2 Bloody Minutes!?

That's right - that's how long you have to wait after your washing machine has turned itself off before you can open the door.

So, there you are - the load you were washing has taken quite a bit longer than you were anticipating anyway, and you've now only got 15 minutes to get that dressing gown dry before your daughter goes off for her Girls Night In* at the school, and you've got to wait another 2 whole minutes before you even start the drying process. This is 2 minutes of potential drying time, being wasted while I wait for the drum, which stopped spinning quite some time ago, to stop spinning.

Does anyone know why this seemingly arbitrary number has been chosen? Has ANYONE ever seen a washing machine drum continue spinning for more than, what, 30 seconds after the power's been cut? Anyone? Nope - didn't think so. I remember back when I had my first washing machine I could open the door after a scant 1 minute. Yep, I could have been drying that dressing gown a whole minute earlier, instead of getting cramps in my knees as I crouched, waiting for the door catch to unlock. Well, I could have, had the Nanny State not dictated that we're all complete morons, and we might hurt ourselves if we manage to open the washing machine while it's still spinning.

That, along with the beeping noises, is all part of a government conspiracy to drive me to drink - I'm still resisting!

*Girls Night In - a great idea involving a bunch of year 7 girls in pyjamas, with bean-bags, popcorn and other snacks, all congregating in the school hall to watch a video - Twilight! At least they're all in the same place for the girly squealing.