Ty Korrigan

Bet the climber part is a moody bastard and the groundy only took quick to accept offers of clients coffee...

The incident you write about reflects my own barely supressed anxieties over some kid wobbling on a dumb electric scooter or unpredictable pedestrian jumping out between parked cars with a phone glued to their ear. It might simply be me that is hit in a multiple vehicle shunt in urban or autoroute traffic but then the focus swings to my payload. I worry about losing what little I have amassed in life and destroying any future to a bitter civil court case that strips me of assets to pay eyewatering compensation due to criminal negligence. Then I think, if the Gendarmes really cared so much they'd put a road block on the slip road and screw every tradesman in town...

I'm due to replace my 2007 Iveco crew cab and have quotes for new trucks 3.5t Fuso Canter at €38k, 6t €53k (narrow cab) 7.5t €57k (wide cab) plus sides etc. I'm happy to buy new, it will likely be my last truck anyway. Thing is, I will be employing in the future to either I arrange to put the young spotty through his HGV or stick to a 3.5t and running overweight. I find it a bit mad that even larger Arb outfits expect their employees to risk their licence by driving over loaded trucks. What does worry me is the thought of potentially (very certain France) being sued in a civil case because the driver I hit with my overloaded truck suffers an injury 🤕 🩸 🩸 🩸

I just turn on the old ear worms. They kept me well entertained when I was cycling across Australia in 2009 Stuart

Reefer...he's that kind of climber...

When I first met Jérôme, he wore full PPE. Then one day he just gave up on the helmet and ballistics. Here most also wear a Kevlar sleeve on each arm, I get picked up often on that. Never used them, not part of Brit arb culture. Jérôme wears unlined Pfanners which are just the outers of type A pants and a squint instead of a visor. Yeh, yeh, even other French Arb guys comment on the lack of PPE but rarely have the minerals to challenge him directly. As long as he makes me money I'm not going to insist he conforms. If you really want to go full 'Karen' on Health and Safety, take a look at our local Lidl selling Parkside top handles to all and sundry or watch a French roofer trying to start a manky top handle saw whilst straddling a roof beam just to cut a latte.

I'll take a look in the morning. My other Echo is one I sent to you. This one local shop stock, probably 4/5 years old.

I've a tuning question. One of my 2511 saws constantly cuts out when coming off the gas at the end of a cut and only stays running if the trigger is given a little squeeze. Once it stalls it is then stubborn to restart. Can this problem be simply tuned out? Cheers Stuart

I bought a Makita compatible secateur recently for €60 Excellent value, might not be as powerfull as the Stihl and the blades stay open which is an inconvenience hanging from a harness. However, it has convinced me to upgrade to the Stihl for €220 as the new Pellenc are almost a grand.

Any one else have an opinion on the 3A?

I currently only win 30% of jobs as it is so raising prices isn't going to buy my way into private property ownership in the immediate future. It would only reduce the number of jobs accepted and leave the door open to others.

Yes and Yes unless I travel. However unless I'm showing on the Google search as a local business no amount of positive reviews will compensate for not being local.

It's about domiciling a business. For Google, Pages Jaune and any business to business work where your details are looked up on the government register. Most people choose to call the most local businesses. If I move just 30km to an area of affordable housing (50% less) that is a greater distance than the 15km zone were most of my clients are. If I'm not showing in the Google search as being in town I feel pretty sure I won't be called and others will bag the work. Has anyone else relocated and found this to be true?

No, France.