Plug!

Katja ripped open the present from her dad, but on reading the box her face dropped. 'Why has he sent me a coffee machine? He knows we have one already. [Sigh]. Another thing for the loft"

Just before it was consigned to the undiscovered country from whose bourn no packing-case returns, we had a quick peak inside.

It wasn't a coffee machine after all! Rather, in amongst the European chocolate mountain, was the most useful of presents for a freezing Oxford winter in a thinly-walled house - a blow heater. Excitedly we put it to the test.

Not so fast! Being from Germany, it had the 'wrong' plug. After just a few hours of cupboard-rummaging an adaptor was found, and we tried again.

It worked! - for 5 seconds, until the fuse blew. Blow! After just a few hours of searching the local shops I found some 3 amp fuses, but they blew too. After just a few more hours I had returned with some 13 amp fuses, but they didn't fit. And then finally with a whole new plug.

After just a few more hours I had remembered how I passed my scouts plug-wiring badge. Here is me, hot and bothered. I'm happy - but I certainly don't need a heater any more.