Education

This morning I learned how to take to pieces and service my lawnmower. 

The Soapmaker - who used to be an engine mechanic - offered to show me how to do it, rather than simply do it himself. It was last done 18 months ago and as much as anything else it needed months' worth of fossilised grass removing from all the nooks and crannies.

I took photos and made notes as we moved through the various stages of the work. It was an enjoyable lesson and I felt unbamboozled much to my surprise: it was very straightforward.

And now I know how to find and clean the air filter; how to remove the rotating thing that the blades are attached to; how to detach and sharpen them; how to empty the oil and replace it. 

We cleaned every little bit of the mower: scraping, brushing, washing and grinding. The oil was replaced. And we put it back together again and gave it a quick test run on his lawn. 

It was so sparkly and smart that I found myself brushing off the grass cuttings which splattered it once it was running (beautifully) again.

It is one more very useful bit of practical knowledge to stash away in my brain, thanks to friends being willing to share their skills with me. I will service it myself next year, although the Soapmaker has suggested he might supervise, just in case. 

We have had a massive thunderstorm this afternoon, accompanied by hail measuring up to 15mm in diameter. It roared onto the tin roof. 

Bean is completely relaxed with thunder and lightning. But the hail battering the roof reduced her to a shivering, heart-racing wreck.

She calms somewhat if I wrap her in a blanket and my arms. So there we were - one trembling, one breathing steady and calm - on the carpet as we waited for the deafening hail-attack to pass. Poor Bean.

As soon as it stopped she was fine, and wolfed down her supper in record time.

The second extra is for Blipper Kendallishere...eyes to add to the rest of my face.