Went into town yesterday to carry out a few errands. I avoid going into Colchester at the weekends as it is horrendous but early in the week it is ok. Booked appointment to have eyes tested and new sunglasses for Oz, left it a bit late but time has flown so quickly I nearly forgot to do it. Arranged with Thomas Cook to apply for a pre-loaded card to take with me so won't need cash all the time and, once again, checked out the shops for T-shirts and a few other odds and ends. Gave up.
One thing I did accomplish and that was to take my mother's pearls into a jeweller and left them to be cleaned, restrung and a new clasp. Going to cost but it will be worth it - this string is over 50 years old and is beautiful and I am looking foward to wearing them myself. I also took with me a travelling clock which I wanted repaired. This was given to me many moons ago by somebody very dear to me and accompanied me on my first trip to Australia and many other trips since. However, several years ago it stopped working, seemed to have got jammed and there it sat in my dressing table drawer - could not bring myself to throw it out so showed it to the jeweller who said they did not repair clocks any more but gave me the name of a shop in Trinity Street who did.
Off I went. First of all, I got the 'oooh-not-sure-about-this' while whistling through teeth reaction, shaking head at same time and pursing of lips. 'Terribly busy at the moment but I might be able to fit it in'. Well that would be great says I, how much will it cost do you think? 'Well, something as old as this, it's tricky you know.....reckon about £75'.
I leave you to guess my reaction. Just imagine me ricocheting off the ceiling, shrieking at the top of my voice YOU MUST BE JOKING and steam coming out of my ears and you would be pretty close to the mark. Picked up clock and swep out crashing door behind me.
Sitting here tonight watching NCIS, a mindlessly fun prog which I love and my eye fell upon the sad looking clock on the shelf. In the ad break (first of many) I got up and gathered together my baby screwdriver (out of a Christmas cracker some years ago and incredibly useful), baby buds, olive oil and duster. Spent half an hour unlatching timepiece from its case, undoing minute screws on back of clock and removing casing. Blew dust away and then cleaned with a baby bud dipped in olive oil. The winder had felt tight so I made sure that was well oiled and clean when suddenly it gave a whirring sound, whizzed backwards and I felt it loosen. I then put the back on, screws in, set it up and wound it. It started straight away and is still ticking merrily as I speak. If it is still going in the morning then I know I have cracked it.
Total cost: three baby buds, one teaspoonful olive oil, piece of kitchen roll to catch oil = £1.00
Do you ever feel that you are being ripped off? I felt it the other day and next time I pass by I am going to go in and tell them how I repaired my clock and then sweep out again. Fingers crossed it is ok and if it is then it will be coming with me to Australia again.
I know that the person who gave me this clock will read this post and will be as delighted as I that once more his gift is travelling to the other side of the world.
And on that note, I am off to bed.
