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Thanks. The 300's should provide full power. If its anything like the Stihl MSA 300 it will only hit about 5,000 RPMs with a standard battery.

100% The correct decision, something the UK should be doing right now.

I didn't think that they had arrived in the UK yet as I was trying to buy some spare parts the other week and there weren't any available, I couldn't even order them which usually means the machine hasn't been launched. If anyone does have one don't break it!

I’ll post a review, I have 5 batteries some 200s for the topper and 300 for the 542i not sure if they’re X or not.

At 61 I'm wanting/aiming to be climbing/pruning 3 days a week, in winter. But only when it's dry -in Manchester -call me fairweather ❄️ , and at the gym/yoga 2/3 times weekly.

If you do buy one I would be interested in any feedback please. Do you have the X series of batteries as you will need to use those to get full power?

I think that the cost is part of the issue why they don't sell very well. It used to be that a machine, battery (or maybe 2 if there was an offer on) and charger was the same price as a petrol machine.

The other aspect of getting someone in to do the climbing is if they think that they’re the bees knees and you’re too old or whatever is the scenario whereby they believe themselves indispensable and start throwing their weight about. So I always make sure if they don’t want to do it, or start saying they can only do it this or that way I can always say ‘ok fine I’ll do it, you stay on the deck’ The current guy isn’t like that, but I’ve had that scenario on the odd occasion, always good to put on the guvners hat from time to time.

Then give it a go, with the option to change your mind (without any penalty, either way) in say, 18 months time? Anticipate one or more break-ins and don't leave any power tools/valuables there overnight -it looks less secure than a cardboard box.. I think Mick's right, it does seem a high monthly rental cost -but then I'd imagine renting a couple of old back-street shipping containers might cost €400 a month, anyway ? We just bought three of them, including an office unit, 'temporarily' rather than rent them.. and that was 2 decades ago; they're still in daily use!

Again . Never noticed it in my day .

It is of course your decision. Yes, geographical price differences are significant. I thought your ‘siege d’entreprise’ Years ago was great when I was up there a decade ago, great road side location. €500 seems more like it. Maybe try and screw em down a bit perhaps.

I will have been climbing and falling for 30 in May and I am having to adapt. At 53 I have changed my goals and expectations of myself, but I still need to be fit enough to grind another week out. i use more contractor climbers, mechanise when I can and exercise three times a week if I am not too beat up. Changing what I expect of myself is the hardest bit

Cold sores/herpes is the real concern.

Understood . However back in the day monkey pox was not heard of and I don't recall anyone dying coz someone used the same glass . I think dirt was cleaner then though 🙂

They have to clean it because the glass comes into contact with the discharge/spout of the pump. So if you’ve got monkey pox or whatever, and it is on the glass, then it can get on the pump, then onto other glasses…

I have that album somewhere . Do you know original pressing are fetching £100 + on the bay .

Got one delivered for me in my local dealer, not committed to buy it, but prolly will.

It's that annoying old Safety Elf getting involved again. I can't say I've noticed the taste improving if using the same glass, but I share your frustration, at the sheer waste of having a new glass each pint. It depends on which pub and which bar staff you ask in my experience; some are more amenable than others to reuse.

I remember on the Old Grey Whistle Test Bob Harris saying in a dead pan voice " The next record is by Blodwyn Pig . I hope you like it " .

Just googled and they are in stock online now £740 for a bare tool. Same price as the petrol version.

37 years ago tonight. Recent TV miniseries well worth watching. The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.

When I used to frequent a pup I always liked to keep the same glass for each pint untill it was time to go home . It seems they are not allowed to do this now . Don't know why but I think the subsiquent pints after the first always tast better in the original glass . What do you guys think ?

Not yet, possibly due in Jan 2026. We have had a few enquires about them but I'm not sure if any have landed in the UK yet. We only ever stock a few battery chainsaws machines as they just move far too slowly. Has anyone in the UK used or seen one for sale yet?

It is, outrageous given it's just empty space, not even a loo (can be installed at my cost) but it's the least expensive in town. I'm also not in rural France but in a satellite town of a major economic hub. I'm faced with a stalemate situation. To afford a house of my own I must move out of town. Move out of town means relocating the business away from the epicenter sweet spot of my clientele. People call the most local business not one 15kms away where properties become affordable. Fine if I didn't also have ambitions to employ and replace my truck and could take the inevitable hit in calls. €800 equates to one days work after paying the subby climber. It fills me with anxiety to think I might be pissing money away for no good reason whilst also filling me will anxiety that if I don't do it I'll never know if it will indeed work out just fine. I must let the agency know tomorrow, meanwhile, devoid of alcohol, I'm going to eat and entire bar of Dairy Milk...