I'm old school, not through choice mind, but never leave it for a week unless your forced tointeresting.
i spose it can't be that much of a problem if he (neighbour) has been doing it for so long...he certainly seems a perectionist.
perhaps he is a bit old school...is that how they used to do it in the past maybe before more modern materials?
Couple of handfuls of cement and you have to go like the clappers lol