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Original poster

A plate has fallen down the back of the loo - how can I get it out?

464 replies

ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 17:26

And not just any plate - this is a plate painted by ME for dd's hair bands! I did it when she was painting a mug for dh- the man was so impressed he put it in the window. [preen]

It's annoying.

Now the cistern of the loo is built into a tongue and groove type wall affair, and can only be accessed from the top. The plate has fallen down, below the cistern, onto the floor below.

I can't reach it, nobody can reach it.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
LostProphet · 28/10/2008 19:42

ooh we'll have a horse down there in no time

IAteDavinaForDinner · 28/10/2008 19:42

I haven't got time to read the whole thread but I am assuming you haven't tried the obvious - dangling a (small) child by their ankles?

PsychoAxeMurdererMum · 28/10/2008 19:42

ok, two hours on a plate.

when will you admit defeat???

thornrose · 28/10/2008 19:42

Remember the old woman who swallowed a fly, this is the new version. She put down a bag to catch the plate, she put down a...

RustyDaviesBear · 28/10/2008 19:39

That's why I said tie some string to the handle first......

Have you actually got a wire coat hanger?(massively useful household object, btw, but sadly becoming rarer now most dry cleaners use plastic)

If you have, untwist it at the top & make a giant hook - you should at least be able to get the jute bag out.

LostProphet · 28/10/2008 19:39

DH doesn't mind about the obsession with someone's bobble plate (I have told him the situation).

He's just happy I was distracted enough to agree to cook cake

IllegallyBrunette · 28/10/2008 19:38

Oh this is so hilarous.

Ds has just asked why i am laughing at writing.

MatNanPlus · 28/10/2008 19:37

LOL snigger

snigger · 28/10/2008 19:37
PsychoAxeMurdererMum · 28/10/2008 19:36

if a jute bag is now stuck along with you plate, then the answer is......

a chain saw!!!

thornrose · 28/10/2008 19:34

Whoops, I believe the string bag was littlefish's idea...bit silly if you ask me!

LostProphet · 28/10/2008 19:34

pmsl @ the jute bag - at least the plate isn't going to die alone

LostProphet · 28/10/2008 19:33

How much reaching does a long bit of fabric need?

Covertmission - I love you

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 19:32

Update:

I couldn't wait for dh. Am impatient type.

So now my jute bag is squashed down inside this hole, next to the plate. And I can't get either of them out.

Dh has just appeared and looked in the top. He said the whole the jute bag episode was 'singularly unhelpful'

I don't think I'm going to get either of them back now.

OP posts:
Littlefish · 28/10/2008 19:32

Thornrose - we'll just sit here being smug when she finally uses some kind of net thing . The reason I thought the string bag might work is because it is very deep - deeper than a net, so the tremendously valuable, beautifully painted large plate would be safe inside it

ChubbyDick · 28/10/2008 19:31

Carefully remove skirting board, cut hole through wall and rescue plate. Re-attach skirting board so that hole does not show.

SmallShips · 28/10/2008 19:25

ROFL at this thread .

I'm afraid i have no idea how to rescue your hair bobble plate though.

pickledparsnips · 28/10/2008 19:25

1.bluetack on the end of a string...poked onto edge of plate by a long stick so you can pull it up slowly

2.pair of tights on a stick

3.sieve tied to a stick!!!! YES! think i've got something there!!

RustyDaviesBear · 28/10/2008 19:22

Tie a long bit of string to each handle of the jute bag - then you can keep the bag open by pulling on one string & use both to pull the bag up.

covertmission · 28/10/2008 19:21

I hope your dh is phoning for back up assistance or an aqualung or somesuch.

LostProphet, I have made your fabric hammock, and in it I rescued dd2's clay hedgehog (nesting), but only from an open safe area of flooring. I thought I would be tempting fate sticking it behind the loo.

PsychoAxeMurdererMum · 28/10/2008 19:21

can you lob a superglued bit of metal down there at the plate, and then fish a magnet down to it???

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 19:19

You are all VERY FUNNY PEOPLE.

I am half reading and laughing at everything, and half crying with unhappiness about the bobble plate and dh's trans-atlantic 'important call' fgs.

OP posts:
MarmadukeScarletbloodstains · 28/10/2008 19:19

Howabout...Call the local firebrigade and tell them a kitten has got stuck under your cistern.

When they arrive (let them actually get into the loo) say you were mistaken and it is actually a platter, but since you lovely lads are here how about getting it out anyway?

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 19:18

I can't do the fabric idea because I can't reach [wails]

I am waiting for dh. He is making a very long call. I think he might have gone out, he might have run away even?

I have found my WH Smiths jute bag, which I think is firm enough to stay open but squishy enough to fit down the side of the cistern. Then dh can use the broken beach spade to stick it in, fit the spade through the handles and drag up?

I just need dh.

[drums fingers]

OP posts:
BennyAndJoon · 28/10/2008 19:17

I have it!!

SInce it is a booble plate I am sure we could set up a benefit concert with suitable headlining act which would pay for the hire of the elephant or the training of the guinipig

voila

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