Glen Devon

hiking

With plenty of daylight after a light supper at the country Inn we ventured for a walk onto the Glen. The hillsides were once wooded but are now green grass and devoid of trees; grazed for years by sheep. The area, beginning at the River Devon, is now protected and is undergoing a re-creation by the Woodland Trust Scotland. After a short distance but with moderate rise over run we had a commanding view of surrounding farms, hillsides, and the Castlehill Reservoir below. We chose not to linger long as there was a chill with a strong breeze and fading sun.

O2 Sensor

cars
A helpful repair forum suggested removing the oxygen sensor from underneath the car by first removing the catalytic converter at the exhaust manifold. Another poster thought access could be made from under hood above after removing the wiper assembly and other bolt on pieces. The former sounded like a can of worms with possible rusted or frozen manifold nuts so I went in from the top side. I found it unnecessary to remove anything. You can snake your arm between the cowl and engine cover to put the special 22mm slotted socket and ratchet wrench onto the plug by feel. The photo shows what is hidden to the eye behind the transverse mounted engine. (I had to guess at the camera angle with several attempts to frame the shot.) Luckily the plug threads release without a cheater bar or skinned knuckles. The sensor’s cabling follows the head shield to under the car and abeam the catalytic converter where the end plug is located. There is a universal part which replaces the original but it requires identifying and splicing wires. The cost is a bit higher but do yourself the favor and purchase an OEM style part with the correct wire length and connector. There is a second sensor positioned after the converter which is easier to get to but that one only monitors catalytic converter health and is likely not the one needing changed. That figures, right? Total time to R & R the forward O2 sensor: 100 minutes.

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

movies

the-life-and-legend-ofStarring Hugh O’Brian. No romance featured in the story plot line to spoil the action adventure drama. At least, that’s what my younger brother used to bemoan when reviewing TV action back then. “No girls! Yeach.” I’ve returned to this Western, via Netflix DVD, to absorb the 1950’s attitudes on honor, morals, ethics — oh yeah and for the wild frontier gun slinging. “Strong courageous and bold…” Capella singing music accompaniment lends to the period quaintness. Hey waidaminute. There ARE scarcely any females in this series. This handsome star isn’t another Rock Hudson kind of fellow, is he?

Montour Trail

jogging

Today’s quest: The Montour Trail which follows the Montour Run beginning at the confluence of the Ohio River. I sampled a section between the 5 and 2 mile markers. The trail project is well documented with a map: here and many photos: here. It is well traveled with folks on foot and bicycle although I did see a fellow on a unicycle ?! with big rim and knobby off road tire. What next!

Dont try this at home

computers

The only way in is with the cutting wheel or chisel pry tool or hacksaw. The Apple power adapter (brick) wasn’t intended to be disassembled. The case is glue bonded. However with the power supply inop due to a separated output wire, what was there to lose by attempting a repair. A simple splice and solder could make it serviceable once the dead section was cut out. So S’man with the Dremel Tool split the sealed case and from there the job was easy to complete. Of course the re-assembled package looks a bit ghetto.

Bermuda Railway Trail

jogging
Last visited this site 2 years ago and at last got the chance to return and explore this very scenic but unfinished trail to rails system. The Bermuda Railway is an interesting history story. It was the most expensive (cost per mile) track system in the world. As many track sections were constructed on trestle bridges over bays and over rocky shoreline much is missing today. Detour excursions on narrow paved roads are necessary for these areas. These streets are not for the faint of heart. They lack sidewalks in many places and one must thread between traffic and knee high stone retaining barriers. Be prepared to jump and straddle these walls should rather large muni buses and even an occasional semi squeeze close. Traffic does let up some following rush hour. Finally, all vehicles are right hand drive and therefore on the “wrong” side of the road. Being on foot you have to anticipate how the cars are going to come at you. The actual trail route segments from Bailey’s Bay to Shelley Bay are positioned next to the sea with unobstructed views of the North Atlantic. There are not any dull moments. Bring camera for captures like this one, this one, and also this one. Crushed rock and grass at 2.8 miles.

That’s Entertainment

social

>On location with Jeff and Alison at their beautiful Atlanta home for the filming of a music video which will complement the soon to be released album by star Algernon. Jason of BunkleyTV is producing and Dray, of Orphanage Filmz is directing. It’s thrilling to be behind the scenes during the shoot and for the “making of” documentary too. Thank you cast, crew and gracious hosts for sharing their afternoon!

Livingroom demolition

social

Pulling up 17 year old carpet and padding reveals original pristine hardwood flooring. Suddenly, the perfectly good furniture “needs” changing. Uh oh. Maybe I shoulda sat in the big chair and switched on to This Old House instead of messing.