Eek!

Today is the day to put my windows in their winter configuration, and I needed to go outside to shut the living-room window properly, so I went to unlock the front door, and I couldn't! First it resisted, then the key wouldn't turn at all. I went the long way round via the back lane, but couldn't get it unlocked from the outside either. (It's a barrel lock; the same keys work [when they work] on both sides, but I guess there's two copies of the mechanism.)

I phoned a friend, who came round with some WD40, and meanwhile I managed to wrestle it open. My hands ache. The WD40 didn't fix it; the key turns without turning the lock over as often as not. Now I don't dare re-lock it in case I can't shift it again.

The odd-job guy is coming round tomorrow to measure it up for a new lock. Meanwhile, I'm not locked in, but I hope I don't need to leave the house!