Mark Bolam

Portek is good with exactly the right size of timber fed into it. Logs can still jump around a bit, and lengths need to be pretty straight. Bit of a pain when you need to refuel. If there's two of you, it can be incredibly quick. And cheap if you get your wife to feed it....

Anyone else snowed off today? Turned up to start a week's worth on day rate, and understandably the client wasn't that keen. Agreed to wait till tomorrow. Got covered in snow and cold just walking the groundie through the job. Who's up for an online tea drinking competition?

Seriously, probably worth checking with BASC about legal implications of intefering with roosting. Their legal team should be able to give you a definitive answer.

Tough one, Dean. As you know, starlings are in decline so the magnificent sight of a wheeling flock at dusk may not be around forever. Non-harmful solution required. Could you rig up some speakers and play 'The Best of The X-Factor' ? Jobs a good 'un.

Shocking cuts. Looks like idiot + blunt pole saw. Ladders - Great for access in right situation. Don't work off them if possible (stropped on or hedges). 20 ft head start up every tree you climb / every time you ever come down = longer climbing career. I wouldn't use them at all till I got older and wiser.

Thanks fellas. Big 'Ammer - sounds a good 'un, and I've got those bits spare since I bought a hitchclimber.

Can't be mate. Try hardly to use the thing at all, and never crack it on whilst revving. Never had any problems with my other saws either.

Has anyone else experienced problems with both the chainbrake band and spring snapping on their MS260? Gone through about 6 of each, either self or dealer fitted. No more than light/average chainbrake use either. Maybe I've just bought a Friday afternoon special?

Looks like a nice takedown, Bob. What are those Sugoi's like? Seemed a bit pricey to me (I am a tight auld git). Can you really sharpen them?

Great pictures! Leave the old girl be. If she does happen to fall on a rambler help yourself to the Goretex....

Is there a foolproof method not to stick your newly honed razor sharp spikes into your (almost always shiny new) rope? Not a common problem, but it is a bitch when it happens. Usually on a really awkward descent / chog down when there is loads of other stuff to think about.

Like ya style Stoxs. Done this myself. 12 bore blank alarms also useful. You must know about these Dean. Alternatively, smother your cord stack with green willow/poplar/conifer and spend your nights down the boozer with a big grin on your face. Have a good New Years fellas.

Leave some choice looking stuff on the top of your pile smeared with anti vandal paint or dog s***. DON'T forget where you put it, though....

What's the weirdest work request you've received? Company I sub for in Thanet had an old lady call and asked if they buried cats?!!! Same guys also had to cut the (rotten) vanes off a windmill.

I was having a bad day, alright? Can we leave it now? Thanks for your opinions,though fellas. Good and bad, it's all food for thought. Going to take some of the stick on board and concentrate on what I'm doing in 2009, not others. Have a good 'un.

Nearly kacked myself watching the Osman video. Mental!

Port. Half pint.

Sorry fellas, didn't mean to start a war! Of course I don't really wish anyone would run amock with a chainsaw. We all know how dangerous they are don't we? And that's the point I'm getting at. Tot up how much you and your lads have spent getting qualified. Then realise that you're competing against people who haven't seen the need to for as much as 50% of the work out there (especially the easy stuff) and the authorities do sod all about it. If I had a quid for every bloke who's come up to me in the pub and said "I do a bit of tree lopping myself..." I could retire anyway. And they think they are better than you because they can do it all off a ladder! Aaaarrrgggggh! Having a rant because I lost a nice (deadish) Birch dismantle in my own village. Quoted £200. Job was done by a couple of likely lads who went in at £100. Took 2 of them 2 full days (1st ladder wasn't long enough). You're right in that public perception needs to change before things get better. Rant over. Have a safe and profitable New Year.

Can't move in Ashford for stetson's at the mo!

Does anyone wish some loony would run amok with a chainsaw he'd just walked in and bought from B&Q or Argos? Knee jerk reaction from government would be to ban general sale, tighten restrictions etc. The have a go hero's would be forced to revert back to bow saws and we could all crack on and reap the rewards our industry has long deserved!

That's a lot of timber rigged down in a day John. Well done! Are those carbon fibre spikes you're wearing? Loving mine.

Haix Trekker Mountain for me. Very comfy, warm and waterproof. Expensive, mind. I don't think you can expect more than a couple of years out of any boots if you climb a lot. Tips - don't wear them when you don't need them, Cats etc. are much cheaper for hedgecutting, black saw jobs etc. Don't try and kick small stumps out with them. This proved very expensive! Do clean them and treat the leather now and again.

Roughneck here as well. Bulletproof. Lighter head seems to leave me less knackered at the end of the day, especially on the more easy splitting stuff. Best going somewhere that sells a few different types/weights and giving them a heft. Personal choice and all that.

Got myself a real bad case of tennis elbow in my right arm. Trying to work round it, avoiding big climbs etc. Physio has given me an elastic pressure pad for my upper forearm which helps a bit. Anyone out there got any tips based on experience? At the mo it feels that my climbing career is basically over. Any help appreciated.

Unbelievable! Rigged down about 1/3 of an 80ft Beech today and was about to get "HARDCORE" tatooed across my forehead. Think I'll just go for a pint instead. Or a half.