I was getting into essay writing mode when my printer played up again, it did so last weekend when I was trying to print off a couple of scientific papers that I could quote or cite to justify my case. I was trying to do the same again, print off a paper on sustainable use of the forest when it started playing up again. It's amazing how quickly an hour can pass when you're enjoying yourself - so why is it so slow when waiting at an airport or railway station?

Once again, I just about get myself into writing mode, trying to carry all these bits and pieces in my head as well as written or printed in front of me when the phone went. Usually, I don't answer it if I'm busy but today I did, possibly because my tummy was rumbling and Whizz was bouncing off the walls trying to get my attention. It turned out to be the engineer from Hotpoint/Indesit could they do my machine today instead of Monday? As it was the best invitation I'd had all day since Whizz offered to eat my breakfast for me, I accepted and got two for the price of one - engineers that is.

Turned out the pressure switch had gone which they diagnosed by computer, plugging it into the back of the machine. Nothing is straightforward anymore, you need to have a computer to diagnose almost anything mechanical except bicycles and I'll bet even the top ones of those have computers on them somewhere or need them to analyse something.

It transpired they could have serviced my helicopter too, had I possessed one, being ex Royal Navy teccies, one also had four cats, so he can't have been all bad, just twice as mad as I am, with two of the monsters.

The bad news was after that I couldn't settle to write my essay, so have that joy awaiting me tomorrow but I did do my laundry, so today has not been a complete waste.