me and my 'Mini Lave-Linge'
I admit, laundry wasn't something that I catered for within our budget. I have no idea why this was overlooked, apart from the fact that I obviously thought that we would be running around the boat in our birthday suites and not much else!!
On several occasions I've mentioned the cost of visiting the laundrette. It's probably not that expensive if you can keep relatively clean, but unfortunately we can't do or go anywhere without getting dirt on us. We are the official 'dirt magnets'!
I've started to dread the visit to the laundrette having experienced a whole host of problems. Simple things like all the machines being used (not funny when you've walked up to a mile lugging clothes), no change provided, powder not dispensed into water (which then results in you having to spend more money on yet another wash but this time ensuring that powder is added directly into the machine and not the dispenser), lack of water in machine (not enough to actually clean clothes) along with some strange opening and closing hours, token operated machines (being unable to get hold of tokens as shop is closed) as well as having to translate the occasional operating instruction.
However, my complaining is now over as I am the proud owner of a mains powered, portable washing machine. Purchased through Amazon.fr who thankfully designed their French website exactly like the co.uk version so it was straight forward to order and get delivered to the Capitainerie.
It's easy to use; manually fill up with water and add liquid detergent, close lid, turn the timer to your preferred wash cycle (increments of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 minutes). Be amazed as you watch your clothes gently rotate from left to right (oh yes, simple things please simple minds). Once the timer has finished, manually drain the dirty water via a pipe on the side. Once drained, refill with fresh water, set timer and when finished drain. Unfortunately it doesn't spin so you do have to wring each item of clothing out individually but it does clean clothes brilliantly and you can load it with up to a maximum of 1.8kg dry weight. Far more fun than a visit to the laundrette.
To make life even easier, Bruce rigged me up with a hose (connected to the marina water supply) with an on/off tap that makes filling a doddle.
Whilst in theory I could use it at anchor (or when swinging to a buoy) using the generator or a small inverter, my preference will be to use it on the marina's using their power and water facilities.
On several occasions I've mentioned the cost of visiting the laundrette. It's probably not that expensive if you can keep relatively clean, but unfortunately we can't do or go anywhere without getting dirt on us. We are the official 'dirt magnets'!
I've started to dread the visit to the laundrette having experienced a whole host of problems. Simple things like all the machines being used (not funny when you've walked up to a mile lugging clothes), no change provided, powder not dispensed into water (which then results in you having to spend more money on yet another wash but this time ensuring that powder is added directly into the machine and not the dispenser), lack of water in machine (not enough to actually clean clothes) along with some strange opening and closing hours, token operated machines (being unable to get hold of tokens as shop is closed) as well as having to translate the occasional operating instruction.
However, my complaining is now over as I am the proud owner of a mains powered, portable washing machine. Purchased through Amazon.fr who thankfully designed their French website exactly like the co.uk version so it was straight forward to order and get delivered to the Capitainerie.
It's easy to use; manually fill up with water and add liquid detergent, close lid, turn the timer to your preferred wash cycle (increments of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 minutes). Be amazed as you watch your clothes gently rotate from left to right (oh yes, simple things please simple minds). Once the timer has finished, manually drain the dirty water via a pipe on the side. Once drained, refill with fresh water, set timer and when finished drain. Unfortunately it doesn't spin so you do have to wring each item of clothing out individually but it does clean clothes brilliantly and you can load it with up to a maximum of 1.8kg dry weight. Far more fun than a visit to the laundrette.
To make life even easier, Bruce rigged me up with a hose (connected to the marina water supply) with an on/off tap that makes filling a doddle.
Whilst in theory I could use it at anchor (or when swinging to a buoy) using the generator or a small inverter, my preference will be to use it on the marina's using their power and water facilities.
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