TIMON

Nice work Reg. were you anchored into the neighbouring live tree? It’s always an education watching your vids. It’s nice that you’re prepared to share your skills and techniques. [emoji106]

Some days are better than others, especially when you’re starting out. A trick I taught myself, to overcome irrational fear without becoming complacent was to get a good anchor point set up in the tree then go for some ‘deliberate practice swings’ around the tree, (watch out for stubs though) about halfway up. This helps build confidence in your gear and movement around the tree without being too tentative. Like others have said, it’s normal and a healthy fear/respect for what you are doing can keep you safe. Happy climbing, you’ll get there.

Nah Eggs, my mates grannys’s cat knew them though. Right gents they were, by all accounts.

Going back to the East End overnight for some jellied eels.... irresistible. You lot on here are just too cynical....

Clogs? Do you go to New Model Army gigs Gary?

Aye... my spikes needed a good sharpen afterwards though...

These are always fun to climb.......

[emoji106]?

I’m not a betting man..... but you’re on. Shall we say by next June 1st? £10 to your chosen charity? (As long as it isn’t BDS) and £10 to mine (I don’t want the £10) JAVID in No 10 by June 1st 2019

We used to have a walk behind Scagg mower with a 36” flail deck on it. It would cut through rough brambles etc.. and would leave a reasonable finish on the big house lawn as well.(with stripes). Hydraulic drive and zero turn enabled it to get into tight spots as well. If you keep a decent edge on the flail knives it will give a fairly good finish. Domestic ride on mowers won’t cope with doing a paddock very well and will wear out quickly. Not sure what your situation is, but we have a large area to mow at one of our places (almost an acre) and we pay a contractor to cut it for us once a fortnight , after years of struggling with inadequate machines constantly playing catch up with maintenance and overgrown grass, it was the best solution.

You talking about The UK, or his Mrs?

In the case of Boris, I agree with you. If a person can’t manage his own family with integrity then how can he be trusted to manage a ‘bigger family’. He may be a ‘gifted politician’ but his character obviously has some way to go before it has caught up. On JRM, those ‘pro-life’ principles are his own personal ones and I believe he’s entitled to hold them, I’m not sure that he was going to try and get them enshrined in law. I think he would make at least a reasonable PM. My money would be on Sajid Javid. Because of the following reasons. 1.He stood up to May on matters of principle rather than take the easier ‘career enhancing’ choice. It shows he has both integrity and courage. 2. He is a Euro Sceptic but is willing to be pragmatic when it comes to trade. I know this is hypothetical, but I think if he was given a clean slate to negotiate Brexit, I think he would deliver a decent one, or in the case of a ‘no deal’ he could be trusted to steady the ship and navigate us through difficult waters. 3. Despite his Muslim roots he genuinely supports Israel and Jewish people. 4. He came to this country as an immigrant with nothing and worked his way up purely by his own hard graft and fully integrated. 5. He wrote my American mrs a supporting letter so she could get a visa to stay in this country. 6. I think he would be a force for ‘good’ in this country at a time when there is so much hatred and division.

Yew-wood. country furniture made from it is fabulous. Edit... (sorry, just noticed this is on the firewood forum). Those items can hardly be described as firewood!

I’m not sure what you mean by ‘again’ or ‘old habits’ ? (Maybe I’ve said something to upset you? If I have it wasn’t intentional) To try and answer your question. I can only really speak for myself. (Which I just did). Maybe people on the ‘slight right’ of centre are getting fed up of Theresa May’s reluctance to stand up for us regarding negotiation of a Brexit that the electorate voted for, among other things. You can’t really compare JRM with Diane Abbott. Whether you agree with his opinions or not, he knows his stuff. I think Sajid Javid will be the next conservative leader , I don’t agree with everything he espouses but he seems like a steady pair of hands. There are a lot worse things that could happen.

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/20a8a878-dc5f-476c-953c-f754c21055a8

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/20a8a878-dc5f-476c-953c-f754c21055a8

I’d rather have JRM than Boris... at least he has some semblance of personal integrity. It’s a shame that Labour are losing decent people like Frank Field.

Here’s an interesting article with a great (and amusing if it wasn’t so tragic) insight into the kind of thinking that drives the decision making processes that inevitably lead nations into the mess that Sweden and Germany now find themselves in. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12732/progressives-reality God help us if Corbyn ever gets elected.

Yer, that’s an old one. Very unpleasant. Good example of Inexperience+big pieces=hospital.

Great question. If in doubt,... the old saying ‘ go small and go home ‘ comes to mind. After all, you’re more than likely going to have to cut a big limb up on the floor anyway. If you’re insistent on dropping it in one go then you could also cut each side of the limb (vertically) in line with the undercut to reduce tension, then a very slighty inboard cut with a quick saw should ensure the limb falls flat reducing the risk of it taking a ‘bad bounce’ on its tip. Not a good situation, especially with a big lower limb. Best advice I think would be take it in small pieces. You’d be getting good practice at branch walking, work positioning and dismantling at the same time as staying safe... Win-win. Good luck.

Could it be that you are still holding your weight up underneath the hitch on the main line? Your technique will need to change slightly to adapt to the new system. Like Steve says, the hitch needs to be weighted for it to grip. Going from Blake’s/prussic to HC set up often throws this problem up. Seen it happen to lots of people, starting with myself. Usually end up sag on your backside looking up at the tree... Giving the top of the hitch a ‘tweak’ will also help it grip especially if the cord is new. Best staying near to ground level until you’ve got it sussed.. (obviously)!

But using ‘taxpayer bought’ kit and resources to compete in the public sector can’t be right. What happens next (and I’ve heard of this happening before) is that the TO turns up to look at a TPO app job with the council ‘tree guy’ and offers their services. The person making the the app thinks to himself (rightly or wrongly) I’d better go with ‘these guys’ or my app won’t be successful....... Stinks...

Classic post.

I remember it happening, grateful you shared your experience on here as it saved us going through the same ordeal. Getting hold of decent saws in southern Spain is not easy... all the hire companies advertise the latest saws but when you go and pick them up...........

No I remember someone else (on here) who got refused at the gate and they just managed, at the last minute to get a courier to take it overland (at extra expense). Nearly missed their flight. I didn’t fancy the same thing happening to me so I double/triple checked with the airlines and CAA.