Tap dance

22nd March 2025

Yes we have been silent AGAIN… soz… but nevertheless things have been moving along and once again we have much to report. I’m sure you will remember from “Treasure” way back in October, the beautiful Earthworks sink that was surrounded by tiles crafted in the 1970’s and even then were outdated and ugly. It was topped off by a tap, too short for the sink, so bodged up onto layers of plywood balanced on an old piece of piping. The plywood had rotted and the tap was precarious to say the least. I’ll remind you … I recall calling it a car crash of design

So where do we start …. our fantastic plumber came up with a plan to remove the old tap and suggested patching the resulting hole, relocating and replacing the tap with something more suitable. “You need a vessel tap” so under strict instructions and all the measurements off we go. But before we do that I’m itching to start bashing off the old undersea ceramic creatures… hammer, chisel, a lot of enthusiasm and much less skill….. nevertheless it’s hugely satisfying and helped by bubble wrap and old towels I manage not to smash the sink.

Then off to the tap shop. Once again, we have the ‘limited choice makes decisions easier situation’ and we select a simple but stylish kitchen tap, suitable height and enough clearance… yippee. While we wait for the plumber I’m also making progress with removing the detritus we are going to have this treasure shining in no time. But oh no … the plumber arrives and promptly breaks the news … lovely tap …. but we have bought the wrong tap … to be fair it’s not a vessel tap but anyway it’s not going to work. Remarkably he likes the tap and buys it off us …. Result …. Back to the tap shop ….

Concentrating on only vessel taps … “please tell us which of these is in stock?” Seems a simple question, luckily our first choice was available and so we make a purchase. Then armed with receipt we head to the collection point … “This is in stock on the island but not in this store” argggh. Anyway we are on a deadline so arrange for it to be delivered for collection a few days later and we pootle off to our next destination… some glorious beach or lunch engagement.

Several days later … ample time for the tap to be delivered and our third visit to the tap shop … it’s a nice environment, air conditioning on full blast and surrounded by lovely taps ….could be worse. Said tap could not be found. “Hmmm I say … I hope you have not sold it to somebody else?” “Hmmm he says …me too” and we continue our tap dance as we try to find the tap, that we have paid for … eventually the server who helped us initially thinks it may be in the boot of his car … he clearly remembers going to collect it from the warehouse. Nope … not there… a few more phone calls and it’s found. It’s still in the warehouse … he picked it up, answered his phone, forgot about it and left it on the counter.

So redelivery rearranged and 4th visit to the tap shop complete, we have success. The tap dance over, we have learnt quite a few new steps. The plumber instals the tap and we have a treasure revived.