ManicMammy’s Blog

I first read this book over 20 years ago as a young adolescent and it had a deep impact on me. When I spotted it recently in my local library I decided to re-read it.

Its the story of David, a 12 year old, who has spent his life in a concentration camp in eastern Europe. It starts with him escaping, helped mysteriously by one of the guards. It details his journey through Europe to Denmark. How he deals initially with people, how he survives, how his outlook changes.

As a child, this book opened up a different world to me and made me realise how much I took for granted. It is easy to empathise with David, and although it was written in the early 60s, it is still a thought provoking book for today.

After just 2 years, the door on the old, piece of crap Hotpoint dishwasher broke. That appliance had been useless from day one with any particle of food blocking it and inhibiting its washing cycle so it was with joy that I dumped it and purchased a new one.

I opted for the Bosch Exxcel and for past 6 weeks have been using it. To date, it has worked out very well. It is very flexible. The top basket can be lowered slightly easily by pressing side levers, to accomodate taller glasses, mugs or raised when you are washing larger trays or plates on the lower basket.  The cutlery basket can be moved to various positions. There is a separate plastic rack above the upper basket to store sharp knives or other implements.

Some of the plate spikes can be raised or lowered depending on whether you want to wash plates, bowls or larger saucepans.

So far, I have just used the normal wash which is a 65 degree wash and this takes about 2 hours. There is a digital time indicator to show how long left the cycle has to go. There are 4 other types of cycle ranging from an intensive 70 degree wash to a 45 degree quick wash.

It also has features such as a time delay and half load facilities.

I have had no problems similar to those with the last dishwasher, thankfully. It cost €400 and has been worth it. Would recommend.