Everyone likes having the house to themselves now and then, but is an entire village too much? A pensioner who has been the sole inhabitant of a luxurious gated retirement village for three years is finally rolling out the welcome mat for new neighbours.
When Les Harrington and his late wife first moved into the village, they looked forward to a busy social life, the UK Telegraph reported recently. However, as the financial market chilled and deals collapsed, the village was left a ghost town.
Since the death of his wife, Les has spent his days working on a novel, in the gym, the restaurant or strolling the carefully manicured gardens.
After three years of quiet, he jokingly welcomes the possibility of noisy neighbours with televisions and stereos blaring.
"I like to go outside and have a pipe of an evening and especially in the winter, it was quiet - it will be nice now to see a light and hear people," he told the Telegraph.