I think I've made a big mistake...

It's often the apparent little things that tip one over into crying mode ?. Have a good cry, marmight, or at least a virtual one on here, and rant away. That neighbour does sound a bit self-centred to say the least. Perhaps your DD will come up with an idea... Meanwhile, deep breaths while you deal with the stress of the move away from your old life into a whole new setup.

I don't know what to suggest but he sounds like an old curmudgeon.
Has he said anything or is he just quietly being awkward?
Why would he peg the verge into squares?

Have you approached him with a cheery 'good morning, nice day/bit wet for gardening' or 'the refuse collectors are coming today, hope they don't bump your car as it is parked on the skew '

We are responsible for the council's strip on the front of our garden, but quite honestly, I don't think they have ever been to inspect it in all the time we have lived here.

Does he have a wife/partner? Can you introduce yourself to her/him?
Most people in villages are friendly and welcoming but it only takes one old fuss-pot to upset the applecart.

I hope you will sort this out and enjoy living there Marmight - there seems to be more in the way of social activities in villages than there is in towns!

Have a cry - really, you will feel better.

Losing a spouse, then moving house, then having to make a new life in a new place - wow! Such a lot all at once. I want to cry just thinking about it!

You have only been there 2 weeks but have already started to make contacts in the locality, which is amazing.

When this sort of neighbour problem happens it can really get under your skin and balanced thinking flies out of the window! Hold back and see how things pan out - hard I know but the way to go.

Lots of good luck in this new venture in your life. Give it time - enjoy your family.

Oh dear he sounds a bit like a Tom cat marking his territory!

Grit your teeth, Marmight. Focus on your new life and don't let him get to you. You're bound to miss your old life. Give yourself time to adjust and have an imaginary thought bubble above your head where you can park comments like, MISERABLE OLD GIT! whilst smiling serenely. Best of luck in your new life.

He sounds like a delightful neighbour!
Why don’t you find a few people with big cars to visit you and go and bang on his door and ask him to move slightly as you are worried your visitors may knock his car. Do it really nicely, really concerned for his vehicle. He may get fed up of being disturbed.

Oh marmight I'm so sorry youve got such an unhelpful neighbour while being so impressed that you have been to local events already, you must be super organised as well as brave. I think I'm with merlot here, rise above it and give yourself time to adjust. He will soon get tired of his antics. If there is a Mrs next door then making her acquaintance might help, you could well find she is as fed up with him as you are. Slowly and gently, you'll get there and of course you feel as if you want to run 'home' I still have days like that after four years, they do pass though as will your feelings. There sounds to be so much thats positive about your new location, wishing you well for the future.

Look on the positives:
You are nearer to your DD and family
You have a nice new home to furnish with love and care
You are living in a friendly and welcoming village (he is just one Grumpy Old Man, probably very sad without any friends)
The weather is warmer down here (although it was very wet on and off today!!)
There are lots of lovely places to explore
You have a trip to look forward to, then spring will be here (perhaps he was planting daffodils in the council's strip - something to look forward to )
etc etc

Marmight you’ve been through so much stress in recent times it’s hardly any wonder this has brought you to the verge of tears. Give in to it and have a cry, you probably need it, then get on with planning your trip away.

He sounds like a right misery! Treat him to your nicest smile every time you see him, maybe it’ll rub off.

Marmight What baubles says makes a lot of sense. I'm sending you a virtual hug. x

Marmight it might be worth contacting your solicitor to try and find out how he behaved with the previous owners.

If he had caused them problems and possibly that is why they moved then they are legally required to say so and you probably wouldn't have bought the house and think you could then void the deal.

Did you meet the people you bought the house from? Do you have contact details? A little chat with them may help - they'll know the history, they could have developed a way of dealing with him - and off-loading to someone who knows what he's like could be therapeutic.
Are there other neighbours who could help or advise? I think it's better to get it sorted when you've just moved in rather than leaving it to fester.
Think of him as a sad old man who has nothing better in his life than petty territorial claims.
Good luck with it all.

Monica - crossed posts - we seem to have a similar idea.

Marmight, so sorry you are feeling badly down with this last straw after so much to cope with. They can’t really help but sending virtual and (wine) anyway.

There was an article in the paper the other week. A couple were making it difficult for their new neighbour to access their house across a shared right of way.
The obstructors were fined a huge amount and had to pay court costs too.
Not that you want it to get that far.

Dear Marmight, you haven't made a mistake. Your house is lovely and you can stand up to this man. <bicep curl>
I'm not sure I have quite grasped the parking arrangements, but what I would do is each time his car is in the way, ring his bell and in your most pleasant voice, ask him to move his car since he is in the way. On no account allow your annoyance to show.
Do this every time he blocks your way. Hopefully he will get tired of it and park where he should do.
Just to be on the safe side, document each encounter.
You may have to resort to consulting your solicitor, but hopefully you won't. Presumably the access arrangements were clear when you bought the house, if not your solicitor is at fault.

Thanks everyone. The slightest thing these days sets me off and into a tizzy! Battling BT for weeks, no tv as I can't find all the plugs, leads and handsets..bloomin' removers and now this. The previous owners are still around and they, and neighbours each side, are thick as thieves. I've met them all a few times, all a bit older than me and I am sweetness itself! My lawyer who I never met did the business with as little communication as possible took the money and ran so
not inclined to ask her for help unless things get really unbearable. I'll just have to sit it out and hope that on my return from Oz he has metamorphosed from the Beast into Prince Charming but not holding my breath.! Today I needed to read the elec meter but there's no key to open the outside box. The vendor took it with him for his (brand) new house.
Why?! . All little things but combined to making my life difficult.
However there are many less happy folk around this week than I so it does help put everything into perspective .

You are bound to be feeling stressed with all that has happened to you and settling into a new home is always difficult even when things go smoothly.
BT seem to have lost the plot according to anyone I have spoken to who has had dealings with them.
Do you have a local electrical/tv shop who could send out someone to set up your tv etc? It could cost a bit but would be worth it, dealing with all those leads and plugs and finding you just get a fuzz or something won't record is stressful in itself.

Do you have the phone number for the previous owner - if he is still in the district perhaps you could phone him and ask him if he took the meter key with him by mistake?

Perhaps, when you are a bit more organised, you could invite the neighbours, plus a couple of other nice people you have met and your DD for moral support, to come round for a pre-Christmas drink and mince pie, smiling happily through gritted teeth.
At least you will have made an overture.