Salix Tree & Countryside

I have an old 2165 turbo and its a beast, a bit smokey joe noe, but a beast no less !!! I would defo have another !! Mark

well said......

Direct line.............thats an interesting qoute mark

It will be like the countryside sector soon....................2 or 3 lucky employees and a million volunteers and weekend warriors. I worked in local authority for over ten years, saw staff reductions, budget cuts la la la and all the time we HAD to work with the community be it volunteers (of which there were very good ones and equally very bad ones), community groups, probation service, schools in fact anybody that could even half hold a shovel !! This FREE labour was all costed into our reports to the higher management to make us look really efficient and cheap..........I could very rarely afford to pay a proper contractor for a good job, it was all about the FREE labour at hand........is this the way its going to end up in the landscape and Arb sector..........god knows........I have no problem with council workers doing council work on publicly owned and managed land, after all thats what they do......but venturing into the private domain is wrong.......... and i'm out....................... Mark

Bit too far for me mate LOL

I dont think its a case of me having a problem, its more down to the economics, I can run rings around the LA guys, because I have too !, and yes I may get the job back after they have ruined it. My point is we cant compete on costs............and in todays climate its that what counts.

Only this week I had a call from a long standing customer, The council sent them a letter !!! asking if they wanted there garden maintaining.............2hrs a week for £25 !!!!!!!, I used to do 1 hour a fortnight for £20.......thats 3 lawns mowed, borders weeded, edged, weed treated, and i saved her cherry from death by pruning !!!!!!!!!!! I used to work for LA, and yes, if they are offering out services to the private sector, then all that tax free fuel, subsidised equipment and insurances will definately cost me out.......My hourly rate is based on my overheads, taxes, insurance and a wage element........the LA's to some degree dont have to orry about this as its allready covered........its a bad sign, it can only drive down rates even lower than they are as we all try to compete with a system that can outcompete us all at will ! Mark

Ive got a 96 2.8 crew cab diesel, had it for 4 years now, its done 160 km, ive changed the radiator, rear leaf spring, battery and starter. Usual hilux probs inc RUST.........but get a mark 3 or under and you can do most jobs yourself coz there aint no elektrickery involved !!!!.........I'm getting a new HL3, but i aint givin up my worker.........its just too good to go !! I paid 2.5 k for it off ebay.............ha ha **** myself, coz it only had a couple of photos, but you cant go wrong with em !! Mark

Krav maga I used to do a bit of that, top gun !! Mark

excellent stuff, love the helmet cam view !! Very similiar to the take down i just did yesterday and today, although I could freefall the lot as it was away from the house. Well done mate Mark

Redirect Notice a particular favourite of mine ...................

Excellent stuff there mike, did you get to bring the venison home as well ?? I would love that opportunity to hunt in sweden as well. Mark

Understanding the tax system allows you to play the game a lot better !!! Get as much advice as possible, and dont be affraid to ask for it.........even from the tax man himself........they dont bite.........unless your blatently dodgy !!!!!!!!!!

Sorry i wont do it again Mark

Emily Scott and Jessica Jane Clements from this mornings..............this morning or whatever its called, dressed to impress !!!!!!!!!! Mark

My staffie bitch missy comes with me most days, when felling she's in the van, most people dont mind, and some positively encourage her, she's had chicken, beef, ham you name it when i get a cup of stewed tea !!!!

My hi-lux is a P reg 2.8 crew cab import, done 205 k and sweet as a nut ! The ONLY problem i'm facing is a restricted and localised outbreak of "TIN WORM", but with panels as cheap as they are its not a problem........I was thinking of up grading, but i dont think the shiny new ones could take a knock like mine........and i'de go ape if i scratched it !!!! I like the look of the Izuzu's, what they like as a comparison against the hi-lux ??? Mark

Ha ha love it !!!!!!! mark

Ha ha love the bottom pic ! They have so much character staffies, just love em !! Mark

Yeah she's got to grow into it ha ha, unfortunately she fell off the bed whilst playing with the wife, groke her tibia !! She's just had an op today to realign and pin, so hopefully a full reckovery beckons Mark

Latest crew member !! 9 week old Staff bull terrier - Lucy

I drive a hilux crew cab pick up, and hire chippers when needed, so whats the score with that 1 ??????? mark

That just makes me sick....................disgusting, and ashamed to be, well human :-(

I have this problem with a regular customer, an despite my telling them to clean up, they dont...........so now when i go, and spend time cleaning it up, i charge them for the pleasure !!

Keep us posted ! I renewed earlier this year with NFU, only because i find it nigh on impossible to get my import hilux insured, my premiums have gon up 25 - 30 % year on year, and this years renewal was the last straw !! so i gave them a lot of earache and hassle, finally got renewal at last years price..................dont think it will work 2 years on row so il be looking or the lux has to go mark