green heart

Thanks for posting up the photos and details of this (somewhat harrowing!?) job/experience. I won't say anything here about the first chuck-and-run Climber... I am curious, though, to ask you if there wasn't space in the woodland (looking at your very first photo), to do a winched-felling of the entire tree (or maybe with a partially reduced canopy), down the slope -away from the court and photographer? If it was possible, would this not have simplified and speeded up the process (much cheaper!)? I'm guessing it's a 'no' -otherwise you would have done it already -but interesting to hear your response! 🤔

Sorry, just for everyone's clarity (or maybe just me?), is that like a, er, double ender, but with an extra wotsit, then ?? I had no idea that my fellow tree-botherers were quite so... shall I say, adventurous ?! And does this all happen on the ground, or up in the tree canopy ? -Just asking for a friend, obviously... 😂

How about this, taken from, er, a former 'gated estate ' ?

But.. on the positive side, you now have: Way better traction Less lawn tyre pressure 4'' more ground clearance Looks the business/much more fun to bounce around in ! 😆

Wow, some really outstanding (and fairly disabling!?) northern brewing contributions, there from Peter1955 Thanks for sharing ! I'm just thinking maybe a little brewery tour is needed ( using bikes and van perhaps ), to check these specialties out ? -Maybe when the weather is a bit less wintery tho!

Never layed in a Devon style myself, but it looks near manicured enough to be entered in a best-kept-garden competition!? Remarkable!

I thought you were about to say the policy had expired the previous week...but renewal documents lost in the post... ! Hope you get back safe and soon. I've got a handy recovery policy that covers myself and partner for any vehicle and trailer that we're driving, in the UK. Well under £200- I think. We've had swift and helpful service from their independent recovery contractors, on the occasions I've used it. From the Environmental Transport Association.

They do look impressive in the video, but: Not easy to use, for removing lateral roots, I'd guess, compared with a conventional grinder ? At £13k plus per unit, you'd need to be grinding a few stumps to see a return on your investment. Looks like they would need a wider base carrier machine too -no narrow access jobs. I couldn't find a figure for replacement blades on the Dipperfox, but I'll wager they will be more £ and less resilient too? The wood-waste produced by the Dipperfox can't exactly be used for mulching Mrs Miggins flower borders.. We've got an old Becker stump blade (uses a slightly similar principle) somewhere in the back of our shed. I must check and see if it's taken root there(!), since we last used it over a decade ago.. Sorry, I'll get my coat.

So what's the prize for first correct guess then ? -I think daveindales wins it... And if that's a Medlar, then I'm a banana!

Please can you post a picture up, for those of us not on Facehook ? -it's not visible for me.

Cotoneaster Cornubia , I'd say, 99% certain !

A line-up of a few 'stronger winter offerings' that we're looking forward to being reacquainted with.. As a Mancunian, I'm ashamed (also !), to say that the Admundsons Imp Stout, from Norway, is my favourite. Sometimes end up falling asleep after a can/bottle.. the Beer equivalent of eating an entire Christmas pudding with brandy butter?

Some really great advice up there, by Mike Hill. I would add: A Mog is where you might go, once you've outgrown a serious Land-rover/tractor-using habit, rather than a transit habit? Transit with rear mud-tyres do take some beating.. Mogs can be lots of fun -and headaches too. I reckon ours is worth the same as when we bought it, ex German Authority, 20+ years ago (via a well known N Yorks specialist).. There are a few independent/travelling freelance Mog specialist fitters, that might be useful to you.. If we were busier, then personally I'd be looking at an older Fastrack myself -but only because my neighbours rate/use them, and the maim-dealer (and an additional good breaker, too) is a mile away, in South M/c. A 4WD Trantor would be fun too, but much like hens teeth!

@Dan Maynard The second (very lightly used/cheap as..) batch of mats we bought, were from what's now called Quattto products, just north of Penrith, Cumbria. Call 01768 864 977 -ask the boss, or have a look at similar-type businesses, nearer yourself, Dan ? Ours paid for themselves in the first year -lov'em. I'd not be too tempted to chop up the sheets into strips, personally -I'd be worried they -might- blow away, or start to 'walk' if we were turning, using the skid steer.. but each to their own choice/technique? If there's a cross-slope, you'd definitely peg them down, or want those heavy grippy 8'x4' ground protection mats.

@Mark Bolam Why does nobody on here not use/know about the 6'x4' cow mats?? -I think horse-botherers use them too. A 12mm thick cow mat weighs a fraction of the 6mm Stokboard -I can carry 3 cow mats at a time. Admittedly they aren't as indestructible as our other stokboard sheets, but so much easier to handle, and can happily carry a land-rover and trailer. Way cheaper too, especially if you can find some s/hand ones ! 🤔