V8Druid
do it as well as you can,but learn to do it better
well that's yer crimbo prezzy to yerself sortedYou’re NOT helping
Canal Navvy
Well-known member
It does beg the question....... why would anyone buy a petrol top-handle if they could use a rear handle?
Storrsy
Well-known member
So you have a spare hand to hold onto the ladder.
Canal Navvy
Well-known member
Is the ford transit available as an automatic?
Routy56
Well-known member
My son in law, Richard, loves his '14 plate' Jag XF, which he has owned for about 4 years 
Some of you will recall that I have done all the servicing on this.
It wants for nothing and at only 81k has had all new Mintex brake disc and pads etc.
Richard wanted to upgrade to a 4x4 SUV. We had the usual discussion about avoiding JLR products because of their poor reliability. And I suggested a Hybrid Toyota, Lexus or Honda.
"On Saturday can you just run me over to pick up my 'new' Honda CRV"
We picked up the new car, absolutely immaculate example.
Really nice friendly local independent dealership who gave a really efficient handover.
I handed over the big folder of device history for the Jag and explained everything that we have done in the last 4 years. This was all accepted and they did not knock him down on Part Ex price like WBAC would have done
Richard was very happy
Good looking for an SUV
Hugh boot which should take about 5 suitcase for when they/us go on a cruise
The hybrid battery is under the boot floor where a spare wheel would have been stored
Handover was efficient, car was defrosted and right ready.
Has the usual dealer warranty and FSH etc. Although out of the Honda 3 year warranty, there are various other Honda warranties relating to rust and corrosion etc.
And looks like I now have another newer vehicle to add to my fleet of family vehicles for servicing
Some of you will recall that I have done all the servicing on this.
It wants for nothing and at only 81k has had all new Mintex brake disc and pads etc.
Richard wanted to upgrade to a 4x4 SUV. We had the usual discussion about avoiding JLR products because of their poor reliability. And I suggested a Hybrid Toyota, Lexus or Honda.
"On Saturday can you just run me over to pick up my 'new' Honda CRV"
We picked up the new car, absolutely immaculate example.
Really nice friendly local independent dealership who gave a really efficient handover.
I handed over the big folder of device history for the Jag and explained everything that we have done in the last 4 years. This was all accepted and they did not knock him down on Part Ex price like WBAC would have done
Richard was very happy
Good looking for an SUV
Hugh boot which should take about 5 suitcase for when they/us go on a cruise
The hybrid battery is under the boot floor where a spare wheel would have been stored
Handover was efficient, car was defrosted and right ready.
Has the usual dealer warranty and FSH etc. Although out of the Honda 3 year warranty, there are various other Honda warranties relating to rust and corrosion etc.
And looks like I now have another newer vehicle to add to my fleet of family vehicles for servicing
Last edited:
Routy56
Well-known member
Another busy weekend after Crimbo
The boys (two grandsons) came over on Saturday and helped me as ground crew.....
.....we have got a big eucalyptus with a nasty lean on it which needed a hair cut.
It was brushing the roof of that lorry body FFS
The lean is about 8 deg at the moment, but I need to decide if it needs to be taken down before it comes down in a storm
So while I had my ground crew we cut back the branches on silver birch that was in conflict with a nice young oak tree.
When SWMBO is out the silver birch will disappear
Then today Jack came over to help me do stuff. Fired up the FLT to take boards round the neighbours for a grab lorry.
They decided to take out an old contemporary fish pond. The random advert they posted on FB MP for 'free hardcore' did not get a big Q of takers
Stick it there boys, teh grab operator like to sling over the left side up to 6m from the lorry
Finished up today how @V8Druid Graveley likes to finish his day
The boys (two grandsons) came over on Saturday and helped me as ground crew.....
.....we have got a big eucalyptus with a nasty lean on it which needed a hair cut.
It was brushing the roof of that lorry body FFS
The lean is about 8 deg at the moment, but I need to decide if it needs to be taken down before it comes down in a storm
So while I had my ground crew we cut back the branches on silver birch that was in conflict with a nice young oak tree.
When SWMBO is out the silver birch will disappear
Then today Jack came over to help me do stuff. Fired up the FLT to take boards round the neighbours for a grab lorry.
They decided to take out an old contemporary fish pond. The random advert they posted on FB MP for 'free hardcore' did not get a big Q of takers
Stick it there boys, teh grab operator like to sling over the left side up to 6m from the lorry
Finished up today how @V8Druid Graveley likes to finish his day
V8Druid
do it as well as you can,but learn to do it better
waste of some decent looking kindling/fire starting ,materials there Dave, 'specially with some willing hands 'on hand' to give it all 'some treatment'Another busy weekend after Crimbo
The boys (two grandsons) came over on Saturday and helped me as ground crew.....View attachment 78410
.....we have got a big eucalyptus with a nasty lean on it which needed a hair cut.
