Peter

Should that email have said new look rather than new loot Steve?

Purely conjecture.

Of course, if you make the gob too big, and there is weight against the direction of fell, the tree can just fall over backwards. Very embarrassing.

The Sordin muffs will fit both helmets.

Prevention is better than cure, I realised a few years ago that work related injuries, ie back pain, and muscle strains, are a mugs game. I dont care whether you are self employed, run your own business, or are employed, injuries reduce your productivity. I dont struggle lifting big logs, I cut them in half or get someone to help me lift it. I use safe handling and lifting techniques. I never body thrust long distances. I use one of the most expensive harnesses on the market, because I find it comfortable and it doesnt cause me pain. If I'm contracting, I put enough money on the job to get in whatever I need to make it easy, whether that is machinery or manpower. If I'm contract climbing, I take enough time to do the job safely and efficently. I dont work for companies who dictate otherwise. As an employee, I realised one day that I had had back ache for about 2 years. I'd wake up with it, work with, go to bed with it. I changed my mattress, which helped a bit, and I changed my job, which helped a lot! In short, your body is your most valuable asset. You can replace chainsaws or harnesses, but you cant buy new shoulder muscles. Your only chance of a decent career in this industry is to look after yourself.

You could be right there, I almost never use painkillers, as I dont find they do anything for me. Anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) are supposed to be better all round.

I never take time off from work, but I will modify my working practices to allow injuries to heal.

Maybe thats why you suffer repeatedly. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong, numbing the pain with chemicals and carrying on is bound to make things worse.

Much depends on your age. Under 30 injuries heal much quicker. It could take 2-3 days or several weeks, depending how bad the injury is. The important thing is to let it heal properly before you start using it again.

Right, with you. I dont think it is a problem, no.

You can get CTS from other things, such as using a computer keyboard with no wrist support. It is also much more common in women in a certain age group, cant remember exactly but I think between 40 and 50?

Yes it does, on reductions I normally try to do one side of the tree, then go back to the RG and put the retrieval line in, and lob it out on the side I'v just pruned.

You mean just when you thought Rupe was at the top of his game, you saw Graeme's video and it made Rupe look slow and tubby?

Landrovers? Never again! Unless I really really need one!

Wanst really trying to catch you out, I was just wondering how you start an 020 between your legs without melting your saw pants! Tried it on my cs39 assessment, but was advised otherwise by the assessor! Not tried it since!

Even with a top handled saw?

Could be Reynauds syndrome.

Not quite sure what you mean, but I retrieve my ropeguide with a throwline type line. The line is stuffed into a chalk bag, clip one end to the ropeguide after its installed, loop it over a higher crotch, and lob it out of the tree. When you retrieve the ropeguide, you can pull the retrieval line to lift the ropeguide out of tight spots or to aid getting the pulley out of the ring/loop. Hope that helps!

And our antipodean friends!

I dont think the guy in the pic knows either, to judge from his expression!

Not bad for a camera phone!

Oh dear, looks like I'm on the naughty step!

Not quite leaves, but still autumn colour, and yes, they are real!

The big hole in the middle probably had something to do with it.

So a fully decent climber could expect £200?