On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 12:02:56 +0000, Andy Hall
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 10:56:18 +0000, Owain
wrote:

Andy Hall wrote:
Went to nearby garden centre and packs of 5 bulbs were £3.99.
New set of lights was £2.99.

20 static white lights £1.99 in Woolies, and probably half price in January.

Owain

Yes, but the lights were needed now (well they weren't *needed* - I'm
not using any because I think they're all tacky).

Moreover, I would have to have parked in the town centre at a cost of
£1 in order to go to Woolies.

Bah, humbug!!! Bit of wire/tinfoil between the bulb/holder of the
faulty bulb will do it, saves a trip and gives a mere 5% overvoltage
to the other bulbs.

This is one place where a neon screwdriver would find the fault fairly
easily, though a decent torch should show up a broken filament.
Sticking an insulated screwdriver in the socket of the suspect bulb
will confirm it.

cheers,
Pete.