It was brushing the roof of that lorry body FFS
The lean is about 8 deg at the moment, but I need to decide if it needs to be taken down before it comes down in a storm
View attachment 78411
So while I had my ground crew we cut back the branches on silver birch that was in conflict with a nice young oak tree.
When SWMBO is out the silver birch will disappear
Then today Jack came over to help me do stuff. Fired up the FLT to take boards round the neighbours for a grab lorry.
They decided to take out an old contemporary fish pond. The random advert they posted on FB MP for 'free hardcore' did not get a big Q of takers
View attachment 78412
Stick it there boys, teh grab operator like to sling over the left side up to 6m from the lorry
View attachment 78413
Finished up today how @V8Druid Graveley likes to finish his day
Routy56
Well-known member
Yep I’ve already pulled out some dry lengths for the boys to process into kindlingwaste of some decent looking kindling/fire starting ,materials there Dave, 'specially with some willing hands 'on hand' to give it all 'some treatment'
William127
Well-known member
I used to love doing kindling as a teenager. Cut it down length on the chop saw, split it all up with a hatchet, bag it up when there was no room for my legs by the chopping blockYep I’ve already pulled out some dry lengths for the boys to process into kindling
Had a lovely little set up, chopping block, log seat with a bit of padding, shelves for axe, radio and mug of tea, I'd chop away for hours
Routy56
Well-known member
That’s great to knowI used to love doing kindling as a teenager. Cut it down length on the chop saw, split it all up with a hatchet, bag it up when there was no room for my legs by the chopping block
Had a lovely little set up, chopping block, log seat with a bit of padding, shelves for axe, radio and mug of tea, I'd chop away for hours
I’ll be sure to show this to my grandsons later this week
And get them to count their fingers afterwards
Storrsy
Well-known member
I taught my 12 year old nephew how to use a hatchet safely back in the summer splitting kindling. Now he has received a hatchet for Christmas my sister's loving it never has to think about kindling again!
Storrsy
Well-known member
It's strangely therapeutic and addictive. Had a new roof earlier in the year and turned all the old timbers into kindling. Got about 3 years supply of it now and bone dryI used to love doing kindling as a teenager. Cut it down length on the chop saw, split it all up with a hatchet, bag it up when there was no room for my legs by the chopping block
Had a lovely little set up, chopping block, log seat with a bit of padding, shelves for axe, radio and mug of tea, I'd chop away for hours
Lancs Lad
Well-known member
Firewooding....is therapy ..unless you do it full time
Another day at it tomorrow. Always try to be 2-3 years ahead now
Routy56
Well-known member
Yep we love doing all firewood stuff and logs a few years ahead of the burnFirewooding....is therapy ..unless you do it full time
Another day at it tomorrow. Always try to be 2-3 years ahead now
Currently sitting beside this watching Netflix
V8Druid
do it as well as you can,but learn to do it better
ditto, but got 'overtaken' last yearYep we love doing all firewood stuff and logs a few years ahead of the burn
View attachment 78424
Currently sitting beside this watching Netflix
... yon oak I cut up recently although has been 'standing dead' for a while could do with some more drying time
6
6feetdown
Well-known member
Watch Mountain Queen. Ive watched it twice today what an awesome ladyYep we love doing all firewood stuff and logs a few years ahead of the burn
View attachment 78424
Currently sitting beside this watching Netflix
Routy56
Well-known member
Well it's been a busy few weeks so far this year here at HQ Central
Had a tidy up of the compost heap
New stuff where the Neuson is and after a few years I take it off the other end.
Good stuff that helps break down the heavy clay soil in the garden.
Sometimes give a trailer of dumper load to friends and neighbours
Then Storm Goretti dumped loads on rain in the area which significantly increased our groundwater levels.
This resulted in my barn pit flooding and I had forgot to turn the pump on
The water was about 3 feet deep which cause my oil drainer tank to turn over spilling all the oil into the pit...
So winched the oil drainer tank out and set about cleaning it with the hot pressure washer and TFR...
That'll do for now, job jobbed
Been like it for years since I installed it and the waterproofing failed. Bone dry in the summer and wet in the winter. Usually the pump does it job leaving just a few inches to deal with
Had a tidy up of the compost heap
New stuff where the Neuson is and after a few years I take it off the other end.
