Yesterday evening the wind was picking up, so I closed up the two cold frames and the greenhouse — giving the door a firm tug. It wasn't until late morning that I realised I hadn't opened them again. When I turned the door handle and pushed, nothing happened. I turned, I pushed, I kicked, and the door didn't budge. Ken came out and we both, pushed, turned, kicked, and still nothing happened. An Alitex greenhouse is built to last, and we couldn't think how we could get inside without breaking down the door, several panes of glass, or both!

Before we did anything we'd regret, Ken sent an SOS to Mackie. When he arrived and inspected the door, he realised the problem was the lock mechanism (although the door has never been locked). He managed to remove two panes of glass from the outside, climb inside (being slimmer than either of us!), jimmy the door catch and pop it open. Finally, I was able to water the hundreds of parched bedding plants inside.