Nasty neighbours and button down collars
Mrs Davers advises against antagonising the neighbours


Dear Mrs Danvers, I live in a London square where parking is severely restricted. My next-door neighbour, who has a large and ugly 4x4 with a disabled sticker, parks it in front of my windows every day, leaving her own clear. I know of no one in the house who is disabled and am getting increasingly annoyed by her thoughtlessness. Should I inform the parking authorities or ask her to leave my own views clear? I am sorry to say this, but you should do neither?you must suffer in silence. I know, I know, it is infuriating, and it is extremely rude of your neighbour to park in front of your house rather than her own. But imagine the scenario if you take offensive action: you will have a neighbour with an enduring grudge, even if you just ask her to shift the wretched hulk and park it elsewhere. If you read the papers carefully, you will see that there is no one more likely to go to law or become violent than a neighbour who resents you. They slit your tyres, tell the council when you water your garden and, I am not joking, resort to murder. Try to minimise the grudge you bear, hope they will move soon and consider how you may be annoying them. This is one time where turning the other cheek is the smart option. Dear Mrs Danvers, I always wear plain, white, cotton shirts, long sleeved, no nonsense, with button-down collars and a quite sporty cut. As I don't have to go into an office, I don't need to wear suits or ties. All my shirts are beginning to collapse and I cannot find new ones to this?I would have thought?simple specification. Do you know a source? Why do so many nice plain shirts have short sleeves? Or button-down collars? What are they buttoning down? Surely they are an unfortunate American import, created in the land of tornadoes, where collars might need extra support. Boden could help: its new Spring 2007 catalogue has an Architect Shirt. It is 100% cotton, semi-fitted, with a nice, plain collar. There are six versions, including pure white. Sizes from small to XXL, price £45. Order online at www.boden.co.uk or telephone 0845 677 5000.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Country Life is unlike any other magazine: the only glossy weekly on the newsstand and the only magazine that has been guest-edited by HRH The King not once, but twice. It is a celebration of modern rural life and all its diverse joys and pleasures — that was first published in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year. Our eclectic mixture of witty and informative content — from the most up-to-date property news and commentary and a coveted glimpse inside some of the UK's best houses and gardens, to gardening, the arts and interior design, written by experts in their field — still cannot be found in print or online, anywhere else.
-
From California to Cornwall: How surfing became a cornerstone of Cornish culture
A new exhibition at Cornwall's National Maritime Museum celebrates a century of surf culture and reveals how the country became a global leader in surf innovation and conservation.
By Emma Lavelle Published
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country Life
From a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
By Toby Keel Published
-
How to prepare your house for winter
As winter approaches, experts advise that preventative measures are crucial for our houses to weather hard winters
By Country Life Published
-
Ten house tips for the winter
Now is the time to put your house in ship-shape for the winter months ahead. Chartered surveyor Tom Grillo shares his ten top tips
By Country Life Published
-
Choosing an interior designer
Finding the right skilled interior designer for your period property requires some dedication; in particular you need to make sure you share the same vision
By Country Life Published
-
Maintenance tips for Victorian houses
There are a number of aspects to look out for when viewing or indeed owning a Victorian house
By Country Life Published
-
Best cooking pans
Mrs Danvers suggests the best makes of pots and cooking pans to hunt down when shopping for a special friend's wedding present
By Country Life Published
-
How to save old floorboards
Lots of care and elbow grease can help old floorboards gleam again
By Country Life Published
-
Buying bellows
Mrs Danvers recommends where to find a new or antique pair of bellows
By Country Life Published
-
Removing chocolate stains
Mrs Danvers tackles readers' household queries: this week's are chocolate stains on a linen suit and screen doors
By Country Life Published