Monday 30 September 2013

Lumps or no Lumps, that is the Question …..

Some things are just NOT supposed to have lumps:-

                    Custard        Gravy        Cheese Sauce      and

ROPES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back in July, as we were passing through Preston Brook, the Skipper bought new ropes from a certain well-known chandlers.  Two months later and the Skipper is not a happy bunny because he has noticed that lumps/swellings are growing on said ropes.  So, as we passed through Braunston, the worst rope – the front one – was taken in to be exchanged.

It went something like this:-

John:  I bought these ropes two months ago and they’re growing lumps.

Shop Assistant:  Well, I’ve heard it all now.  Ropes growing lumps?

John:  Well you tell me what’s happening to them then.  These lumps weren’t there when I bought them.

Shop Assistant:  Ropes can’t grow lumps!  They’re polypropylene!  Plastic!

John:  Well I’m not happy with them  – I would like this one at least to be exchanged please.

Shop Assistant:  It’s a rope!  There’s nothing wrong with it.  It just got wet that’s all.

John:  It’s been on a boat!  Ropes on boats DO get wet!  That doesn’t mean they’re allowed to get lumpy.   I don’t want lumpy ropes.  It’s clearly a faulty batch and the manufacturers need to be informed.

Manager:   (Who had obviously been lurking in the shadows listening)  Do you speak Taiwanese? 

John:  Obviously not but one of your reps ought to be able to.

Manager:  Oh, just cut him a new length – we can sell this one.

John:  At a reduced price I hope.

Manager:  (SMIRK) 

Shop Assistant:  (returning with a new length of rope)  Are you happy with that, Sir?

John:  Yes thank you. I’ll be back with the others if they get any worse, that is, if they get any more lumps!!  Goodbye.

 

Now I have to ask, is this really how a major retail outlet should conduct business/treat its customers?  Whatever, BOATERS BEWARE!  If you go in to buy a 10m length of rope and you are offered a ready whipped and spliced one, CHECK IT FOR LUMPS!!!!!!

broken leg 037

5 comments:

  1. Jill, Matilda Rose30 September 2013 at 11:02

    How has Lola's op gone?

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    Replies
    1. Op went well, she's all pinned & bandaged, which is a lovely shade of lime green,......... darling. She's still a bit sedated, I fear the fun will start tomorrow, cage rest!!!!!!! That IS going to be a challenge, necessary, but 12 weeks????? We'll see how we get on.

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  2. Ooooooo ropes whipped! Whatever next?

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    Replies
    1. Behave, this site is open to everybody, they'll all want to join in.

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  3. Your Skipper is correct - ropes that develop lumps means that the fibers are not laying correctly in the rope and are bunching up in a way that will cause the rope to lose strength. In climbing ropes, it can happen if a rope is suddenly stressed over an edge. I'd figure that a rope used on a boat could have stresses like that, and perhaps develop lumps, but it's not good, especially in a 2 month old line!

    OK, getting caught up again!
    J.G.

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