I just checked. It was September 26th when we began the process of replacing our lovely, but broken, steam oven and it was this morning, January 17th when we took one last look at how it was.

I am always conscious of how quickly we forget what things used to be like, so easily do we adapt and move on so I took a photograph before the work began. We’d made the decisions about replacements quite some time ago and had forgotten the details of both dishwasher and oven, so we felt excited about the process and looked forward to some pleasant surprises. We were lucky too, that the original kitchen technician/installer was able to return and fit the replacements for those original appliances, so he knew exactly how everything worked together too.

Having made tea and reminded them about where things were, we disappeared and left them to their work, safe in the knowledge that all would be done well.

By lunchtime, they’d already got everything in place and were optimistic about an early afternoon finish. Not only that, but our worries about the need to accommodate a slightly wider dishwasher were unfounded, for it seems it was our original dishwasher that was narrower than usual and the space was there already. I quickly returned to that photograph I’d taken earlier in the day to see how that could be and yes, sure enough, there were the spacers on either side of the machine. Just how had we lived with that for nigh on 20 years and not noticed?

Just as they said, not long after lunch we heard a call and yes, all was finished. Both machines had been tried and tested, set up ready for us to use and having waved the experts goodbye, we were left to our own devices. The first challenge was the message showing on the oven, “Empty the Condensate Container”. OK. We can do this, we thought and opened the oven door to look for it.

Just where might it be?

Neither of us could see anything that looked vaguely like a water container, nor did there seem to be anywhere it could be. We’d better get the manual out.

Thankfully it didn’t take us long to find it and there on page 36, under “cleaning for the first time” was the instruction “Select the sensor control to open the control panel” showing a small cup-like symbol. We pressed the symbol and ta dah…open sesame! - the control panel gently lifted out of the way and there were the water containers.

We looked at one another with the acceptance that we’ve got a bit to learn.

Not only does it all fit beautifully together - the dishwasher possibly fitting better than the previous one - the end result looks great and we’re looking forward to getting to know what tricks our new toys can do.

And whilst my Hero works out how to manage a different format in the dishwasher since this plate rack goes from east to west rather than north to south, I’ve connected the oven to my phone and can now control it from elsewhere in the house - or the other side of the world, presumably. With this, it becomes the latest addition to the network of connected machinery in the house.

Right on cue, I just got a text from the washing machine; my laundry is ready.

I love it!