Doug Tait

Bin there, done that: Scotland fans clean up litter in central London | Scotland | The Guardian WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM Kilt-wearing fans helped tidy up Leicester Square, where many... The Tartan army doing more litter picking than trouble making, their parents will be proud.

I've got one foot on the naughty step today. Had the dogs through a wood and then hunting at a wood pile. As you can see much fun was had, but Wee Poppes got muddy and worse still, her paws are caked in sap. Anyone have a suggestion for removing sap? I vaguely remember reading here somewhere that mayonnaise works, or was it butter, or tomato sauce, or maybe it was red wine...

And I'm not surprised at all that you did it with a chainsaw, that's exactly how it looks!

Didn't mean to dis your baby mower shed Tippin, looks good. Just wondering though, could you not have pushed the handle down an inch to fit it in?

For some reason the check taken out of the frame to allow the mower handle to actually fit in really amuses me, laughing enough now the dog's giving me strange looks

Thanks for that organic guy.

Good result for you

Grand Fir that had slipped into the River Tweed we had to remove. You know it's going to be an interesting day when the kit you take includes chainsaw protective waders and life jackets.

It is. From where I live we used to occasionally see flashes of light on the horizon, I believe from the tanks firing. Haven't seen that for a long time

These things happen David, don't stress about it

An uncle used to farm on the ranges, when Dad took me visiting as a nipper I used to get to drive once we were off the main road. Remember meeting a convoy of tanks on a single track road and Dad was panicking, they just split to either side and I pootled through the middle like Lord muck, felt like a big man that day

Yes the heat isn't helpful with heart problems, though humidity is the worst thing in my experience. Had heart failure myself a few years back and our wee dog Cassie has it now too, we both struggle for oxygen when it's humid. The good thing I find with dogs is they're usually a good judge of their own abilities, unlike me as I expect to be unstoppable all the time! Keep us posted on how Katie does please

That's really good news Big J, pleased for you. I take it she's not joining you in the woods yet? You must miss having her at work with you

Did that years ago when I ate far too much of a blue bratz kids birthday cake, made for a worrying few days!

Not far off there Khriss, Tait is a Reiving family and I think it's still in the DNA. Just last week we were working over the border near Otterburn and I was tempted to lift some beasts, know an Armstrong that would take them!

I've never visited there but when I worked in the area the boss spoke highly about it, said they'd go there for a Christmas meal. Wish I'd gone myself now reading this thread.

Nice tree.

I'm not sure what cost the climbing course is, it isn't very difficult though, it's intended to teach you a basic level of practical and legal knowledge then assess your competency. Think it's 5day tuition then 1day assessment. I understand your point about not going beyond your limits or getting too brave, but an incident could happen even when you are well within your comfort zone and not using a saw. I've had a sore one falling from 4th rung of a stepladder and I wasn't pushing any boundaries doing that! As for the bar I'm curious, how have you managed to use a saw for so long and never cut with the top of bar. Do you never undercut anything?

I'd guess Matty is referring to, Climbing/rescue course (NPTC 206, 306) And possibly, Basic chainsaw course (NPTC 201, 202, 203) Aerial use of chainsaw (NPTC 308). It's expected that when someone is working in a tree there is someone else on site equipped and trained to perform a rescue if required. Doing the course yourself will give you a much better idea of the big picture, for instance where you position the tail of your rope will be critical if you're injured and need to descend quickly. When I started I climbed recreationally a lot and would challenge myself randomly during a climb. When you've struggled to get to the end of a limb and your rope is running round branches and crotches, imagine you've just broken ribs, cut yourself or been unconscious briefly, how do you get down from where you are quickly? It was an eye opener for me as you can be in a position where it takes time and effort to get down even without an injury. Even opening a carabiner with a broken finger is a challenge. Certainly I have experienced 'minor' accidents on the ground and things become difficult and very stressful quickly. Knowing the guys I work with are capable and have performed actual aerial rescues is a more comforting thought than the times I've climbed alone.

Interested, can he post pics please

Had some difficulty getting home from walking the dogs after work yesterday as there was a few road closures around. Strange, there wasn't the usual information signs posted in advance and the traffic management was very basic, just some hi-vis coats and cones, although a lot of private cars parked on verges with people milling around. Discovered today why it was all low key, Harrison Ford was there filming scenes for the new Indiana Jones movie Harrison Ford spotted in the Scottish Borders; ITV News Border WWW.ITV.COM Harrison Ford spotted filming for new film in the Scottish Borders...

Is it not likely the case that the council have had a trivial complaint from one of their 'customers' (as ours insist on calling people subjected to them) and will go through the motions of appearing to respond. They'd need a full time department to deal with every case. Every other house has work vehicles parked at it, including NHS (sometimes tractors), Fire, Ambulance, Power, Water and yes, council vehicles too.

It would've cheered me up no end if that happened. To save Tommy asking, it's 'loose wheel'

You picked a fine time to leave me... loose heel

Thanks Harvey, much appreciated