I have to say that I am rather ashamed of this. But it is a good lesson, so should be shared. Over the Christmas period our washing machine broke down. This was not the most convenient time and desperate for help I took some of our holiday washing round to a friend. When I went round to pick it up, it was folded so beautifully in the basket. I rather proudly hung it delicately up to dry and later returned to find that very few items need ironing. ‘This is not how my washing looks normally’.

A sinking feeling came over me. I think on the outside I do not appear a rebellious person, but deep down, right at the bottom of my inner being I will quite deliberately ignore advice if I feel so inclined. During most of my childhood I was asked/told/nagged to hang out the washing properly, ‘SHAKE IT OUT! It will save on the ironing’.

But I never took heed, tragic really. So at this rather late stage, I have finally learnt my lesson.

Jocasta Innes says in her book ‘Home Time’ ‘Pegging out your washing for best results is not rocket science; in fact it is crashingly obvious once you get a feel for it. Basically, the more smoothly an item hangs on the line, the flatter and less wrinkly it dries, so less ironing’. Well upsettingly, not that obvious for some people.