A knock at the door this evening turned out to be my new southern neighbour come to introduce herself and apologize for the disruption of the ongoing renovations with a card and a bottle of Burgundy(!). Friendly and conversible and such a relief to be getting a nice neighbour. May the northern ones prove equally as thoughtful.
Because next door sold within a day and the closing is in February. I'm trying to treat this as an adventure but boy would it be easier if I was still able-bodied.