vandalism.

We had an awful spell of theft and vandalism a few years ago. The lowest point was when my son left his old mondeo parked in the road and someone kicked all the doors in for no reason at all. He was really upset and the car looked a wreck. Our community policewoman started going round the estate asking parents if they were sure they knew what their kids were getting up to and, although we were sceptical, it does seem to have worked and life is pretty peaceful at the moment.

Oh Hunt, how miserable for you, every reason to feel sad, no reason to feel useless. None of these things are things anyone can expect to be able to do anything about. As DH says 'sometimes s**t happens'. We all have times in our lives when all goes belly up. But it really is sad and miserable at the time.

So know comfort between friends on Gransnet. My comfort, when times are hard and there is nothing I can do; a warm living room, a cup of tea and curl up on the sofa with a favourite book or magazine, preferable, I think, to TV and a DVD and take your mind off what has happened.

It is so frustrating, this mindless vandalism when nothing is stolen - at least that makes some sense. I can understand your feelings.