Baldbloke

My Dad passed away 12 years ago. He was a flyboy too. Fleet Air Arm. Big respect for what these guys, and girls, did for us.[emoji1303]

My original trade was a panelbeater. Did a lot of restoration work on some interesting cars and bikes. Used to use an English wheel and use tin/lead repair rather than cataloy. I did a lot of sill/jacking point repairs to Interceptors in my time[emoji1303]

Seems stupid as I never asked. Apart from being a little sore in a muscle lower down after mauling too many logs a few days ago, I have no twinges or aches. I’m 14 weeks post op

Interceptor. Mine weren’t the FF type though like that gold one in the piccie

Don’t forget the gathering keeps you fit too[emoji1303]

I had two, an early ‘69 6.9 and a ‘73 7.2. Wish I had the later one now

I was just the same, and always looking for a seat. One other point that was a big bonus for me. I slipped a disc a few years ago probably from weak knees and lifting improperly. My knees prior to Anterior Cruciate Ligament repairs had endless other operations. So along with the hip pain I had a sore back and aching knees. I actually requested a knee op before a hip replacement. He said they always start at the top and work down. The surgeon suggested that much of my other pain issues were what he called 'referred' pain. I didn't believe him but didn't say as much. He was correct as I have no back or knee pain now. I'll be apologising to him by doubting him when I see him in two weeks time.

By the way, I'm just in out of the rain after dropping a couple of dead Elms. No issues with the felling!

Generally I don't moan so it was my fault for not pushing earlier. My surgeon saw me every other year since 2013 with a fresh X ray review being done prior to seeing him. This so he could assess how the joint was deteriorating. The last time he saw me he saw I was struggling and agreed that at 60 with my pain issues it needed done. He didn't glue mine in, as he said it would be easier to replace it if I outlive the joints life. In NZ they'll do both at the same time. I understand in the UK they'll only do one at a time on the NHS. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to recuperate after having both done at the same time. Personally I'd recommend one being done and wait a year before getting the other sorted. With the waiting times that will probably be the case anyway.

Best thing I did was go for it. I would have taken the op six years ago and probably should have pushed for it then as the difference now is like light and day. I had basically been a miserable sore bastard for 6 years. If you are reasonably fit expect it to take 3 months before you see a real improvement, although that insidious deep pain is away immediately. Just the scar to irritate you which stops you lying on the effected side for a few weeks, and having to shit through a raised toilet seat.

Must be an age thing as it was the Jensen that caught my eye first

I too really struggled for 18 years before getting a replacement hip. previously I worked on a highland estate as their fishing ghillie through the season and shoot days/deer cull through the winter. A lot of walking involved. I used to be very active. Motocross, rugby, etc. I snapped both cruciate ligaments in my 20s too and only got those repaired 15 years ago. When I moved further north 10 years ago and got a more sedentary job the specialist said I was still too young for a hip and to wait. He did me 3 months ago at 60. The problem I have now is that because there's no pain, and I forget about lifting properly or that there's anything to bother about. That is until a twinge reminds me to behave. So three months on from getting a replacement I can now easily walk 7 miles in a oner. I have mauled around 4/5 ton of logs over two days, which I did pay for, and I've recommissioned a litre bike after it being off it for 11 years. The bike is a more upright cruiser type comfortable thing. I do have a sports bike, but the leg position is too extreme for me at the moment to bother putting it back on the road. I haven't dropped any trees yet but did have the 260 out yesterday to top off a foot off a beech hedge that was too thick for the hedge trimmer. I did 120 metres of an 8 foot hedge. So I don't think felling trees is going to be an issue for you when you get a hip as long as you do the recommended exercises. I never got any injections, but I was taking a lot of pain relief, and walking like Quasimodo 6 months before getting the op

We do have a fairly hefty one that my wife uses. There’s just as much lifting and I reckon the maul is quicker if the wood isn’t too knotty

