Working with your hands

Today I put up two shelves in the kitchen. Our kitchen cabinets, which are more than 30 years old could really do with extra shelves, but where could I get them from? The manufacturers have gone out of business and measurements have changed from inches to centimeters. In the end it was surprisingly easy. I was able to buy lengths of Contiboard from B & Q which were near enough the same depth and width and a kind man serving there cut them to the right length. B & Q also sold plastic shelf supports that were slightly too large for the existing holes, but a bit of jiggling in the holes with my electric drill made the fit fine. The whole job was accomplished in 20 minutes.

At the same time we have a problem with a tea stain on my daughter's bedroom carpet. The internet tells me that Borax is the answer. But where to obtain Borax? Believe it or not there is a discussion on the Web on just that very subject. There are several sources available by mail order, but unless you want a ton of the stuff, the most economical is Boots the Chemist. You might expect that you might buy chemicals at a chemist, but, alas, Boots mostly retails wierd herbal remedies and beauty items.

However, Borax is available at Boots. Finding it on the shelves is a challenge, but if you go to the nappy area, it's not far away. There it is, next to allergy-free soapflakes, and only £2.19 for 750g.

At the time of the Apostle Paul, even the most intellectual of Jews had to learn a trade. He had to be able to use his hands. Paul was a tentmaker, Jesus a builder, Peter a fisherman.

I am a shelf putter-upper and carpet cleaner. Also a polisher of brass locks.