Taupotreeman

This happens in management too. I see it often when a manager or micro manager, rather than cause upset in the ranks, will defer a decision to a higher authority, skirt the subject or avoid it all together rather than just making a decision there and then at the risk of briefly upsetting an individual. People can get over a straight yes or no answer, what they don't like is getting the run around. If you can learn to say no in the first instance when required it will save a lot of issues and problems long term.

Spent the night with my feet up in front of the fire flicking between MTV classic and continuous ITM rugby watching the poor buggers from Auckland and Wellington play 80 minutes in a freezing southerly and hosing rain while I remained toasty. Hit the sack at 9 for a well deserved night of sleep.

Have a look at the Klimba Air Tirrols. Big roomy boot and my current second fave. Very chunky and stiff though so if you do a lot of spike work they're excellent.

I stand corrected.

Me too. No problems with registering this end. Good luck.

CraigD; Yep, I went up and had a look around the shop. I bought my first pair from Honeybros after reading several boot threads on here. I just took the chance on getting the right size etc. When I was buying new gear for my council job I had the chance to go up and have a look at all the kit first hand at treetools rather than on a website. They carry a good range of boots and other gear up there and the staff are helpful, especially if you manage to catch Drew in the shop. Having said that I didn't actually try any on of the boots because I already new how good the airstreams were. The only toss up was between those and the Klimbas but the airstreams just ran out the winners. As long as you haven't got wide feet you'll love em. Once they're broken in they are soooo comfy. I was once told you spend half your life on your feet and the other half in bed so invest in good boots and a good bed. Sound advice if you ask me.

Hama, just wondered but if you stood still long enough would you take root?

Will people never learn.

I found the airstreams are quite a narrow fit, more like a walking boot. The klimba air tirrols are better if your a bit of a sasquatch. They are a much roomier boot. Just bought my second pair of airstreams but toprotter is right; they do get warm in summer but who cares. They kick ass in winter when all my colleagues are freezing with wet feet in their John Bull's and Blundstones.

As far as my comment about the TV goes; I was meaning more along the lines of what Stephen Blair said. If you don't ask for a discount you don't get. And yep, I've had plenty of people try it on with me after the job has been done. The same old questions; do I get senior citizens discount, what if I pay cash etc. If you don't want to give them a discount just say no, that's the price you were quoted, that's the price you pay. Of course you get the odd pillock who wants to try it on big time but surely you can't knock a man for trying? How many have walked up to the counter with goods in hand and then once you're at the checkout ask if you can have a discount? Surely this is classed as willing to accept the price quoted for that item when you pick it up and head to the checkout to then only ask for the discount? I did the very thing today and walked away with 20% off ticket. Sure, it isn't exactly getting the item hope then walking into the shop a day later asking for money off but you have to try in this day and age don't you? And if you're not big enough to say no, more fool you.

They ride a heap better with a load of mulch in the back.

You reckon it's framed and on his wall?

two problems. One, it wasn't exactly planted and two, it doesn't all fit in one shot. I think I took three shots last time and still didn't get it all. DrewB might have some better pictures as he's climbed it. Found a monster of a Totara the other day though. Reputed to be over 600 years old so I'll try and get some photos of that.

I agree in the main, still being self employed to some degree but then I'm the first to be asking for a discount if I want to buy a new TV or something. Is there a difference?

That Beech avenue is stunning. Looking forward to seeing what else crops up on this thread.

What you need to do Rob is find someone elses money to spend on new gear like I did.

Not sure about the grafter but I have the Elf with a 3.1 motor and 2.8 tonne load. Isn't exactly the gruntiest thing in the world, in fact I'd say it's pretty gutless. Absolutely useless off road. It'll get stuck at just the site of wet grass. Cab is fit for people under 6 feet tall and of the smaller build otherwise, with two people in it would be extremely cramped. Having said that, it's as reliable as heck, hasn't really let me down yet, turning circle is awesome and it's light and easy to drive. If you're towing or loaded though it will suck through the diesel.

Had my airstreams around 3 years now. Waxed em twice and they're still waterproof, still comfy, nice and warm in winter and the sole is still fine. Definately the dogs danglies.

Using a set of Carbon Geckos now. Super light after my steel buckinghams. Straps are a little fiddly to get tight but any way i can lighten my load up the tree has to help. I think the buckingham alis were even more expensive though.

David, the footpath is solid concrete. I'll get some photos when I remember. Hama, cheers for the idea. I'm not to crash hot on the root thing I'm afraid. It's definately something I can put forward though and not having to replace the concrete every few years should win some browny points cost wise. Just wonder if we get any little gits knicking them.

I think I'm correct in saying that the Mujahedeen aren't actually fighting against the allied troops as such. I think that various tribes have split into factions, some of which fight with or harbour the Taliban, some fight or side with the Allies and some just don't care. It's all a little more complicated than simply saying that the Mujahadeen are fighting against "us". Sometimes I wonder if there's any point in pile driving into some of these countries and trying to change an ingrained mind set. Terrorism is a whole different beast to your stereotypical warfare.

Sorry mate, probably hard to hear but your man caused the wall to fail so it's up to you to put it right. Regardless of whther the wall was manky in the first place it WAS standing. As part of the hazard ID it should have been pointed out that the wall was at tipping point. You'll just have to suck it up and wear the cost.

I also climb on a hitch climber with VT which I find better than the last hitch I used with it(the standard one that came with the instructions). It can be unerving waiting for the hitch to bite though, especially if you haven't dressed it properly or it's loosened itself on decent ascent. I also got shown how to double up the rope through a roller carabina which makes things a heap easier hauling my backside up a tree. Now I've been looking at the spiderjack and lockjack but opinions seem to be varied as to their efficiency. Got talking yesterday on a job with a guy I worked with donkey's years ago. We couldn't believe how far advanced the gear had become from when we used to issue the guys with 3 strand climbing line and a 3 strand prussic that you could never undo once it had tightened up in the rain. Hip thrusting up a tree on one of those was an experience.

Not a bad idea. We had a similar issue with a large Totara recently that I refuced to allow root pruning on as it was well within the drip line of the tree. The suggestions were that either we put in a floating walkway or we reroute the footpath. The only issue I can see with block paving is the cost and whether Council would be willing to splash out on doing this on the hundreds of trees around the district. In most places the root lift is significant so would block paving be OK for this kind of lifting?

Just some advice needed here guys please. Around my neighbourhood we had a heap of red Oaks, Scarlet Ash, Pin Oak etc planted on the council berms about 40 years ago. The berms themselves are only about 1-2m wide, the oaks are getting on for 0.75 to 1m diameter. In most places the trees are now butt up to the footpath and the roots are lifting the footpaths in many places. Fortunately the trees are not to be removed but past action has been to rip up the fottpath, rip up the roots and then lay down new concrete. Even I know this isn't good for the trees but then Council has an obligation to keep the footpaths safe for pedestrians because apparently, in this day and age, people can't use either their eyes or common sense. My question is; how do we solve the issue of lifting footpaths without detrement to the tree? Is it actually possible to root prune this close to the stem? Personally I wouldn't have thought so but I'm looking for the input of those with more experience in these matters. No pictures yet but if you need some examples I can get the easily.