Fair enough on the green front. Although between a 20 kW wind turbine and the 60 kW biomass it does save a lot of heating oil being burnt, as well as providing an income. We will probably move into a less characterful but better insulated house when running this place gets too much. I also have access to about 15 years worth of dead standing elm by a best guess having used about 1/6th over the last 3 years, so the bonus is that no trees suffered in the process[emoji3]

Seven bedrooms and lots of intricate plasterwork. Unfortunately the plasterwork would need to be destroyed to effectively insulate the walls. We have however done the attics and all floors already. I like the idea of a frame but have a system where I place five logs on individual blocks and move a step for each swing. It lets me do the tonnage more quickly. Or at least it used to[emoji3]

20 years would be great. The surgeon didn't glue in the replacements in as he said I'd likely need another set before I snuff it. I do have a splitter but prefer the maul as I feel it gives me a bit more exercise. However, using the maul for 5 or 6 hours gave me the first hint that maybe it was a mistake. Unfortunately, going anywhere around here on a pedal bike is not something I fancy. Too many blind corners and young lads in cars driving carelessly. Perhaps off road is worth considering though. Apart from being a bit sore from overdoing it the other day, it seems like there's nothing different to my other good hip. It is that good. One thing my wife immediately noticed post op was that the surgeon had realigned my left leg so I don't now walk toe out. I do have concerns about dislocating it though because it's awfully easy to forget it's a replacement rather than an original. Did you ever have any issues with that?

Had something similar about 20 years ago. Turned out it was a trapped muscle somewhere around the back of a shoulder blade. My wife who went with me for my first Osteopath experience could see the physical problem once the expert pointed it out. Before being pushed to go there I had no sleep for three days and both arms numb and back in excruciating pain. One wrench from the good Osteopath and instant relief. He literally lifted me up by making me hold my arms straight down. He then dropped me, but caught me before my legs touched the ground. He was a big lad. The weight of my body dropping and stopping suddenly was seemingly was enough to reverse the issue. Took a bit of trust though, as you need to relax your body while keeping your arms stiff enough to support your weight, but best £50 I ever spent! I reckon Jesus must have been an earlier practitioner. It still occasionally still comes back to haunt me if I over do the lifting with a poor posture. About ten years ago we moved further north, and I've since struggled to find someone who is strong enough to successfully do the solution. They all know what to do, but few around here have the beans necessary. Personally I wouldn't bother with a Chiropractor and the falling table trick as it just tickles the issue rather than what's required. Hope it's something similar, and that you get sorted

I can certainly recommend a 260. Brilliant mid sized saw. If it fires up readily from a cold start and from hot it could be fine. Mine has a lot of compression off the starter cord if the decompressor isn't used, so that might be a fair indication for the top end. A visual check should tell you if the seller has looked after it. Ask him/her if the needle roller is greased regularly. Sub £200 for a complete good saw is a bargain IMO.

I had a full hip replacement just over three months ago. Absolutely brilliant op, now pain free, and don't walk like Lurch any more. I've recently walked up to seven miles in a go and now have a motorcycle back on the road. The house biomass needs about 30 ton of logs a year. Three days ago I split around three ton of logs with a maul, and yesterday I did considerably more. A little sore today. Anyone else had a hip replacement and still managing to be active in felling and firewood?

Yesterday I noticed three Sycamore trees in a row have snuffed it, and some of the Alders around a pond aren’t looking too good either.

We actually have bats in our roofs and jackdaws over a doorway in a steading/ shed. Buggers have nested there for years and it seems they have managed to dislodge the lintel over the door a bit more each year. Like you, I’ll be dealing with the jackdaw issue this year.

They are certainly over as far as Turriff in NE Scotland too. See them regularly squashed or crossing roads up here. Kill chickens too[emoji1304]

Having had two lots of chooks killed by Martins in three years I’d quite like them added to the general licence

If you can’t tell the difference between red or grey squirrels you shouldn’t be shooting at anything other than cans

Took some lead and batteries in the other day. Clean lead was £1000/tonne and batteries at £400/tonne. Some old water pipe discovered while doing some drainage and 10 years of assorted batteries. A mere £100 but not to be sniffed at