AND THE NEXT EPISODE IS........

My letter to Hoover re washing machine was acknowledged by email.

After thanking me for my letter a member of the Customer Correspondence Team expressed a willingness to send an engineer to inspect the appliance. He or she went on a bit about insurance, stating that their records showed we had a plan in place which expired in 2015. That’s news to us since Joe and I decided that after the initial twelve months guarantee we would not be taking out further insurance.

I replied, of course, in my usual semi-sarcastic vein, pointing out the misunderstanding. I repeated previously given information that an engineer came to inspect the machine in the first few days of ownership when he briefly explained the system and advised that if the machine again failed to remove water from the laundry we should 'take something out'.  I reminded them that my letter stated the whole thing to be totally unsatisfactory. 

Here’s an extract of part of the email which most of you will have read:

Whilst writing I will point out the latest catastrophe, as written on my blog:

You have to remember that the machine doesn't like odd numbers:

Two single duvet covers ... yes, I said TWO single duvet covers ... were washed but left in an exceedingly wet puddle of water at the bottom of the drum. Why? Because somehow the machine managed to insert one cover inside the other, thereby turning the load into ONE item. Now, I’ve never tried inserting one duvet cover inside the other but I can imagine how difficult it would be. My clever machine deserves some kind of medal and I know what sort of medal I would like to give it ... a heavy one at the end of a long handle commonly known as a hammer.

My reply to Hoover's email ended thus:

‘We have been buying washer/dryers for 40 years and have never experienced such problems as we do now. By all means arrange for an engineer to visit but if it is merely to repeat the advice given a year ago then we don't see the point. 

Yes, wish me luck, folks, although I don’t much care if Hoover take umbrage ... there’s always Electrolux. 

My Pet Hate

Regular readers will remember me rattling on about my new Hoover ‘Vision Dynamic’ washer/dryer and how it has a mind of its own – which doesn’t coincide with mine. At that time I wrote a letter to the manufacturers and was sure I’d blogged it until I did a post search and found nothing*. However, the original post can be seen here. Although there was an element of humour in the letter it did get across my dissatisfaction with the machine. I mentioned that I have to wash two of everything because the machine doesn’t like doing odd items and I also mentioned that this objection lasted for twelve long months. Yes, folks, I have been battling with the damn machine for just over a year so you can imagine my annoyance when reminded that insurance needs to be taken out. WHAT? ON A MACHINE THAT DOESN’T DO WHAT I WANT? A MACHINE THAT INSISTED ON DEFYING ME FOR A WHOLE YEAR? Sorry, Hoover, but NO WAY! Once this machine breaks down (please, God) out it goes. Hoover will never darken my doorstep again.

I didn’t post the letter at the time but now I have, just the other day after another major decision on the machine’s part not to drain water out of a wash that included one odd item (I really must learn to count). I should have waited for the next event before posting it. At the time of typing this rubbish report I experienced one MAJOR catastrophe in the washing stakes. Two single duvet covers ... yes, I said TWO single duvet covers ... were washed but left in an exceedingly wet puddle of water at the bottom of the drum. Why? Because somehow the machine managed to insert one cover inside the other, thereby turning the load into ONE item. Now, I’ve never tried inserting one duvet cover inside the other but I can imagine how difficult it would be. My clever machine deserves some kind of medal and I know what sort of medal I would like to give it ... a heavy one at the end of a long handle commonly known as a hammer.

The following is an extract from Curry’s (stockists of washing machines) internet site which describes the machine's technical genius

‘’Special functions include Kg mode, whereby an intelligent sensor weighs your laundry in the first four minutes of the cycle, adjusting cycle duration, water and electricity consumption to suit load capacity and perform more economically.’

It doesn’t tell us how much more electricity we have to use to put right what the machine did wrong. Since the weather precluded hanging out the sodden covers and there is nowhere within my home to enable drip-drying on such a large scale I was forced to dry the covers in the machine’s dryer which took much longer than normal. More expense, not to mention the physical and mental ordeal the whole operation took! On top of that the non-iron covers had to be ironed....

Rest assured that Hoover will know about this latest upset. Okay, now I’ve had my moan I’m off to find a hammer. Thanks for listening. 

* My 'Search this Blog' seems not to be working

Today's News

I’ve just dropped Joe off at the hospital Day Case Unit. We left home at 07.30 for an appointment at 08.00. The traffic wasn’t as bad as expected.... that’s because it waited for me to return home. Phew... I’d forgotten what chaos is caused on the roads by commuter and school traffic. Oh well, I have a few hours to recover. I say a few hours but it could be longer since I/we have no idea what Joe’s there for.

Tomorrow he has another nuclear medicine scan so that rules out a scan for today. There was talk of replacing the nephrostomy tube and a suggestion that they might even update the nephrostomy bag. It can’t be more serious than that because he goes in for a minor op on the 13^th to have a stent removed. This is the start of the investigation into what has always been thought of as the ‘good’ kidney. Hopefully the nuclear scan will clear up the mystery. One thing is certain, until the puzzle is solved Joe can’t undergo any proper treatment. However, bless him, he is still remarkably cheerful. I had hoped that treatment would have started before now but I can see Christmas looming so maybe it will all happen in the New Year.

So I’m looking round the house and wondering what to do with myself until I have to collect Joe at the hospital. All the housework is done, breakfast things cleared away, and beds made. Isn’t it strange how a change in routine affects our movements? I suppose I could knuckle down and finish the story I started to write several weeks ago, but somehow my heart isn’t in it.

By the way, talking of stories... I have another two orders for the cat and dog books. I am so thrilled that they’re proving popular. The way it’s going I can see another reprint on the way. 

That's it for today, how about if I put a few pictures on this post as a means of tailing off... then perhaps I can devote my time to doing... nothing.   

An unusual shot of the television

Loitering with intent!

Reflected Glory

Last Night's Sky!

New things

What's that picture, I hear you ask. Don't laugh ... it's my knee. Since buying the jeans I’ve gone mad and bought more. Yes, I’m now the proud possessor of a pair of leopard print and a pair of faded blue. And LOVING them. Actually the print jeans are brown but my camera doesn't seem to like taking shots of brown. I didn't want to bore anyone with a shot of the faded blue! 

Not to be outdone I followed stepdaughter’s advice and bought casual shoes, two pair of Skechers, no less. It’s the first time I’ve been able to walk without suffering from sore toes. Suddenly I am uplifted to the status of sporty granny and feeling rejuvenated. 

And just look at the new slippers. 

Aren't they colourful? As for comfort, they're brilliant. I can't remember how many years it's been since I wore proper slippers. I’ve had to exist in Spanish sandals because ordinary slippers hurt my toes. No longer, though, not since discovering Shuropady, an in-store franchise providing chiropody and podiatry treatments, foot care and footwear. I saw these slippers and was hooked. 

Now what else can I do to stay young!!