[Deb Mac]

Went much better than I expected. Based on the amount of rust on the nut, I pre-emptively gave it a couple of squirts with PB Blaster and a few gentle taps on the head. Let it sit while I ran the pink stuff through the pump and toilet, and drained the water heater.

Couldn't find the 1-1/16 socket (think I loaned it to my neighbour) so I tried my 1-1/8 (a bit big but I thought I would try a gentle torque). Came off very nicely. Some yellow teflon tape on there and judging by the ease at which it came off, I would say it has been out before. Might still be the original rod, but hasn't been sitting there for 15 years, which was my fear.

Not much of it left! Lots of goo and grit came with it. New anode and a rinsing wand are coming, so next week I'll clean the threads (looks like some of the original thread seal is still in there - Rectorseal? - or just hardened sediment), flush the inside and put it all back together.