maybelateron

F--- off, this is the Protection front for Arborists.

Indeed mine did. Gave him the time of day, then said no thanks once I could see what a con it was. Same bloke contacted me a year later and seemed put out when my reply began with "I remember you from a year ago".

Yep, been through all that crap. In 2013 I landed a decent grounds maintenance contract for grass mowing/hedges/shrubs and tree maintenance. It was 2 miles form home and on the site of the former "county asylum" with shed loads of mature trees and woodland, as well as lawns and borders. A few months after getting the contract the external management company decided all their contractors needed to be Safecontractor registered. As it was a worthwhile contract I ran it for 3 years, and left when I got too irritated by it. I jumped through the hoops like a performing seal. Near the end of my accreditation period I had an enthusiastic phone call from a young sounding man at Safecontractor: "We are ready to sign you off now, but we just need one more document sending. Oh, what's that, I said. Your scaffolding erector's certificate he replied, for when you are working on trees". I had to explain that we don't use scaffolding to work on trees, and he accepted my explanation. And these people can say if we are safe on not?! I kept my accreditation for some years after this, but as we do minimal commercial work I just got to the point where I had to tell them where to go. Felt good taking the stickers off the van. They chased me for a year or so trying to lure me back with ever cheaper membership. When I get the occasional cold call trying sell me whatever it is for quality assurance certification, if I have time I let them go on a bit, then say I am not not interested. "But why not, good sir?" "Cos we're a small firm and I am on site for every job and that is my quality control" Rant over.

I am finding Rough Cutter's post are attracting my interest.

Slight derail, but not really. Years ago I felled a couple of small trees in an old woman's back garden. Quote made no mention of dealing with stumps in any way. Soon after, she rang me to say one of the stumps had a horrible smell from some decomposing material on top of it, and that she had nearly tripped and broken her neck on the other stump. I politely explained I had fulfilled the terms of my quote, but she kept on hassling me and threatening small claims court etc. This was in 2006, and the invoice for the work had been £50. I went and looked at things. The offensive "decay" was fox or badger poo; wish it had been on her carpet. The dangerous stump was in the corner of the garden where you would have no reason to be walking, let alone breaking your neck. I told her it was not my responsibility to clear up the poo. We went back with the grinder to shut her up, but had fun doing so. Made laminated notices about trip hazards for the steps in her garden etc, and kept knocking on the door to warn her of these hazards. She told the young lad with me she thought I was being silly - you just can't win. I think was a tight old sod who didn't like the look of the stump and wished she'd asked to have it ground out. From that point on every quote for tree felling from me includes "cutting stump close to ground, or higher if requested on the day". For stump grinding I again specify the depth I will grind to, and that this does not include chasing roots, unless customer wants to pay more for that. Rant over, but often we learn from these really annoying customers how to prevent a recurrence.

Agree in principle. However, the local skip and recycling firm (quite a large set up) charge me £70 + VAT per ton for unchipped greenwaste. They are happy to take stumps in the load, but so far I have only had stuff I can lift with my little Bobcat E10Z. I did also have a customer who wanted some stumps to build her stumpery border with.

Morning all, More time by the stove today with a good book. Hope the patients do well with Nurse Ped’s care. Have a good weekend all.

Morning all, This is how winter is/was meant to be. Blows away the cobwebs etc. Any of you over 40 out there be careful not to slip over. HSE think climbing trees is dangerous, but it's when you've just come down, unclipped from the harness, and tripped on some brash that is more likely to get you. My main man and I have decided that any customer with a really slippery path we have to use for the job will have to get it pressure washed, or pay us to do so, prior to work. Stay safe all.

Morning all, Lovely cold blue sky day here. So far my plan of having surgery in winter to fit round the weather is proving valid. Bet you we have some dry warm weather soon, and a sodden spring😂 Have a good day y'all.

Day 6 post op and turning the corner I think, thanks. Now able to do straight leg raise and fully weight bear.

Hope he makes a good recovery without too much pain.

Morning all, Sorry to hear of your vet problems Doug, and your loss of your whippet Bob. It just doesn't inspire confidence when you have the sort of consultation you got, vet clearly not up to date with what is in the notes. I imagine that with a lot of vet practices being bought up by big firms who then employ vets, on the cheap, it is not going to be like a practice owned and run by the vets working in it. On a brighter note I have found new levels of excitement in the last 48 hours. One thrill was ordering a shower stool online, and the other was having my first good wash since my knee replacement. I think having been working until my op, including climbing maintaining core strength, has put me in a good position for recovery. I am more than happy with my mobility so far on crutches. I just feel for the older frailer people who live alone, or with a frail partner, who have to get through the post op period. Onward and upward.

Morning all, Lovely sunny day here. Stay safe and have fun.

Morning all

Just the one for now. No doubt other one in due course, possibly hip too. Depends on how long I live.