If I had to choose just one of the appliances that makes my life so much easier than it was for people – usually women – of previous generations it would be the washing machine.
Doing the laundry is no longer the long and arduous task it used to be when it had to be done by hand or in earlier machines like the one my mother had when I was a child, with a wringer.
Modern machines are automatic, do the washing in a fraction of the time and leave the clothes dry enough not to drip.
When working properly they also do their work without wetting anything else but Mine developed a leak that left a puddle after every wash.
Neither my farmer nor I could work out the source of the leak.
We called a plumber who called in, checked the machine, said it wasn’t plumbing and recommended an appliance specialist.
We called him, he called in, checked the machine and said there was nothing wrong with it.
Next time I did the washing another large puddle appeared under the machine.
I mopped it up and re-summoned the specialist who came again and again said there was nothing wrong.
Next time I did the washing an even larger puddle appeared.
I mopped it up. It was too late to call anyone but later still I was getting something from the cupboard under the sink beside the washing machine when I noticed water in a vase and bucket.
That indicated the water was coming from a higher place. I looked up and noticed water dripping on the hose that connected the tap to the washing machine.
I called the plumber again. He called again, replaced the hose and solved the problem.
Today I’m grateful my washing machine is working as it should and not washing the clothes without washing the floor.
Posted by homepaddock 
