"I want to tell you a story..", like I said earlier, those that can will always be expected to do so! Many years ago I had a guy move in next door, nice enough bloke, but useless, so that within a short while he was forever knocking my door for assistance, usually with his car. Well, enough being enough, one rainy day he appeared with a tale of woe regarding his front brakes, the pads of which he was attempting to change, with little in the way of tools, and even less in the way of ability and knowledge. Anyway, I went round and gave it a "lookin' 'at", then I said, "Bob, I'll fix your brakes, but whilst doing so, you go and make a start on digging over my veg. patch, which is something you can do, and something I was about to commence", well, he looked at first astounded,then asked if I was joking,to which I replied that it seemed an equitable division of labour to me, so he then declined! at which point so did I, and retired homeward! prob. solved, no more requests to extract one lazy, useless, neighbour from his periodic troubles. He moved a short while later...................

yes part of that story sounds all to familiar, and so will the later part from now on as im taking a leaf from your book morrag,plus theres always plenty needs doing at my place. refering to your story, you could get a gardener for £10 per hour, whats the cost of changing front brakes at a proffesional establishment £50+ its not like you asked him for 5hrs digging.... money wise he was still on a winner.