck to theirs it was concerning to say the least. One of those, "what were they thinking?" moments concerning not only the kid who thought a lit grill on a rooftop was a good idea, but the so-called adults who left them alone.
Then there was "the rock group". A few summers later we were spending time at the house for a family vacation. The Englishman and I, our three daughters, my three step-children visiting from England and my mother had settled in for a wonderful time. Halfway through the two week period a new set of renters arrived next door. All appeared fine the first day or so. Then band practice started. OK. No big deal.
Except they played late into night, for several nights running, out on the deck, with a very large amplifier pointed in our direction. Not the brightest thing they could have done as it turned out.
So in frustration a phone call was made and a local patrolman arrived in his police car. Poor guy. He
tried to negotiate some sort of arrangement between the band members and the Englishman. The
band feigned total ignorance as to what the problem could possibly be. Which I suspect was not quite the response the Englishman, an extremely tired worker looking to enjoy his time off, as well as father to young children who were upset by the noise and having difficulty sleeping.
( Have I mentioned before that when the Englishman gets upset and talks more rapidly his accent
becomes even stronger? Which, I must confess, causes me to giggle and is why we have rarely had a fight. Difficult to have an argument with a woman who is collapsing in fits of laughter.)
Now the poor policeman didn't have a clue what the Englishman was saying during his response. Being literate in "Jersey speak" doesn't always equip you for an understanding of British English. The
policeman looked at me for assistance, but as the giggles rose in my throat I thought it best to head back inside the house. The Englishman concluded his frustration by stating most emphatically, "The worst part is they are bloody awful!!"
Que the laughter. Best part was that the young band members had no idea they had just been
thoroughly insulted. I must admit I enjoyed that bit.
The Englishman came back inside and was greeted by all with cheers for having gone to battle for the family. The band did in fact curb their practice and boom level after that and we returned to the task of enjoying our vacation. At the very least, the kids and I realized we had a fabulous one liner to throw about in the future.
And that has proven to be the "entertainment" aspect of dealing with the summer rental crowd.
Unfortunately
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