|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
05 May 2004
In this age of huge out-of-town superstores, it's comforting that you can still find an old-fashioned hardware shop when you need one. Gill and Co.1—tucked away down a very narrow alleyway in Oxford—is just such a shop. You can go in and ask for a single two inch nail, and know that they will happily sell you one and solemnly wrap it up for you.
We managed to break the plastic doohickeys that fix the toilet seat to the pan, which resulted in an unpleasantly insecure seat. Call me fussy, but I like my toilet seats firmly anchored. I had no idea what those plastic things are officially called, but a brief explanation and and a lot of hand-waving in Gills and they said, "Certainly. Would you like black or white toilet lid fixings?" All is well again in the Bsag bathroom.
1 As featured in Inspector Morse, where—if I remember rightly—one of Oxford's many murderers worked. The real employees are lovely, though.
2
My uncle owns a little, old-fashioned independant hardware store, in a remote village in the middle of Lincolnshire.
3
You'd love the Stornoway Fisherman's Co-op and Lewis Crofter's shops.
4
Ooh, yes, the Fisherman's Co-Op sells an amazing range of stuff.
5
Is there a Liff word for "toilet lid fixings"?. Looking at the local map for suitable under-used village names, I'd suggest something like gribbles (a small village west of Honiton...)
by pete @ 07/05/2004 12:05 pm • Permalink •
6
Enlightenment is joy.
7
They are a valuable resource, that's for sure. The Fisherman's Co-Op and the Lewis Crofter's shop sound great—I'm sure I'd love them. There's a tiny shop in Dervaig, Mull that's a bit like that. They sell (amongst other things), Agatha Christie paperbacks, matches, Belgian chocolates, pens, firelighters and really good quality coffee beans. They even serve the coffee (made in an old percolator) in the shop, where you squeeze in next to an ancient and dribbly ginger cat. It's my favourite shop in the world.
1
Yeah, we had one of those until recently. A sort of Robert Dyas but where they knew exactly what you wanted from a hopelessly inept description. Damn place closed down last week. "Could I please speak to Mr Dyas himself?"----- Gills is fantastic - I'm really pleased to hear it's still going strong.
by Lyle @ 06/05/2004 7:05 am • Permalink •