Mark Bolam

That's classic mate!

Deano, you could do Leicester pretty easily in your MEWP.

You did OK mate. At least you are going to get the chance to price it properly. BTW, I'd do it for £350.

I had a great time, always good to catch up with friends old and new, look at kit, and talk shop over a few beers. However, if we hadn't stayed on site doing security for Justin, there would have been no beer for me, and a hotel bill. Unacceptable! I don't think the AA owes the Bathurst estate anything. Paul, I think if you held a poll, you would find the majority would be keen to move venue, even just slightly more central would help. Oxford? Leicester? This would have an additional advantage in showing that the AA do listen to the masses! Lets make the show as good as it should be!

Sorry mate, couldn't resist. One of my mates is a driller, he works 2 months on 2 months off generally. Last time I saw him he was headed for a dodgy part of Africa, and been sent on some kind of 'pirate awareness' courses. Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggghhhh Jim Lad! There's no trees growing on the rigs, you know?

BP are taking on at the minute. They are looking for a guy with a massive thumb.....

Thinking outside the box there lad. You'll end up getting good at this and working abroad! Would have laughed if the little stem had pulled the big one backwards - CRRRAAAAASSSSHHHHHHH! Liked the Ash dominoes, did ya?! Keep them coming mate.

Lorry, top post about friends and family and that, mate. Made me think a bit, appreciate it.

Great thread, but it's taken me ages to get through it! Brodie, I'm on your side to a large extent, we all deserve to earn more IMO, but as an old boy once told me (when I was having a whinge) - 'The crack is worth ten grand a year!' I think the money you are after is fair for a decent SUBBY climber, but not on the books. I run my own company, and will never employ anyone. Using subbies gives me (and them) far more flexibility. If I employed you I would also be paying Employers NI, holidays, sick, paternity leave etc. The main thing is, though, I never have a consistent amount of work to do. 3 weeks ago was flat out, this week so far I have 2 days booked in. Competition has never been as intense, and I'm not just talking about pro tree firms. Example - recently quoted £700 to remove about 12 Leylandii, 2 days graft for 2 blokes, 2 (Tranny) loads of chip, 1 load of (crap) cord. Fair price? The customer (clever, rich, lovely folks I have worked for twice before) went with a quote of £350 from the bloke they get their logs from. Took him and his mate 4 days, and he had to hire a chipper! Not only can I not compete with that price, I have no intention of trying! That kind of thing is happening a lot right now, B&Q must be shifting loads of saws! It's tough out there at the minute, definately. You just need to man through it till the good times roll again. Would I price jobs cheap just to get them and wreck my truck, chipper and gear for nothing? No chance. Would I get out of bed for £50 a day and graft for someone else just to put food on the table if there was nothing else? Course I would. Good luck with it pal, whichever path you take.

Well done Jon. HAWAY THE LADS! Ross, give me a bell mate.

Fell. Replant. Awesome stuff guys.

My a-hole was twitching when I saw that! Don't like Lombardys Josh. Nearly killed myself on one once. Rotten ones? No thanks!

I'm from Northumberland mate. I think anywhere below Gateshead is South! I used to live in St. Albans though, and it has excellent road and rail links north, is easy for the southern and London folks, and not too far up country for our West country friends. Anywhere will ultimately be a compromise. I think the Bathurst Estate is rapidly becoming a poor compromise because of the camping ban. If they run out of beer by day 2 again - "I predict a riot"!

Camping is the key. If Bathurst Estate won't allow it, find somewhere that will. St. Albans area would be reasonably central if a move is considered.

Does the policy still apply to existing customers? Albeit ones with a proven track record of drunkeness and cavalier disregard to maintenance?

Wise words. Plus the enjoyment factor. Reducing Buddliah (sp) is a good earner, but doesn't hit the picture forum that often... Just don't cut your own throat to get the job is what I'm saying, for next time.

Big trees are a PITA when in comes to money in your pocket at the end of the job IMO. Be the cheapest and get the job just to bust up yourself, your lads, your kit, your truck etc? No thanks. If your 20 tonne estimate is correct though, there's a few quid in the logs. We need pics! Dammit, I'll do it for £1750....

Give us a clue Mozza. I reckon it's an Ash and you were so shocked by your minging back cut you have cocked up your ident and mistaken it for something more exotic.

Frank my fox comment was a double entendre, both about fit lasses and recent events. No harm meant mate. I know loads of lads on here have got small children, and I would like to reassure them that the chances of fox attack are fairly slim to say the least. Mods - delete my posts if you see fit. Thanks.

Or a fox in their bedroom....

BTW, should you be climbing with your hernia? You do heal quick!

Know what you're saying Frank, but it was a great call. Maybe let the local press know. If they ran a small story it would portray arbs in a good light, and generate a bit of free publicity to offset the lost hours. You will also go to tree heaven mate.

Now that I would love to see....

How does it compare with the Husky top handle?

Jesus. I can't do 80ft that fast on the ground!