Andy Collins

Just received my raffle prize from PSM Mowers, Timberwolf polo shirt, bag, handsaw (gomtoro) husky axe (a thing of beauty) and a mug. Thanks very much for supporting the raffle.

I think a stumpery is a wonderful idea. It makes use of a "dead" area, a forgotten corner. I made one to fill a barren corner that is in shade, facing north a couple of years ago. I put in ferns, wild violets, wild strawberries, and sempervivums in the root pockets. It's now developed it's own fungi culture as well. A few old pots and bits and bobs give it a "forgotten" corner feel.

I know of a local smokehouse that buys in various woods for smoking.

I just use the acoustic tubes, with the formed inner ear shape so it sits snug. Never have a problem with it falling out or not hearing radio. Parts are cheap enough to experiment to suit yourself.

nice one Jodi:thumbup1:

That's sort if the conclusion I came to when I googled it just now. I wouldn't be able to follow it to the letter, but I can take some elements and add to it and see how it goes gradually. If it doesn't suit me I haven't really lost anything.

It does look a good healthy diet tbh, and I would actually consider it if things were different for me. I may adopt a few if the recommendations and see how I go, and then up it a step at a time. Salt intake for me is very high, and I can't do a lot about that. As for weight gain/loss, I shot up to 17.5stone, and in two weeks I'd lost it again, back to 15.5!! All I did was went to work for a few days I do have a problem with being able to store enough calories to keep me stable.

Just a thought. Wasn't the average life expectancy back then around 35 years?

Every landy around these parts would never be seen near that!! The other day we saw one stop by a puddle so he didn't have to drive through it and splash up his nice truck. Very few are used for the kind of work they're designed for, just school runs and towing a caravan once a year.

Personally, in no order of preference I love Drew Bs heli shots, and Mistabenns oak. I think there are some fine examples of tech rigging out there though, all contributions are of the best quality, and do the forum and the contributors proud. I haven't been involved in any rigging jobs for a couple of years, but maybe I'll be back at it this year, I hope.

I prefer and wear the orange hi viz these days, as said it doesn't attract insects. It also seems to keep its colour better than the old yellow kit, which seems to go greenish with age (probably moss as I don't move quickly )

Hmmm I'm not sure I agree 100% with this. I can recount many many roadside trees that have been struck around this area, they become an almost timeless memorial to a lost loved one. Bouquets and ribbons, toys and plaques appear, to be updated yearly in memoriam. Maybe it's a "town" thing to take out the tree? I like to see the living memorials to accident victims, personally.

As above, you're selling a very to a very specialist market, Arb. It's not "trendy" just work clothing.

Oh well, had our time off, storms coming across tonight and into tomorrow, here ya go again. I got away with it this time around, not a twig out of place around here despite 60mph winds. Yet around and about there were a lot down on highways. I'll leave that kind of work for the young and energetic types these days.

It's "distressed" mines pretty much the same, it came from a large Arb company whose guys gave it a crappy life. It was rebuilt internally but looks poo on the outside. Speed bumps and potholes make a lot of stress on the chassis, plus the vibes from chipping timber don't help. I've heard of hoppers dropping off on the road, chassis breaking like mine and MattyF, wheel hubs breaking up.

When I was turned over the copper suggested that it was a shame that someone hadn't maybe carelessly dropped a bottle by the prised up fence. Apparently a little broken glass can cause a nasty cut and DNA tends to be all over the scene. Of course it would be sheer misfortune if that DNA ended up getting the crim nicked, wouldn't it.

My. Jensen did the same, with the earlier style drawbar. At the same place. But I've seen similar age TWs do the same. I've had a lot of structural welding done on mine, and it's ok, for now. Best way is to inspect any machine thoroughly rather than hope theyre going to last forever. If I bought another machine it would probably be a TW, they're around the corner from me. Tbh, can't see me replacing the Jensen though.

I noticed that, southwest get 60-70ish, but the low pressure is hitting Scotland with far more force and intensity. Tbh it's holiday period, if it's life and death I'd go out, otherwise, I'm staying put.

The only way I'd go out would be if it was a matter of life or death. Otherwise it can wait, let someone else do the job. Given the storms we're forecast next day or two this is something we should consider and price for. No idea as yet.

I'm in, finally. This is the event of the year where we give a little something to help really needy youngsters in our own country. With great prizes too, every little bit helps the CT.

I'm not sure the FB members are putting lives at risk. This would be a bit of a shot in the foot for them to do. While I was in hospital, there was a strike called and all ancillary staff were called out. This meant porters, cleaners, HCAs and other support staff. To my knowledge, they only went out and supported the strikes on their official breaks, then came back to carry on with their work. A porter even said to me that it wouldn't be fair to the patient to deny him vital scans, or food to be left in the kitchens just for their own gains. I would guess, (I don't know) that firefighters would probably "strike" in their free time these days. The military standing in with Green Goddesses does no strike a favour. I've never agreed with striking to get your way, for any reason, if the pay isn't right, leave, if the conditions don't suit, leave. If every disgruntled employee left, things would have to change to attract staff in the future. This also has the added bonus that tbh I wouldn't want whinging whining people working with me anyway.

Forestry contracting is a completely different ball game. 12hr to 15hr days are the norm, the harvesters working 24hrs non stop split shifts. I cannot compare the two, having been in both they are totally different jobs. I no longer have the strength or stamina for that line of work, though I did enjoy it. Grabbing a quick bite while refuelling seems fun at the time, but soon gets old, as does waiting. To be paid on collection, 6months on. I'll leave that fun to the youngsters.

A farmer a mile away from me ran out to confront thieves after his big new JD tractor. He was told in a firm tone to go back indoors or he would be shot. Police response, 15hrs, with the implied use of firearms. When I was robbed, I launched myself into the fray armed with an axe, red mist took over. I got a strong lecture from the police when they arrived 13hrs later, but that was all. Had I connected with just one thief, I would still be looking out of a cell window. Another thought, in the dark, you charge out to take them on, but do you know how many there are? What about matey skulking in the shadows to stick you in the back, leave you bleeding to death in the cold rain, for a chainsaw? I wouldn't bother the next time, it's insured and will be replaced.

Various companies I worked at, 7.30-3.30pm were the fixed hours, overtime after that. 7.00 - 4.30pm then overtime. 7.30 - 5pm then over time. The place I worked where we started at 7am, no extra productivity occurred, esp in the winter. Many (domestic) clients don't you there before they're up and ready, and elderly folk really get annoyed. Nowadays, generally only myself and one other, I start after the school run, nice big mug of tea and a chat before we start, roll up to the job and work through to Finish, rarely stop for lunch, leave off around 2.30pm. Circumstances have forced my hand, but financially I earn as much as a couple of years ago for less hours, I have "recovery time" to re-energise, it suits me more. Builders manage to get huge constructions done, they traditionally have long breaks, stop for a chat and a fag, have another break, have breakfast on the way to site Etc etc, oh and earn decent £££s, and employ far more staff, and they rarely break into a sweat.

You can do what you like, so long as you accept that in court you will be the criminal in the dock, if you over step the mark.