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?

Marmarduke, how bloody tall are you that you can reach the bottom of a swimming pool without getting your hair wet? Blardy dd shouting I want mummy, you have a father you know.

He's making a phone call???

Who ya gonna call?

Plate Busters.....

Maybe not.....

SHIT I've got to go out now. I don't believe it. PLEASE will someone ring me and let me know whats happening

I'm on 0800 PLATEWATC_H

OK, I have it!

Duct tape a large baloon to a length of hose, using an implement (stick or similar) position baloon under plate.

Blow up baloon via hose until you can reach plate.

But MDSB tis a platter so would gently settle in a leg protecting it for the return up the cistern wall!

Might i suggest filling said void with packing panuts after this rescue is completed 100x

Littlefish, that's a home made net in effect, that's where my money is!

Oi marmaduke - I already had the baloon idea

It wasn't the deep end!

"The rumours of MN's death have been greatly exaggerated"

This is MN at its very best.....

Oh OK I was picturing a very very tall thin lady, actually pne who could probably fit down the side of a cistren.

Sorry BandJ, like the on call elephant though.

PLEASE just do my fabric idea. Or just tell me you have tried it

where has she gone, you dont think she is stuck do you.

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

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]

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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!!

ROFL at this thread .

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

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

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