Our kitchen sink tap (faucet for our American cousins – happy Independence day by the way) started dripping on Sunday – or at least we hadn’t noticed it before then – it got worse through Monday and became quite a flow by this morning.

I have never been one for plumbing so we called one out – £35 + VAT for each half hour and within 10 minutes he was telling me that he could not fix the problem without a part, which we could fit anyway. Brother Brian has always said it is easy with the new compression joints so time to learn – Since the tap was a bit ancient we decided to change it out.

I seem to have succeeded as we have a new tap and, so far, no leeks. – I am leaving it till tomorrow morning to put the dishwasher and cupboard back just to be sure.