When it happened to me, Philip, I used Blutak on the end of a cane. No
problem, it worked first time. I also now have a spring-loaded jaws device
( a large version of the things for recovering nuts and bolts from the
hidden recesses of electronic devices). It is 60 cm long, so should just
reach the top of the 100 cm thermometer if need arises. They can be bought
from Maplin, I believe.

--
Bernard Burton
Wokingham, Berkshire, UK.

Satellite images at:
www.btinternet.com/~wokingham.weather/wwp.html



"Philip Eden" philipATweatherHYPHENukDOTcom wrote in message
...
Too pig-headed to ask advice, I spent the best part
of two hours struggling to recover my 100cm thermometer
after someone (else) had lawn-mowered the two cords
which I thought were sufficient to ensure its safety. (The
chain had long since gone).

Various attempts at lateral thinking later, I resorted
to a weighted line with a bent nail at the end acting as
a hook, and within 10 minutes was successful.

Was there an easier way?

(For anyone not familiar with earth thermometers, the
top of the instrument has a brass loop, so it doesn't
respond well to magnets ...)

Philip Eden