Modern technology

While trying to do laundry yesterday our washing machine; or: two plastic tubs hooked up to some kind of rotary device beneath it all and then hosed-up to a shower tap in the third bathroom masquerading as a washing machine; stopped working. Mid cycle.
So there I was with a good 6KG of wet clothes, a washtub full of soapy water and no apparent working motor to make the whole thing go and spare me the laborious task of hand washing.

I called Hamid to take a look. Knobs were turned, switches were thrown, lids and hoses were removed and reattached. Nothing.
So I kicked it and it started right up again.