Running on solar power
This afternoon, running on a dose of solar energy, I got things done. In one case, for the first time, ever. Never underestimate the sunshine effect.
The thermometer, outside, tickled the toes of 20C this afternoon. Coupled with no winds, extremely good weather coming on the heels of a moderate winter. (See what I did there; toes, heels…) I have had the best of intentions, for weeks now. Following our visit to the home show, where our genny guy threw in a free oil filter, I’ve planned to do an oil change. The first oil change, actually. We’ve put 56 hours on the machine, according to the electronic log file, which means that we’re well within the recommended maintenance cycle. I just applied the logic that doing the oil change, on a really nice spring afternoon beat an emergency winter intervention.
And so I gathered the necessary tools. A jug to catch the old oil. Another jug to recover the oil from the old filter. Two litres of new oil. A filter wrench. Paper towels. Patience. Even on a warm afternoon, the drain hose doesn’t exactly gush with enthusiasm. I paid attention to protocol. Didn’t lose any of the plugs from the engine. Avoided making a mess, generally. Put the engine through an exercise run and watched for leaks. All good. All done.
Still running on best intentions, I took a turn on the BBQ, wiping down the grills and clearing out the crap from beneath the burners. That little tray (which I knew was there but ignored on general principles) ended up filled with grease of the same consistence of crunchy peanut paste. All gone to recycling, now. I’m ready for the summer to unroll.
