There goes the 2-minute warning ......

From my kitchen window I can see over the gardens of three of my neighbours, and across a high hedge separating them from the garden of the large house next door to them. In the distance, beyond that garden, I can see a little white house with a sun-porch, which sits at the point where traffic turns off the main road if it is heading in this direction.

When I am expecting G home, I put the coffee in his cup all ready to pour the hot water into. As his van passes that wee house I can briefly see it, and that's been my 2-minute warning to get the kettle boiled and the coffee ready for him walking in the door.

He has never had a clue how I know he is on his way, and must just think I have ESP; however, no more. The large pitched roof of yet another monster-sized house being built in our immediate vicinity will block off the view.

What is it with people carving up their gardens and stuffing them full of bl**dy ugly new houses? Oh yeah; money.

Goodbye wee white house - by the time I get home tonight the rest of the roof-frame will be on and I will not be able to see you from my windows ever again.

Goodbye 2-minute warning - G will be mystified as to why his coffee is either cold, or not poured from now on. It may be the beginning of the end .......

PS - if anyone wants to build something which will obscure the view of the garden which is full of unsightly old sheds and greenhouses, go ahead - just try to leave me with some greenery to look at!