Bald Monkey

I will definitely get up and work for a low wage at the moment. I came into this industry a year ago aged 33 after spending 12 years in a office environment. When I went to college the tutor was selling the Arb industry big time "there's plenty of work, you'll get a full time job no problem etc'..... Well a year on I haven't got a full time job (out of 14 people on my course only one person that I know of has a full time on the books position, the others are in similar situations to me). I'm self employed with several companies and i'm currently pulling in a couple of days a week if I'm lucky earning between 65 to 80 pounds a day depending on the company I'm working for. So would I get out of bed for fifty quid a day at the moment to drag brash all day or sweep up? Damn right I would because money is money and Ive got a mortgage and bills to pay. When I'm not working I'm volunteering with the Wildlife Trust because I refuse to sit on my arse doing sod all. Plus this adds extra skills to the CV and gives me a feel good factor at the same time. I personally feel that I wont have a full time future in this industry because work is so scarce and with the number of new students coming out of colleges its going to get even worse. So I'm currently looking into other areas of work within the countryside industry and if I find anything suitable I will take the post no matter what the wage because I feel once I have the foot in the door and prove myself the rewards will follow! So Brodie my advice is if you want to stick with this industry, get a job on a low wage prove yourself to them and if the company is worth anything they will reward you with a better wage in the future.

Cheers MonkeyD, I ran the edge of the chain over the wing areas and it gave it quite a good feathered effect, especially after running the blow torch over it. Not sure if that's what you mean by relief??

Thanks Ian , I know what you are saying about the face. I'm thinking of getting an angle grinder with a sanding disk on so I can get more curves into it.

I have tried a couple of mushrooms that I was quite pleased with so thought I would give something abit more challenging a go. I'm quite pleased with the result but know there is a lot that can be improved on future attempts. I used a blow torch to bring out the texture in the feathers. All done with a top handle. Let me know what you think... Cheers Gary

Sorry to hear this horrible news, very close to home!!

My wife and I are seriously beginning to think about moving to Oz. My wife has alot of family in the melbourne area and that would be our number 1 location. I've recently gained a NA in Arboriculture with distinction, have NPTC 30,31,38,39 and UA1 and have been working full time since July 09. Although I haven't been climbing everyday for the company ( I guess you could call me the second climber) I feel quite confident within the trees and I would imagine this will improve the more experience I gain. Does anyone know the exact procedure for emigrating, do you have to have a practical test before you go etc? I've looked at one website and apparently you have to gain an AQF level 3 certificate before your visa can be looked at. Also, how much experience would I need before being considered? Some people have said 12 months, others 24. Has anyone emigrated there recently and what was the visa process like for them? Cheers:thumbup:

Being just out of college and only getting the odd day climbing here and there today was my first day climbing a big tree in heavy persistant rain. I was really struggling to get out to the end of branches because there were so slippy with the moss covering the branches. In the end I was using both ends of the ropes and a strop and also at times straddling the branch and pushing myself out which wasn't ideal. Does anybody have any tips on getting to the end of branches when they are slippy and peeing it down with rain?? Or do you just decide to knock it on the head for the day and come back to it when the weather is better?? Any advice would be great.

Sounds good but unfortunately I don't think the wife will agree to that!!

Great pics, can't wait until we get up that way in 8 weeks time. Just hope the weather isn't too bad or else I'll have to spend all of the holiday in the pub Don't think the wife will be too happy with that though!!

Any excuse for a beer mate, I will keep you posted.

Cheers everyone for the suggestions. Keep them coming:001_tongue: SWB - We have booked into a cottage on the Ardmarnoch estate. Do you know it?

Hi everyone, My wife and I (plus the dog) are thinking of have a two break on the west coast of scotland in September. Having never been there before does anyone have any opinions on what must be seen, great restaurants (we like seafood), pubs etc. We are hoping to cover as much of the area as possible and are looking at staying in a place called Kilfinan which is on the south east shore of Loch Fyne. Unfortunately the wife doesn't want to do any major hill walking but if anyone can suggest any easy scenic routes in that area it would be great. Also any scenic drives and villages that must be visited. Thanks Gary

Great video

I've just left college and working for two companies on a self employed basis. I don't have my own insurance but have been told that I'm covered by their insurance when working for them, is this correct or do I need to look into getting covered myself? Cheers

I think he's from the leicester area. He was at my college doing an assessment not so long back, he also has a mouth full of gold teeth - quality!!!

Whats the weather been like, is it a mud bath?? I'm coming down tomorrow so hoping the weather will be better.

Just done the UA1 course and I can't believe how much I wasn't aware of before it. I've got the assessment next friday and I think its going to be the toughest to pass so far (I've already got 30,31,38,39 and chipper). I'm glad I've taken the course and its really opened my eyes to the other dangers out there. Like you say this should definitely be included at a basic level in the climbing and felling units.

Just started watching this on BBC2, took a few episodes to get going but now I'm totally hooked. Waiting for season 2 to arrive on BBC2 in a week or so.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, they are really helping. I've also been down to the local arboretum at the weekend so I've now got a good number to be getting on with.

I got a couple of Cadburys buttons and a big pack of M&M's...nearly all gone already!!

I'll give it a bash, Cedrus Atlantica or Cedrus deodara?

Here is a another view of the tree from further away, you are right there is a large area of brown dead foliage in the conifers directly behind the spruce.

Heres my boy, 11 yrs old now but still has lots of energy!!

Hi Everyone, A neighbour has asked me to consider topping what I believe is a Norway Spruce down to the level of the conifers at the rear, see pictures below. I personally think it will look a bag of shite if I do it because the shape will have been lost entirely. Also, do you know if there would be any health implications to the tree, does this species tolerate topping. Apologies if this is a really obvious question but this would be only my second ever job and I don't want to make a mess of it. Any suggestions/comments welcome. By the way not 100% sure of the ID of the tree but the Norway Spruce looks the most likely. Thanks for you help.