We have a washing machine that has been working its magic on our clothes for the past 10 years, it has travelled half way around the world with us and hasn't missed a beat - until a couple of days ago...... We had some friends staying with us and while I was at work they decided to help out and do some washing.

I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I wish they had just gone for a walk and left me to wash the towels!!

I'm not sure how new machines work but our old girl needs to have a slight pause before she will let you open the door. Not a problem for us but it seems waiting for 30 seconds after the cycle finishes was far too long for our lovely friends. They pulled the door so hard that the handle broke and the washing was stuck inside. When I got home we managed to stick a screwdriver in the catch and open the door - and save the washing..........

My issue is this - my machine still works perfectly well, but I can't buy the spare part to fix the door....not surprisingly the model doesn't exist any more and latches aren't made the way the latch is on my machine anymore. I have rung repair shops, and second hand stores but to no avail I can't replace the entire door as it is a European model and apparently the doors aren't the same on the Australian models (sounds like BS to me) so the only option I have is to buy a new washing machine.
This is a really annoying situation to be in as while my machine has paid for itself a thousand times over, and has been in my life for a long time, it still works perfectly and now it has to go to the scrap yard because the bloody door is broken....what a wicked waste.

I will be pleasantly surprised if the new machine I am about to purchase works anywhere near as well as my old girl and I hope it lasts as long as she did.

Anyway, farewell my beautiful faithful laundry mistress - I'll miss you!!