Andy Collins

18months in, With a good relationship between you, as agood will gesture, Id say take it, youve earned it.

Although the pics may be deceiving my aging eyes, the Oregon looks shorter in length than the Dickies, thus suiting the climber as it wont require tucking into the harness. It will also suit the shorter dwarflike stature of Mr McTree, who is notorious for his short arms and deep pockets. The pockets on the Oregon appear nearer to his hands.

IMHO I would stick to a 70+cc for just about everything. Typically, a 100cc saw will only come out a few times a year, for that Big Fell. most of the time they sit around gathering dust.

Ok away from picking on the poor little young uns now. The ability to follow instruction is most important on site where things can be busy, and dangerous. It doesnt matter how well qualified, or which college you attended, if you cant follow a simple instruction to "Stay there" or "Do this" they will inevitably put themselves in a position of danger before the week is out.

Harsh though it sounds, I can only state what I have seen from some of the dross that turns out for work. Unfortunately, they are young. Well, younger than me! unfortunately, they have left college thinking they are the dogs nadgers, yet sadly fall far short. Unfortunately, they do start off turning up with laces undone, trousers halfway down their backsides, dragging their feet in the yard, or the clients garden. To date, of the last few years, I csn think of two young starters who broke this mould, and I can think of at least half a dozen who fit my stereotype too well. It is not my intention to criticise anyone unfairly, or to tar with the same brush, but unfortunately experience tells me a different story. for one example of a student who broke the mould, and appears to have gone on to do nicely for himself is Will Morris, he turned up to work for a me a couple of years ago, dressed in the correct ppe, ready for work, a fine example to others of what should be expected as the norm. Attitude and first impression is very important if you want to work.

End of last year I priced a very large beech, with a limited DZ. I was too expensive, by about 100%, for the client. So be it. in my quotation I had priced to lift the butt in 2 sections, due to the inclusion of wire and concrete and rubble in the cavity, i scanned the trunk for about twelve feet with a simple metal detector. At the base of the tree was a cavity I could get my hand into, with a camera, which I used to see inside the tree, more rubble down to about 2inches from the floor. Someone else got the job, on a cheaper quote. The stump still stands to this day, and the client still hasnt paid for the job as it was payment on completion. It looks ugly, and stands out quite prominently, a testament to bad pricing. Huck mentions experience gained working for others, this IMO is invaluable, as you have time to learn of all the things in this job to look for that textbooks and college just cant teach, and different techniques to spot potential problems.

Its ok, easily done, Ill leave the thread up for now, unless Steve has other ideas.

Re Kingswood, I have heard only good about them, I have watched a couple of demos they have run, excellent presentation re typical crew, maybe 3man, either a climber and 2 groundies or 2 climbers 1 groundie. One of the groundies should be capable and qualified in Aerial Rescue. how much work is there? Some are doing ok, some are struggling, maybe down to area. Would I do this job if I was just starting out, damn right I would. i hope you find this job as rewarding as I and many others have. Thanks to you and all your colleagues for your service. all the best Andy.

Congratulations on your new venture, hope the show proves successful to you. Forum rules do ask that you contact the Admin (Steve Bullman) and seek his consent to advertise in this way. As the show is so close, and you are inviting members to pop in and see you, I shall overlook removing this thead, and leave it up to Steve. Onde again, all the best

Right now after 2days off, after a full on 2.5 day week lsst week I feel as fit as a fiddle. That is until tomorrow about just after lunchtime, and Ill be knackered again. Hey ho! Its the way I roll.

Im not trying to put you off at all, you obviously need the treatment, I dropped down hill like a stone, the weight fell away. The swelling while on the steroids was phenomenal for me, but it was fluid retention basically. My nads were swollen like grapefruit, felt like they would explode!! No one had told me what side effects to expect, so everything was a shock. i have basically replaced the body mass I lost while undergoing treatment, probably in better shape now. Of course, we all react to meds in different ways, what happens to one wont necessarily follow for another. Plus my cocktail of meds would have been completely different to suit my problem.

Is it????

Only a stone, ive put back on about 5.5stones:biggrin: never been a tubby in all my life, getting there now. Im sure my imminent return to full time work will take care of it though....maybe Doesnt seem important to me now, but back in hospital on the chemical torture block, I had my immune system shut down, my thyroid went into hyper mode, my UC was chaotic, then I had meds to take over from the immune system, meds to counter the thyroid, meds to treat the UC, anti rejection drug that I was trialling as a guinea pig (Cyclosporin) something ominously yellow that looked as if it should belong in a Nuclear Physic lab, as well as pain relief in the form of Morphine, (didnt stay on that for long!!). I honestly think the effect of the drugs and chemicals is far worse than the symptoms of the illness, at the time, although they do eventually help you to recover. (in my case enough to undergo the surgery) Anyway, hope youre keeping upbeat, I cant imagine having to keep going back for further treatments, and e mental strength that must take.

Hmmmmm now let me see.....where shall I begin...?

Some must think we were born yesterday, that they thought of all the tricks and dodges in the book. Well hullo...we were there first

Do as said earlier, but instead of adding the gravy, for that extra special touch add a tin of Baxters Royal Game Soup and drop in some herby dumpings, probably the best nosh in the universe

i have to agree again with Huck et al, most of the time this forum gives good feedback on products. Of course people will complain when something breaks, people will also moan about the economy, the weather, immigrants, not enough work and too much work. Oh and the Olympics. This is a crappy year for many, the weathers not helping and the economy is on it knees, but all that bothers some is the fact that their little retreiving tool has broken. I also believe that a manufacturer should take on board some of their consumers issues, whether they are phoned directly, emailed, reported back through suppliers outlets or moaned about on a forum. People love it when the reports are good and positive, they dont moan about that and say please give positive feedback through the dealers only, rather than on forum. It can be a double edged sword, but used smartly it can pay dividends. For many, this medium is a direct line to the heart of (in this case) Stein, the little man feels he can achieve something by verbalising his gripes here. Surely, so long as the posting is not derogatory, is accurate and perhaps accompanied with photographic evidence, then everyone, consumer, dealers and manufacturers alike, can come out for the better. This medium is instant, the feedback is instant, the response can be instant, and of course the impact can be instant, unlike one-sided magazine articles where no real feedback seems to come out.

Catalpa? I have one here i the garden, it doesnt have the 4 spikes off the leaves.

I was going to say the same as Huck, generosity is paying for something when its offered for free

At around twelve I was mowing peoples lawns, weeding gardens, cleaning slab paths, probably washed a few cars till the Europeans moved in on my patch. Twelve is a tricky age, some are more mature and responsible than others.

Actually, sod it, i hope it really works out for him, hes just given away £10k to local charity. Good man

Love the idea behind this, but in reality....well the people were refused loans in the first place for good reasons, I think he is doomed to failure in the end. But good on him for standing up to the Old system, and sticking two fingers up to it.

Last is definitely Paulonia, i was going to plump for the snake bark maple for the 2nd. 1 i was just going for large leafed Lime, with freaky leafs

Some would class the family cat dieing as an excuse, another the gerbil or guinea pig, where is the line drawn as an acceptable reason to let someone down. "due to family circumstances" would qualify IMO for a couple of days off, maybe a long weekend, and the promise of help and support where needed, no need to leave a job, IMO.

I dont know about what your on about, but my sons Plant Centre has many of the plant labels with QRcoding. Now clients can walk around and ping on a label and bring up all the info about the plant. I was quite impressed. Of course, many people dont have a clue about all this technology.