It was Tuesday morning. I had just dropped Dearest Hubby off at work and instead of heading home to have breakfast, start the washing and get going on our day, we were heading to Woodmead Makro. If you were wondering why we were facing morning traffic and getting breakfast from a petrol station, well, according to the internet, there was one 2.5 KVA generator left there, and we had better get moving before the rest of load shedding Joburg headed there first. That’s if the (power failure = non existent) robots did not stop us first.
So off went Nicky and I. When we got there it was to discover that they only had 950 watt generators left. After complaining that this was not what was listed on their internet site, I got a few people to look around until eventually they produced a 2.5 KVA generator. I was cautioned that the voltage may not be stable and to get a few surge protector multi plugs, which I did. It was a different make to what DH had originally wanted, but hey, it was the last one in the shop, so off I went, armed with multiplugs, extension chords, some oil and a jerry can. The things we have to do to survive this power crisis.
I got home and attempted to start the laundry. The washing machine decided that it did not want to insert any water but continued to go round and round. I phoned my trusty repair guys from over the road. They know us so well as that washing machine always seems to be giving us some kind of problems. It turned out the wiring was faulty.
In the meantime DH and I had practically been on the phone to each other all day about the generator and he had investigated the model I had got and found that it was not what he wanted. It did not have Automatic Voltage Regulation (hence the power surge multi plugs). So we had to take it back.
Nicky, who had refused to go and have a lunch time nap, was put in the car and off we went to Woodmead. Again. (We live on the other side of Johannesburg and would normally go to a closer Makro.)
Of course he fell asleep. When I got to Makro I got a car guard to push the generator all the way to returns while Nicky slept on my shoulder. He woke up when I put him back in the car. I gave him a milkshake to keep him going on the long, hot trip back. At least the task was done.
On Wednesday the washing machine came back. I loaded some laundry, pressed some buttons and guess what? It gave a minuscule amount of water before turning around as if everything was normal. Of course the repair people were most upset (and normally I never have this problem with them). They sent a guy over who concluded it was the control panel that was at fault. This part is no longer being manufactured but they would try and source a second hand one for me.
On Thursday two guys came over with the part, which did not work. We were now out of options. They took the blasted thing away and I took my washing off to a laundrette. I was about an hour late for mom’s group but at least my washing was getting clean.
That night we had the State of the Nation Address. For those of you not in South Africa this was rather depressing. If Zuma could just have answered a simple question as to when he was paying back money he had used for building his home, the violence against the people asking and the walkout of the opposition could have been avoided. I see they are investing more money in Eskom: I hope it will be wisely used.
Saturday was Valentine’s Day! We went out for breakfast and got a new washing machine. My husband got me the most awesome gift: it is a kitchen clock with lovely flowers and colours. It just reminds me how timeless our love is and how well he knows me.
Today we did a load of washing in the new machine. It has a see-through lid and Nicky watched in fascination as the clothes went round and round.
I am so glad to have a reliable washing machine!
Now if we could just have reliable electricity….
Good luck with the power, and enjoy your new washer ☺!
Thanks!
I hear there is a waiting list for generators now and some even expect you pay a 50% deposit while the generator is on the high seas!!!
Enjoy your new washing machine
Sheesh, I had no idea.
SNAP I have that exact washing machine. IT’S AWESOME!!! LOL, only a housewife can fully understand the excitement of having a washing machine 😉
Cool!
Nothing quite as satisfying as a new washing machine! I hate those kind of days where it just feels like you’re running around but not actually getting anything done.
I quite agree.
Good to hear you had a nice Valentine’s!
We also had a few issues with our washing machine lately, but it seems to be going again!
We had a washing machine drama a few years ago. It made me very anxious – I can’t cope without my washing machine or dishwasher.
Glad it had a happy ending 🙂
We just went three days without a washing machine and with an 11 month old.. It makes you pretty nervous! Thanks for sharing your experience!