Andy Collins

So just a quick question, but which is the hoover and which is the duster, and where does the dog come into the cleaning process? All very confusing to me.

This has the potential to be a brilliant thread Adam, keep up the good work . Im sure we'd all agree not to derail the thread too much, Adam is putting a lot of time and thought into this. Of course valuable input has its place as well. Cheers

IMO they only agreed to this to be televised for their own gain, they didnt seem to like the fact that a decent budget free range sausage could be produced at all. I think they were hoping Jimmy would fall on his sword doing this. I dont think he did

I think that ATC has done a great job. For himself. He has set himself a target, with an end idea in place, at a budget. He has learned a lot from this project, and he has tried to improve his lot. Yes it is a big learning curve, pricing more accurately will come, skills and aptitude will come. Next time you do one, make sure you photograph it, build your portfolio up, love your work. If you have an iphone, ipad or modern smatphone, get some apps on there to help you. And good luck with the future. We bang on and on about how lazy people are, how Brit workers dont like to get their hands dirty and so on, about how foreigners are taking all the work. Here we have someone who is trying to improve his lot, trying to make a change, and trying to make someone elses life better at little expense. ATC will learn as he goes, but in the mean time, I applaud his endeavours.

Its going to be interesting to see the outcome of this, i dont think Tescos will go for his sausages.

I reckon you just had a bad day, after 12years Id guess yu know the ropes by now. Days are like that at times, you may be putting yourself under more pressure now its your business, are you pushing too hard to get ahead? tomorrows another day, dont beat yourself up over todays issues, just learn and move on.

Where I grew up we had a footpath run through our barn. Apparently this dated way way back in the mists of time, but it was done so travellers from village to village, (about 3 miles) had a form of shelter in bad weather. Fast forward to modern Britain, Dad sold the barn to a builder, who converted it into a holday home, without diverting footpath. We tried to tell him, we really did, but he maintained they wouldnt have right of access any more. Rights of way got involved, and he was made to change things so walkers could still shelter. He even tried changing retrospectively, but ROW would have none of it. It didnt help his case that a) he annoyed the neighbouring farmer, b) he annoyed us by defaulting on a payment (sorted by the solicitors) and c) as said the Ramblers got on the case. He was scuppered. An extreme example, but a lot of paths are ancient routes, and are quite fiercely protected.

All the best with the new venture Skyland bros

Used to always be ready in the yard for 7.15, to be on site around 7.30/8am. Would finish around 5.30pm. That was then. These days a different approach, aim to be started around 9.15 and away on completion, unless its an ongoing job, on which case ill be onsite til about 3.30, give me time to away the tools and be packed up and drinking tea by 4.30. This gruelling pace is aimed to be over a 3 day week.

I loved the pomp and ceremony of the Thames fleet, incredible feat of organisation. I also like the way this occasion has pulled the country together again. Everywhere you go there is flags and bunting and the Union flag flies proudly across the spectrum of housing, from council houses to big smart pads. People have mown lawns, trimmed hedges, litter picked and generally spruced up the country, taken a pride in this country once again. Its the Union flag, not an Empire flag, the flag of the United Kingdom, England , Wales Scotland and N ireland.

Ive just had an invasion of ermine moth caterpillars with their webs across a hedge, defoliating at an alarming rate. Out with the blowlamp, frazzled the webs, Robin Redbreast loves a feast of the blighters. Sorry for derail, dont know what yours is Dean.

Im not really convinced by the over predation argument, what annoys me is at last year we were involved in ringing buzzards, this year the government bodies are paying for nests to be destroyed, totally inbreach of the Law IMO.

Uber cool, Moz & Mike, nice work

I bought a little leccy one, 5ton splitter, that I use for my home firewood since the op, but Ill soon be quicker with the axe again, and benefit from a solid workout. Its not a rubbish splitter, more than capable even on some of the tougher bits of seasoned beech I put over it, just i can split faster by hand.

Whats this professional appearance you talk of? I work at some lovely places, for some very top end professional people, and they respect me for being me. You will become a "professional" as you mature, and I dont mean that in a derogatory way, it just seems to click. Just aim where you want to be, be yourself and do a good job every time, those nice jobs for nice people with nice money will come, one day.

Brilliant idea, i actually noticed a sign today on the side of the road where a local tree surgeon had done a nice landscaping job, BUT what about if youve removed a tree, nothing left to see, would you leave a sign there? Top quality crown reduction and thin, can barely see whats been done, the untrained eye would not see value for money, would they? Then, most of my clients would definitely not want a sign outside their gate, of any sort, they dont even have estate agents signs out when they sell, its sooo common dont you know? FTR, I think a sign is a good idea, Im just thinking out loud. In type. On the web.

Contacting clients from the past is also a wise idea. Just because they used you once doesnt mean they wont again. A few years back, I did some very crude (basic) flyers, looking at Them now they were rubbish. I shamelessy sent them to each and every client id ever worked for, or their address anyway. The response was staggering, some had lost my details, forgotten my name () cou,dnt find me through one reason or another, or had simply moved away and a new resident responded to have the work done again. You really have to make the effort to keep going, not just today in a recession, but tomorrow in times of glut. Another thing i do is send out an email to my more regular clients, roughly quarterly, sort of an informal info-mercial to let them know Im still alive and kicking (very important if you are!! Difficult if youre not!!) but with suggestions/hints and tips for this seasons latest things to do and be aware of. I started this idea while I was in recovery in hospital, and had to keep people in the loop as to what and where i was heading, and my hopes for the future, and I needed to keep focussed. It worked.

This is so true, Ive found that since my time in hospital my attitudes have changed. I make more time to just look around and enjoy my surroundings. I cant really explain it, but you sum it up quite well. Hope all continues to go well.

Just read your Signature, Will, good one

Dont hope it will happen, make it happen!

Two ideas. idea 1: put in the hard work, the foootwork, get on the phone and talk to people, get down the supermarket with your truck, get it cleaned and smart, and be seen. People soon forget youre about. Its holiday time, noone is thinking about getting in staff with a holiday weekend and half term, saws and kids dont mix. BUT they wil talk to you, just make the effort. Idea 2: Do nothing, do not advertise and do not affiliate with trade bodies, do not call people, cos they'll call you (if you can fit them in as you will be soooo busy). Sound ridiculous? Believe me i know of some it actually works for. Whatever happens, do not panic, it will come again, stress because you have no work, stress cos theres too much work, never a happy medium

Worse, shed just yanked it out!!!

Makes sense, and good on you for trying, tough times at home abd at work right now! I shouldnt dwell on it too much, easy for us to criticise, but you were the man on site and you assessed it based on your perception of your teams abilities. Others price based on theirs. You win some and you lose some, its no biggy. Smeone once told me if yu win them all, your too cheap, if you only win one or two out of ten, your too dear, its finding the happy medium thats tricky. im sure we all get it wrong from time to time. ATB anyway

I dont there is much difference between the Jo Beau and the GM. When i was buying mine it really was a close call as to which I went for. At the end of the day it was a poor salesman from GM that blew it for them (not you Pete!!) and a good deal from FR Jones that won the day. Performance wise, very very close!

You remember i was on her ward, she was on nights, giggling and chattering into the wee small hours, then coming around with nasty meds and big needles and inserting cannulas just as I was eating my brekkie.....well payback is sweeeet