Now condensed into today due to madam's Oz rellies and need to leave tomorrow morning about 8am, so we are nearly packed and I checked the tyres on the Eriba and the car, cleaned up the ball hitch, then wanted to top up (if necessary) the oil and the screen wash.

Clever idea of accessing the bonnet on the Ford CMax, but for the first time in 5 years I couldn't open in. I tried all sorts, pressures and angles of banging and heaving on the bonnet whilst fiddling with the key and gave up once, then tried again. Finally I got it open and it's a stupid plastic thingamy which no doubt has started to round it's edges. Looks like it could be a new one but bound to be costly, like changing light bulbs etc.

It's a common fault on the Ford focus, my brother had the same problem. It was a garage job to get it open
This may help

http://www.cmaxownersclub.com/forum/tech...e-failure-9126/

Thanks, the garage who does all my car work said it;s a usual problem and do what I did.