Washing dishes in a hand basin for four months did get very old. 

But it certainly made me look at plates, pots and platters from a whole new angle. 

Trying to wash the cooking crock took quite a lot of deep breaths and counting backwards slowly. 

What, with me facing the necessity of washing one small section at a time. 

Being able to fill the kettle enough for a decent cuppa was also challenging. 

It often left me even more parched than before I took on the task, tipping it to just the right angle to get under the tap.

Because we had to walk 20 steps from dining room to detergent for a term and a half, there were absolutely no drips, spills or scraps allowed.

And casual dish usage was well and truly a no no. 

Getting out a glass was a big decision, because dealing with it afterwards took quite a journey. 

All dirty dishes were dealt with immediately when washing in the ensuite. 

The bathroom benches were all business and no brushes – be gone tooth, hair and make-up brushes. 

A tea towel hung on the hand towel’s hook and detergent bumped foaming facewash off its perch. 

Now our crockery has come out of the removalists boxes and been bunged into drawers that finally have handles. 

Apparently, this is the sign my family have been waiting for to recklessly start eating and drinking again. Followed by the unceremonious dumping of their dirty dishes into one of two shiny, new sinks. Those dishes do pile up quickly though don’t they?  

But with that lovely deep trough just sitting there, begging to be filled up, it’s easy to be obliging. 

Somehow, putting all the dirty dishes into the sink makes us feel like the job is nearly done. 

At least everything is in place for the task to be ticked off.

Once the washing is in the receptacle, it is only going to take the plug, water, detergent and a little elbow grease to have sparkling fresh cups and plates. 

That’s where I come in, chief cook and bottle washer.

I am ecstatically happy to help out.

I have a kitchen sink again … actually, I have two!

Yolande Grosser