Monday - February 16, 2015

the washing machine

Got a ride from a friend into Southampton early today, the purpose of which was to buy a new washing machine.
Now you might think that should be a pretty straightforward sort of thing.  I had done quite a bit of research, studied the Brit version of Consumer Reports, which is called, Which?. 

There is new construction everywhere, and even here on our very own doorstep work has begun on the total rape destruction of part of our green belt. I refer to a place called Barton Farm, and invite you to Google same to see what is being ruined in the name of progress for this ancient cathedral city.  2000 plus new homes some of which of course will be low income.  This project is the kick in the balls compliments of the former leftist govt. to the perceived wealthy class who are supposed to all be living in this area.  OK, some wealthy do live here. Meanwhile, 9 more houses are planned for our small street where two houses now stand, and just up the road from us a family who have land and just happen to also be in the building trade, have cut down trees they would never have gotten permission for but did so over time and on the quiet, and the land is being planned to accommodate 45 new homes.  Some of which, by way of a bribe to the city, will be low income. 

So in addition to my fruitless search for the perfect washer, I now am on the lookout for a quiet and secluded cave with electric and pc hookup.

Anyway, traffic was touch and go and mostly stop til we got onto the freeway. 

Managed the roadworks and one ways and confusion of our destination city and got parking in the covered lot on the 2nd floor, went into the fabulous John Lewis store where we had to walk thru the lighting dept. on our way to my quest for a washing machine.  I can’t pass lamps and lights without stopping and looking, especially since two of our old ones could do with replacing.  Not that they aren’t still serviceable. I’m just tired of them and one just doesn’t look very well at all.  However ..... every damn bulb and every damn lampshade is rated for 60 watts. And no, I can’t use two floor lamps in the intended space but never mind.  It just pisses me off that the EU (may they all rot in hell) is responsible for this. But there’s more than that which has me glued to the ceiling.

When we got to the dept. that sells the washers, I couldn’t find one machine that had everything I wanted on one machine.
Sure, if I had the money and the room, I suppose I could have bought 10 washers and between them all I’d have everything, which actually doesn’t amount to a whole lot.  Why can’t all the doors on a washer open wide and flush to the machine?  Why can’t the damn locked door have an over ride so you do not have to wait a full 2 or more minutes before you can open it? Why on a 15 or 30 minute quick wash cycle, can’t you set the spin cycle past 800?  Why can’t the manufacturer let me think for myself?  I guess EU mandates, and for example.

Talking to a salesman I lamented the fact that I didn’t have the room for a top loader.
Oh, can’t sell top loaders to anyone but commercial buyers, as mandated by the EU recently, so I was informed by a Maytag outlet. They are larger and hold more water. Yeah .... that’s the idea damn it. 

Well I still don’t have a washer but am close to one choice.  There are actually machines rated well in almost every category except, a few that got panned because they do not rinse well.  Or wash well to begin with.  Gone are the days of trust in a certain make you’ve used successfully in the past and so try to go back to what you are familiar with that always worked. 

You watch ... I’ll bet before long even in the USA a top loader will only be available if you buy from private parties, because as I have read not too long ago, people in the current administration are advocating closer ties with the EU. And coincidentally, I heard more of that on the radio last night.

The expression “welcome to the club” has never had such an unwelcome taste.

Hang on, one more thing. 

The car park isn’t free but we couldn’t find the pay box or whatever they are called. You know, slip ticket in slot and it tells you what you need to pay, take ticked back after payment and then drive to exit and slip paid ticket into another slot and up goes the gate allowing you to pass.
Well, a notice informed us that the pay box was on the fourth and 8th floors.  God forbid they should have one on each level. But okay. Went up to the 4th floor, paid £6 which in American speak is, at today’s exchange rate, $9.21.

Got back in car and went to exit with paid ticket.

And the gate was wide open.  And stayed that way cos it was we discovered looking behind us, broken.

Just like my poor heart because I can’t get an old fashioned American washing machine.

-30-

Posted by peiper     on 02/16/2015 at 01:59 PM   
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