annsixty I think you should have shouted over the fence and asked him if he'd come and cut your lawns when he'd finished his own!
His wife and you could have watched, drunk more wine and commented on how well he was doing and point out to him which bits he'd missed 
Nearly a year on and not being able to speak to sister about our brothers passing


ah well, her kindness and support as a new mum living a long way from home, more than made up for it.