Lancstree

Looks like quite a tall one. I dare not bring my camera up a tree.. could do with getting a tough little one that takes good snaps for those times when you find a good view.

The DVD idea is good too. Podcasts are basically free MP3 files. You need a programme like Juice to download them. To find podcasts you can either search in google or use a directory like Podcast Directory. Punch podcast into wikipedia to learn about them. Juice programme has pretty clear instructions on how to use it but I can help once you've got it.

Here's some advice. Listen to as much as you can and it doesn't matter if you don't understand a word just keep listening. I've started to listen to podcasts which you can download free and I listen to them in the car on the way to work. I'm interested in Spanish also. p.s. the idea of flying to Sout America is probably better!

I'd like to try a waterproof T-shirt on a mild and wet day. The results could be interesting. I don't know how you lot can wear just base layers and T-shirts in this weather - I'd be freezing me conkers off. Unless I'm not working hard enough!

It looks ace. I don't even need one but now I want one!

I know I'd probably find it hard to do that big fell the guy who was 'trying out' did, especially as you've only got a plank to stand on. That is something of the size that I'm pretty sure we don't commonly come accross in the Uk so I'd be suprised if there's more than a handful of people who could walk up to a tree like that and know where to start. The 'rookie' in the programme did ok in my opinion but he'd likely become very good if he had the chance to fell more that size and where else would he have the opportunity than on the job. I reckon they are shooting themselves in the foot if they don't take young people on to work up the ladder and create a pool of skilled loggers like there would have once been. All those lives have been lost out there for the sake of the almighty dollar and not for the love of the job

Thought I'd put this on here for those who don't yet receive hort week and arb news emails............... Basildon offers tree maintenance contract by Christina Taylor HortWeek.com 23 December 2008 Be the first to comment Basildon District Council is looking for up to 12 arboricultural contractors to join a tree maintenance framework. Works of up to £520,000 in value will be available over the four-year framework. The council is inviting tenders for two lots: Lot 1 - covers emergency work and pruning and felling of trees with a stem diameter of up to 450mm. The council said the ability to respond quickly in an emergency will be one of the key qualifying criteria for selection of contractors. All works will be in accordance with BS 3998. Lot 2 - covers works to large trees - also in accordance with BS3998 - with a stem diameter of 450mm and over. Technical works will include tree pruning and felling and full or single-lane road closures. The deadline for expressions of interest is 19 January 2009. For further information, contact Basildon District Council at the Basildon Centre, St Martins Square, Basildon SS14 1DL. Tel 01268 294339 or email [email protected].

It'll take time but I'm determined enough to improve them. Its not giving me much pain now but I've had a taste of what could come in the future should I do nothing. Cheers mate

I nominate nest legs for the arbtalk cross dressing arborist calender centre fold page!

Don't forget about refraction of light. To the onlooker the bar may appear closer than it is!

They're mighty legs without a sparrow of a doubt

I've had serious pain in my knees when hill walking and running. Went to the docs and he looked at my legs and dismissed them as ok. Went to physio recently about my thumb and mentioned my knee pain so she watched me walk up and down and noticed that my left knee has a wobble when weight is applied and I was walking abnormally wide footed (i.e. John wayne). She then looked at my feet when I was standing and noticed my left foot was flat (which I've never noticed) but my right foot was less flat. Consequently my right leg is stronger that my left. I told her that I wear spikes at work and she thinks my wider stance when walking might be to do with that. I'm being referred to a foot specialist and doing exercises to strengthen my legs. the moral of this story is that I've found out late in life that I'm flat footed so I'd advise anybody with similar trouble to see a physiotherapist now so that steps can be taken to minimise pain later in life. Also do we know what harmful effects spikes may have? ]

This is my theory. I think the stonyhurst students stalked us back to the barn and planned to put that blanket over Todd to restrain him while they beat him with towels and soap like in full metal jacket but realised they had got the wrong man so decided to tuck him in instead!

This is an interesting post and an area of risk that we have definitely overlooked at our work. I had to clear branches and trees growing out of a river banking stone wall. The river was about waist height at the deepest points but mainly around the knees and shins. I wore waders but not chainsaw boots because waders don't accommodate them (potential market idea!) and the risk assessment did not account for going in the river at all. There were no trees to tie into to descend and the boss suggested tying into a flimsy fence to which I said no. You don't know what you are standing on and I nearly fell in on two or three occasions plus the chainsaw bar was often in the water. I got the job over and done with but was not impressed by the lack of safety management.

Kipperfeet and his hound landed aswell and took us on a good walk. Bob could you post that picture from the top of the fell?

Was a good laugh indeed. There was a bit of an altercation which ended up mounting to nothing but exchanging verbal abuse with minted stonyhurst students - all over a forgotten beanie hat! Fits of laughter and terrible snoring prevented a few of us from sleeping way into the early hours. The chap who owned the barn was really pleasant and accommodating so we should be ok to use the place again for future get togethers. My mouth is still sahara dry from the supping and eating a burger that consisted of more salt than meat!

From left to right: Dean Lofthouse Tree Monkey Bob Rolfe Skyhuck Treequip Lancstree Penfold David Riding

FM transmitter for my car. You just plug it into the cigarette lighter for power and then stick in a memory stick or whatever music device you want then listen through your radio. The best part is it cost less than a tenner. I use a minidisk player and a memory stick mostly

I'll be there about 11.30. Will have to ring the chap in the morning to let him know what time we're gonna be there so I'll see to that.

OK its getting close now. So who's coming and who's shivering out?

Can anybody digest the sight of those sums?

When carrying out risk assessments for jobs that cannot exclude the public from the work area (e.g. work on a tree overhanging several properties), I'd be interested to know what sort of measures are identified to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. To get the list going here's a few: Inform people at risk by knocking on doors and talking or by dropping a leaflet through. (e.g. those that come out of the rear door of their house to have a look at what's going on and stand right underneath!) Ensure enough staff on the ground to manage the public and identify unexpected risks. Rigg pieces rather than snap cut and throw. I'm interested because I'd like to know if there is anything more I could do, rather than just accepting that I'd done all I could because I can't think of anything else, which is a cop out.

Second thoughts.. Pm me if you want my number

Yeah I'll put it up a couple of days before.

Those up for the walk should meet between 12 and 1 at the barn then go for it before the sun drops. For those that can't get there at that time there is pubs and stonyhurst college really close. The grounds are nice but you might not be able to get in the main garden at this time of the year. Whatever happens during the day we'll all meet eventually as its a small hamlet. Round the back of the college there's a stone carving yard with some tree carvings there as I remember.