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Well done Janey! Hope it all works out for you.

I'd have handed the biscuits back, and said I don't want to spoil the children in case they get used to it!

Buy a copy of the Tree Climbers Knot Book. They have some really simple and easy to follow pic's in there. I think you can get the book from Proclimber. I can't remember, but I think they rate the knots according to experience too, so you won't end up on a knot that's hard to get right and may end up letting you down.

I stand to be corrected, but that looks like a Distel to me.

How did he manage to fall 20ft?

I've done a lot of thinking about my new harness. You know I like to try new stuff, but the TreeMotion is SO good that I'm going to get another one. What knot are you climbing on at the moment?

Everyone seems to be going mad for the Hitchclimber mate, but I gave mine to Glossy because it just seemed like it over complicated something quite simple. I also got involved in a thread about the Art Rope guide. Everyone seems to think it's wonderful, but I can't see the benefits are worth the £130 price tag! Do you have anything in mind??

You certainly are the master of coffee related hints. I just can't pull it off like you do. I tried the 'Tits like coconuts' one the other day. She set it up perfectly by saying how she had lots of Tits in her garden. I pounced instantly... the old dear just looked at me, then turned to Chas and said "What's he on about, Tits like coconuts?" I was laughing inside so hard I almost spat my breakfast out! Talk about busted. She knew exactly what was going on!

They're all the same! This guy also asked if we had any hardwood logs we didn't want. When I told him they're £90 a load, he lost interest and told us to leave the pine cord we were chipping. He wanted everything that 3" diameter or larger. 3"!

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Yeah, I laughed.... then nearly chipped his umbrella!

I get paid by the day. It'll be the boss that gets paid for the extras. To top it off he said we'd worked so hard that he wanted our names so he could get us back!

I was working for a very well-to-do couple today. To set the scene, it was on top the cliffs overlooking the channel with absolutely no cover from the pouring rain and howling wind. At regular intervals the couple would come out under an umbrella to add a few 'extras' to the job, and to check the quality of our work (which is always A1). Then they'd complain about the weather and head back inside to sit next to their open fire. We had one tea break at breakfast for 10mins and a 20min one for lunch, which the guy must have misunderstood as a chance for him to walk us round adding more work to our already wet day. As we were clearing up at the end of the day the man came to me and said "You look wet. Never mind, you can have a nice hot cup of coffee... when you get home!" What is it with some people? I could never watch some poor guys slogging it out in the pouring rain without at least offering them a coffee!

I'd imagine his insurance is going to be high for a few years! If you don't sort something out with him now, and he stays with you it could cost you a few thousand in the long run. I certainly think you're being reasonable asking for the extra. But don't forget about next year, and the year after etc....

What's the recommended safe working load for that zip line/strops/Karabiners combination Rob, and how much would you estimate the top weighed? If, for example the top weighed half a ton which it easily could have, and it dropped 9ft, the effective weight put on that zip line would have been 5ton! That's about 2 and a half of your average American family cars. I'm not sure I'd have wanted to be anywhere near that rope, let alone attached to that tree when someone dropped 5ton on it.

Awh. That's a bit rubbish. They'll make you do you're advanced for 2m. I'd have taken you at low tide. That's why they're called PADI (Put Another Dollar In).

Haha! That sounds like a good dive. Did they ever tell you why a knife is an essential part of your diving kit? So that if you see a BIG shark, you can stab your buddy!

Oh, and watch out for Nitrogen Narcosis. It doesn't happen to everyone, but can make you feel drunk at depth. It can be hilarious! I've seen people taking their regulators out and trying to give them to passing fish because they were worried the fish were going to drown.

Again, IMO over rated. Mainly because most companies only offer a limited number of dives per day, about two or three is usual. The deeper you go, the more air you need to fill your lungs and so the quicker you use what's in your tank. For some people however, the depth is the thrill, so if that's your thing go for it! Whatever you do, diving is just great fun!! (unless you have your mask and regulator ripped off your face at 20m by a big steal anchor chain that you hadn't seen, like I did off Brisbane. Scary, but probably also the most fun I've had under water! My buddy had surfaced without letting me know too.)

I'm a divemaster and worked in Australia and Thailand a couple of winters ago. I'd recommend it to anyone! Deep diving (IMO) is over rated though, unless there's something specific you're going down to see. The deeper you go, the less time you get, the less colour and generally the less life there is. If you're going to do your advanced make sure you do a night dive! It's like another world. It's what I imagine being in space would be like. Well done with your open water! I'm sure you've already had a great time.

That's very impressive! Is that you?

It seems everyone's using a double fishermans to attack their friction hitches? I always use a buntline because it's a smaller knot and it sits neater on a single karabiner.

They have Scott. This is it... Grand Designs: Sussex, The Woodman's Cottage | 4Homes | Channel4.com A very interesting one.