
In April 2007, Denis and I rented a beautiful place just past the outskirts of the lovely village of Riseley in Bedfordshire, England. The location was ideally suited because it was close to several family members. For the week we were there, we drove along the High Street through the village at least twice each day, and I fell in love with the homes I could see. One day, I spent a good portion of one afternoon walking up one side and down the other of the High Street taking one photo after another and wearing out a set or two of camera batteries.
Of all the wonderful houses along Riseley's High Street, this one-- the "Orange House"-- spoke to me the most. I don't know anything of its history, but I thought you'd enjoy seeing more photos of the place. As always, all you have to do is click on each photo to view it full size, and I hope that you do, or you'll be missing tons of details.



The front of the Orange House shows you the different buildings and differing roof lines: brick, half-timbered, thatch, tile. Since a brick and tile works was in Riseley from the sixteenth century, I can't help but wonder if this place is made from local materials.

You can also see from this picture the lovely little stained glass window on the wall to the left. You can also see something else that just isn't common in the United States: when you live in a house that's truly old, none of the walls are straight and true. Time and gravity take their toll. The thatched cottage to the left has a wall that looks very bowed, and it's not a trick of light or angle. No matter how crooked, I never once had the feeling that this building would topple down.
Something that can't be seen in the photo above is the window to the left. You can see the merest hint of the windowsill just above the ivy, but that's it. In that window was an old blue glass bottle with a cork stopper and a very attentive black cat. I looked at the bench and the bird feeder outside. I looked at the blue bottle and the black cat.

Look at that beam separating the first and second floors (or ground floor from first floor... this having one foot in the USA and one in the UK can be tricky once in a while). Not the straightest thing you've ever seen, is it? And those old windows with the small leaded panes-- and how about my favorite? See that door that goes to nowhere? Come home from the pub a bit worse for wear, and it might be a tad dangerous to leave the lights off while flinging open a door and stepping outside!
I hope you agree with me that the Orange House is a fascinating collection of old, old buildings. I would certainly love to learn its history. It's right on the edge of town and with the back buildings looking so much like stabling, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was originally a coaching inn.
Now... you may still be wondering about something I said earlier. If I wanted to walk through that gate and knock on the door, why didn't I?
Because I suddenly began feeling very uneasy, and the hairs on the back of my neck began to stand up. I can't help it. When something tells me to walk away, I do.
Was the trip back to the Orange House worth it? Would you like to see my journey down the rest of Riseley High Street?
Cathy - Those are great 'photos - Thanks! And I like the story behind them, too. A really fascinating look around : ).
ReplyDeleteThank you for this marvelous story and trip to a wonderful house (with a slightly sinister tone)
ReplyDeleteActually I have just finished a story about an old house and a black cat. Could I borrow one of your photos for my post tomorrow? (with a proper link back here, of course).
Oh thanks for returning to the orange house. I loved the story. And you know, I believe in listening to your instincts. It was time to to leave and you did.
ReplyDeleteLovely....just lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt is my dream to visit a portion of the Cotwolds and I imagine seeing many of these kinds of houses along the way.
It would have been nice to hear the "true" history of the house, but I totally agree with following the leading of the inner voice.
This was fascinating! I'm really curious about the house now. I can understand your feelings though. Once, when we were house hunting, a house made me feel the same way. I barely walked in the front door and told the realtor I'd seen enough and that we had to leave. I think she thought I was odd, but there was no way I was going farther into that house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling us more about the orange house and for more pictures. It does look like the perfect setting for a mystery novel, doesn't it? Especially since it gave you a good case of the willies.
ReplyDeleteMargot-- I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteDorte-- Yes, of course you may! :)
Beth-- I don't know why I started feeling that way, but I wasn't going to fight it!
Molly-- I may learn more about the house yet. I've been Googling up a storm and slowly finding out bits and pieces about various houses in the village.
Kathy-- I wouldn't care if the realtor thought I was odd, and I imagine you didn't either!
Barbara-- Now that you mention it, it would make an excellent setting for a mystery!
It looks wonderful...looks like there are a lot of stories regarding that house.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photos and a great story! Now I want to go on a trip :)
ReplyDeleteCathy...I love that you posted the badge without the link; you go girl...LOL
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your story! Thanks for sharing it, feel free to tell more :-).
ReplyDeleteKris-- I'm going to Google around a bit to see if I can discover more of its history.
ReplyDeleteDorte-- You're welcome! I loved the story!
Leah-- Wouldn't it be great if we could all travel whenever and wherever we liked?
Diane-- ;)
Laura-- Thanks! Sometime in the near future, there will be another installment on Riseley.
I really liked this story and all the extra pictures. I know what you mean about some buildings. Some of them feel like they are trying to talk and tell all the secrets that have gone on in them. Nice and creepy sometimes but also other emotions.
ReplyDeleteMargot-- Yes! I've walked into houses that just make me smile and smile and smile. I can't help but think that there must've been many happy memories stored in that building!
ReplyDelete