Doug Tait

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.

As it's not a large tree you will probably be able to see any nests present from the ground. I think the Arboricultural Assoc. say bird nesting season in England finishes around end of August dependant on weather. You might also like to check with the Local Authority to see if the tree has any legal protection before doing any work.

Or a maths or geography teacher

I have an interest Andy, but don't we all!

Think you're right, that probably makes it a 10x8 apex without window

You lot aren't being helpful. It's obviously a Forest Garden 8x6 Apex shed, a little confusing as it's unusual to see them with laminate flooring

I've no idea Andy, I'm quite ignorant about these things and just assume they're all trying to hoodwink me. Strange though, haven't heard anything about it by email from them, only these notifications that appear on my mobile phone. Don't believe for a minute that it's against the law though. I had a similar thing with a bank ages ago saying I must tell them my town of birth and mothers maiden name, despite my actual bank having known these for years. In the end I filled in Timbuktu and mum became Elizabeth Windsor

I have tried entering all 0's but they wouldn't accept that, suppose only God has that DOB but how do they know I'm not God! Thanks for the suggestion

It doesn't say. I have a Google email account but that's all I can think of. Is it just a sneaky way of knowing more about me?

I've been receiving notifications from Google for a while now, pretty much every day, sometimes multiple times a day. Apparently, I must tell Google my date of birth. They claim it's required to stop them breaking the law. Does anyone else get this request, or do you know what law they think they are in breach of by not knowing the date I was born? I just dismiss the messages on this subject as I simply don't believe them, but it's really starting to annoy me now.

I think when the word "niggardly" was used on here it was too much for him and he bowed out

Nice to see Katie out with you

You're right, obviously we're just too agricultural to get the best out of the wee one. In the right hands tho...

If I was your groundsman I wouldn't thank you for that Paddy. Been in that position a few times, when "it'll make life easier, save you the drag", and it's just a slow, frustrating process. Recently we were offered to take the wee chipper to a little pruning job in an awkward bit, no thanks. Rather carry branches 1 or 2 at a time and pile up to chip in a few minutes at the end, or use a long thin tarp to stretcher them out. Anything but the wee chipper!

No doubt, proper riding 👍

You must've been as fit as a butchers doing that regularly. Did you compete with a team? Excellent photo

That's equally bonkers I'd say, but just never had the danglies to ride like that. Mate had a Cr250 and that gave me the fear, was happy on my little trials bike. Hats off to you for proper riding, and stubby too!

You did speedway Gary? I went to see the Berwick Bandits speedway once, they were bonkers.

I really appreciate the sentiment, but I got as much back from these dogs as I ever put in to them. Rewarding feeling to take a dog that nobody wants or can deal with, and then eventually watch it go to a new home that I know is a suitable environment. Although every one has left me sobbing like Big J in the forwarder!

Having fostered for behavioural, socialisation or medical reasons, maybe 18 'problem' dogs over the years, some for weeks and some for years/to the end of their life, it surprised me how many are wrongly labeled a problem. As David says, there are lots that just aren't suited to live in kennels, they are trained though and don't have the classic behavioral issues. The problem is, if the Rescue Centre assessment says they can't be handled by staff in the kennels for whatever reason then they're automatically deemed a problem dog, and they're not able to rehome a problem dog or have the resources to work with them. Of all the dogs that have passed through my pack, every one was successfully rehomed (apart from the 3 I fell for completely so much I adopted them myself!). Santi was a foster dog that I kept. Real problem dog apparently, by around 5 yr old he'd been given up by his owners as they had children and he'd gone to 4 different families through the Centre and they all dumped him back there unable to cope such were the extent of his behavioural problems. To me, he's the perfect dog and I did no training with him, only building trust and his confidence in me. Never need a lead, good with stock, travels anywhere on bus, train, ferry, truck or tractor. His only issue is howling when he's alone, and that is a result of his experience with previous owners. This is him not long after he arrived, with 2 other dogs I had fostered at the time, Ted the Collie (a real head turner, and Ginty the mongrel, but neither had a problem in my opinion. Ted was a mess having lived in an angry, emotional setting and just needed to trust again. Ginty was 3x too heavy and had never left his garden before owner went to a care home. Absolutely fantastic dogs, tear in my eye now thinking of what they gave me. It's not the dogs that have issues, it's the people.

That's what I woke up thinking too Ratman. I've fostered problem dogs for a local rescue charity and there's a lot of dogs looking for a home that may be suitable for your Dad to look after and be great company for you both. I've currently got a holidaymaker in my pack. A former athlete that belongs to an 80yr old who manages the dog fine. He's great company, very chilled and wouldn't need much effort from your Dad

It's not a conspiracy. Everyone seems to agree that if you stop throwing knives at the tree it'll be fine, and you have already done that (I've been reading). It looks like the tree will be fine, you're doing everything that you can.

Does feel strange when there are none around you. Agree though, it's too long to leave them alone for, especially with a "new" dog

Love that, you know they're content with things when they're dream hunting.

One more question Steve, what's an SEO expert?