nepia

Know the feeling. Last year I ringed up a windblown horse chestnut for a friend in some private woodland near a lane on the understanding I could have it (it was easy work!) as well as a load of nearby ash. Went to fetch it and found two gentlemen almost stepping over the ash to grab the h/c for the back of their Trannie van. I kept a straight face and politely explained that it wasn't theirs to take but that they could keep the dozen or so rings they already had. Thanks for shifting it guys.

Was told the self same thing, having had about 10 jabs by the time I was 30.

Yeah, I've got a couple of pairs. They do a good job but don't think they feel like ordinary socks most of the time. They're stiffer and have a distinct crunch to them (OK, like ordinary socks after a few days!) Looks like the price has gone up though; £21 last year. They do work. Jon

.....introduced to the UK at the end of the 18th century. .....ball park figure; £10-£20 per ring but variables are where you are - the South-East has loads of M/Puzz for turning - the size of the eyes and trunk diameter. I'm told that you need a larger than average lathe to turn anything bigger than about 15" dia but there are quite a few about. Jon

Regular applications of neatsfoot oil seems to preserve the leather well; stops it drying and cracking. Jon

This company specialises in ally fabrications so wouldn't be cheap but they would (I hope) be good: they mass produce ladder racks for pickups amongst other things. http://www.njaluminiumlinings.co.uk/ Jon

Lawson's (yeuch), privet (same), Thuja, yew spring to mind or one of the smoother leaved hollies. How about pittosporum for something different?

John: If having made it back to Hastings you see these posts and the wood still needs to go perhaps there's opportunity for divvying it up... Jon

Thanks Al - you're a gent. I have sent a PM but I guess John's 30' in the air by now and not in a position to reply! Jon

I've got a couple but as was said on another thread a while ago that I can't find it's a bit like comparing a Mondeo to a BMW 3 Series. Cutting Edge saws don't pretend to be Silkys and they aren't but if you want a cheaper alternative for light work I think they're good, certainly good value for money. I don't need a hand saw enough to worry about the difference so will happily stick with Cutting Edge. Jon

Put me second in the queue for that one; I'm very close. Jon

To dive in on that one (again!)... the amount of chip that gets caught by the arches of my Kingcab Navara is so small that you can kick it out in seconds. For log deliveries I lay logs lengthways between the arches and the front of the buck. That seems to help; they get left behind but the others run past them mostly.

...Norton detected an attack by Black Hole Toolkit Website 5 whatever that might be; seems there was a high risk intrusion attempt. I would advise not trying the link.

Leave him alone - he's taught me how to stop a saw leaking oil!!!!

Crack on Curtis - you're welcome. I'll try to get a better vid when I next use it - one showing a full load. I've had my sheet about 18 months I guess and get a verbal slap from my colleague every time I forget it: for a non-tipping vehicle it's a no brainer when compared to shovelling. The only wear I've suffered is slight fraying of the open end of the sheet but I was told about that at the time of purchase and it isn't a problem: gaffer tape or hemming will sort it. I do keep leaving the handle lying about - I've just got it back after leaving it in Enfield! I wonder if a way could be devised of clipping it to the roller for transit. You may have to go posh for that and have a jointed handle that folds into a single length - more cost though I know. How about a pocket stitched in to end of the sheet (I'm sort of thinking out loud here)? I think the Loadhandler's time has come in this country; best of luck with it. Jon

If you want to use any of [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct6mlCw8Vhc]Unloading - YouTube[/ame] please be my guest but you'll need to blur the face of the youth. But I won't take umbridge at a 'thanks but no thanks'! Jon Caterham

Wow - it works! You could be forgiven for thinking that the instructions are a windup but mpg's gone up ~3.5 since doing resetting the ecu. I can't say I've noticed anything else - smoother running etc - but the vehicle's only done 3,000 miles so I'm chuffed with the improved economy. Thanks a lot Rich.

Nonsense isn't it. A few years ago a farmer friend of mine was told to remove the paracetamol from his First Aid kits in the tractors by an H&S inspector. The reason? To remove the temptation for the driver to try and top himself with them! Did I mention that the farm is on a peninsular with 50+ft cliffs on two sides?!

Having got over the trauma of his experience I'll bet he doesn't think that way about it now; what about next time? God forbid there is one but if there is that pen could well save his life. Prescription of them is down to a GP and relevant people are given training in how to use them. This is often parents/guardians. Info from my wife, who runs the health centre for a private school with 160 boarders. There are three Epipen-carrying kids in the school (not all boarders). The pens are lifesavers so your original sentiment is well placed. If your mate genuinely believes that his life is at risk here he needs to speak to his GP in some depth. Reactions to stings are common but thankfully extreme reactions are rare. I think that current arrangements are sensible though I accept that I may change that view if faced with anaphylaxis. Best thing is to keep some Piriton or cetirizine tablets handy: for fastest action the patient should chew them. They won't deal fully with an extreme reaction but every little helps, especially if given fast. Bear in mind though that you shouldn't drive or operate machinery after taking Piriton (void insurance if you have an accident!) Cetirizine is non-drowsy and longer-lasting. Jon

I looked down on the destruction: smashed windows, cars overturned, a bus on fire, people running scared, the Police not knowing what move to make... I turned to the wife and said "Chin up darling; you did your best but maybe I should park the car".

Cotinus? I have a chunky vase of it that looks similar.

Ain't that the truth. These will go down as the Faceache Riots!

Reeves Furnishing on reeves Corner is a pile of ash mate. Fun used to be staying out all day, scrambling up trees, playing footie, riding your bike till it broke... OK so my life has never been near 'working class' whatever that is but flippin' 'eck burning shops etc just isn't what normal people think of as fun.

Thanks for the thought but for that money I don't think I'll take the chance. Can someone please fetch the smelling salts for Alycidon if he's read that post?!

Thanks. I knew I was clutching at straws somewhat but I may give it a go if I can fix up a heavy enough ledge - something that stands a chance of building up some heat. Cheers, Jon