Andrew Reed

"It is strange because certain for actions with the hand it seems like nothing has been done to it, but suddenly you find for a particular position or angle there is simply no strength there at all." Ah, yes. I Just got that that one :-)

I have wondered that myself a few times as it not a common tree for around here that I have noticed. I'll look more closely at it when I next pass it and report back. From a distance in the summer it looks beautiful. But up close it seems to have a few dead lower branches, but possibly these are just starved of light.

I have recently done the ECS version of the H and S test for a card similar this to access constructions sites. It cost be £40 for the test, and needed about four hours of revision/reading before hand. I now have to apply for the card itself which is probably another £40.

Near my own home is beautiful shaped tree, as it happens with a TPO. Walking by it a few days ago I noticed something was not right and out of interest wondered if someone here could recognise what is going on. See oozing white stuff at the base of the tree in the photos.

All Thank you for the tips. I planned to be on light duties for three weeks anyway. So I'll I think I'll extend that for about 5 weeks of light duties but increasing. It is strange because certain for actions with the hand it seems like nothing has been done to it, but suddenly you find for a particular position or angle there is simply no strength there at all. Thank you again. Andrew

No cortizone injection first.

Surgeon was a little vague. No driving for two weeks, but did not put a time on any heavy work. I have a check up after 4 weeks, so I'll have to ask then. Meanwhile I have a few light jobs to do. I can type with the hand now, so that is a start! A couple of days ago I did try the hand axe on a bit of kindling for a couple of taps, which was a mistake. So have not picked up a tool since. The numb feeling at night has gone away already, which is fantastic as I get a good nights sleep.

I used one for a short while. It seemed ok to me, fast and comfy for longer trips. But at 75K miles it has a few problems: alternator failed the rear brake drums hard to be replaced with shoes, oil light took a while to go off but probably that is not unusual. Load carrying was Ok considering the size of the van, but keep the weight in the middle. Towing weight capability is very good and useful.

Hi All Is there anyone out there who has had the carpal tunnel operation and might have a few tips on recover exercises. Also how long was it before you could use a handsaw again? My op was a week ago, and even cutting a loaf of crusty bread is difficult!

Had my T5 for a few months now, 3000 miles for me on a total of 21000 miles. Nice drive, and empty I once managed 44mpg on a steady run. Loaded with a few tools it is doing about 37 mpg. The clutch is not as predictable to use as you might expect so I have stalled it a fair few times. But I am getting used to it. Otherwise it is a very comfy drive and everything is in the right place with large storage pockets in the doors. It has a very tight turning circle. More worrying is the clutch overheated rather too easily when giving it a very hard time reversing up a slope with braked trailer (which reminds me I must get those trailer brakes checked over).

I have a couple of Paramo jackets for outdoor sports. They certainly have great advantages. First they are very breathable, and 2nd is they do not have a membrane such as gortex which can be punctured by thorns and pointy bits. So I reckon they would last years longer than a gortex jacket. But the Paramo jackets I think are expensive, and one of mine is quite heavy when wet. For hedging and pruning in the rain I currently use a cheap £12 sports shop football training jacket (unzipped), and a very wide brimmed hat. Maybe I'll try the Paramo on a roughty toughty day working soon.

In your price range (almost) I am very pleased with Weihrauch HW95K springer with a reasonable scope. It is quite light weight as well. It was new so took a good few tins of pellets to settle in. However, it is a bit noisy compared to a PCP when cocking, loading, safety off and firing. I have tried briefly a HW97K which is more expensive, but I suspect it would produce more repeatable results than my 95. The mechanisms to use it seems to be slightly quieter as well. If I could afford it.

You could try LRS near the Sustainability Centre GU32 1HG, nr Butser Hill. I think Hant's County Council use them.

Chaps, wonderingif anyone can help me here: if my intended regular equipment use puts me in the yellow zone on the HSE ready reckoner, then have I got this right that the actions needed are: regular breaks, keep upper body warm, monitor for side effects. Is that it, nothing else? Also 2nd question, what is the official meaning of "regular use" for HAV such that is a risk that needs a mitigation plan? For example does once week use for a day over years of work mean that HAV is not a work risk? Cheers

Writing a business plan, but I suppose that counts as work.

Cypress, that incredibly was only cut a few months ago! Nice yellow flame, not much ash. Nice and light to handle the logs. Spits occasionally, but no problem in the log burner.

Oh, I thought your said feaces in trees:- The Plastic-Bag Nesting Dog-Poo Bird Knotrune :-) I am out on public footpaths a lot lately and see this occasionally. I am baffled as to what the dog owners were thinking when they took the trouble to tie the bag in a tree.

Here is a very old one. In a church yard in Hampshire. Reportedly 27ft max girth and mentioned in the Doomsday survey. The church dates from 12th century.

Hi Trees Yes, guess I am as much a guitar collector as I am a musican. Currently enjoying playing Newton Faulker, Neil Young, and still like to play a few old Dyan songs (All Along Watch Tower). My favorite instruments are an inexpensive Taylor Big Baby, a tweaked up mexican Telecaster, and a Yamaha electro acoustic nylon string. The singing is, lets say improving.

Hi Jack See PM, or on chat at present. Regards..

Redwood maybe.They have one.

I thought that too (1.7 cdti), untill today. The alternator has just failed, also 7 year battery now needs changing as well. Otherwise I still think it is a good choice. Avoid 1.9 CDTi and 1.3 because servicing on older cars is more hassle/expensive compared to the 1.7. Take care with the loading up of an Astra van because for max load carrying the wieght has to be pushed to the front of the loading bay. This keeps the rear wheel wieght within spec. Suggest avoid older vans with AC and other powered bits such as electric windows, it is just more stuff to go wrong and get in the way.

yep, I would agree with comments above as well. Trouble starting, then change the plug anyway. It that does not fix it then you know it is something else and not the plug. I would not clean a plug with wirebrush. If accidently oiled up or fuel flooded, then wash with a paint brush in petrol, clean and dry with a rag, and blow off. If hard fouled, then simply change it (and work out why it was fouled in the first place). Plugs are not expensive compared to time spend fiddling about with other things on small engines, including time spent trying to clean and insulator with a cocktail stick and a scrap of emery paper. But I have noticed that plugs can last for many many years of service without any trouble (two stroke and four stroke) . I would be interested if anyone technical here knows for sure what actually ages and breaks down on a spark plug. Based on some work I did years ago on inspecting sparking plugs in a spark plug tester pressure chamber, I'll guess the insulator surface becomes deposite coated, it then sparks partly and occassionally accross the insulator, which weakens the main spark at the tip. Maybe that would show itself as a weak spark for starting and misfires under load.

One option could be a very old Land Rover (a series type) on a low mileage cover.

How about a Bronpi Oxford 5kw. Very simple modern style. I am pleased with mine. It seems to burn very efficiently, and has suprisingly large capacity.