Am I nosy? Or just shameless?!

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I'm pretty shameless when it comes to sneaking a look through windows of houses, especially those windows where the curtains haven't yet been drawn at night, and the light is on in the room, illuminating the entire contents. My shameful theory is that if the occupants didn't want strangers looking into their house, they would draw their curtains wouldn't they?............ Wouldn't they?!!!!! I reckon I've inherited this appalling nosiness from my Mum, who, when we were children, and even now, used to cause us to gasp with shock, as she blithely went into a half built house, on an accessible building site, to "just have a quick look". And "no one will know". A trip to Robin Hood's Bay, in North Yorkshire, would test the self control of the most "I never look in the windows of people's houses, it's rude", person.............. Just walking through the tiny 'streets', too small to allow access to cars, is like walking through the residents front gardens. The line between public and private is impossible to fathom. I have to admit, my levels of nosiness were tested in Robin Hood's Bay. Where was it alright to look? In the process of all the exciting exploration of the maze of lanes, we'd suddenly come onto what seemed to be someone's back garden, which felt a bit embarrassing. We visited Robin Hoods Bay when we were last in North Yorkshire, but I don't remember having these feelings on our first visit. I can only guess that we were so caught up in the excitement of the exploration, our awareness of the resident's privacy was a little numbed. Imagine if the owner of this front door had suddenly opened it, to find me taking a photograph! How mortifying would that have been! Or the occupant of this house had pushed aside these net curtains........... Red faces all round. Robin Hoods Bay is very much geared to tourists, so I imagine the residents are used to strangers ogling their homes. Still, I imagine they don't particularly enjoy it. Once we had had our fill of exploring, we went to a cafe for a fizzy drink, and a sit down. Hugo and I could not help hearing the loud conversation the two ladies were having at the next table. It was mainly about re-grouting tiles in their kitchens, so I drifted off, but Hugo later repeated something the quiet gentleman sitting with the ladies said, which I had not heard, that made me laugh ........... "I give you the Earth, you ask for the Moon". Apparently he'd said it very quietly...............

Comments

[Karen]

I love to collect cards of lovely houses and interiors. I have a big box of them with my favourites pinned on a board in our kitchen. I love Robin Hoods Bay too. My husband had to study the geology of the area as part of his university degree. I am really enjoying your photos. I can stay in the warm down here in Sussex and still be in North Yorkshire! Karenx

[Julie]

Ohh no, nothing wrong with that at all. Definitely love nosing in the windows. I remember when I was little going to visit my nan in London each year before Christmas and nosing in all the windows at all the families and their christmas decorations - it was magical, and something I looked forward to every year. After all, as you say, if people don't want others looking in, that's what curtains are for!

[Cath]

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars...."
I too am guilty of peeking in windows. However, we now live in a very grand looking Victorian house, and I grow very tired of finding the summer tourists standing out front discussing our home! Payback I guess!

[Marisa]

NO VANESSA WE ARE JUST BEEN OBSERVANT ABOUT OUR SURROUNDINGS, PLUS REALLY CAREING ABOUT PEOPLES CREATIVE TOUCH IN "THEIR HOMES" - DOES THAT SOUND TRUTHFULL OR JUST A DARN RIGHT LIE, OKAY, OKAY HAND UP I ADMIT IT'S JUST BEEN NOSEY, BUT I AGREE WITH YOU IF THE LIGHTS ON AND THE CURTAINS AREN'T CLOSED WHAT ARE YOU MEANT TO DO LOOK THE OTHER WAY, NOT ON YOUR NELLIE!

[Frogdancer]

Years ago a house was being built over the road from us and after dinner my son and I went over to have a sticky beak. We were around the back when we heard a car pull into the driveway.

Caught!

Actually, they ended up being very good friends...

[cathleen]

I like to do this too, Vanessa! The photo with the blue window and lacy curtains is so adorable. I see a light on in there...wish I could peek in right now!

[Cat]

I'm so guilty of doing that. I just can't help it - Mr M gets very cross when we go out for walks - tee hee.

[Bertie Meadows]

Hello Vanessa, I am very nosey, but I have been on the receiving end too. I used to live in the village where they filmed Emmerdale. Once two old dears actually stepped into my home as the front door was slightly ajar. I mean, you wouldn't, would you - maybe?!
Bertie x

[driftwood]

I know just what you mean about Robin Hoods Bay, it's just the same in Staithes further up the coast, the boundaries between public and private are blurred..

love the quote from the gentleman xx

[Pipany]

Oh I think I might have to pinch that saying and pin it on my workboard! So lovely.
Peering in houses is a necssity for me too Vanessa and I admit to crashing nosiness when it comes to this! At least I am not the only one it seems. Robin Hood's Bay looks very like Mousehole here in Cornwall or any of our little fishing villages really. Just perfect for poking around in. Have a lovely weekend Vanessa (I have a feeling mine will be spent in frustration as I am sewing up that darn cardigan for Isabella and I am really not good at it. Any tips most welcome!) xx

[charlie]

When I lived in England I used to enjoy evening train rides, wherer you could get glimpses of lit sitting rooms and bedrooms as the train went past.
Nowadays, I live in a place thats like living in a fishbowl. We actually tested how much people could see in with the lights on or off!

[graceful mice and gentle moons]

hello :o)
Thankyou for your lovely comment on my blog today. I am so glad to managed to outwit the technical glitch. I am going to try and get a knitted vase tutorial up by the end of the week, can't wait to get started! unfortunatly have a mountain of neglected domestic chores that I need to (otherwise there will be an avalanche situation) wave my wand at first
xx
lots of love
xx
still loving and smiling at my painting everyday
xx
Sumea

[jen]

YES! If people have their curtains open and their lights on, they're asking you to look! And people like us are looking for interiors not anything lacivious, right? Same goes for listening in--if they're talking loudly, they want you to listen.

[Jennie]

I love Robin hoods bay, and I am also a shameless peeper into peoples lovely lit houses if they don't have their curtains closed.