Andy Collins

Unless I'm mistaken, the person Stevie is looking for is already out there, working for himself. Good luck in your quest Stevie, this is your toughest challenge to date!!

The Chuck & Duck, and the Arbtalkers wifi bar, The Log Inn

I tried, I really did, the pic did look in focus when I took it. Trouble was my eyes werent in focus!! Too much:cheers: all day and night on the Friday I think were to blame!! But hey, at least I was there, and tried:biggrin:

Nice one Liam, shame more youngsters dont share your enthusiasm to get on. Good luck with everything you do:thumbup:

Aha just found there's loads of beers available in the Food show bit, may not be so bad after all:thumbup:

One point, a lady came up looking for a separate ladies/gents facilities, fortunately I knew they were down the other end (from where we were) so maybe a couple of signs to help people find their way around? Re: catering, I know a couple of people had under-cooked jacket potatoes, not exactly rocket science to prepare, but I'm not out to find fault.

No worries, these boots are worn every day, as they are so comfy, at work, to walk the dog, gardening etc. i dub them at least once a week to keep the leather fed, and they are dried properly if the leather is soaked. In one pic is the only bit of wear, the leather and rubber coming apart on the LH boot, properly down to heavier wear on that side since I hurt my knee tbh. If its fair to grumble, the only critcism I have is that the sole is too soft, and standing on a large stone, or stub, hurts through the boot. But thats it.

According to the poll, around 60% dislike football here, which shows that 40% must be deranged fools:biggrin:

As a compromise for going to the Arb Show, I have to drag my sorry ass around this show (grudgingly:blushing:) on Wednesday, anyone else going, traders from here, other members? That way I coincidentally "bump" into a like-minded soul and talk about something I know about while the others look at pretty flower things, maybe even find the bar!

I was tempted at first to join ranks with other critics of you on this thread. Then I made a coffee, had a fag and a think about it. I understand where you're coming from. If you're a good climber, why not either go it alone 100%, set up with truck chipper, or go free-lance and earn top dollar? Money is always out there for top grade workers, you just have to find it. Its not just about aptitude, but attitude as well. I am no climber, but I have no trouble in getting the money I want when I sub out, and I do 90% of my own work too. Yes times are tight out there, but if you're the right person you'll do well where ever you are. Think outside the box, be positive in your attitude, and go get some well-paid work on your terms, and you might even be surprised whats out there.

Twas a pleasure to spend time with you guys from Clarks, even though I was somewhat disappointed to see you lot leave so early:001_rolleyes: but glad you all had a good time:thumbup1:

Hmmm, no excuses, it did look ok at the time, but I did have a teeny weeny bit of a hang-over:blushing:

Haha we can say what we like, they're all watching a game:lol:

Seconded:thumbup: Cheers guys

That would explain the gun crime, even I would end up shooting someone for all that racket, and...... FOOTBALL IS CRAP!!

Trying to get 40winks in my hotel in Cheltenham before going out for beer last night. In TGIs the supporters roared as Gerrard scored his goal, rowdy sods. Then later on in the evening the sirens are screaming, the expensive Police heli is up overhead sorting out some drunken fool supporters. Just about drifting off to sleep at 2am, rowdy supporters all walking down the road singing Ole Ole Ole Oley Oley! wh do they sing about face cream anyway:confused1: Stupid flags fixed to cars, blowing off all down the road, littering this green and pleasant land.... be glad when this World Cup is finished.

Good to see you again Thea, and well done John on winning the X-fit gear, nice one:thumbup:

:blushing:In my excitement forgot the pic

My only picture from the show, of course the Arbtalk stand, with the ladies from the Children's Trust. Thanks to all of you for your enthusiastic support, thanks again to all the prize donators, thanks to the AA for sorting out aternative "accomodation" after our gazebo blew apart while setting up. Thanks to John Shutler for giving me the biggest laugh, locking himself out of his hotel room in only his boxers in the middle of the night, and having to go down to reception to get let back in!! And thank God for the mysterious self-refilling dustbin full of iced beer, pure magic!! Roll on the Jonesies Show, the Arbtalk Roadshow rolls on:thumbup: PS not sure of the final tasking for the tombola/raffle but think its about 400quid!!

Posting on my phone so will say more when I get home, but many thanks to all who supported our little raffle and tombola. Thanks to those who donated prizes. Its all of you guys who make these events a success, and your enthusiasm is appreciated. Great to see many new faces once again, and hopefully catch many of you at Jonesies do. Thanks again.

See ya there chaps (and chappesses:biggrin:)

Looking good Jen, love the seahorse:thumbup:

Q: Why are the AA only now asking these questions, surely this should have been looked at after last years show so the issues could be dealt with in time for 2010? Better late than never I suppose, perhaps they under-estimated the power of communication!

I think the biggest problem for the AA Show are the logistics. For Capel, its quite accessible by road, rail and so on. For example, last year Rich Rule got to Cirencester, then had to walk several miles to the college (due to a few beers we could only meet him at the college gates). The lack of camping now means alternative accomodation has to be sought, again too much hassle. I see huge empty green fields all around the show, many people cant justify a 3-4hr journey each way for this show, and if they wish to stay over, that then is a pain. Yo cant share a few beers then drive to a hotel!! Its a beautiful area, not a bad show at all, but logistically it is perhaps just too much of a ball-ache for most. Cost wise, Capel is as cheap as chips, the AA show is quite a bit dearer for non-members, yet it is a show-case for the industry, a cornered market for traders to sell their wares, you dont pay to go shopping in a local town, so why charge the buying public for the privilege of spending their dough? The AA needs to address these issues, this show should be growing by a big percentage year on year, yet my understanding is that the gate traffic is fairly static at around 1700 for 2 days, which IMO is very poor given the rapid growth of the Arb sector.