Sal

Brilliant, thanks. I've found the preview on Google books so will take a look (although it looks like there is a paperback copy on Amazon for under £10 so may just buy it). Cheers

I've found a couple more bits about traditional tools/techniques the first being: "Cut branches 1- 2ft (30- 60cm) from the body of the tree with a one handed axe, making sure that the bark is not damaged. Do not cut in sap time nor when the wind is in the north or east." (Fitzherbert 1523). Which refers to a one-handed axe which I assumed to just mean a smaller axe/hatchet. The other was this: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zitG7f-HjgI&feature=player_detailpage]Starting new pollards the basque way - YouTube[/ame] Are there any good historical references for tree management that anyone could recommend? I'm just starting to plod through this publication and I see there are some references in appendix 3: publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/114002 Cheers

Thanks for the link to your thread. Incredible! I'll have to take a longer look at some of those photos. I'll be interested to read the results if they are published at a later date so I'll keep my eyes peeled. Been getting around a few interesting sites recently (Ashstead Common & Hatfield Forest) but I think a trip to the Basque region may have to be considered now too! Silky, it's been good to get the chance over Christmas to read through the (many) articles I seem to save up!

Recently read this article: http://frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/atfinternational/spain/pdf/AncientPollards.pdf "These trees will be re-inspected in 2009 to work out whether there is any difference in the trees reaction to the different pruning techniques. Some trees were also pruned with both axe and chainsaw." Does anyone know if the trees were re-inspected/what the results were and whether they were documented anywhere? Cheers

Rob Fletcher Tree Surgery, Chainsaw, Climbing, Felling and Machinery Training Courses

Burnham Beeches 10k yesterday. Good amount of folks there. I wasn't very fast, but it was a lot of fun and very muddy!

Bargain! It's only a quick trip round the M25 for me as I'm near Burnham Beeches (so, pretty spoilt for trees really) so I'll have no excuse not to go come April. Will definitely add Hatfield to to the ever increasing list of places to visit

Looks like an incredible place. I lived in Hatfield for 3 years when I was a student first time round and never went there. Was on the waiting list for this trip though. Next time

Just in case anyone ever has a similar experience, it turned out to be the ignition switch, and a reasonably cheap repair. Sadly it was overall an expensive exercise, which took 3 garages and close to £800 (not including missed days) to figure out the problem, but it's good to have everything back in working order and I have found a great local electrical chap for the future. Now, with getting a cover made for the back, a few decals and some new tyres, I'll be good to go! Thanks again - Sal

One of the local farmers was telling me about a chipper theft last night. I'm assuming it's this one although he didn't mention the make. Am I right in thinking it was from one of the villages just outside of High Wycombe? Horrible news, sorry to hear it. Will keep my eyes open.

Just over 9 miles this morning. Am following a half marathon schedule aiming for 13.5 within the next 4 weeks but not entered an event yet (I like to have a goal in mind). Did my first Brutal 10k last month which was fun so may sign up for another of those for this winter.

A quick update: The garage are stumped as the problem hasn't happened whilst they've had it in, and the diagnostic test came back with no suggestions other than 'no communication' (although they reset the error code on the SRS light so thats gone out now ). They checked the connections and although I've not yet had the issue with the indicators, the engine cuts out a couple of seconds after starting and the ASR/BAS (traction control?) light comes on. They said they could make an educated guess based on the information I've given them but that I could just be throwing money at it and to wait until it actually breaks down completely:001_huh: It was suggested by another garage that I may need to replace the fuse box/panel (which if memory serves isn't that expensive by Mercedes standards , comes as an entire unit and the mechanic seemed happy enough that I could fit this myself) and this perhaps would tie in with earlier suggestions about a loose connection (?). Bit lost as it only seems to happen on a warm start and is fine once it actually gets going. Should make for an interesting drive to the APF. If all else fails I could try having it exorcised

