Ty Korrigan

Now then, No rush but if you are considering a future move to France, anywhere within commuting distance of Rennes, I can help with work. I could use another productive climber, self employed or on the books. Ideally... a move here is best suited to a couple or family relocation because single males here often tend to be lonely and bored outside of work and a family unit is proven to be more stable. Single males tend to cut and run after 3 months of Breton Winter. A grasp of French would help you more than me but isn't a requirement, you'll pick it up as we go along. I've been working here near Rennes since 2010 and my wife is an accountant and administrator, so is able to help with all things admin wise to help your settlement here. Climate here is fairly dry with half the rainfall of the West of Brittany, with long hot Summers and cold 'dry' Winters but check the online stats for yourself. Housing is less expensive, especially renting which I recommend you do until you are sure that France is for you. Purchasing rural property can be very cheap but reflects the amount of work locally. Food can be more expensive (no BOGOF offers here by law) Workers restaurants at midday offer 3-4 courses for around 12 euros Drinking at home is cheap, drinking out isn't, a pint 7euros+ and rural bars close at 7pm France is generally considered a better place for bringing up younger kids who tend to absorb the language like sponges Kids of early secondary school age will struggle and be put back a year but still profit from life here. Excellent health system which isn't totally free but doesn't suffer the lack of funding of the NHS. Take a look at our business on the web and visit us on Facebook. www.franglaiselagage.com Regards Stuart Lee

I was 50 a few days ago. In 25 years only gained 3 kilos and wear the same trouser size as then. I feel great, fit, strong but seem not to recover so fast as a 30 year old me. I think even at 60 I should still be able to climb many simpler trees. For those I deem too much for my body there are 30 year old subbies. SRT has been a boon for accessing the crown which I've always found takes the most energy. I'm best on the ground though. I love to move fast, run from chipper to branch, drag hard and am always on the move. Stuart

Not in our trade. Only things that are cheap in France are properties and wines. Ask any expat. Stuart

I am occasionally contacted by other French arborists asking how they might buy kit from the U.K This week, it was 2 used chippers from a guy near Bordeaux who stands to save 12k or more over French used prices for the price of a few days jolly, ferry and hotel. I help with bookings, translation and advice and am available on line or phone if required. No fee, just for the 'bonne volonté' Stuart

Legend or bellend Legend for all the wrong reasons. Stuart

No, only Jason shuts Fridays. Stuart

Come across Jonathan Warden? Travellinghandymanfrance. Man is a total legend in your area. Stuart

Are you in the West of France? Could do with a capable groundy. Stuart

100 euros folding money? Stuart

How much are you a day normally? I take it you didn't climb but cut from the tractor nacelle? Stuart

Are you working for a British client? Also, are you fairly new to tree work or self employment? Stuart

This is a common sight in France, to see older chippers pre 2012 type conformity rolling on ungainly looking trailer chassis. Stuart

Hello, just a thought. Here in France we prune our stone fruits right after fruiting. If you prune now, surely you will lose the bulk of your flower buds? Regards Stuart

I'm a little bit mad right and keep records of chip produced in a wee black book. I established a while back that your average domestic conifer hedge when measured for it's standing volume, chips down 8-10 fold. So 8m3 of standing hedge becomes 1m3 of chip. Stuart

He keeps accurate mental records as he was feeding Gloria and counted each miserable one as they went through her. When feeding a CS100 you remember each branch that thwacked your chops, smacked you fingers or just wouldn't, wouldn't go through. Stuart

I'm teasing, on my 5th GM machine. Stuart

We'd be interested in images of almond trees being pruned. Before and after images. Is it a pro fruit tree specialist doing the work? Pruning for fructification is an art. 99.9% of tree surgeons cannot prune a fruit tree correctly. They either make it nice and round so the client thinks it looks pretty or take off so many branches it reacts with a profusion of vertical fruitless shoots. Stuart

Ah... Got it Greenmech have decided to make a 'reliable' chipper! Stuart?

Ah, that is a shame. Always very sad when businesses fold. Emotionally, I'm over my own 'liquidation' as the French call it. It was a vile period to live through. Never known such anxiety and mental pain. However, it is all in the past and I even got a risible payout at the end of it all once the land and building, trucks and chippers etc had all been sold off. Locals still refer to me as 'Le Jardinier Anglais' and I don't see 'Le Perfidious French Git' around at all and I've lost the desire to 'liquidate' him too... Stuart

Gasification engined chipper. Powered by what it chips straight into a wee furnace. PeteB told me about 11:30 last night. Mind you, he was with the drink again... Stuart

I might be mistaken. Have they gone into liquidation? Stuart

Or hardnosed women in bars. Stuart

Will he do it for the wood...? Stuart

How much is a tomography test in the UK? Stuart

I was wondering about a hand ascender. What think members if this parish? Stuart