10 Bears

Baz - there are several threads on this subject already. A quick forum search would turn up lots of opinions on this matter. For my sins, I use Lycetts.

Even with new management in, isn't there a formal grievance procedure you can follow in this instance as this is a local government employer? I'm thinking along the lines of work place harassment by the managers or they are pushing you into constructive dismissal? Surely your overall employer i.e. the council, has a large HR dept or similar to deal with these kind of problems? Try to gather evidence of their mistreatment of you, save emails, write down conversations witnessed by someone you can trust etc. It may be a bit early to hand your notice in yet - I would try to hit back through the proper channels first.

I want to clarify this point before we go any further. Could you please describe in detail what the nature or effects of this subsidence damage was i.e. what exactly happened with what you are calling the subsidence damage?

Dont know how much they would charge, but these chaps are a good bet: News - TreeStation

Agree with Joseph and the others. I've also never seen Chicken of the Woods on Birch. More probable on Sweet Chestnut, Oak, Cherry, Willow etc. Careful eating Chicken of the Woods particularly if its growing on a Yew (another common host) as it absorbs some of the toxins in the Yew during its fruiting body growth. Have a look at this site, I like to use it for info on edible fungi, and here is a link to Chicken of the Woods for info: Laetiporus sulphureus: The Chicken of the Woods (MushroomExpert.Com)

What makes you believe the whole program was anthropomorphic - or was there a specific element in the program you are thinking of? Bear in mind the BBC have a remit to make programs accessible to all, and this program was largely a specialist interest subject being conveyed to the masses. It certainly was not a scientific investigation, despite the fact that scientific methodologies were used at times to demonstrate specific points. The presenter, and how the program was to came across to the audience, had to attempt to be inspirational and engaging and I think they achieved that reasonably well. With my specialist interest hat on though - I thought the project was thin on depth of information in several places. Overall, I enjoyed it though, worth a watch on iplayer for those who missed it, but getting back to the original point, I didn't see there was gratuitous anthropomorphism - but perhaps that is just a matter of perspective?

Thanks for the reminder. Nearly forgot.

Do you know, bizarrely, that wasn't the video I saw! Still it does make me feel better that at least one of those mucky tree *love* videos exist and it wasn't just my dark psyche imagining it!

Do you have them too Steve?

Good effort Stereo. Let me know when your site is up and running and we will make the trip down and give you some business.

Stereo - Best of luck with your journey. There may be a few challenges ahead, but keep focus and you will beat them. My wife and I want nothing more then to own a spot like you have and have the opportunity to set up a 'wild' retreat for the middle-class with disposable income. You are on to a winner there so I advise you to crack on with it. We stayed at a place called Evergreen Farm in East Grinstead in 2012 (I know - not the place you would expect a cool camping experience, but we were going to the olympics and didn't want to stay in London). They dont appear to have their own website, but read the reviews: Evergreen Farm Woodland Campsite in West Sussex - Evergreen Farm is a woodland camp site on the outskirts of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. Being from the fa... Availability calendar Evergreen Farm Woodland Campsite, East Grinstead The site is fantastic because it follows these rules: 1. It is away from disturbance. Even when all pitches are occupied, there is roughly 100m between each pitch 2. you are left to your own devices in a woodland. No facilities apart from compost loos and a fire pit for each plot 3. Firewood, water and breakfast (if you want it!) is delivered by the owner each morning 4. Access is only by quad bike. You arrive on site, park up near the farm buildings, then you are left with a quad trailer to fill up with all your kit. When ready, you are driven to your pitch down in the woods. 5. Then you are left to your own devices... Honestly, this was the best 'formal' camping we have done as a family. It ticked my wild camping boxes (I prefer wild camping over campsites), my kids had free reign to run about naked (as did I!) and we really got away from it all in a protected little bubble. I would go again in a heartbeat and pay good money too. So, if you can put together something like this, the more basic the better, then I believe you will be a success. Best of luck.

Right, so its been over 24 hours, 100+ views and no-one has responded. I'm starting to think that I had a very strange and depraved dream. I must remember to book in at the psychoanalysts for tests...

Stotally - I would buy some kit to do with the last course you did so you can consolidate your training in the real world. Possibly get some paid experience out if it too.

Does anyone recall the video that I *think* was made by the Woodland Trust a couple of years ago (although it could be another organisation - I just recall it was connected to some organisation or other), that essentially was a video about tree "love". It had a host of suggestively shaped trees, trembling bushes and slow panning camera shots, all over dubbed with the Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg, Je T'aime moi non plus song of the 60's. I was just chatting to someone about it, and they don't believe me - but I cant find it online (I hope it's not just a dream that I had once - anything is possible!) Does anyone have any ideas for a link?

I've got my kids and wife into climbing just for the fun of it. My youngest was prussiking and hip-thrusting at only 4 years old (at the time). TBH, I do more fun climbs with the family nowadays, rather then professionally. As said above - who cares what whoever thinks.

True enough. I am not too concerned about the Aussies having over confidence though. Its their speed, size, skills and all-round rugby abilities that are the concerns!

Yes. On most occasions it is! The Aussies played Uruguay today and won. 65-3. That means 11 tries over, very convincing even over a lesser side. It will be a big task for England to beat them IMO.

To be fair, well done Wales. It wasn't the finish that me or 91% of the pollsters expected at the final whistle, but they managed to hold on to getting hammered for 70 minutes, then did what they had to do in the final ten. The Welsh did what they needed to win in the end so fair play to them. England now have to beat Australia next game which will be hard, or we are out of the competition. Well, thats how it is. C'mon England, lets beat the Aussies...

It was amazing how you predicted that on the whistle of half time Steve. Could I ask if you know next weeks lotto numbers? You could tell me 5 minutes after they are drawn if you like...

Definitely Stubby, should be interesting.

Nope sorry Paul. Guess again! Could do this on a pm though...

I agree, should be a great game either way.

Of course we all know England are going to win tonight, but the question is by how much? (Never mind Welsh folk, there will always be next time...!) The up to 20 points etc means points difference at the close of the game - not 20 points only. Have a crack at the poll and post your predictions below.

Do you know, I knew - but I forgot about all about that. Will Julie give you an extra 10 days to respond...? Yes - probably!

This is purely for fun - don't get humpty about it, but, if you really want to know Logrod, there isn't a paragraph break as you will see below: What BuryTreeMan has done is written a paragraph with unbalanced syntax, where the sentence: is within the syntax structure of the wider conjoined paragraph. If he had written this, then you would be right: Here endeth the smuggary. Yes I know, I am pedantic - but in this case it's just for fun really. As a parting gift, here is a one word, one sentence paragraph: Thanks.