Taupotreeman

Pretty much every time I should. Got complacent awhile ago and had to kick myself and get back in to the habit. I've seen enough nasty accidents and close calls (one recently at work) to make excuses for not putting it on. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

The final day of four weeks of crown lifting and tree removal in Turangi was supposed to be an easy one. This Liquidambar was supposed to be given a bit of a lift and reduction back from the neighbouring property but a closer look at the canopy showed a multitude of sins so out it came. 3 hours to get it done and dusted and a multitude of targets below. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Local safety shop has started stocking Shindaiwa and Echo. The Echo gear is almost half the price of the Stihl equivalents and we are seriously looking at giving one a trial. Are the chainsaws really that good? They come with a two year commercial warranty so it's very tempting. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

I retired my four year old airstreams last year. Put them in the cupboard for walking the dog boots. Somehow, a good cobbler managed to rebuild the soles on them so they are now back in use. Almost five years old, maybe more and still warm, comfy and waterproof. I bought another pair and also a pair of phantoms for ground work but for the best I don't think you'll go wrong with the Meindles. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Been following your page on FB and there's some doozies coming through where the photos are concerned. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Haha, usually it's sports talkback radio. The conversation seems to make my brain tick a little more. I've had the same play list on my iPod for about 6 months now but because I'm not really listening most of the time I don't get bored with it. It's just nice to have something going on in the back ground other than the noise of chainsaws and chippers. The fact that I'm not bored with the same 300 odd songs shows that I am actually concentrating on what I'm doing. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Just on the balaclava thingy; if you check out motor bike shops they sell a balaclava type thingy that stretches down over your chest. A mate of mine used his for winter work and swore by it. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

I have my iPod on while I'm working on less technical jobs along with Peltor H10 ear muffs. Can't hear a thing 😄 and no, the music isn't turned up that loud it's damaging my hearing. We get regular hearing tests and my hearing still remains pretty damn good for my age. Shouldn't mind some decent ear plugs to drown out the bass from the neighbours when they decide to chuck a party though. Suggestions for good disposables welcome. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Some monster Willows on the banks of the Soar (I think) just off the A6 roundabout on the northern entry to Leicester. No idea what species but they were huge. Just while we're on the derail. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Covered by ACC in NZ Andy but then, to be fair, I don't think you meant us over t'other side of the world. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Brilliant. Think I might just have wee'd myself a little. I think with that type of piercing you'd be opening yourself up for trouble. Easy to catch infections if it's encased in a sweaty ear muff for a while. I have/had two tunnels in my left ear. I've recently ditched the small one but coming home on the plane from the US I had some quality ear phones on for the duration of the trip which were quite a snug fit. By the time I got up the morning after arriving home I had an infection in one of the tunnels. The whole inner part of the tunnel had gone crusty and was oozing. A few days of antibiotic cream and no tunnel cleared it up but with a fresh piercing it might be something to think on. If you get an infection and it is bad it can lead to hard scar tissue. If you do have it done its worth taking it out regularly and leaving it out for a while as it can start to smell a little funky. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

When I worked in the forests in the early 90's we were taking down Larch. Even the smallest hinge seemed to cause the stem to split up, sometimes over 10 feet. The gaffer has me hang about at the base until the tree was on its way in the right direction and then cut straight through the hinge. Probably not the safest but sometimes I still use that way though for the life of me I can't think why. Otherwise, it's the way I was taught at college. Top cut first followed by horizontal. We were also taught that the face should be 1/4 to 1/5 the diameter of the tree but in NZ it's at least 1/3. Personally, it all depends on the tree, situation, if wedges are needed and how much hinge I need. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

You'd think having an angry arborist and/or groundy waving various implements of mass destruction (chainsaws etc) at them would be sufficient to keep people out of a cordoned area but no. We've tried chucking bits of wood at people but that hasn't worked either. Mind you, when one yells BELOW and the groundies scarper, usually the person walking through the cordon realises they might be in trouble. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Shelter belt of Paulownias in full flower Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Probably of no help what so ever but some of the NZ natives soot up chimneys and fire glass even when dry. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

There's been a couple of threads recently where there's been a fair bit of name calling. Ok so it's only name calling but sometimes it goes a little too far. Heated debate is fine but as is I said before, sometimes it just boils down to who can slag somebody off the most. Just all seems a little childish. I can't remember the threads off hand unfortunately. Maybe I'm just showing my age, becoming my old man. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Finally! Well said John. Some of the threads recently have just about been nothing more than a slagging match. It gets a little off putting after a while. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Next time I'm there you'll have to give me a personal tour Mario. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Just dispelling the myth that council employees don't work in the rain. Crown lifting the whole town tree by tree, street by street to reduce complaints, increase light and give vehicular and pedestrian traffic clearance. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Some nice photos popping up on here. Took this one this morning. Looking North from Bully point to Taupo. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Motuoapa, Lake Taupo a couple of days ago. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Unfortunately, the exchange rate is gonna suck. If you're earning in NZ try and save your pound if you can. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

It's got some pretty good reviews, especially for the price tag which was about $400. Couldn't justify the $2k on the canon after reading the write ups. I think it comes under several names, Bower, Sigma etc. I used it a fair bit on my US trip and have no complaints but then I don't profess to be a crack photographer. It does what it says on the box so it's definitely worth a look. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

I'm used to the manual focus Mario. Bought a Rokinon 14mm manual focus from Adorama. Great lens for night sky, landscape and interior photography. I'll check out the links but I might have to peruse our equivalent over in NZ (trademe). Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Couldn't agree more will. Went out with one for a while and some of the others were crackers too. Same applies to the business course. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App