Letters:

Vineyard gas guns 

Dear Ed:

We moved here two years and the bird guns were going off as we viewed the house. 

We have no problem with the noise as it is part of living in the country our other permanent neighbours feel the same as us.

I find Hilton Doherty’s reaction extreme to say the least as he too would have known about the guns when he purchased his property.

It is like people who buy next to a bar then complain about the noise or those who bought by Western Springs raceway and complain.

I’m sure the guns do annoy him and also sure if they were being used outside the best practice rules the SWDC would do something.

Paul Sara, Ferry Road.

Dear Ed,

I read with amusement the front page article about bird scarers. It was certainly a fine effort at an April Fools. Congratulations.

We also live rurally, not far from a wool shed. It is quite shocking the country and farm noises we have to put up with. The generator is one thing, I can just about cope with being woken up early 2 days on the trot, twice a year, but the shearers radio really does spoil my afternoon snooze.

When it comes to weaning of the sheep and cattle I have to walk around with my ear muffs on. I’ve suggested putting the animals on tranquilizers,

Oh, and lets not forget the barking dogs, the mooing cows, the bleating lambs and the low- flying top dresser airplane that does low level fly buys (sic) once a year. It is so low that for one day a year I have to wear clothes in my garden, and make love at midnight. A dreadful hardship.

The travails of living in the countryside and having to put up with the normal and expected noises of our very good neighbours earning a living are not difficult, especially when we are always told when the farm sounds will change. It gives us the opportunity to go away, but we don’t want to, we live in a working environment and it’s wonderful.

Congratulations on a great wheeze!

Richard Le Mare

Editor replies:

Richard, hi. You saw through the jape! Oh, making love at midnight should always be on the calendar – or sofa.