Doug Tait

I like the constant presence approach.

Secreted somewhere in the protected zone, with steady breath and acutely tuned ears for the first signs of an intruder. Patient, until the moment they tread reasonably close and you take the opportunity, erupting from your hide, no weapon except the element of surprise and a sheer will to give the bugger the fright of its life. As it disappears into the hedge in fear of auld nick himself, you stomp hard with your last few strides to emphasise your victory. You'll strut for a while but inevitably your mind will turn to the next engagement.

Granted it's time consuming but it does work..

Can't believe Daisy didn't pluck them in preparation for the slaughterhouse, no pride.

Don't Scots join for the fighting?

We've an unwritten rule that we have to be nice to people when we're abroad so that we're distinguishable from other Brits, so once you've fought with everyone in your village/town/city the next step traditionally is soldiering.

Have you seen the map...

https://arbtalk.co.uk/find-a-freelancer/

10 hours ago, Mark J said:

Mandatory amphetamines for people with fatness.

I fear that'd lead me to eat 3 meals a day at maccies!

Morning all.

Frosty here this morning, shaping up to be a bright, dry day. And it's Super Saturday!

Have a good one folks.

A new rug for the carpet!

Have a couple days work in a local village (overstood Beech hedge reduction). There's quite a strange little building currently being done up adjacent to the house. Apparently in WW2 the house was owned by the British Ambassador to a far Eastern country who constructed a bomb shelter in his garden for the village. The shelter remained and at some point had a fireplace fitted and was connected to the house.

It's currently being done up with bigger windows and a log burner fitted. The builder said the walls and roof are all 3' thick reinforced concrete.

The reason for a shelter in such a rural position was an incendiary munitions factory a few miles away as the crow flies at Charlesfield, there was a fake factory in the fields close to where the shelter was built to confuse the Luftwaffe.

Found it very interesting, took the mind off of scrabbling along on top of a hedge!

Morning all.

Bloody pigeons are at it again! Don't get me wrong, I quite like them really but the early morning romance on the roof gets annoying. Sunday morning romance... ah the memories...

Have a good day folks, and good luck Wales!

Morning all.

Wasn't planning on being up but romantic pigeons on the roof put paid to that!

Rugby for me today, got a couple of tree jobs to look at first so hopefully not a man of leisure next week.

Hope Pete is well enough to get to the match, have a good one folks.

4 minutes ago, topchippyles said:

Fancy a fight Dougy, I will chin you clean out old boy you big ape 🤣

I would Les, except the last time I sparred with someone they actually hit my nose, did you know it bloody hurts? My eyes watered and as a kind lady dabbed the blood from my nose I snivelled to myself "don't like it".

If it wasn't for that mate I'd go 12 rounds with you no bother!

They have to wear pads. The Marquess expects, no demands it!

Used to love it but stopped getting excited about watching with the pay per view thing. Never see it now, hope rugby tournaments don't go the same.

25 minutes ago, maybelateron said:

What were you teaching them?

Bet it was what to expect from a prostate exam when the patient complains of not feeling two grand!

Morning all, have a good day.

14 minutes ago, Bob_z_l said:

I was thinking the same about my late turns. Was waiting for the reprimand from Class Prefect @Doug Tait  😉👍

You were in before me Bob!

Morning all.

Bit dull here but it's mild and dry so no complaints.

Beard reduction to do today, need to let the air in a bit before nesting season!

Have a good one folks.

Had a prostate examination this morning, the Doc said "it's remarkable, never in my entire career have I seen something like this!" as he pulled out £1950.

I did tell him when I went in that I hadn't been feeling two grand.

Was at a wedding at the weekend.

The vicar said "in celebration of the commitment of marriage, I ask all the married people to stand next to the person that has brought them so much love, worth and purpose to their life".

The barman was almost crushed in the rush to be near him!

28 minutes ago, Stephen Blair said:

Morning guys!  Blue sky, frosty morning here.

found Doug’s resignation tape!

 

 

😂

Good man!

Hopefully it's just 'the mystery' left hanging in the air.

6 minutes ago, GarethM said:

That looks like a very niche wood whittling fetish

I was just reminded of the visitor to arbtalk that thought the price he was given to remove a large hairy softwood was too much. Plucky chap was going to do it himself with a handsaw, motorcycle suit/helmet and some ladders that reached nearly halfway up the tree. That was a while ago, think he's still taking brash to the tip in his boot at weekends.

Don't mean to discourage the op here.

Think it largely depends on whether one of these is available...

That's one possible way of seperating the trunk from rootplate but there's likely to be a lot more involved to 'get it down' than one cut, and an awful lot to go wrong in the process.

Have you got photos of the tree, and what equipment/experience do you have?

37 minutes ago, AHPP said:

easing the bumper against the doors

Bet it was round the back door too, less conspicuous

Morning all.

Another bright morning here. Woke up hearing the birds singing again, the days are getting longer, little Cassie still doing well, very nice.

Have a good one folks.