Gary Prentice

It’s a lot easier introducing puppies to cats than the other way round, I guess. We’ve introduced kittens and full grown cats into the house with out spaniel and rotties, but the dogs are used to having cats around. The dogs will have a sniff and show interest for a few weeks, then get used to them.

If you have one around, what’s a few more

Get a better accountant

From the safety of my office chair, that beech seems to illustrate a certain amount of adaptation - from the original damage. I know it's easy sat looking at the photo, but are you over-estimating the risk here? No-one is going to pay for the use of a resistograph or picus to establish the extent of the decay and dysfunction, but an ordinary cordless drill and long bit can provide an awful lot of information about the integrity of the tree (and give the climber/groundsman some confidence). I've even bored some trees with a chainsaw prior to climbing, just to dispel doubts. As Steve said though, no-one can say yay or nay based on a photo, ultimately it's down to the climber him/herself on the day. I'd try to get a better picture as to the extent of the decay, before making decisions that are going to cost more money. Alternatively, what about getting an experienced subbie climber to climb the tree, so that you can spend the time on the deck training your groundsman in the art and science of rigging, so he's proficient for the next one.

Thanks for your valuable input...

Sounds like a plan

You'll recognise it next time, glad to help.

Ooops, wrong list

I don't know, but it might tell whether it's a thousand years old... or not!

wouldn't all that be a given?

I've only read the article! Where it's use may provide valuable data could be in calculating carbon sequestration, particularly for use in things like iTree (Hollowness aside), which can then go on to illustrate the financial 'value' of the canopy cover. Alternatively , we could fell the tree, measure it and weigh it to keep the pedants happy, but I suppose that'll mean the loss of the benefits provided by the living tree

Logic says that the MOT is a certificate of roadworthiness, at the time of testing, so I if it fails it isn’t fit for the road.

Can’t imagine why you would be. The problem is that you’ve been using it, driving on gritted roads. It can’t be the manufacturers fault

My Mitzi isn’t much worse than that, after 13 years

I think ours are around £60-70, maybe a bit more, and I don’t think that’s over the top.

A fair idea, as we’ve two small garages, a MOT Centre and an auto electrician in the estate at work. Those garages wouldn’t charge anywhere near that (and I’d only be paying trade price on parts with them). Whenever they do stuff for me, I also add a decent wedge on top for a drink. Mates is mates, but they’ve still got to earn a living. I should have have been clearer, the lad I bought the car off asked if I’d done the glow plugs recently and said that was cost when he owned the motor, at the main dealers.

You sound like a woman Felix

I was told that a set for my L200 was around that. £40 a set off of the internet and less than an hrs work. At least Dick Turpin wore a mask

So basically it’s a case of revoking the original order and creating a new one?

And if they are, change garages.

Ive told that breaking springs is generally down to the clutch/drum being too worn, and causing excessive stretch of the springs

Can a VOSA inspector issue a statutory prohibition notice for ‘lesser’ faults like sills and seatbelt mounting points?

Hatfield’s and McCoys come to Cornwall....

Getting Warmer Eggs, definitely in the ball park

Ring/target cankers. Have a search of Nectria cankers of Ash