jamez654

Have you thought about a robotic mower? Grass is cut so frequently that the tiny clippings just disappear. Some of the commercial Husqvarna models would cope with a lawn that big. An added bonus is that if you go away for a fortnight in the summer you can come back to a perfectly cut lawn instead of a knee high mess.

Thanks Dan. I'm more open to grinding it if it isn't honey fungus. There is poor access for any large machinery which may limit the enthusiasm of someone to quote stump griding. There is a pedestrian gate to negotiate which is just under 1m wide. I've had a digger through the gate before, we just squeezed a 1.5T machine through but its tricky as the ground slopes accross the gateway. The tree is then approx 40m up a relatively steep slope so anything which isn't self proppelled requires lots of manpower or a winch to get to it. I intend to winch a Timberwolf 13/75 up the slope to chip the branches directly onto the adjacent hedge.

Thanks for the comments. I'm afraid I didn't notice whether the mushrooms had the characteristic ring or not but they definately were not in large groups like the photos above and I don't see the black bootlaces under the bark either. Here are couple of photos of the tree if that helps at all.

Hi, A couple of weeks ago mushrooms appeared growing from the trunk near the base of a cherry tree in the garden. This appeared to be similar in appearance to online photos of Armillaria species. Unfortunately by the time I got around to taking a photo they had started to rot but I've attached one anyway. The tree is not dead though it does have some decay from pruning wounds where it has been hacked at in the past. We have lived in the house for 10 years and have not seen evidence of Honey Fungus in the garden before. I don't like the tree anyway as it has a poor shape and is not in a good location in the garden so I'm keen to fell it. However it is close to part of a 75m length of Hornbeam hedge I planted 3 years ago which I don't want to loose. I am considering felling the tree and removing as much stump and root as possible with a mini digger. Filling the hole with soil and grass seeding over. I would then dispose of the stump which I presume would be full of the fungus, chop as much of the tree up for firewood as possible and chip the remainder on site. Is this the best approach to minimise the spread. Could I use the chip to mulch the hedge or would this increase the risk of spreading the fungus? Any advice greatly appreciated. James

Hi Axel, Just to confirm that I popped in to Keswick Garden Machinery today and they had both Aspen 2 and 4 in stock. James

Thanks Axel. I’ll try them again, was several weeks ago when I tried them. James

Keswick and Ambleside are two branches of the same dealer, which is the one who has stopped stocking Aspen. Could go to Carlisle if I have to, but its a best part of an hours drive each way. James

My local dealer has stopped stocking Aspen and started stocking Husqvarna XP Power instead. Can I still order 3 cans of Aspen and get it delivered direct to me? Or should I just use the Husqvarna stuff instead? I use it in an MS261, KM131R 4-mix and BG85 blower if that makes any difference. Thanks James

I'm considering purchasing a Stihl Kombi (for heavy domestic use rather than professional use) I would mainly use it with the strimmer and hedge cutter attachments, with occasional use of the pole pruner. I have a few queries I'd be grateful for peoples comments on. I know that there have been some problems with the 4mix engines. Have these been resolved in the new KM131 engine? The 4mix engines are apparently fussy about the 2 stroke oil quality. I assume the stuff in Aspen 2 is suitable? Can I use a shredder blade on the strimmer head attachment? How many extension pieces can you practically use with the hedge trimmer and pole pruner? All comments and suggestions welcome. James

Yes they are the same tick: Ixodes Ricinus. They are not fussy about what they feed on though they prefer large mammals.

I am trying to get a system installed like this. Currently we have an oil boiler and open fire to heat an old poorly insulated 5 bed cottage. Planning to retain the oil boiler, replace the open fire with a large stove with back boiler, probably one of the following: Arada Stratford Ecoboiler 25 HE Arada Villager Boiler 20 Brosley Snowdon 30 Stovax Stockton 14HB All linked up with a heat bank. Might add solar thermal at a later date. Currently waiting for a plumber to size the heatbank for me. Although with the current low heating oil prices it seems debatable whether it is worth going to all the effort. James

I love my Petzl Myo XP and would buy another tomorrow if I needed one. Had it for several years. Runs on 3AA batteries I use rechargeable ones and always carry a spare fully charged set in the Land Rover. Battery life is 80 - 150 hours of use depending on the power level you use it at (choice of 3). Seems to be waterproof - coped with being out in torrential rain on Thursday night and last night. New version available now which might be even better.

Thats fine. PM me if need be. James

Thats just about possible. Would need to check my work diary tommorrow and see when I'm nearby to pick it up. Would be best if they could leave it in a porch or something but given that they are trying their luck with a refund via paypal then I guess they may need to be met face to face. James

Where in Cumbria? If North / West I could pick the item up for you if it would help. James

Haven't used satellite broadband but currently looking into it as best speed I can currently get is around 1.5mbps and fibre is looking less and less likely to come here. There seem to be 3 providers in the uk but several resellers of each provider. Set up is expensive but cost varies depending on whether you buy or rent the dish and modem and whether you DIY install or get someone to do it. I've been looking at it and DIY install seems feasible but aligning the dish looks time consuming. Haven't used them myself but this site seems to offer all three providers and some useful information: Satellite broadband provides fast internet If fibre doesn't get here soon I will sign up. James

I've had a pair for two years and they've been fine. Although as I don't do this for a living they don't get worn every day. Only problems are that the button popped off after 6 months but it was easy to put a new one on and stitching on crotch is starting to go now. James

I've just got an Iphone 4s and am a bit concerned about wrecking it. Has anybody tried one of these: Otterbox Armor Series? I know the Otterbox Defender is well reviewed on here but I like the look of the Armor as its waterproof as well. Downsides I suspect are it looks bulky and is expensive. Any thoughts? James

Lots of farmers do it. Register as agricultural vehicle (free tax) no MOT, do need insurance and limited to 1.5km on road only from base AFAIK. James

I got one for Christmas and have found dry pine cones the best fuel by far. James

Pressure wash the labels off then they are easier to recycle as they can't tell there was oil in them.

Either as +421 then the rest of the number or replace the + with 00. James

There are generally two types of policy and you need to be aware of which you are getting. The more expensive ones tend to be lifetime policies. This means if your pet is diagnosed with a chronic condition, such as diabetes, they will continue to cover treatment costs for the lifetime of the pet as long as you keep paying your premiums. The cheaper policies tend to be time limited. With these policies if your pet was diagnosed with a chronic condition they will cover the treatment costs only until the renewal date on the policy. At that point if you renew the policy the pre existing condition will be excluded and you would be covered for new and unrelated conditions only. It is important to check the companies reputation for paying claims. Certain companies are notorious for trying to evade paying claims. This can leave you liable for a vet's bill that you were not expecting to have to pay. Check by reccommendation or do a google search for companies you were considering. Can't list any here as could be considered libelous. James