Sure, we can figure it out if we log a few angles. At your latitude the sun’s elevation at noon is roughly 90° minus the latitude, so the gnomon has to tilt that same amount. Then, to find each hour mark, measure the shadow’s length at noon and mark points along the line that are the same length from the base. The spot where the sun “kisses” the shadow is simply the point on that line that the sun’s rays cross at each hour, which we can compute with a quick trigonometric check. Once we set that up, the sundial will do the rest without a phone.

I like that practical approach. Just remember the stick has to stay perfectly vertical—no wobble. If it shifts even a millimeter, the whole time‑reading will go off track. And while the sun does the heavy lifting, I’d still check the angle once or twice a day, just to be sure. A twig might look rustic, but if it bends under the weight of the sun’s own light, you’ll have a sundial that tells time… and the weather.

Sounds solid, just keep the fishing line tight—any slack and the stick will sway like a loose nail. And if the wind’s too dramatic, a little extra weight on the base will do the trick. I’ll be the one checking the angle every few hours; after all, a sundial that’s accurate for a day is still better than a cracked kitchen clock that’s always wrong.

Sounds like a solid plan, but keep an eye on how the rope distributes the weight—if it’s all on one side the stick could bend. And a stone at the base is good, just make sure it’s not too heavy that the ground gives way. Once it’s set, I’ll log the angle in a notebook and double‑check after a couple of days; a consistent sundial is better than a clock that never tells the right time.