Doug Tait

I'm stumped.

🤔

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I'm just about to renew with RAC. Been with them for a few years now, policy is for fix at roadside or get me and vehicle home or to garage of my choice anywhere in UK. I feel like it's pretty cheap considering what I'm entitled to. Have only used it once but that occasion made all the years I've paid well worth it. They got me and L200 from a motorway services in Cheshire home to the Scottish Borders, in something like 14hrs using 5 different recovery trucks. Good service, decent value for money.

Morning Stubby, morning all. Forecast dull and chilly but dry. Mostly be a chores kind of day for me. Got a homer to look at this afternoon involving multiple removals, a reduction and several large Limes to deadwood and remove epi, all with a difficult extraction. Big job for a weekend homer really but I've done stuff for these people for years so feel kind of obliged to help. At least it's trees and not a hedge reduction. Better visit the lovely women at the cafe too, not seen them this weekend yet or last due to the storm work, don't want them to think I've abandoned them! Have a good one folks.

It's funny how opinion varies on rigging devices. I think it depends on how you're used to working. Recent years my opinion has been aligned with Mark, but I've had access to grcs or Hobbs and a team of people that know how to use them to their potential, no brainer in my book. In the past though, I've not had access to the big devices, and like Alex frequently used to work with random people that didn't have the knowledge or skills to be very trusted running ropes so you really look to keep it simple, and I can see the thinking behind Alex's idea. Interesting idea for sure, it'll be shiny, smooth, tactile, beautiful, looking forward to fondling it!

Don't know who put a.pound in Bolt, but well done!

In my personal experience they're far more effective when used to contain explosive events.

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Morning all. Glad to see the weekend on the horizon, a lazy couple of days will be welcome. One more day of storm damage to enjoy first. Weather meant to be good again (just a jumper yesterday), nice for working. Have a good one folks.

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Can't read this without hearing Sean Connery for some reason

When I'm riggin in windows!

My work amigo takes some great pics. Of course that's largely because they feature a top end arb model. Three of his.

Same, too many to mention but in the last week alone there was a runner broke through barrier tape as if it was a finish line, a taxi driver that drove round our signs and cones to stop right at me, standing with chainsaw running in front of a decent sized tree over the road, he said because there were no signs at the last junction I couldn't close the road so I stood aside and told him to carry on then, 3 point turn and away he went, then there was today. Unimog and trailer set up in school playground and skidding limbs to it with alpine tractor. No work while kids are on breaks policy, it was like being in a riot! We sat in the mog at lunchtime surrounded by a ring of "playground escorts" in hi vis keeping the screaming hordes at bay, incoming balls of all sizes, scooter collisions, a cone was stolen. The public in general are a nightmare, but going by today the future's bleak!

Anyone still at it? We are, the long and busy storm work days continue, still having fun. VID-20250129-WA0031.mp4 MOV_1103.mp4

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Can I get a McMidgie meal please, large.

There's a lot to go through in your post. I've thoughts on a few of your points but other members will have an opinion I'm sure. Firstly have a look at the freelancer register on here, you'll see what services people are offering and get an idea what they're charging for it. https://arbtalk.co.uk/find-a-freelancer/ You don't need insurance, whoever is calling the tune should have insurance that covers you on site, it's their responsibility. I wouldn't necessarily look at getting more tickets straight away, you could get started with the ones you have as you're in a position to do general groundwork (run a chipper and do basic cutting). The rest IMO is down to how useful you are on the day. So if it were me, I'd invest in a ground saw (husky 550/560 or Stihl 261), consider a first aid+F course, and get in touch with local businesses to offer my services as a s/e groundworker. With any luck you get your few days a week which given time, will give you a better idea of whether to invest in the climbing side of things, or offering operated equipment etc. All the best with it.

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I first thought he was after a merkin.

Nice view of Linlithgo Palace, looking good in the sun.

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It's not been given the choice yet, didn't get far into it due to hydraulic hoses. None available on a Sunday afternoon! Think it will though when the time comes

Morning all. Having a, dare I say well deserved lazy morning after another long day yesterday. Some decent sized trees. Have a good one folks.