teepeeat

There have been a lot of good points made - particularly thinking here of Andy Collins and Mycoman. On a philosophical or moral level nobody could really argue against them. However, humans being humans, things have gone too far and a lot of people are taking the urine. Andy's case is what the welfare state is for in my view - somebody falls through the cracks due to circumstances and needs a hand, but then wants to take control back and fend for himself. It was not created to generate a dependant society - whether due to greedy oinks or well meaning but naive social workers. However, again, the problem is beyond philosophy and morals or even choices because it is a question of finances now - the cupboard is bare, everything is being paid for on credit, there is no choice, unless everybody is willing to add another 5 or 10% on to their tax bill. The whole system is unsustainable in its current form. As stated elsewhere - the more you artificially control things the bigger the swing when something snaps. I also think that there have been a few generations - mainly in Europe who have lived in this amazing, protective bubble of the welfare state while the rest of the world has just had to get on with self preservation and consequently European views are a bit rose tinted and naive. The biggest problem is of course that everything is based on the modern world economic model which is based on perpetual growth and seems to ignore that we live in a finite world. It worked while relatively few supped from the fountain, but now that more and more are claiming their share, the cracks are well and truly exposed. The welfare state experiment is sadly coming to an end me thinks due to internal excesses as well as the much bigger financial problems. hey ho, anybody got a spare bunker - preferably with a nice big picture window - it going to be an interesting show - for the rest of my days anyway.

Not had the pleasure myself , but spoke to a tractor mechanic who put one together a few years ago. He struggled with the instructions and had to fettle quite a few things to get it put together and consequently took way way longer than expected. Hadnt at that stage used it much to report on how good or bad it was in use.

Was that related to the Spanish flu epidemic Seriously though, you've hit the nail on the head there Andy. We should be using these mild bugs to train up our immune systems in preparation for the nasty ones, but most people instead outsource their immunity at the drop of a hat the the big drug companies. So in response to the OP, £8 for a reduced immune system does not strike me as a bargain. That said I am a sceptic when it comes to the subject of immunisation/innoculation in general - just too much vested interest from politicians and the drug industry and enough scientific evidence to cast doubt on the normal reasons put forward for everybody lining up for jabs. Add to that the usual human arrogance of thinking we understand what is going on and only finding out years later that we were actually doing more harm than good. The only thing I am sure of is that humans have survived all sorts of diseases and pestilence, purely by virtue of having an immune system, so what we really need to be doing is figuring how we can support that immunity and reduce over-stressing it. The starting point has to be feeding our bodies the right things diet wise and keeping healthy by using our bodies the way they have evolved to be used. Exercising the body, including the immune system is all part of that. Our ancestors managed to survive without modern medicine. Slinging chemical cocktails into the mix based on half truths and suppositions does not strike me as being a clever move - and thats before you get to the politicians and drug companies, but enough on that. Going to calm down and relax with a tasty chemical cocktail derived from apples and see what effect that has on the immunity - if you can't trust the drug companies you just have to do your own experiments - all in the name of scientific progress of course as I sadly dont own a cider brewery

The world is continously trying to keep numbers under control with disease, famine etc etc, but we humans keep sticking our oar in and cocking up the master plan. We are stretching the system so far out of kilter that when it eventually snaps, the swing is going to be dramatic.

and just when you get to the interesting bit .......someone has used it for the 'paper work':lol: (mmm based on the picture of the reading matter)

particularly like the electrics there and not forgetting the bungy's holding the lid on :lol::lol: phoarrrrr :lol: As long as she does the job :thumbup:

Now you're talking - does the chipper mount on the front and whats the capacity of the detachable chip box :lol: Stylings not very 'arb', but what do I know :lol:

Worn out, that's barely run in DRS - working lights - must be a knock off :lol:

Ditto what Rich said. Think about it carefully and take into account any changes you might be wanting to make in the yard.

ye gods - what is the world coming to.

no disrespect John, but I think you already have started a good line of BS with your statement. Cant be too anal about these things - live a little, go off piste, take a walk on the wild side, this is freestyle bubble and squeak. As far as I can make out bubble and squeak is made from whatever is left over from another meal. All that said, my nan would have wholeheartedly agreed with you.

Jammy - think you may have nailed the missing link there mate - cheese. Never tried that one, but got to be a winning combo and cant wait to try it.

Feeling a little left out of the party - be great to bump into a ghost. I have however been into another dimension on a number of occasions. The only common denominator I can find is a keg of rough farm cider.............

One of THE classic dishes. Nice looking plate of grub Jammy - best go and see whats in the fridge. There are those that say you cant call it bubble and squeak if there is no spud or cabbage in it?? Personally I subscribe to the freestyle bubble and squeak school - whatever is available in leftovers, but what does everybody else think makes a good bubble and squeak. Not forgetting the all important question - egg on top, or not????

Hit the nail on the head Steve. What we have had over the last few years is a 'market adjustment' towards reality after years of artificial control. Unfortunately there are probably some more adjustments to come as we are a bit off reality yet.

as they say, if it seems too good to be true, it generally is... Might possibly work if things remained the same, but financially speaking I dont think they will.

or get them to deliver direct to you - from Anglo American that is rather than the local-ish dealer

Well, what was it - 69 or 70 then, cant you remember Either way, your but a pup

yes - would be good to keep things going to see which lasted best. While you are all going to the effort might as well do a complete assessment. PS thanks to Rob for the initiative and to all those taking part - should be some useful info for those of us not in a position to take part.

very very nice

Petrol - no packaging, bulk transport, established garages, economies of scale Aspen - packaging, no bulk transport as biggest individual packaging is 210ltr drums, limited quantities. Not qualified to talk about production costs/liter, but believe it is a bit more than petrol (ignoring economies of scale)

Plan, plan plan, then stick to the plan - chopping and changing once building starts is expensive. Everybody ends up making some late changes, but try to keep these to a minimum. Lay out rooms in the garden using sheets on ropes as walls to get a feel for the size of a room for example. Think carefully about how you will live in the house - think about places you have lived in before and currently - what works and what would you like to change. Think carefully about what you want vs what you actually need - particularly on a tight budget. Think carefully about energy issues. It is quite feasable to build a house in the UK in this day and age with no heating requirement for the majority of the year and just have a small wood burner for those few really cold days. Dont know what current building regs require wrt insulation, but it is probably still inadequate as it is designed to please the big builders rather than give proper insulation performance. A bit extra spent on insulation and even more importantly, installation of the insulation will be key. Builders just bung it in with snots of muck in the joints and penetrations all over the place which largely negates the insulating effect. There have been a number of good suggestions here already from people who have obviously been through the process, but this is an arb forum, so get yourself over to building related forums. Good starting points are The Green Building forum - lots of eco types, but also a lot of very good practical advice and experience as well as professional contributions. Also the Navitron forum re energy issues. Have fun with it

That being the case, it might be possible to have a hopper type system using gravity as they do with wood pellets???

Just wondering if leaving the cord for a year before processing would result in significant additional wear and tear on chains/blades??

snailfest ?????? :lol: new one on me??