Washing line false start...

On the weekend, we tried to install our new washing line (that I'd been given for Mother's Day). Peter dug a hole in the ground, then went to put the washing line in it, when he realised there was a problem...it was too short!

Back when we shopping around for a new one, the height of the washing line was one of the important criteria to consider (because Peter didn't want to be able to 'clothesline' himself on it). So we specifically chose one that was height adjustable (it didn't have a crank handle like the traditional hills hoist, but more like the length adjusters on aluminum crutches). The problem is I am even at serious risk of 'clothes lining' myself on this one! (let alone Peter) - even at it's highest height setting. There was no way we could know this before opening it up, as nowhere on the packaging does it tell you the height of it, it just tells you the arm span length and how many metres of line space there is...which brings me to our second complaint with it - it has 50 m of line space, but the lines are only space a maximum of 5cm apart - which a) doesn't allow for good airflow and so if I filled it all with washing, it would take ages to dry; and b) it means that even on the longest outer lines, it would take 2 sides to hang a queen size bedsheet (not to mention the fact that the sheet would drag on the ground due to the impractical low height of the whole contraption!).

So now we need to find out if we are able to return this one and find another, more suitable washing line - which will cost us at least twice the price, based on our previous research . At least it is the middle of winter at the moment and so I'm using the dryer most the time to get the washing dry (as the weather isn't suitable for drying 'all natural').