Christmas Tree Trials

We put up the main tree today. Unfortunately after I had added the string of 100 lights, I realised that 18 consecutive bulbs were not lit. This led to some Internet research, a check on the 18 bulbs, a long fruitless search for similar bulbs, and a risky 'solution'.  

In long strings of lights there are often separate circuits so that not all the bulbs go off if there is a fault.  So, in this particular part of the string there were two blown bulbs. As I couldn't replace them, I decided to bypass them by using a bit of copper wire in the bulbs.  

Definitely not an ideal solution, and it is likely that more bulbs will blow as the 16 remaining bulbs are taking the current meant for 18.  I think this explains why they were slightly brighter than the other 82 bulbs!