I enjoy reading your solid advice every week and I really hope you have some words of wisdom for me on a subject that is causing me to tear my hair out.

I live in a cottage on the edge of a midlands town and enjoy the best of both worlds, with rolling hills surrounding my house, while a 20-minute walk brings me to all the amenities of urban living. I regularly remind myself how lucky I am with such an idyllic address but over recent months my peace has been shattered by a new neighbour.

The gentleman in question moved into the house next door and by all accounts seems to be a lovely man who lives alone and keeps himself to himself. Any interaction is rare, as he works strange hours, but on the odd occasion we are in our gardens at the same time, pleasantries are exchanged.

However, he insists on parking his truck, which is his livelihood, outside my home. This is a large lorry which is constantly bashing off the lower hanging branches of my mature trees. What vexes me most is he has more than enough space to park at the front of his own house, which does not have trees.

I need some advice on how to broach this delicate subject as I don’t want to appear to be a cranky neighbour. But I don’t want the trees which have stood for well over 100 years damaged either. I need him to respect my boundaries.

– A frustrated country dweller

Dear reader,

You do indeed seem to have the best of both worlds with your location. And yet, the inconvenience of having your neighbour’s transport spoiling your view is a valid grievance.

As is my regular refrain, communication is key to solving most of life’s troubles and this case is no different. You say in your letter that your neighbour doesn’t work regular hours. But presumably he doesn’t work seven days a week so there must be a time of the week where he is at home, where you could call over for a chat.

I would suggest taking the kinder approach in all of this and perhaps bring a sweet treat to show you come in peace. Over the course of a cuppa and a bun you could mention that your trees are your pride and joy and ask him would he mind not parking his truck close to them as you are concerned about potential damage.

If the conversation goes well and he is happy to cede to your request – the chances are he’s not even aware of the anguish he is causing with his inconsiderate parking – then the problem is solved.

If, however, your request falls on deaf ears and he continues to disrespect your neighbourly boundaries, you may have to resort to other measures.

You don’t mention in your letter if you have a car yourself, but if you or anyone in the family has one, I would not hesitate to park it outside your home, in such a way that parking a large truck anywhere near your property is impossible.

Do you have a problem you would like to share? If so, write in confidence to: Dear Miriam, Agony Aunt, Irish Country Living, Irish Farmers Journal, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12, or email miriam@farmersjournal.ie