Dumb and Dumber dig a ditch

Before anybody gets upset with me, I have to put this into context. The chap in the wellington boots, in 35 degree heat is the President of the estate. To say that he is despised would be an understatement. He was voted in last year,by 1 vote, the vote havingbeen cast by an equally disliked English couple who do not socialise with anyone on the estate, who complain that they hate living in a community and who, on a daily basis last summer, were down at mum's house complaining about cats pooing on the grassed areas. The current president is such a well respected man, that nobody would stand to be his vice-president. The votes that were cast in his favour were cast by people who attended the AGM, but who do not live on the community, they just visit for a couple of weeks every year, but they were rounded up by 3 line whip to attend the AGM. Hopefully, this year, the tables will turn. It matters not about nationality. He is also exceptionally rude and we watched this afternoon as he just barged past one of the residents with his trolley and bucket. Unbelievable.

However, this man operates on the basis of shouting and gesticulating. He will not speak any language other than his own. He has sacked all of the outside agencies who had established good working relationships with people on the estate previously. The estate is not being looked after. You get the idea.

He and one of the other residents are currently trying to fix a leaky pipe which is wasting phenomenal amounts of water. The irrigation system is having to be switched off and the showers too. Welly man trailed up and down today removing buckets of sand whilst the other one dug. We all stood and watched. Corin commented that if we gave them a teaspoon and an egg-cup they might make more progress. For the first time in a while, I was actually proud to be British today!

One of the kids commented that it was like "Dumb and Dumber". I added the "digging a ditch".

I guess you'd probably have to be here and understand the politics to understand the entertainment and the frustration that we all have felt watching this.

Today is "Y". A question that was repeatedly asked this afternoon. A question that my colleagues and I are asked frequently by petulant teenagers, but with a real whiney "the world owes me a living and how dare you suggest otherwise" tone of voice.

Youthful - only just. Hanging on to it by the skin of my teeth.

"Yes-man" - not often. I have got better at standing my ground and not agreeing for the sake of keeping the peace.

I went on holiday for two weeks on a yacht when I was 17. In the south of France. It was fabulous.

I spent 12 months riding a 125cc Yamaha whilst I was learning to ride. Technically, because of its age, it was deemed to be a classic. It was temperamental, but I loved it. Corin did too, except for the time we rode back from the Wirral and got caught in a downpour - he was riding the Yammy, and it cut out, as the electrics got a little bit wet. I rode home on the 500cc Honda. Corin improvised and made it back eventually.

Yammerer - prone to wittering on and whining. Yep - thats me.

Yummy-mummy. What a horrible phrase.

Ying and Yang - me and Corin.

Yoga - probably something that would benefit me and my rapidly deteriorating joints.

I grew up in Cheshire, which according to some makes me a bit of a yokel.

I can't yodel to save my life. But I can YELL at the top of my voice.

I think vegetables are yucky.