Doug Tait

My most embarrassing one was REM. "lets pee in the corner, lets pee in the spotlight losing my religion"

Russia take their turn presiding over the business of the UN Security Council today. Whilst actively engaged in war in Ukraine and whilst Putin has an arrest warrant from the Hague against him for war crimes, they take Presidency at the United Nations. There's still a flicker of hope for humanity though as other UN members like the USA, France and UK will 'probably' be represented by a less important dignitary for the duration of Russia's lead. That'll show them. Apparently it's not planned at all but a complete coincidence that this happens on April 1st.

Sorry to hear that, sounds bloody painful.

Only thing to add is after hedgcutting in the rain be sure to lube the cutters well before you put them to bed or they'll rust a bit.

It's because they now identify as my other half, too hot, too cold. You'll probably find that only part of the battery is too hot, some vague places will simultaneously be too cold.

If anyone else can recommend a favourite podcast...

Was directed to the BFBS podcast 'Tea and Medals - Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery' as a cousin is featured in one episode (very proud of him!). It's an interesting series of interviews with people who have received some of the UK's highest military honours for their conduct. It's not a gung ho, all action type thing but a great insight into how people can behave with presence of mind in some extreme situations. A favourite has been the Bomb Disposal Officer who triggered an IED in the darkness and lost half his left side, but whilst drifting in and out of consciousness retained command of his team, giving orders not only on how they would extract him safely but how the less experienced people under him should go on to make the area safe, unbelievable. And the Helicopter Rescue Winchman who having extracted several fisherman from the bridge of a sinking ship in a storm, actually went in to the ship still connected to the cable to locate and extract the last injured casualty. If this kind of story interests you I'd highly recommend a listen. Tea & Medals https://lnns.co/bjXZWn1s2og

Poor dog looks worried!

Ever get the feeling you're being watched? how much is that doggy in the window...

I use nikwax stuff inside and out on the bike helmet visor, certainly helps.

I know a Monkey's Fist as Mark's knot, the bag, in a smaller version with 2 or 3 wraps round your hand then 1 or 2 tight around the middle.

In my day everything within that bracket of pharmaceuticals was called a 'poundashot', with inflation they'll be at least a fiver now! On a serious note, I've been impressed with the positive tone of your posts given what you've been dealing with lately. Wish you all the best.

Yes. This is my saw, there are many saws like it but this one is mine...

I have a small throwbag on my harness for advancing a rope, and as someone said earlier, don't be too ambitious. Even just getting a couple of metres beyond your reach each time will be better progress than trying to get the perfect throw for 20mins. Good bit of advice I had starting climbing was don't get bogged down failing at something time and again, change things and keep making progress, even if it's only a small move each time try to keep some momentum.

Won't do any harm to speak with people although doing it in person may be better than cold calling. You might have better luck helping with volunteer groups if there are any community woodlands around you. Even a larger landowner like a farm or estate.

Just an unimportant Sunday afternoon thought. It seems there are some very different opinions in our industry of how a team should be structured. Thinking of a team of 3/4 people or more, my experience is largely working for others who are the boss on site and they are everything, lead climber, team leader, foreman, boss etc. They call all the shots whatever their particular role on site at the time. I imagine most on here who run their own show operate like this but the dynamic changes somewhat when the boss isn't on site. So what's the preference? I'm a firm believer that a lead climber should make the calls regarding actual method of work in the tree, separately you have a team leader/foreman who runs the job, spec, logistics, compliance, customer relations, timekeeping, managing the boss etc. but I find there's an alternative view (held mostly by folk who used to be the boss on site and have transitioned to the office solely) that the team leader should be the lead climber and everything else (essentially one person doing their previous role by proxy.) It doesn't make sense to me, the skills required to be a good lead climber are very different to those of a team leader and I think a team will function far more efficiently with clearly separated responsibilities. There aren't many people equipped with the right mindset and skillset to effectively be controlling the whole job and simultaneously up the tree cutting, even with these new fangled helmet comms! Is there any concensus as to the better team structure, or does it depend on the particular job and individuals involved?

5thelement is better placed to give an opinion on the assessment criteria. I'm like you, can't really remember what was required. I'll use a spear cut in the hope a piece will drop freely, the other cut when you're looking for it to stay put when you finish the cut until you're ready to pull it off. Used this extensively on Friday morning removing tight, upright grown connies where the branches are intertwined, lets you cut then ditch the saw for more control when you wrestle it out with the usual garden ornaments and plants around the base.

I'd guess the mistake is assuming all tree workers are equally motivated and productive. For some it's the kind of job you would go to your "happy place" mentally, get your head down and finish it asap. For others it's whinge, procrastinate and make the misery last as long as possible.

Spear cut is a different one. The 80% cut mentioned by OP is horizontal with first cut then angled cut downwards from back side to meet the first cut and release.

I just remembered the documentary about it and it seemed to be teens under the age of consent. It angered me that the Police thought they could excuse their decisions by accusing children of promiscuity.

And they had the cheek to say that I needed to try harder!

That just makes me angry. A child that can't legally consent to intercourse can in no way 'whore herself out' in the first place. And why should the police presume to know the mind of a court without presenting evidence and a court itself deciding. We're not talking about a shoplifter at Asda, it's organised child abuse and rape, whoever the perpetrator.

Feel the same about our small Stihl battery groundsaw, it's ideal. We had a big beech dismantle today, elderly lady customer wanted to keep some logs but didn't want to cut or split anything herself, she got everything worth cutting up to around 5" diameter done with the small saw on one and a bit batteries. Doesn't feel slow or frustrating at all. The new battery saw didn't come out the truck. I don't want to appear too negative about it but our whole team at work have used it now and a combined 80yrs of chainsaw experience was unimpressed. Maybe it's just been too hyped, tell folk that are used to using 50cc and upwards it's comparible and they'll have high expectations.

Liked the Fundamentals... by Beranek too, was very helpful when I knew nothing about climbing. Also Claus Mattheck, The Body Language of Trees, Tree Mechanics, and Stupsi Explains the Tree. Not sure it counts but the Valtra operators manual can be an interesting read at lunchtime if I'm out on my own with no internet reception.

As long as he doesn't visit arbtalk or he'll know you can buy them for fifty cent!