Well Done! You found a bug (coding error on my part) preventing unlock door with key outside the mansion.
I've had to correct it and upload an update to my site that fixes that.
Please download and use the newer version which is now available
http://tab.thinbasic.com/sims.zip
(If you have a saved game position it *should* still work in the newer update)
Regarding the spade:
dig
dig ground with spade
or
dig with spade
when you are in this location:
A Woodland Path.
The path isn't easy to spot from the Topiary Garden, hidden by the overgrown hedge overlapping the wall. It's deathly quiet here under the trees.
Thanks for your interest in the game.
I don't have a walkthru but if you have trouble completing it I could send you the database entries if that helps, otherwise I'm happy to continue supplying help with the individual puzzles you may get stuck on.
catventure/Phil.