Ty Korrigan

Morning, I've been doing grass here since 2003 but sold the client list off when I moved to Rennes. We have been touting again for grass work around Rennes and 2 weeks ago bought a demonstrator Wolf A80K Pro to add to our Honda Hydostratic Pro walk behind. The difference we have is ALL French clients require their grass to be removed and generally have prissy boring gardens whilst the Brits would tolerate cut and drop as they are generally second homes. I'd collect only around the immediate area of the house and even then it would be tipped on site. To transport and remove the grass requires us to use our tipper and small plant trailer, quite an extra investment but one we already had. As you'll still require a decent walk behind it is this I'd look at getting first. For years I used this on huge lawns often with a small 'big bag' that takes 3 mower sacks. The advantage is that I can get the small mower etc in the kangoo van and take grass away in the trailer. Around here, we estimate our grass cutting with a walk behind at 28euros p/h with the Wolf ride on at 37.50 per hour. Trouble you'll find is that when grass cutting for Brits it is difficult to charge a decent rate as there are so many impoverished ex-pats doing the same at silly prices. I get told frequently that 15-20euros is the 'going' rate... Every-one knows a 'Dix Euros Dave' and many work on the black. Just ask on Anglo-misinfo...hhh! Something to consider is a micro tractor on grass tyres with a cutting deck underneath. This you could use for larger lawns (cut and drop) and also for field topping, rotavating (change wheels) and even dragging logs out. Just a thought... Best of luck with it!

I recall cycling up to Cape Reinga via the the East coast and its bays. It was October and the Foxglove trees where in flower en masse. The parfam was delicate and the contrast of purple against the grey rain clouds my camera could not capture sadly. Then there was the Pohutukawa trees, WOW! Knarled and twisted, bare of leaves but red candles all over. Happy days...

It is true the market is depressed. Smaller cheaper homes are tending to sell still and the bigger ones and potential money pits remaining on the market for years. I have clients who have been trying to sell now for 2-3 years... A potential client base is the I'ile de France zone so perhaps finding an agent with connections over there? We work for a agency France immobilier and also out town notaire who tell us while new builds are still going up near commuter towns, rural properties remain slow to move on. Regards

Cripes, that's a lovely looking place! I'm sure you'll have no problems selling up. Just add lot's of images with cheerfull annuals to brighten it up even further. Best of luck!

French Entree I sold my place for 3 times what I paid for it via this site. But that was in 2007... You create your own web page and the cost was really very little. Regards

Excellent result! Well done there. Every manufacturer makes errors but the fact G.M acknowledge it and react positively to issues is the reason they have loyal clients. Regards

It probally needs no further investigation. It is a problem G.M acknowledged and is not something that can be repaired. Be nice and you may be lucky and recieve a replacement cassette. I am trying to save you going through all the stress I experienced when our went down. The crack was in a different place each time but very hard to see, in fact we never did see the first one!

Regardless of warranty it is not something that should happen so call Mac at G.M tomorrow and get it resolved. Regards

Hello, We had this happen twice to us and each time G.M replaced the entire cassette. I found G.M to be both sympathetic and reactive to our problem and we live in another country! Regards

Worked in local Co-op waiting for my 10 week course to start. Last couple of days spent in minor sabotage and small jokes. Printed off small official labels and put them inside the egg boxes. They said "May contain nuts" Prized open the bottoom of the odd bag of sugar whilst stacking the shelves so when old ladies would pick one up, a kilo of sugar would tumble over the place. Red cocchinal food colouring and floor cleaner in the ladies cistern. Foaming red on the first flush! Oh happy days...

Shy away...? From excellent reactive customer service and dealer support...?

For the French, gear and sawdust are acceptable during weekdays but most tradesmen who quote at weekends dress up smartly even if they use a dirty company vehicle. I try and turn up in clothes that won't let me down and yet won't stop me from having a quick climb to inspect a tree either. We are strict on corporate image, gives us the air of a bigger outfit. Ty

Isn't that what they do in Westland due the shortage of women...?

OH good grief, if this was about defending chainsaws and livelihood you'd all be rabid dogs straining at the leash to get at them. Ty

Socialist idiot. Ty

Get this, I don't drink! Ty

I don't drink friend. Ty

You Sir, smell like an underwashed Crusty thief... If I saw you in my yard I'd give you a blow to the head too! Ty

Oh I have a clue, I lived and worked there. Crusties are useless types who beg, drink, smoke and are the definition of pure lazyness. Show me a significant number of Crusty Lawyers, Doctors, Nurses or usefull members of society who actually contribute then I'll back down and apologise. Until then, YOU are mistaken. Ty

Really...? No need for what? I kicked a thief to the floor who threatend my 3 female staff with a knife then after a long foot chase, trapped him by the river, floored his undernourished body to the floor with a tackle before kicking his ribs to get him to lie still... I would do it again and again and again. If it was YOUR chainsaws OR firewood what would you do...? Give over... Ty

Bath needs a bylaw and signs that say "Don't feed the Crusties" And...if you want to judge someone, look at their teeth and take note of their smell. Addicts don't brush nor wash no matter how well dressed they are (stolen clothes anyway) Too much time spent chasing thieves in the magistrates and hearing sob stories that get them reduced sentences that have no real punishment attached. I stoved the ribs of one thief and his mates got the message. (I got off with a warning...) We are up against a socialist tide of apathy when it comes to crime an punishment. Every thief is the victim and every victim guilty for owning an iphone/laptop/being trusting. Ty

John, I used to run a shop in Union Passage Bath in a previous life. But lived on top of Box on a farm. Better paid too my old trade... Anyway. The place is rotten with Big Issue sellers, drug addicts and shoplifters. It is an expensive city and rotten with crusties, hippies and underclass. Horrible undercurrent... On Saturdays, every 5th person could be a shoplifter and so a drug addict. Shoplifting goes hand in hand with drugs. Filthy breed, kill them all with a blow to the head. Ty

So far, I have opened my own doors and NO-ONE has ever asked me for my tickets or demanded to see my insurance. All clients take it on trust I am competant. I look professional, have a tongue like an electric eel and a shiny business card that blinds clients. I'm not a spiv but if I saw a 150m Sequioa with a DBH of 9m I'd say "Why yes I can do this but do you want the wood?" then calmly put in a quote and call some-one better able to do the job. You need no certs. to be a tout/agent/businessman. Ty

O.K, In the U.K, is it actually 'illegal' to do tree work without the prerequisite NPTC certs to prove your competance...? Ty

Good Boy Rover! Ty