Breaking and Entering

Believe me - it was not as easy as it sounds! The next chapter of our attempts to get into our new house led us to put our trust in the local locksmith. Arrangement was made to meet Mr Locksmith at our house last Friday so that we can finally get into the house.

We arrived about 10 minutes before Richard (our supposed saviour) turns up. First he took a look at the front door lock, and shook his head, and told us that the lock is over 15 years old. He then tried to open the door with the key we used before, and no matter how many times he turned it - nothing happens. After fidgeting with it for a few minutes, he decided to do what any good handyman would do - he brought out his magic weapon - WD40. He sprayed the lock and tried again - without much joy either.

Martin then suggested that the best route to gain entry would be from the kitchen door, so we all scuttered over to the side of the house and Richard started investigating the prospect. After some contemplation, the decision was made to "tango" with the kitchen lock - and the drill came out! The humming of the drill calmed us whilst we stood in the freezing cold. After 15 minutes - the drill kept drilling and we got colder. This went on for over an hour and all Richard managed to do is make that lock spin 360 degree without the door budging. Before it got worse, he decided that it would be best to call his office, and eventually a second master locksmith turned up at our house.

Within 5 minutes, Nigel managed to get the door opened because of all Richard's hard work! Both of them then tried their skills on the front door from the inside of the house - which took them another 20 minutes just to get the door opened. It seems that we were really unlucky as the lock basically decided to "die". Anyhow, now we have two doors with no locks and hence the boys spent another hour just to put the new locks back on the door.

Finally, we are in the house and the locks are sorted!!!! Anyway, by this time we were really tired so decided to get some food (Chinese takeaway - recommendation from the previous owners) and it was the saltiest food I have ever had. Needless to say - we ain't going back there.

Time for bed and being a super-organiser I brought an airbed, duvet and cover, and pillows so that we could spend the night in our new house. We were so tired and so looking forward to a good night sleep, however, being "The Banana" that I am - I packed a single airbed. By this time, Martin was in fits of laughter. “No worries”, I said, “At least I brought a double duvet”. I pulled out the duvet cover and was about to put it on the duvet when we both started laughing as I have brought a single one instead. What an idiot! Live and learn, I guess.
After a long day, the house is finally ours! The start of a new live – me a homeowner! Now the painting and decorating starts! Might consider putting some pictures on the blog when we are done.

Till next time, good night and have a lovely January!

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way Home

Today's supposed to be the start of a new chapter of my life - finally getting my OWN home. We finally completed on the purchase of our new house, not without it's ups and downs during the whole of today - our mortgage provider decided that they are not talking to our solicitors as it seems that they were instructed that we have changed solicitors. We were supposed to complete by midday and with all the confusions, we eventually completed the purchase at 4pm today.

The story does not end here though. As I was working late, Mr B decided to pick up the key from the estate agents. I made him promise that he would not go into our new home without me. I finished work and picked him up from the train station, and he told me the story........ Being the Mr Sweet that he is, he wanted to surpise me and have instructed the estate agents to put a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of flowers for me to find when I get into the house since he is not allowed to be in it till we are together. The funny thing is - he was sitting at the estate agents' office for over an hour whilst they struggled to get into the house to put "The Surpirse" in place - the key would not work, and they were unable to get into the house!!!!

So when he was picked up, Mr B had the champagne and flowers with him and we decided that we should go to the new house to try out the key as I am very excited about our new home and wanted to see it. It took us over an hour to get there, and no matter how much I pushed and shoved, the door just would not budge. Sadly, we ended up driving all the way back without entering our new home! C'est la vie but I still think it is absolutely ridiculous that we were unable to step foot into our new house! :(

Oh well - will have to wait till Friday now before we have time to get the locksmith in to let us into our home. Until then, good night and thank goodness for all the great fun and enjoyment that life brings! Bon nuit! :)