The neighbours diagonally across the crossing have sold half of their plot, for another house to be built there. Today the new owners started work. Trees are being removed and I guess they’re evening out the ground. The first photo is from two days ago, the second is from today.

The two large oaks are protected, though, and will remain.

There’s not much space there. I’ve seen the drawings from when the whole thing was approved by the municipality and I know that it is technically possible to fit a house there, but they’re going to be very close to their neighbours. I get it – if you can earn a few millions by giving up half your garden, then it’s probably hard to say no. I’m kind of glad that it is impossible to do so with our garden.

Gardens always shrink with time, and houses always grow. Nobody buys their neighbour’s house, only to tear it down and extend their garden. And nobody ever knocks down the extension to their house.