Conor Wright

Hmm, 20 acres is almost proper tractor territory. A compact in the 35 hp+ range with a front loader might be the most versatile for moving things, mowing, topping, spraying, hedgecutting duties. A company called slanetrac make a hedge cutter to fit most front loaders, a good alternative to other expensive rear mount machines. The biggest question is if you have the time to manage it yourself? The cost is secondary as there's no point having the kit and not being able use it, likewise its pointless paying someone to do a job if you have the time to watch them do it!

Did I just stumble across an excerpt from "conversations with my mother in law"?!

Sounds legit to me, not that I'm an expert (on anything!) I do like to see the rarer vehicles being kept alive. Was at a classic car show recently and it was almost all beetles, cortinas, Morris minors etc. Probably about a dozen "rare" machines. There was a Schluter tractor, an unusual beast! (Think there were a few escorts too but the missus was with me so I couldn't have a proper look!)

I'd ask what's the issue with his vin, if it's just a case of mods he made not matching the original number then that's a forgivable sin! if he's trying to pull a fast one and clone yours his story will probably have holes in it bigger than the sills of a transit.

I think they're howitzers. be a handy way of removing trees alright, the reductions could be a bit messy though..

Not a cs100 but my wee chipper has a 13 hp honda and it's a bit weak when near it's limit on "bigger" stems or when it takes a big bite of conifer tops. Blades and anvil gap need to be spot on to get the best out of it. Just waiting for it to show any sign of unreliability so I have an excuse to stick on a bigger unit. I can only imagine how painfully slow a 6.5 is to use!

Add another zero to the initial estimate then times by 3 and you'll be halfway there! Forgive my ignorance but is that basically a "working man's" g wagen?

I've taxed worse...

Not sure if I'm reading that the way you intended it but it made me laugh!

Don't usually get big slabs that long as I rarely mill onsite and have to be able get the log home but I did have some 4 meter by 500mm ash slabs 60mm thick which I sold for 350 each unseasoned. They didn't have much character so I was happy with the price. A real nice, ready to use log would (should) be more.

He wasn't wrong either.

Nugent trailers are pathetically poorly put together. Brian James not much better imo. Dale kane are strong but heavy. Probably the best built trailers out there but their weight does go against them when you're getting close to the 3.5 mark I've a 2002 gd106 and while it is wide on the road it's been unbreakable. I wouldn't hesitate to get another.

Different climate down your way! Peaked at 30° here on Tuesday, down to 18 now and raining steady. More of the same forecast for the rest of the weekend then who knows! A gamble worth taking. Yeah. Happy with the results. A change is as good as a rest as they say. Back to bashing laurel hedges next week.

They're seeded and fertilised. Couldn't have timed it better!

Not arb but took the harley rake out of the nettles and did a few lawns this week. It started raining when I was on the way home with the seeder. Brought in a few bales too, always impressed with what the little Korean tractor can do!

No, some experience I'd imagine. Who knows? Maybe they'd started off in another career and realised their life was a soulless, meaningless existence of poorly paid office work, commuting, demanding kids and an increasingly unattractive wife. maybe they were having a midlife crisis and their wife and kids had finally left as he was adamant his true calling was as a stunt cock in californias porno gold rush. having realised his performance on camera wasn't up to scratch decided tree surgery was the next best thing and all he now needed from a job was enough money for a tent and a daily supply of meth. I don't know Mick, I just see a lot of folk my age (mid thirties) needing constantly higher incomes to facilitate their lifestyle while some of those who are midway or later in their careers have lower overheads. If I was actively looking to hire now I'd be looking for someone with previous experience, takes too long and costs too much for a small company to train up fresh lads. I'd happily take an older applicant on a three or four day week above a novice full time that required practice and training.

This recipe has worked for us

Yes, of sorts, with red cabbage. Just layer it into a jar with a sprinkle of salt and pack it down. Not my favourite but it does go well with duck! Theres no shame in growing anything. Believe me, our first attempts were nothing to be proud of!

Or no? An older applicant may have their mortgage paid and kids could be grown up and be paying their own way in life?

25 quid for the shavings collected or two delivered locally for 75 (euro) it's not exactly a money maker but it beats throwing it on the compost heap. Sounds like you've got a few irons in the fire there! Looking forward to seeing your progress, I started a "self build" thread a week or two back. Sounds like you'll have a few bits to add to it soon. So will I hopefully.

I don't, my better half does! I just eat them! But yeah, mostly vinegar although tomatoes are lightly salted and vacuumed in reusable jars, a lot of the veg is blanched and frozen or just straight frozen. Jams obviously sugar based and herbs are dried. While vinegar is the base adding a few bay leaves, a ring of onion, star anise etc adds another dimension of taste. Beetroot in vinegar with 2 cloves half a star anise and a bay leaf is delicious! The ogorki I mentioned earlier can be kept in salted water for a good few weeks, a bloom forms on top but that actually helps protect them. I can't claim to have much knowledge of the preserving side of things but it might make an interesting thread of its own, there must be a few others out there doing similar.

Mines only a single bag which does fill up a bit fast but as luck would have it the bags I get my bareroot hedging in fit it perfectly. There's a local crusty hippie that gives me a fiver a bag for planer shavings for her chickens. We use some ourselves and the odd sheep farmer buys a ton bag for lambs When you going at the cabin?

Somethings gotta kill ya, re alaskan milling, I just take a deep breath squint and push. I did get a dust extractor for the shed, I find the woodmizer and circular saws the worst. No real need for a mask then.

It is, our best yet by far. Looking like we will have all our own veggies this year and if our stores and preserves keep enough to see out the hungry gap and keep us going until next year's plants come ready to harvest. Such is the plan! Good to see you back by the way.

Or when the dog rolls in it...