Now at first I was a tad taken aback by the price. £218 for a microwave, you've got be kidding??!!!

However, a sizeable bingo win last month, and I bit the bullet and bought the contraption.

My previous microwave had been a dinosaur of a thing, prone to breaking down, and a very slow heater. This Microwave, from such a trusted brand as Panasonic, is a huge improvement. It is fast, has a helpful display to tell you when the goods are ready, moreover, the oven base is flat and big enough.

The microwave has a reasonable design. It is nothing special, it its not chic, nor space age, nor cool, merely practical. Yet is that not one wants when one is microwaving? A hardy pragmatic device which I am convinced will last longer than my former lover.

I use my microwave for a number of things. First, when I return from work, exhausted with all the life sapped out of me, I use the microwave to heat up a tasty ready meal - zapping me full of energy. Second, it is helpful for making custard, a substance I use with every pudding. Third when I cannot be bothered toasting cheese on the grill I merely place the sandwich in the microwave and 30 seconds later I have a toastie! Its a bit soggie, yet ever so tasty!

All in all, a robust microwave, certainly worth the £218.