Ding, dong…. who's at the door?!

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I don't open the front door in Houston unless I am expecting someone, know its the mailman or UPS.  Don't ask, don't judge, just one of my MANY quirks!  I even have a "no soliciting" sign right by the door bell, and get very annoyed when some people can't read.  I decided I might have to change this policy here at Humber Lodge.

This is the "inside" door

This is the door to outside

These are the keys for both doors

I know this sounds like it's going nowhere but I really wish I could explain how hard it was to learn to get these doors unlocked.  There are 5 locks, 2 on the first door, 3 on the second door.  I wish I could explain the level of frustration, when the doorbell rings, and I couldn't get the doors unlocked.  And all the while, someone is standing outside, watching.

The first time it rang, it was the mailman.  I was able to get the first door open but finally, after failing to get the second one, told him "just leave it on the step, I'll come around from the side door."  His response "well, at least you're secure in there."  The little fella has a wicked sense of humor and I still laugh when I think about his reaction.

Amazon UK as become quite a friend to me so I decided I better become an expert at opening the door and am happy to report that yes I am now.  Also figured that it would be a lot easier to unlock 4 of the locks when I get up in the morning.

Another time, it was a woman and man, wanting to give me a pamphlet on "is there life after death?"  I was really wishing I had brought my "no soliciting" sign with me but realized it would do no good, since a solicitor has a whole different meaning (lawyer).

One dark night last week, the doorbell rang again.  I NEVER open the door at night so fortunately Larry went after it.  Felt vindicated when he couldn't get any of the doors open!!  He ran around to the side door to find a policeman who was looking for Ruth someone.  They had found an abandoned car in a parking garage in a city across the river and the car's registration listed Humber Lodge.  Larry said he was very friendly and obviously could tell we aren't from around here.  I wonder what's happened to Ruth!

And lastly, I'd love to thank the woman who brought flowers to welcome us to the village.  I never did get her name but somehow she knew that I'm not keen on driving here.  She also wanted to invite us to the church on Saturday night for a fundraiser as the church is in need of a new furnace.

How did I end up in South Ferriby, Barton-Upon-Humber, United Kingdom!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be living in England at this point in my life!  But I shouldn't be surprised really, here's how I got here, married to a man who works for an oil company!
We started in Billings, MT in 1981, moved to Eagle River, Alaska in 1985, Lake Charles, LA in 1986, back to Billings in 1988, St. Clairsville, OH in 1990, Houston, TX in 1995, Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela in 1998, back to Houston in 2002, Glen Mills, PA in 2005, and finally to Houston, TX in 2010, where I THOUGHT we would stay and retire.  I was SOOO happy, all my kids were in one city, which hadn't happened in about 10 years.  Loved my house and neighborhood and got my first grandchild, Miss Olivia.  I REALLY do love Houston but when Larry called me one day with a chance to move to England, through the tears I agreed we should make the move.  I love to travel and what an opportunity to see parts of the world that I haven't seen yet and the best part is that my kids get to come visit!

This is the house that we are renting, Humber Lodge, in the tiny village of South Ferriby (the houses here have names, very rare to have a house number for your address).  I don't have any information on the history of the house yet but plan to do some research.  I do know it was around in the 1920's as Richard the plumber (whose father was the village blacksmith) used to come here as a child. I hear there may be around 600 residents and it is a very quaint village on the Humber River estuary.  

   

A small section of the gardens

The "retreat" 

On the right side of the "retreat" is a 2 car garage.  On the left is a large room, perfect for a gym and upstairs is a bedroom and another open room.  It also has a full bath and sauna.

A new kitchen and master suite were added at some point so for all the quirks of an old house, we do have all the modern conveniences that we need.  Here is my Downton Abbey feature, my very own servant call system!!  Every room has a buzzer and when one is pushed, it rings on this box, showing which room is calling!  I will discourage Larry from using this for sure!