Mark Bolam

It doesn’t compute though, Craig. If I did that it would ruin me, but I know of loads of times dids have walked away. I was chatting to Rich Rule (won’t let me tag him) earlier, and over there it’s all on the client. Whoever you contract in are YOUR responsibility. Sounds a better system to me, sick of sobbing Doris from Dorchester saying ‘Well when they knocked on my door they said they were tree experts’ etc.

Sounds tricky. I’d go for cash up front.

Not sure mate, it’s second hand. There is a garden shed, of absolutely pisspotical quality.

Arb and forestry are two different beasts. If we’re doing a ‘big’ tree, let’s say 3’ dia, we’ll have the big saw in, so why not use it? If I had to hump the 660 500m across a windblow site it might be a bit different! As for felling high, we do it whenever the situation dictates. Let’s face it, most big trees in arb are compromised in some way. I don’t see the point in fannying on with a 3’ dia flared mushbag pop or willow butt if there is 2’ dia of sounder, straight grained timber above it. Flop the stick, flush the stump, all the timber is being diced up and carried out of the garden anyway. This attracts the ‘have you got a bad back?’ comments from a few heroes, as if we’re production felling mahogany! Generally cut low if we can, like, and sometimes you need the buttresses to help you. Situations can and do vary.

It is on a brick gable end wall mate, so maybe they have taken that into account? They’re a pro company, they did our last install.

Tbh, that’s my take on it as well - how can it possibly? Unless the design is different somehow?

I’m thinking of the kids mate.

We bought a newish Redrow house last year simply because it ticked the boxes on size and location. There is currently a gas fire in the living room which we want to swap out for a wood burner. We have had a decent quote to supply and fit a Stovax Riva, but because of the existing fireplace (which is actually limestone, not Chinese plastic), the company have suggested a ‘cassette’ stove is the way forward (this is basically a stove set into the fireplace, so there’s no sides or top). I’m happy enough with the look of it all, but they have suggested a 7kw stove? The room is approx 4m x 5m with a bay window and the house is basically built out of Celotex. Am I going to be sat around in my skidders when the fire is on? I have no experience of cassette stoves whatsoever. Our 5kw Chesney in the old house could pretty much heat the whole place, and the living room was bigger. Thanks for any input. It’s Saturday, I’ve popped my first can, so please feel free to stray completely off topic.

Day 2 on the summer house ash’s. I priced and got consent to take these down 9 years ago for the previous owners, who said I was too expensive. They have a history of shitting limbs. Current owners wanted them gone as soon as they moved in, but were more concerned with trees closer to the house, and wanted to keep the TO onside. They are dream customers who I have worked for for 7 years. Behind them is a scruffy little copse with laurel understory for my best dream client who I have worked for for 15 years. This is what it can be like when neighbours get on. ”Bill (my nickname), you can bend the laurels a bit if it helps you, they’ll grow back”. Danny Mac doesn’t miss a chance like that. Head out and stem in 3 bits. A spoonful of chip and 4 loads of heavy, tinnies round the fire at the yard by 3pm. B29E9230-4CA2-4608-BE56-0F2974601A87.MP4 B29E9230-4CA2-4608-BE56-0F2974601A87.MP4

@JoshArb is this a similar rig that you used a couple of years ago? Tree beside a house. Seem to remember he stuffed it in his own bin, though. I’m probably wrong, I’m on Shiraz.

FFS Don that’s as bad as it gets, truly horrible tree. Nice work Lux, work mechanical, work smart!

More zip line action today over an ornate summer house. Previous brash left to semi-protect the lawn. 931E4EE5-D558-4775-864D-AC2F80CC5EDB.MOV

Thanks for sharing Wonky. I can honestly say I’ve never needed a Prince Albert to help pissing my trousers.

Is it true you’ve got some rabbits tattooed on your head because from a distance they look like hares?

James Hoddy put Highlander Kingpins on his and used to drive round in a mudbath. I’ve got Fedima AT’s on the rears on mine, which are cheapo BFG copies, but come in the right size. It’s no 4x4, but they definitely help on wet grass. Anything too soft and you will just end up more stuck!

Yes. We were swilling beers with a dream client while playing pool with him on his outdoor table and I lost my third game.

They do keep on keepin’ on, those old 150’s. Glad I wasn’t stood beside it when the fins shat themselves, like.

Sounds like a real peach that one Jack!

Check your original sentence Stu, it sounds like a call centre sales person. Mine was about £13k, but that was 18 months ago, and pre-lurgy. It’s a very capable machine, and I still love it, but my mate who I split work with went for the 230 and it’s a different beast for not a massive weight increase. I think he paid about £17.5k. If he doesn’t need to push it around off the hitch like we do with the 160, then spend the extra and go 230. Rosemary Brennan at Greenplant is the person to ask. Her brother Danny works there as well, a top bloke who has worked with chippers, not some suit or agri-fitter who doesn’t know the specific machines. They’ve gone above and beyond for me in the past.

It was actually Ursula Andress. Pay attention 007....

I’ve got a Petzl Reactik+, mainly for dog walks, sometimes runs. Just in now, bloody dark up the woods! Ticks every box for me at 300 lumens, I don’t need more. Handy for camp as well, with red light facility. I’ve just ordered a Petzl Zipka for the truck as well, also 300 lumens and it’s tiny. Can’t find my original one, which I’ve had for years, think that was 200 lumens. Really handy for unloading and tipping off at night, and sub-£25.

Alright Geoff! You knew Al Lawrence didn’t you? Tragic loss.

Now that’s a cruise!

What are you on about?

Most of them sound like a good weekend back in the day!