Doug Tait

Never mind firewood spud, with your reputation I imagine plenty would drop their wife off in return for a ported saw!

We need to look a very long way back for a time when life wasn't micromanaged by big state.

désolé je ne comprends pas votre seigneurie

Apparently black death was quite beneficial for the survivors, being able to have more say in their lives, earn more, keep more of their produce and in general be less under the thumb of the overlords. For a short time anyway.

Our local primary school seems to mainly engage the children in making signs for "save the bees" and "stop cutting this grass" which they erect on the verge at major road junctions. I don't suppose they explain to them the road safety reasons for cutting verges at junctions though. Ironically of course the school itself is entirely surrounded by tarmac and concrete to keep the wee ones shoes clean, they all get taken and collected in individual cars that cause gridlock as they all have to be dropped right at the gates, and their playing field is cut a lot more frequently than the road verges but no evidence of protest signs there.

In that case he wasn't sleeping, he was listening whilst resting his eyes

It's sad how much mediocrity the population accept from the leaders of society at all levels. I don't see that changing unfortunately.

Thanks J, very interesting. As Canal Navvy said it's been good to see your new beginning, I'm a little bit jealous to be honest, and I wouldn't mind a shot driving the piste groomer too!

Amazing what they can do these days! I was interested though along the lines of is there a lake to pump from or snowbowsers delivering it, what does it take to build a ski slope? @Big J Edit. Actually, if snowbowsers exist, I can imagine BigJ driving one

How does the snow production work?

I commented to the boss the other day that I've never seen so much competition to take a twig to the chipper, whoever was in the mewp was even coming down regularly to grab a rake for a few minutes.

I could never do that, not to my dog...

Best get the beard cosy on for the bike ride today J.

And no exercise or stimulation because it's not summer anymore! When I took the problem dogs in for behavioural work it was usually humans that were at the heart of the problem. The amount of "unmanageable" dogs I've worked with that had no issues at all given proper exercise for the breed and clear rules to follow. A lot of people just don't deserve to have a dog.

There's a face in your Black Poplar AJ.

When I think about seeing him play it makes sense. Always made the goalmouth look small and unwelcoming with his presence.

Did he call you Dempsey after that

Granted that sounds awkward. I once said it to a gent I cut hedges for, he laughed uproariously before inviting me up to the "birds nest" attic above the garage. It was like a Naval museum and I got a tour from Vice Admiral (ret.) Sir blah-blah with letters. Think he was the first man to lead a British fleet through all the great lakes. Interesting man.

Thanks, it's not something I'll dwell on though. Worse things happen at sea as they say. I used to box, a little martial arts and plenty of rugby so I'm no stranger to a bit of rough and tumble. Just didn't expect to deal with any more than threats and name calling at work really.

You'd think but In this day and age I'm doubtful of that.

Well Mick my tactic until now when threatened is to say I've been given a direct number to the traffic police for these instances and by the time I photograph the number plate they've usually calmed down and apologise, but this guy didn't give me chance!

I've had a lot of abuse from the general public over recent weeks while doing traffic management for roadside work, several threats of violence, a couple of people even got out their vehicle to "do me in", all in the name of being delayed for a few minutes by a traffic light. Today we were working over a busy junction so 4 way lights operating, unfortunately someone posted on Facebook last week the lights are broken which has led to a substantial amount of drivers ignoring red lights, it was mayhem. When this happens I'll stop them and explain what's happening and how it is for their and our safety. A guy in a Navara took exception to being delayed and when I tried the polite explanation he totally lost it, came out his window punching me before trying to drag me by the collar alongside his truck! I dissuaded him at that point by gently squeezing his windpipe until he let go, then a lady got out her car filming him and asked if I wanted the police which calmed him down and he apologised. I know as a driver myself how frustrating it is to be delayed but what gets in to people to behave like this over a couple of minutes at a traffic light? Anyone else been assaulted at work?

Got it

-10 here until around 10am, took a while to get the tractor and mewp woken up due to frozen diesel. Forecast says it's to warm up a bit (-5) tomorrow

Cutting back Willow today on the little stretch of river I look after. Lovely crisp, quiet day on my own, temp got up to -4 but cosy while working. The ice on branches I pulled out that were just dipping into the water was beautiful.