3.06.2025 The ghost of the Morris.

 ~o~

  Tuesday 3rd 44F/6.7C. Bright.

 Up at 5.30 after an awful night. My nose is streaming like hay fever. 

 The Tapo camera kept turning on its LED lights. So I would turn them off in the phone app. Every time I woke to use the fire bucket. There were no warnings [notifications] overnight from the camera app. Not even a cat apparently. 

 A check of the app showed that the camera's lights will come on at a low level. To maintain optimum security. By capturing colour video at low light levels. Supplementary lighting could be provided by a sensor light. Preferably not in the field of view of the camera. 

 Online opinions are varied as to the efficacy and morality. Of warning potential trespassers of video surveillance. Versus capturing their likeness by stealth. Better a perp goes elsewhere methinks. Rather than paying me a visit. This seems the most appropriate response. Much as one locks ones doors to avoid nasty surprises. Without a thought for those who are foolish enough not to care about security.

 My English friend is driving over to Chez Hovel to inspect the new parking space. I have a bit of tidying and cleaning to do. So it was lucky I was up early.  

 8.00 A pause in my spring cleaning to try adjusting the camera. It's wide angle of view captures more of the adjacent wall than I would like. Made worse by severe fish-eye lens distortion. I have little choice in the matter because the camera is staring down on the drive. I could block the wall with a privacy zone but wonder if this will confuse the camera software. 

 Unfortunately [again] the software doesn't allow a 90º rotation of the image. For all those hundreds of millions of security camera owners. Who want to monitor the gap between adjacent buildings. Where, no doubt, the majority of burglars approach a property. To avoid the obvious cameras on the front and rear of the house. 

 As most cameras provide only landscape views. Most of the image is utterly worthless. Being wasted in monitoring solid, impenetrable, house walls. So a choice of 90º image rotation would allow the camera to be rotated to match. Instantly providing excellent coverage of a long or narrow gap. Often avoiding privacy concerns. Where two houses exist cheek by jowl.

 9.15 I have finished sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and showering.  

 12.15 My friend has just left. Lots of good ideas about security cameras and cabling. From his years of experience with them. We chatted about lifting the carport too. 

 Interestingly [?] the car had left a white rectangle on the granite chippings. The reason was simply its protection from yesterday's cleansing cloudburst. So that the white dust adhering to the chippings was left untouched. Eventually the chippings will be darker and have far more character. They should also become less blinding in sunshine. 

 Later I moved the camera from the north to the south side of the roof. This allows me to see around the corner. Formed by an ever-expanding tree. I can now see to the T-junction with the main drive. 

 I have spent hours watching every relevant video on YouTube about security cameras, their use and their accessories. So that I can become a fast track expert. OCD on steroids. I have questions! 

 Dinner was a salmon pasty, peas and boiled potatoes.  

 

 ~o~