20.09.2025 No, not a commercial! 😄

 ~o~

  Saturday 20th 59F/15C [8.00] Bright with some sunshine promised this morning. The wind is lighter and more southerly.

 Up at 7.15 after several earlier failures to rise from my bed. 

 I was greeted by an all black, ferret-like creature on the security camera. It ran across the gravel at 7.15am. There is a hint of brown to its fur in the still image. 

 I might have a ride to another shopping village. If I can squeeze a short walk into my busy schedule. No.

 11.10 Back from a 27km ride. Let's call the new saddle variable. I wore an old pair of padded cycling shorts under my cargo trousers. This seemed to help my comfort levels most of the time. Thanks also to the slightly upward tilt of the saddle. I was going well despite the headwind on the way.

 A charity market hall on the industrial estate had moved into the high street. Bringing more foot traffic. It was nicely arranged on shelving. Instead of the former untidy tables. Though I couldn't find anything I wanted. So I rode down to the next charity shop. Where I was delighted to find a dark grey, fleece jacket with thick pile, fawn lining. Slightly generous in size for wearing over winter jumpers if needed. The jacket will come in very handy. For watching TV or out in the greenhouse solar imaging.

 After some grocery shopping, to stock up the larder, I headed home. On the way back I passed a robot lawnmower working near the road. It had a huge area to cover in the grounds of a school. Probably thousands of square meters. With winding paths, parking areas, steep sided undulations and flower beds to negotiate. I was really very impressed by the neat stripes and perfect, short sward. So I followed it along a winding path to try to identify the manufacturer. 

 The mower was heading for its recharging station. So I was lucky to catch it. Just before it was almost hidden from view in its neat, grey, plastic garage. It was a Husqvarna. Though I couldn't identify the model. It was all grey and quite large. So probably a bigger domestic model for private use. Their professional models are usually orange. For increased visibility. As it had become shy and hidden itself on my approach. I had no time to capture a picture. The model number should have been visible on the nose. I'll check next time I am in the village. 

 I am used to seeing large, ride-on mowers racing around these same lawns. Sometimes causing real damage to the grass. Due to the haste and very rough maneuvering of the idiot contractors. Nor did their noisy mowers pick up the cut grass. The Husqvarna was incredibly quiet and traveled at a calm but useful speed. There was absolutely no sign of any imperfections. The stripes even carried down into the deep, but smooth channels and up the other side. Probably a bit more expensive than some budget makes and models. £1500-2500? Though I'd say the immaculate appearance of the sprawling lawns was worth every penny. 

 This is not remotely a commercial. I am just interested in robotics. Often watching their steady progress on YouTube review channels. These lawnmowers are proof  that robots are already here and well proven. Not some over-hyped imitation. Of a crippled and retarded humanoid being. Which still have some way to go before they put everybody out of a manual, repetitive job.

 I spent a couple of hours outside this afternoon. Trying to capture the sun through cloud. Not with any great success. 

 It became steadily more cloudy. Rain by 18.00. Heavy showers after dark.

 Dinner was poached eggs on toast. 

  

  ~o~