Oh, I figure the spring was about half a km away, far enough that Ray wouldn't necessarily have stumbled on it himself, and Fraser was saving it til Ray really really needed it. Well, that, and it actually took him a while to realise that Ray really was sick of the tin tub, not just randomly bitchin.

Hey! If I had a hot spring 500 m away, I'd be in it every day! THIS IS ONE OF MY OLDEST FANTASIES you are writing here! And I want Ray to share it. With me! Yes! On a daily basis! Or more frequently! Helping me wash my, ahem, right yes.

Poor Ray, just another way in which Fraser fails to get it ;-)