In the summer months, when visitors prowl the streets with eager purses, there was an infrequent car boot sale on the rugby pitch across the road from our house. It wasn’t a Ming vase, lost Turner masterpiece type of event, more a broken toys and scary ornaments affair. Still, as it wasn’t far, we used to visit just in case. And in all fairness we did pick up a few treasures, books, plants and this clock. When I bought it, for the grand sum of 50p, I was indulged rather than encouraged by my OH. “But” I argued “I love its chrome space-age sleekness, it is a prime example of the art of design”. And furthermore, it didn’t matter a hoot when the man on the stall confessed it didn’t work. Home it came and for the several years it lived on the mantlepiece in our bedroom where I would admire it for its gleaming beauty.
When we were thinking about moving I had to make some decisions about my treasures. Things would have to leave my magpie nest. I glimpse the shining clock and decided that perhaps it would be a candidate for rehoming. Now Ebay and me are not good friends. Generally, I have paid more in fees than I have actually made in profit. I am not suited to commerce. But still I thought “if it is easy to repair I might make a few quid on it”.
In town there was, and probably still is, a proper watch and clock mender. A professional enthusiast; he had special glasses and eye pieces and teeny tools. I took the clock in for his appraisal, saying “This lovely clock doesn’t work, could you give me a price for fixing it, please?”. He said “you need to put a battery in it”. I said “battery”. He said “yes, to make it work”. I said “Oh”, feeling more than a little foolish. “You just turn these screws to take the back off and put a battery in here”. “I have been trying to wind it up with that screw” I was getting in deep now. In an attempt to gain lost ground, I smiled sweetly, thanked him for his time and hurried from the shop, clock in hand.
Of course, I kept the little battery operated clock because I love it, it is shiny and space-age and works very well now it has a battery. And because it makes me smile when I am reminded what an idiot I am.
Off The Edge Gardening 
Well done. Glad you got to keep it.
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Me too, it would have been something I would have regretted getting rid of and now has a perfect place to do its thing.
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You made me chuckle in sympathy. I’m glad your clock works now.
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Thank you and it is always good to have a chuckle. 🙂
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Oh, this did make me laugh! Sorry! But I agree that it is a lovely little clock. 🤣
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Pleased to make you laugh and even pleaseder that you like the clock. It now tells very good time in the new kitchen. 🙂
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Lovely story. Lovely clock. And I will forever treasure your last, truthful sentence.
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A gift for you John 😁
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Idiot?! Oh my! Too harsh! Much too harsh!
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Thanks Tony, I feel a little better now.
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?Oh, if I thought you needed to feel better, I would have sent a link to pictures such as these: https://tonytomeo.com/2019/06/29/six-on-saturday-rhody-in-pictures/
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That is absolutely fantastic, thank you!
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You are welcome, but Rhody did all the work, . . . or at least he allowed me take a few pictures of him.
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He is a star!
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Oh yes, and he knows it.
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Ha ha ha…..loony!!! For any of your other clock questions..remember Finn is now a full time watch mender extraordinaire! ❤️❤️❤️
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It cross my mind that it would have been doubly/trebly embarassing if I had sent it to Finn. I’m blushing just thinking about it. x
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I love the story and I would want to keep something I liked. All I can say is that was an excellent turn of events: you have a clock with great style that you liked and still like, and you did not have to pay **** to have it fixed. Just a battery, and probably a smile whenever you look at it.
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Thanks Sis, and the decision was made for me, whether to keep it or not. That helped me a great deal. x
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Having a good laugh here! Good story!
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Thanks Paddy, and perhaps shaking your head? 😀
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Shaking my head in recognition of having been there myself!
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🙂
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Good post, which had me smiling, and picture. Westclox Big Ben clocks go back over 100 years. I like this particular model, although I do prefer mechanical clocks. xx
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Thanks Mike. Yes, to be honest I like the mechanical ones best as well. This one is the exception to the rule. ‘Til next time anyway!
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Oh, you had me worried there – thank goodness for that lovely chap and the lack of eBay action in this post. (Although I would have been scurrying over to buy it had it been up for grabs!)
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LOL! Love the clock, love the story, and love this line: “In town there was, and probably still is, a proper watch and clock mender. A professional enthusiast; he had special glasses and eye pieces and teeny tools.” A great post.
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Thank you Lisa 😊
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