I donned the rubber gloves this morning, and scooped some more gritty crud out of the trap. Then I managed to lever the cast iron cover off the inspection hole - rodding didn't reveal any blockage apart from the one at the trap - so I chucked some buckets of water down to check it was flowing. I suspect the up-down of the water when the loo is flushed is merely down to it being one of these silly modern ones with a narrow neck.

The cat's been fired up with antibiotics. I still don't understand how he has the amount of flexibility in his neck to lick off his own fur behind his jaw line! At least the wound looks clean, although it's about half an inch long by a quarter wide. Because of where it is, there's a chance any pus might settle below the skin at the bottom. The vet reckoned that once the antibiotic kicked in, he'd probably leave it alone, and it would have chance to start and dry out.

I'm going to read my mail, get some lunch and then get to grips with dismantling Christmas.

And good news - after 2 months, they have taken my sale board away this morning!

Andrea