October started with a bit of a bang when I got a phone call at work from C to say that my sister was in intensive care with Guillon Barre syndrome. Can't really remember much of that day except that I did some intensive reading of the council's time-off-work policy, frantic wikipedia searches and clearing of schedules. By the next morning I'd worked out that she didn't have GB syndrome she was in hospital for tests to try and uncover a reasn for her tiredness and the dramatic neurological syndrome was a possible rather than actual diagnosis. The confusion arose because C can spook easily and sister's partner laid on the drama a bit thick for an elderly gent.
Once the all-hands-on-deck drama had dissipated we were left with the other looming crisis of a diesel generator that remains a key part of our wee Drumbuidhe-grid and which is losing compression. For those interested in such things, local stand-alone power systems usually have a form of storage so that you can switch the lights on when the sun isn't shining (if you use photovoltaics) or listen to the radio when it's not raining (if you use hydro). Batteries are the standard storage method (yes, yes I know there are lots of better systems like compressed air and pumped water but for those of us rubbish access roads and small pockets, batteries are the default) and they require maintenance. Maintenance means regular, timetabled charging and (since neither sun, wind, nor rain work to timetables) that means a diesel genny.
