Taupotreeman

It makes wondeful firewood. I can't get my hands on enough of the stuff. Burns very hot and very long depending on the species and you won't see the stuff hanging around after being felled around these parts. The vapour given off is what fuels the fires. What causes them is usually some little scrote with a match who thinks it's fun to set fire to stuff, back burning gone wrong or a careless individual with a stray butt end, spark etc. The vapours are highly combustable but you'll find the same with certain species of conifer. Put a hot dry wind behind it and it's all on for young and old. The Gum that I burn doesn't spit and thinking about it I've never had any Gum spit. Are you sure that it is thoroughly dry? This stuff can take a couple of years to completely dry out. Even if it does spit, like others have suggested use a fireguard. The wood really is one of the best firewoods you'll find.

Haven't followed this entire thread and not sure if we are still talking about beggars or those that are looking for easy cash at petrol stations. While I have no issue handing over loose change for a homeless guy, regardless if he's going to spend it on booze etc, those at the petrol stations usually have access to funds (usually our tax funds via the governments handouts) quite readily. Many are making a killing from doing the rounds at the petrol stations along with benefit money and anything else they can do but very little of it involves working for a living. There was a spate of it here in NZ and most of those involved were of a certain race and socioeconimic group. I won't tar everyone with the same brush but unfortunately conclusions were drawn.

ask the doctor for zyban father in law took this never looked back its been 9 years I'll second that but you have to WANT to give up. I told myself for years that I was going to kick the habit when really I enjoyed my monring smoke too much. Eventually I just decided that this time I'd had enough and that I did want to quit. I got the Zyban from the kwak and from there on in it was pretty easy.

I'm completely at home on a set of spikes. Up, down, round and about

Yup, I'll take a couple of those at least. I'm sure there will be a couple of other kiwis in the market for one as well. Just let us know as soon as they are available. Looks like you might need to get a good stock in though judging by the reaction to them so far.

Had a quick look through the same thread on Treebuzz, can't believe how bad the flaming is there. It's out of control. Some very personal attacks. Fair play to Mr Bullman nipping it in the bud here. I tried to read the thread on Treebuzz just to see what all the fuss was about. Yeesh, I gave up in the end. Pity some people on there couldn't keep it polite.

Can't understand this. I wouldn't buy Willow for firewood and I don't bother collecting it myself as I can afford to be picky but if you leave it out for collection for free people turn their noses up. Surely ANY firewood is good wood if it's free?

Guilty too. Just saw general chat and thought that was for all non arb related stuff.

Braces for me but because I find that a belt digs in or gets squished into my guts when I'm wearing a climbing harness. Keeps my pants up better too rather than spending all day with them round my ankles.

I think the early photos are more my cup of tea. An opportunity to actually see and experience the majesty of the trees. It's something I've wanted to do since I was a kid so I'd prefer to spend what little time I have taking a steady walk rather than the more touristy things, if that makes sense.

That's a fairly hefty lump of wood to be shifting by hand. Where is that by the way?

To be fair I really don't give a monkeys about the weather. For all I care it can hose it down the whole time I'm there; I still intend to enjoy every second of it. The to do list definately includes Alcatraz and a boat trip out on the bay. I'm also keen to go whale watching (why in San Francisco and not just down the road in Kaikoura I don't know) and the trip up to the redwoods is now also on the list. As far as the cheesy drive trip; not sure this is really my cup of tea and I'll have spent long enough in a New Orleans jazz bar somewhere that I'll be keen for some fresh air and a bit of a walk by the time SF rolls around. As far as Yosemite is concerned; I was really keen in the beginning but the more I see of the area the more it looks like one massive tourist trap. It does look stunning but I'm not sure that I really want to be mixed in with a heap of other tourists. In addition most people recommend spending a few days in Yosemite and as we have already booked and paid for a hotel in SF I'll probably miss it this time around in exchange for heading up to the redwoods and plan better for the next trip ( which I aim to include Canada and Alaska in). Carlos, don't worry, I think we are taking three cameras and a couple of memory cards so should be at least a couple of decent photos out of it come rain, hail, snow or whatever. Oh, and no kids. There's no way I could afford this trip if I had kids

This is a regular occurence in NZ. People try the same trick car after car after car at the same petrol station. Then they'll take off to the next fuel station and try the same thing there. It's usually just $10 but if 10 people all give $10 then it's easy money for them.

That's exactly what I mean. The car company has already but the make, model etc on the car for you. I can read it, I don't need to read it again on a number plate. And, just for the record, I bought my missus a private plate a few years ago. Cost me $700 and I had her nickname put on it. Like I said in a previous post; you can have pretty much what you like rather than trying to get certain letters and numbers to sort of make a name or something like they do in the UK.

The ones that crack me up most in NZ are the people that, for example, have an Audi S5 and then they get a number plate that says AUDIS5. I just don't see the point in that whatsoever.

Is it just the nanny state UK that this applies to guys? No such rule here, just go out and arm yourself with whatever size saw you deem fit.

Haha, nice weather to be sitting on the beach bro. Have a good one and may the beer run freely.

Temporary Visas all done on line Adam. Pretty straight forward as long as you haven't got any dodgy convictions. Took me about five minutes although they can still refuse you entry at customs. It's called a visa waiver program and is done through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Cost $14 US so cheap as chips.

That's a whole lot of awesome information thanks md. Anything you can pm my way would be much appreciated. I'll also start doing some research on the route etc and then wing it when I get to San Fran. Car hire I figure I should be able to get sorted at the hotel.

Erm well er at least the New York part of it was for her I expect to be dragged around everywhere in NY but that's fine. New Orleans is for both of us because we love Jazz plus I'm looking forward to the food. SF is pretty much all mine. And yes Drew, the more I think about it the more I agree. Having seen those photos it has to be on the to do list. How can it not be?

I think I've figured it out. mdvaden, those pictures have pretty much sold me. The new plan is to leave the bulk of the gear in our hotel at union square and set off early one day for the giants. Seeing as the san fran accommodation was 6 for the price of five I figured we can spend a few hours driving and then spend the night somewhere in the area and head back the next day. At least it will give me a few decent hours of looking around. I want to head back to the states again anyway to go shark diving and visit some of the other states so might be able to revisit the area again.

Check out Personalised Plates New Zealand to see what a proper personalised plate should look like. As long as it isn't longer than six characters you can have almost anything you want. Saw BOLLOX the other day on a mustang in Auckland. Now that's a plate worth paying for and they're only about $700-$800.

Glad to hear that, I was starting to think I'd cocked up. Hoping to spend the time visiting Alcatraz, whale watching, you know, the usual stuff, along with the Redwoods and whatever else we can jam in. Maybe a couple of jazz bars etc.

Trip is already booked. 6 nights New York, 3 nights in New Orleans sitting outside a bar listening to jazz and then 6 nights in San Francisco. I was keen to go shark diving with great whites but it's the wrong season. The Redwoods was a last minute thought as I hadn't even considered that they were close enough to visit until after I'd booked everything but now I'm figuring seeing as I'm going to be running around like a blue arsed fly I may aswell try and tie in a visit even if it means several hours of travelling. I checked out all the trips to Yosemite as that seemed to kill a couple of birds with the one stone BUT all the info I've read seems to advise against the tour bus route as most of it is spent on the bus. Hiring a car and driving for however many hours sounds just about feasible for the return of seeing the giants so investigate this avenue I will.

I'm sure Beaver tree services was advertising not so long ago. Transfield are advertising for vegetation clearance. OK so it's only powerline work but it'll get you started.