I learnt a thing or two about VHS tapes

To get a seized up VHS tape unseized is tricky but how about if the tape is also sticky and nearly 20 years old? I had tried to get this tape playing about 15 years ago and it didn't work then. However, coming across the tape during a clearout today, I thought 'What have I got to lose?' and took out the 5 securing screws and lifted the 2 spool assembly off its sprockets. Then laboriously, I rewound the whole tape by hand, avoiding touching the oxide film or twisting it. Then I put the carefully reassembled tape together and then baked it in the oven on gas mark 4 for 5 minutes with the door ajar. Then I wound and rewound the tape twice (important) and with bated breath, pressed 'Play' on the video recorder ... for a couple of minutes nothing happened as the auto tracking tried to figure out this ancient tape. Then a flicker of colour and then BINGO! it played. Just reward for my three and a half hours of toil. And at least four of you liked it: Beep Beep, Little Horace, Nick and Emily. The rest of you, unlucky!