Taupotreeman

Only a whipper snapper at 43. Don't climb as much now as my 2ic is keen as mustard but I still keep my hand in and still enjoy it. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

You can count me in as another one on a diet of sorts Silky. Been watching the Paleo thread with interest and I've given up the sugar, bread and other wheat products. Quite hard, at least at the start, as you don't realise how much sugar is in nearly everything you eat. Still, if I can keep it up for a month and then I might allow myself the odd beer or wine. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Beauty Lee thank you. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

We're lucky here in Taupo as we have a local farm or two supplying beautiful grass fed beef to the local butcher and it's CHEAP. I'm also due a christmas lamb for a job I've not long completed. I'm still struggling on a few ideas for salad dressings so if anyone has any recipes it would be much appreciated. Someone mentioned addiction to sugar too. I've only been off the stuff three days and I can already feel the cravings. A handful of currants usually sorts it out. I have decided though that I'm not giving up the milk. Cut down, yes, but not give up. As for the dog food; chicken around these parts is massively expensive. Even the carcasses have rocketed in price. Heaps of hunting dogs in these parts and the super markets and butchers have cottoned on to the fact that there's easy money to be made from waste chicken parts. I do know that dog roll is awful stuff though. My old Rotty nearly scratched himself raw after I fed it to him.

Far out, must be something in the water over there. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Reid and Co had one, brought over by Asplundh when Asplundh bought Reid's out. It was known as the white elephant because it was huge (compared to the other tree trucks) and white. It was also way too big to use as it was brought over mainly for the MANWEB contract in North Wales but they couldn't get it down half the country lanes there. It was still sat in the yard when I worked there.

I still have an Asplundh chuck and duck. Built like the proverbial out house. That pic brings back a few memories too. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Sorry bud, just saw your link after posting. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Christchurch City Council have just lost a four year court case over its refusal to remove a silver birch that the plaintiff had said was toxic and was partly responsible for his wife's death. CCC is now having to remove ALL Silver Birch on its land. Personally I think it's a massive load of BS but the judge saw it differently. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

And as for all the discussion on the Seps; I don't really want to get in to the nitty gritty but one thing I did notice when I was over there was their patriotism. Didn't matter how big or small the game, building etc, national anthem sung and flag flying. Something Britain was proud of long ago. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

They did a bit of a study in NZ. Same issue and same complaint; always maccers wrappers. Turns out that Mickey D's stuff was no more prevalent than any other rubbish, just more recognisable as a brand so gave the impression there was more of it. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

I remember seeing the Asplundh Tree (quarterly mag) once and a picture of Asplundh's yard. There was truck after truck after truck and the same with chippers. At the time they employed something like 45,000 people. The gear they had was ridiculous. Still remember when they flew a heap up to Canada on USAF Galaxies to help with an ice storm clean up. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Standard fare in NZ and Oz mate. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Gotta say that, even though he might have a cracking job at the moment, 1.5hrs travel each way, even on public transport, is quite a bit. I know a few people who have jacked in their jobs due to the high travel time. Work it out on a weekly basis the amount of time he actually loses and this may well be the deciding factor. Yes, he might well regret it later but maybe not. I agree with a couple of the other comments; move on but, if he's half decent, keep in touch. Sometimes when you're young (as I stated on another thread) you don't always think first if at all. I do have a little sympathy for him.

And don't get me started on additives and preservatives. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Steve, I just did my shop and I took the time to read the ingredients list on stuff. Something I used to do regularly when I was a gym junky. Tinned crab meat, tinned tuna, mixed fruit and nuts, fruit mix, tinned shrimps, various marinades, dips, sauces etc ALL with added sugar. Check out the carbs and the carbs from sugar and it was pretty scary. I don't drink a lot of fizzy drinks now but a fair bit of orange and milk. Maybe a juicer might be in order. I really only want to lose a bit of weight and find a bit more energy and the wife is a really picky eater anyway so a full scale change would be difficult but if I can change 70-80% of what I eat and see how I go. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Funny but as I sat at the breakfast table this morning having my last go on toast and cereal I got to reading the ingredients. Orange juice, tomato sauce, cereal etc all full of sugar. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Red. Cracking condition. There was a custom car show in town on Saturday too but I was too busy working.

Ok, so now I'm really annoyed. Just bought a heap of muesli, vogels bread and single serve rice meals for my lunch in order to try and eat more healthily and cut out the crap and then I read this thread. Heard one of the NZ cricketers is really into paelo and swears by it. He's now trying to convert the rest of the team. I'm not sure I could fully convert as I like my milk and cheese but I've decided I'm knocking the alcohol on the head for a start (my waste line has rapidly increased since I started having a beer every night) and the breads are going too. Might take a while to ditch the pasta and rice but the rest of the grains are going out the window for the chooks. I've always liked fruit but have often been worried with the amount of sugar in it and too much fruit gives me really bad bloat. It looks like it might take a while to get into the swing of things but no harm in trying. Oh well, off to the shop tomorrow then. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

One of those doing the rounds in Turangi Mike. Number plate is SCUMS. I'll try get a photo for you. Real nice looking machine.

Or maybe one of these. This is one my old man rebuilt after a major smash.

Aston Martin V600. One of a few in my ultimate garage. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Agreed. Mind you, it's way better than I thought it would be. Handled some gnarly old Oak pretty well. I wouldn't want to use it for larger work on a constant basis but for pruning, hedges, deadwooding etc it's a fantastic little back up saw.

I, like Reg, have briefed through this thread. Personally, I don't care. It doesn't offend me, in fact I really didn't give the advert much of a second look until it started blowing up a bit. I decided to ask er indoors what she thought. She isn't offended either and doesn't think it sexist in the slightest. I suppose different strokes for different folks but I'm sure the prevalence of near naked woman cavorting around our tv screens everyday in the name of music (apparently) could be considered far worse as could one of the recent threads on best looking tv hotties on AT. My two cents worth; there's far more important stuff to worry about. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

I just hit the Zyban. Stopped almost instantly with no cravings. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App