adrian007

I dont actually agree with that. Isolation of those genuinely at risk could still be implemented. Thats the old, the fat and those with health issues that would make them more likely to die of the Virus. Going back to work with measures put in place can greatly reduce the risks not to mention we're all much more conscious of the dangers and how to minimize them. Those not able to return to work would be paid just enough to cover bills and essentials, potentially having extended mortgage and credit card holidays til they can return to work, so the tax payer is not footing their bills.
 
We're gonna be paying for this for a generation at least. The sooner we get back to some form of normality, and that can be a new Covid normality the better so as to minimise the NI, VAT and Income Tax burden we're all gonna face. Which would be vastly unfair on those who continue to work and have no or little assistance from the Government. 
 
Its the Old, Fat and weak that need to isolate, that vast majority do no. Lets get this shit-show back on the road. 

Putting it nicely - you have judged someone by your own standards and they have let you down.

Theres no point worrying about it - they will be keeping your money because they will say things that allow that to happen for so long you or your health will give up.

Take it on the chin. Be more wary next time.

I have found 50mm x 200mm x 2400mm untreated oak for £13.50 each.

I reckon on their side they'll build more and look better than the rustic logs, so they are winning.

Many thanks for your help everyone.

I got realy lucky a month ago and got 37 2.4m 10cmx20cm oak sleeper for £13.50 each. I only have 4 left now. Ripped some down with a skill saw to make 10cmx10cm garden fence posts as well. You quikly get through them once you get going and wouldnt have done as many if they were full price, £30+.

That was a private seller on ebay.

Yes, they aren't ideal... but they are giveaway. I dont expect decent wood to be as cheap... but double or triple is beyond me

The Miller's parent a bad shout, I'll go and check them out.

I want what Ratman has really... :-)

I am going to cost up scaffold boards as well... I figure those rustic logs should be good for 10 - 15 years

If scaffold is good for, say 10 they might work

If money is an issue, how pretty do they have to be?

Ratman - they've done well.

Headgroundsman - that suggests paying premium prices for treated softwood isn't the way to go - 7 years is pretty poor.

Hi, I am building raised beds.

I started looking for garden sleepers, either 2.4 or 1.2 meter lengths.

Does treated softwood have a decent lifespan?

I've seen rustic sleepers. I'm not keen, but the price is tempting - I've just had a spell unemployed so cost is a factor.

I saw 50mm thick sleepers... my first reaction was that those were planks not sleepers... but I could stand them on their edge.

Anyway, I usually get good advice here, I thought I'd ask.

If you were building alot of raised beds (wife is disabled) and cost was one of the factors (and delivery to chesterfield)

What would you use and where would you get it from?

I've been relying on google so far...

Many thanks in advance

I have a joke about herbs and fish.

But this isn’t the thyme or the plaice... [emoji849]

Ignore my comment if you are doing CAD and stuff.

Dont spend more than £400 on a laptop. If you can get a solid state drive -ssd. That is good. If the processor is i5 that would be splendid. Beyond that... 《shrugs》

Just my 2p... I dont see how you can charge for half a day, unless you know for sure you have another job that you can charge for the other half.

No point taking time out to quote if you are just making up the 3 quotes they need for audit purposes.

Sad thing is, you sound like you are really putting thought and expertise into the quote.

They look interesting...

If geoengineering is happening we're pretty much Fu##ed anyway but no one official is admitting it's happening.

Fracking is my bigger concern.

Fireworks - there are 6 fireworks manufacturers in the UK. they should be supported against imported fireworks, but even then there needs to be changes. Maybe displays only, or a higher rate of VAT for sales to the public...

The Unions in the UK seem quite useless. All talk and no action, but I think the members make the real difference in Norway. If Baker or Schlumberger are having their rights removed then Halliburton employee's will join them on Strike. Its very well organised and the Unions tell the Service Companies and Operators which Rigs they will take out of action. They will then try and mediate till the issue is resolved. Often it ends up as a Strike and we'll go on strike to get the rights of the competitor back, or improved. These guys are risking their jobs for guys who dont even work in the same company. Its really quite something. The Companies are banned from using other workers to cover the guys on Strike, from Norway or the UK (for example) The Union members will then patrol the Heli-ports making sure you're not going to that particular rig to fill the role of the position thats on Strike. Then the Rig has to shut down Drilling as they need these positions. This puts a lot of pressure on the Service Companies not only from the Union but from the likes of Shell as they are losing out big time. Its generally soon resolved. 
 
Yes, over time is great! I think Ive had close to 40 days OT this year. But we only get OT in our off periods, or if our trip goes past 14 days in our on-period. 
 
The State Pension in Norway is another great example of a country rewarding hard work. You pay into your own state pension pot. The more you earn the more you personally pay in. Its capped though, at something like 100,000nok a year. So I have at least 1,000,000nok in my personal State Pension. When I retire (62 or 67) I get that sum divided over the current life expectancy time period. So if the average is 82 years when you kick it, then whatever's in your own pot is divided over 20 years. In the UK regardless what you pay in tax you'll end up with the same pension as a SmackHead. And are the SNP planning on a State Pension like Norway? Of course not. [emoji3] 
 
Im on 46% tax. But like most people I overpay 12% that gets paid back in Junes salary. Its called Holiday pay as Holidays are not covered by the employer. But 12% back in June is a nice tax free (already paid) lump sum. All over time  and off-shore bonus is taxed 50%. Norway still allows you to claim back 25% on the interest paid on Mortgages. That really adds up, could be as much as £3000 back in the summer. 
 
I pay my NI here in Scotland as well. Just to keep my contributions ticking over and to use the NHS. Another 6 years and I'll have the 30 years needed for a full State Pension, whatever that will be by the time I actually retire. Bugger all I'll assume. 

Cool

Oh... and the sticks from rosemary make cook skewers for your summer BBQ kebabs

I's stick a rosemary or two in, and some thyme plants to completely cover the soil which will help stop it drying out. If you can stick a sage somewhere else in the garden... you are good for bouquet garni. None need any great attention and the rosemary will stand unskilled pruning, as will the bay.

No edit function: doors shut one side and open the other. Doors open both sides, it gets quite smokey in the house

We're renting an old farmhouse, with a big old log burner open both sides for the dining room and lounge. Gone through 3 dumpy bags so far and expect to go though another 3 or 4 I guess.

We have the oil fired central heating on in the morning and the fire in the evening.

This is the 1st time I've used a log burner - i started using it with the doors shut, but I've taken to using it with the doors open - the airflow, even with the doors and vents shut gets through the wood and it doesn't seem so effective at heating.

I didn't expect to find this... it feels like I'm doing it wrong, but maybe it's the wood burner which looks like it's from the 1970's ... like the rest of the house