Doug Tait

I was really quite taken with the the lady we were working for yesterday, what a character. Big old family house in the countryside, estate with horse stud etc. She insisted we had tea and biscuits before starting, to allow one of the gardeners to clear land mines left by the countless black labs. Throughout the day she brought tea, biscuits and ice cream, and her chat was excellent. Talking to the boss about travelling she declared that on her first visit to the USA she entered (in Texas I think) by freefall parachute jump, on her own, and felt it was a good way to travel as she only needed to remember knickers, a parachute and passport! She also recalled as a young girl her grandpapa taking his first hot air balloon flight from the front of the house, and how disappointed she'd been not to join him. Later on when we needed to park the tractor on the roadside to crane timber out she said 'be too dangerous, they drive too damn fast up there now' and called the groom who duly parked a horsebox across the road and she blocked the other side with her car, standing the whole time telling people they'd have to 'just drive the other damn way around'!. Years back I worked on a farm and the farmers father, retired army officer in his 80's would potter around in his fiat panda that had quotes from Wind in the Willows written all over it in marker pen. He'd ask me to 'start the saw lad' as he couldn't pull it over, then he'd stick it in the car ticking over and go off cutting firewood, never switched it off until finished, even to refuel. He was most happy when he found a badger on the road as he'd replace the hair on his shaving brush. More than once I was in the steading while him and my boss traded punches to sort out some minor dispute, think they call it milling in the military! Did gardening and odd jobs at one time for a lovely older couple. Vice Admiral (Ret) Sir....... KBE. Whenever I'd cut the hedge along his driveway he'd always go up to the crows nest to inspect it, said it was the best place to assess straight lines and crisp corners. He had a stream and dilapidated waterwheel that powered a fountain at the front of his house which I did up for him. He wanted his wife to be able to see the work done to the waterwheel so had me build some rustic steps down the slope for her. They were so pleased she decided it should be officially opened and brought a bottle of wine and trickled some over the steps naming them 'Dougie Way'. It didn't seem to matter to him if something went wrong, his favourite phrase was 'no matter, worse things happen at sea'. One of the best compliments I've ever had was when he said in his experience, for every 100 men bringing problems on a naval vessel there was 1 bringing solutions, and I was that man, praise indeed! Be interested to hear who else has known/worked for a real character?

Santi was wild swimming today too, well paddling. He's not enjoying the heat much

Been a long, hot week Andy. I'd appreciate a donation to my fund please, will definitely send you a pic in return

Glad you like it, when I was first given them I thought 'kids book' but I've learnt a lot from them. The more knowledge you have the safer and more enjoyable climbing will be. Hope you've got a helmet sorted out, was glad of mine twice today!

Not had much to do with it myself yet but from what I hear at work and have read on arbtalk you are right, sooner rather than later.

Someone more knowledgeable may disagree but my feeling would be dieback, see many Ash looking that way around here.

And career progression

Just use your judgement, you already know a dead branch from a live one. Does it have leaves on, any splits or damage on it, bark missing or included, fungi present. A pair of binoculars may help. As I said earlier if you load the system before climbing it'll give you confidence but be aware that even if you're anchored to a solid limb, you can dislodge dead wood from elsewhere in the canopy. The gate hangers must've grown up with the tree, or there used to be a 20' high gate there! It's amazing what you find inside trees, metal, bricks, signs etc. You might find a Stupsi or Pauli book by Claus Mattheck useful to enhance your knowledge of tree body language and help understand what the tree is telling you before climbing.

Had something I've never seen before hanging around the hi vis t-shirt, once it got over its excitement it settled on the wood pile for a photo. Anyone recognise it?

You're right, the feeling of being exposed is worse than the height for me. Much nicer to be enclosed by branches. Anyway confidence will come with practice, and the saying is "low and slow" until you get a feel for things. Check your anchor point before climbing by loading it with weight should help you trust in it, no need to shock load it. And if you are taking photos, well, we like photos on here so do share...

Sounds good John. Little steps are the way forward on spikes, and don't stamp them in either, place your foot and let your weight set the gaff in which will make it easier to pull out. I'd try to master hip thrusting too as using your arms to pull your weight up is energy sapping and likely to lead to sore arms and shoulders quickly. Don't worry about the rings, they'll polish up with friction, make sure you inspect regularly by looking and touching to check for roughness or thinning of the metal. Glad you enjoyed it!

No pics of Igor riding shotgun in the LR then Mick!

What would be the advantage for the business of football if England beat Italy, rather than the other way round?

Your small yardage will be quite a big deal to the little things though.

In the shop last night, behind a group of boisterous young lads buying 2l bottles of coke and packets of mentos, one said "hey mister, is effing football gaun hame?". Probably, I said, as the Romans founded Londinium and built England's first sporting stadiums. They left in silence looking a bit confused.

I still remember thinking I must have been very special indeed, as I had my first werthers original, when I was 4.

The Arborella should be as useful and versatile when it hits the market.

Did you stop?

They were double unlucky with metal in that log. After the mill found the big bit they tried cutting the end off and hit metal again with a 500i.

At the end of the England v Germany game, when the camera showed a young girl in German colours sobbing her eyes out some of the England fans cheered which seemed a bit out of order as well. The England team have really done themselves proud during this tournament, shame some fans can't manage it.

Spent the day feeding a woodmizer, great bit of kit. Boss has an LT15 but his pal brought an LT40 to help out. Pics aren't the same standard that this thread is used to unfortunately, it was a hectic day. Grand Fir, Larch, WRC, Beech, Elm and of course metal. 

There looks to be some barriers on the verge just beyond the staggered junction road sign.

I'll volunteer for all the jaggy jobs as long as he's nice to me! (hope the boss doesn't read that)

I'd think that because he is this kind of boss, the employees will look for any opportunity to go one step further for him too.

Credit to you for taking steps to help people, mental health issues will affect the majority at some point in life and I'd think it will only benefit someone to know their employer is accepting and prepared to help. The more open and supportive the people around you are when you're struggling the better. I spent a number of years in a bad place mentally after losing someone close to me suddenly after a road accident. All that was on offer to help was pharmaceuticals, suggestions of improving diet and excercise, and a 'get over it' attitude from many. I didn't try yoga with kassandra (it was before YouTube!), but agree with accepting that you can't change some things, and also accepting that life is still happening whether you want it or not. I also found I would severely lose my temper at bad driving, proper red mist descended and it scared me what could happen as I knew I was out of control. Even stopped driving to avoid it, but eventually I learnt to control those emotions by reciting Churchill speeches when I felt the mist coming down. Sounds daft but it worked and still does if I'm getting wound up.