Am starting the FdSc Arboriculture On-Line with Myerscough this year but have previously bought the RFS Level 2 Certificate in Arboriculture (Theory) from The Horticultural Correspondence College. I personally found the coursework to be really clear and from what I remember there wasn't a massive wait for feedback from tutors. It looks like they've changed the courses on offer to their own certificates but it may be worth a look:001_smile:

Yeah, I have an SRS warning light that is always on (it came on the day after the MOT after I shoved a lot of very wet kit behind the passenger seat, which I now understand is where the sensor lives) but apparently is a problem with the sensor (I had hoped that disconnecting the battery would reset but I'm just going to add it to the list at the garage on Monday as it's beyond anything I can do to it). It doesn't have a problem often thankfully, but when it does, it's seems to be with the sensors rather than the thing they're meant to be er, sensing (?) I finally got round to checking that nut yesterday (was working for someone else in their truck Weds so mine could stay at home) and it seemed plenty tight enough/good connection. It started first time with no problem and the engine stayed running. I put the indicators on and they made the briefest of 'buzzes' (it sounds like a clockwork car) that you wouldn't have noticed unless you were listening for it. I think I will still need to take it in and wait and see what the garage says now but thank you for the suggestions!

Thats great, thank you. Will give it a try in the morning.

Been having a couple of problems with the Sprinter since Saturday. It's booked in to the garage for next Monday but if anyone can suggest anything I can be checking myself in the mean time that'd be great This is to the best of my recollection. I'll keep it as brief as possible: Saturday: Started the engine after it had been sat about 2hrs, pulled away and the indicators stopped working briefly then carried on as normal. Sunday: Similar situation except windscreen wipers also stopped and the was a whirring/buzzing from the steering column (?) and all the needles on the dash dropped to the bottom. I restarted, and it was then fine. Monday: Gave it the day off and hoped it would miraculously fix itself Today: Engine cut out as I started it up at the garage after fuelling, again as I left the mechanics and after stopping at a customers house for around an hour where it cut out twice and all the lights on the display lit up and flickered a few times. Once driving I seem to have no further problems and it doesn't happen every time I start it up (it seems to be when it's sat for a short period of time but I don't know if this is coincidence). I hope this isn't too vague/rambling but if anyone has any ideas?

Really good day, especially the talk by Ted Green (have already emailed the ATF about their Hatfield House visit!). Great venue, I hope to be at the next one. Thanks

Couple of new photos of the Ash from my earlier post as I passed the other day and saw it'd been taken down.

KMR Engineering Used these guys a couple of years ago.

Believe me Mozza that's first thing on the wish list but it's not paid off for another 8 months , so we're stuck with each other for the time being. (I do get chipper envy though.) And yeah it is a pig to restart if its been running a while, glad it's not just this one!

Probably more than I'd want to spend on it to be honest, but thanks for the quick reply.I will take a look on ebay though, I just seem to find the pull start too long and haven't quite got the hang of it yet. Thanks again - Sal

I currently have a TW18/100g chipper with a pull start and see that there is also an electric start option on the same model. TW 18/100G As I struggle to start the thing, I wondered if a conversion is possible/plausible and if anyone has experience of this? Cheers - Sal

Cheap Champagne and even cheaper Cava. Happy New Year all! x

I was surprised that it seemed so difficult to get a repair done so I must've just been unlucky with the ones I've tried so far. Other than that the trousers have been good and still look tidy. I just get frustrated when someone professes to be able to perform a task that they can't deliver on (I know it was only a zip repair but its the principle and I'd rather they'd said it was not something they could do.) Will try some others tomorrow. Cheers

Just picked these up from the menders and am not happy with the repair so want to get it put right. I wondered if the best bet is going to be a place that also deals with leather/suede as their equipment must be more heavy duty (?). I've tried a couple of other places near me and they don't do anything of this thickness/type of material. Has anyone else had trouble getting a repair done? Cheers.