Gnome

I've made something along those lines out of pallets myself and been adapting it over time as necessity kicks in. I drive my trailer right up to the back of mine. And found this the best way for me to deal with the branches I have to cut. The other thing which I'm still trying to develop (not on a commercial basis) is a cradle type thingy to hold the saw in at a reasonable height while loading the next lot of branches as I've found this is the slowest part of the job. (and the sorest on the back). A big log won't do as it likes to jump a bit and want it light weight. The problem I found with the jaw type was I kept having to move the barrow as I cut. If you could get a vid put up with more emphasis on the ease of dealing with the logs after cutting compared to other methods I think you are on to a winner. Best of luck.

Most of the rules learned at college for me have been ripped up. I've just not got the man power, machinery and budget to keep the lawns the way they did in them olden days. I'm spending more and more time fixing areas where lorries have cut across the verges. A tip I use at this time of year is to drop the mower down one step from the highest setting and go round the edge of the lawn then set it to the highest setting and go round the same way but in the width of the mower. For me this gives a neat finish and blends the lawn quite well. Quick edge as well. I've got alot of daffys naturalised all over the lawns so I have to wait to see where they pop up each year. I wait till the spring time before I start putting patterns in the grass. As I have a wonderful mix of ryegrass and moss!

:drunk:Whisky time. Drowning sorrows and all that.

Really like that one TCD.

Caius Fulvius Megellus

Brace yourself we're going in dry for this one. ( whenever there's a job which you just have to plough through) no pun intended!

The Harry Wraggs.

As a young un I used to hate the taste of whisky. Preferred the fruity taste of the Buckfast and full bodied Tennents Super. But as time has passed have made whisky an important part of my weekends. Blended whisky's are fine especially if you get a pint glass add 3-4 shots and a can of red bull then top the rest up with either irn bru if you can get it or soda water. As for single malts I would suggest Dalwinnie, Macallan, The Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich. 10 to 12 years age is fine IMO. These are all good whiskeys to start with. The Grant's range of malt's are nice as well, you can get them in packs of three minatures with different ages so that you can learn what age does to the flavour. Ardbeg is one of my favourites but only for special occasions as I like to savour it. It is one of the Islay malts and is strong in flavour. Personally I don't like the rest of the Island Malts as they are too peaty and medicinal. Talisker and Laphroig are ones I could see putting people off for life. But they are worth a try. I thought I had bought a bootleg bottle of Laphroig and was wary of drinking the rest, bit like Barretine! Miniatures is a good way of tasting alot of different ones and you can get the different ages as well which cost a fortune for a full bottle. I like a bit of shortbread with my tasting sessions as well and get a comfy chair. Hope this helps. Love the stuff.

Gloves arrived today and was immediately impressed. Had a quick test on some bramble and holly and it gave me a big smile. Cheers Rover for the recommendation. Great fit size 8 and for me there is plenty of dexterity still in the fingers for my liking.

Brilliant. Those pics are great really got me thinking. Hard work indeed.

I take your point Tony. The welders do work and are cheap. The ones I've got are just toooo big even with gloves inside. I've ordered a pair now so will report back when I receive them. There's plenty of jaggy things out there for me to do a good test. I don't mind paying for good equipment.

The welding ones I've got make me look like something out of Marvel comics! Big bright red and extra large. I'll give them a try anyways.(think i'll opt for mediums!)

Cheers for the link Rover. Always on the lookout for something a bit smaller than welding gloves.

Great! keep posting, I like the time lapse stuff.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Plumosa Juniperoides'

Juniper is what I would say. What was the leftfield thought? Pretty horrible to handle.

hayter harrier and you won't go wrong.

If I make 60 I'll probably piss my pants.

Enter the Dragon Superbad Monty Python and the Holy Grail Sin City City of God Brewsters Millions The Doors Commando Leon Seven Need a wee tea break in between !

Avoiding pubs is a great way to spend less. Not been in one in .... 16 years jeez! Cooking from scratch is also a good stress reliever at the end of the day. Best of luck in your decisions.

I use a spade, you will be all day with your hands. On a more serious note it would depend how many and how long you have to plant them. If it's just a handful then I would go for the spade but if you have over a dozen I would probably loose the will to live. Diggers can compact the soil quite badly in some situations. I like to mix the soil which has been dug out with about a third tree and shrub mix compost ( I use sinclairs). It will depend on species and soil type. Careful attention to staking and watering will ensure a good success rate. Rootgrow Mycorrhizal Fungi may help again depending on species and time of year. I like to select the trees myself at the nursery rather than ordering to spec.

Alex I'm on peanuts as well not a climber but head gardener. I like what I do and am always learning new skills at my work. I like to call them little adventures ! I buy my own PPE, saws, lawnmower, tools, workshop tools. Get the consumables paid for and fuel. My commute to work is 7 minutes(pass a handleful of cars). I JUST get by but i'm in a happier place than when I was earning 3 times as much in factories. Most people think I'm mad but jobs are hard to come by. It's all very well being told you are getting the piss ripped out of you, but if you are still at a beginner stage (don't take that the wrong way cos I can't climb for toffee) then think of it like you are getting valuable climbing time and business advice for free. I know it's not always easy asking for a raise and I've been in that position and basically told if I don't like it there's the door. I chose the door after getting a few things off me chest. Most employers I have worked for have been very manipulative and have taken my good nature and hard work ethic for granted. Paying the bills comes first for me everything else is a bonus. I agree that high risk and highly skilled manual jobs should be paid more than bloody hairdressers unfortunately this country has lost the plot. I know a few lads who wouldn't get out of bed for less than £150 a day, they spend most of there days on the playstation. Just a thought.

The Haemmerlin Green Standard Metal wheelbarrow The Haemmerlin Green Standard is a construction grade heavy duty wheelbarrow that is also suitable for domestic and garden tasks. The 32mm diameter frame makes the wheelbarrow well balanced, the 90 litre pan capacity is ideal for most uses and the metal disc 4.00 x 8 wheel gives additional strength. The French made Haemmerlin Green Standard wheelbarrow is fitted with a pneumatic wheel and is ideal for both hard or soft surfaces. Green painted metal pan and frame Rigid 32mm tubular frame Anti-slip handles Large pneumatic tyre for use on all terrain types 90 litre load capacity Metal disc 4.00 x 8 wheels for additional strength Designed to be stored outdoors No idea what we pay for them as a shiny new one appears every couple of years. Liberally soak them in baby oil and read them a bedtime story if you want to. I just rinse them out and stick them in my polytunnel.

Flexothane Bib and Brace - Waterproof Work Overtrousers Bib and brace far better than just the trousers as you spend all day pulling them up. Get alot of my work clothes from these chaps. No arb stuff as I like to use sponsors on here. I find as well that a larger flexothane jacket size suits me better for stretching and feeling more comfortable for all day work. Had the flexothane coverall suit as well which I liked but not good when doing heavy sweaty work as you feel like you've stepped out a used condom by the end of the day.

I would have used a motorbike, might have been more inconspicuous! (least it would have been clean) Feel for the chaps who have bought into the livestrong brand. There must be alot of disheartened folks out there who have seen there hero fall from grace. Must affect there recoveries in some way.