Finally, a genuine sunny day arrived in Tønsberg. At this point the lawn was starting to resemble the Kokoda trail, so out came the lawn mower from its winter hibernation. Even though the thing is effectively brand new, being used only once just before winter closed in (with some help from Mr Piccles) an extended battle of wills was required to get the thing started. Whoever designed the "easy start pull cord" should have the skin stripped from their body. Very slowly.
Rannveig and Astrid swap photo tips
Anyway, there I am out on the lawn, living the 50's dream, wife in the kitchen preparing dinner and minding the baby, me manfully pushing through the bush hoping not to run into any bears hiding in the grass (it was really long) when an interesting thing happened. The neighbours to our left emerged from their asbestos clad palace, plugged in their electric mower and started to cut the grass. Not long after, the neighbour across the street did the same. Then the guys next to him. Then the neighbour on our right. A quick survey around the block tells me that no less than 6 households in an ever widening circle from our own felt compelled to get out there.
Astrid, Kjetil and Mabel ready for 17th May
Now, is it just a coincidence? I can't say I'm used to this suburban scenario yet, Rannveig tells me it has more to do with the sun coming out than anything else, but I don't know. I pulled out our freshly purchased whipper snipper a while later just to test it and blow me down, two neighbours emerge with their whipper snippers not long after. This has the makings of an interesting behavioural science study. I'll try dancing on the lawn naked with a sheet tied around my neck and a Batman mask on to see what happens.
2 comments:
Well, Ashley - the neighbours would probably stay indoors for a while....
Astrid
Leader of men? Nah!!!
Obviously the better halves nagged their respective worser(?) halves:
"Isn't Rannveigs hubby just sooo good - I wish YOU would get of your fat a$$ and ..."
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