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

[ahundredtimes]

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?

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.

How much reaching does a long bit of fabric need?

Covertmission - I love you

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

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

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

a chain saw!!!

LOL snigger

Oh this is so hilarous.

Ds has just asked why i am laughing at writing.

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

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.

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...

ok, two hours on a plate.

when will you admit defeat???

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?

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

Psycho - NEVER!

Tried that Davina said child was vocal in protest!!

just a thought is all.

seeing as my idea's of chain saw, lobbing a superglued bit of metal down and then fishing with a magnet, and painting a whole new plate have been ignored.....

((anyway, you need to come and stroke me on my thread screaming about aunty today LP!!!))

Thornrose - my idea was a string bag - not a jute bag! I think that ahundredtimes has used one of those thick bags you can buy from Tescos at the checkout. I could have told her that that would never work . My string bag idea, however, remains untested, and is therefore, still possibly brilliant.

Ahundredtimes - are the handles pointing upwards on your jute bag? Can you now use a wire coat hanger to hook the bag out?

Do y'know, I opened this, read op and IMMEDIATELY checked OP's profile as I knew there would be a picture of the loo / plate combo, ha ha ha.

Oh apologies littlefish "our" net idea still stands a chance then

I have been more vocal and consistent with idea though

I would also like to point out that she hasn't tried my elephant idea

you'll retrieve the bag with a hoover no worries.

100x you must hold yourself back with the frenzied attempts or next thing we'll know you will be stuck down behind your loo, and dh will be lowering penguin bars down to you in jute bags.

It was me that sugested a bag first!

I said a PE bag - or something with a string for easy retrieval

Right, I'm putting this on "watch", I have been on here for hours without food or water or even a change of position! I am literally having to tear myself away.