Good stuff that helps break down the heavy clay soil in the garden.
Sometimes give a trailer of dumper load to friends and neighbours
Then Storm Goretti dumped loads on rain in the area which significantly increased our groundwater levels.
This resulted in my barn pit flooding and I had forgot to turn the pump on
The water was about 3 feet deep which cause my oil drainer tank to turn over spilling all the oil into the pit...
So winched the oil drainer tank out and set about cleaning it with the hot pressure washer and TFR...
That'll do for now, job jobbed
Been like it for years since I installed it and the waterproofing failed. Bone dry in the summer and wet in the winter. Usually the pump does it job leaving just a few inches to deal with
Routy56
Well-known member
Running on hold due to injury
So of you will know that, as a 'born again runner' I have been running events up to HM.
But the niggles have been creeping up on me and had to stop in December with a muscle strain in the hip adductor/groin region. Been seeing a physio with exercises but such a slow process...
So have been giving back by acting as a Volunteer at our local Parkrun. And helping out and taking photos at my club events for Harwich Runners
Volunteer Timekeeper at harwich Parkrun
Photographer at 10 mile championship race.
I usually do this and was sad to miss it
Long lens enabled me to get on the action
It was cold but worth turning out for
Harwich Runners won the Championship - "Probably the best little running club in the World"
So of you will know that, as a 'born again runner' I have been running events up to HM.
But the niggles have been creeping up on me and had to stop in December with a muscle strain in the hip adductor/groin region. Been seeing a physio with exercises but such a slow process...
So have been giving back by acting as a Volunteer at our local Parkrun. And helping out and taking photos at my club events for Harwich Runners
Volunteer Timekeeper at harwich Parkrun
Photographer at 10 mile championship race.
I usually do this and was sad to miss it
Long lens enabled me to get on the action
It was cold but worth turning out for
Harwich Runners won the Championship - "Probably the best little running club in the World"
Routy56
Well-known member
Then we had a light dusting of snow
So got all the paths and cars cleared before 0800hrs
And then cleared the paths for my vulnerable neighbours.
Terry is a 89 year old widower who lives alone. He spends his spare time building Lego type models.
He's OK but very lonely
A small sections of the hundreds that he has done...
And he loves plant, tractors and machines.
Whenever, I am working with my digger in the area he comes over, offers to help and watches.
Look at when I did that neighbours soak away a few years ago he was there
So got all the paths and cars cleared before 0800hrs
And then cleared the paths for my vulnerable neighbours.
Terry is a 89 year old widower who lives alone. He spends his spare time building Lego type models.
He's OK but very lonely
A small sections of the hundreds that he has done...
And he loves plant, tractors and machines.
Whenever, I am working with my digger in the area he comes over, offers to help and watches.
Look at when I did that neighbours soak away a few years ago he was there
Routy56
Well-known member
Then last week we are problems with fairly new Hybrid cars with failing 12 volt batteries
Sharon has a 'new' well under 3 years old Yaris Cross Hybrid.
It had been standing for 3 or 4 days and on a frosty morning it failed to bring up the "READY" light with loads of warning on the dashboard...
A quick check with Mr. Fluke revealed
Apparently this is a known weakness with this model which is not being used everyday. It has a 35Ah 12 volt battery under the rear seat. On the Toyota Club forums loads of owners reporting this and that the main stealer should change them under warranty....
So I phoned Toyota Steven Eagell at Colchester - yes sir, you will need to book it in for checking.
"Can't I just pop in and you can simply change it over, like they do at Halfords!"
Here you go after overnight smart charge - the battery is knackered (technical term)
So nearly a week later, after keeping the smart changer on overnight and carrying a small jump pack, we finally got it to Toyota.
They gave me great service. "Yes sir, we changed it warranty because it has let you down"
Mind you I did manage to drink 2 x Toyota coffees in the 90 mins. And they even washed it
Sharon has a 'new' well under 3 years old Yaris Cross Hybrid.
It had been standing for 3 or 4 days and on a frosty morning it failed to bring up the "READY" light with loads of warning on the dashboard...
A quick check with Mr. Fluke revealed
Apparently this is a known weakness with this model which is not being used everyday. It has a 35Ah 12 volt battery under the rear seat. On the Toyota Club forums loads of owners reporting this and that the main stealer should change them under warranty....
So I phoned Toyota Steven Eagell at Colchester - yes sir, you will need to book it in for checking.
"Can't I just pop in and you can simply change it over, like they do at Halfords!"
Here you go after overnight smart charge - the battery is knackered (technical term)
So nearly a week later, after keeping the smart changer on overnight and carrying a small jump pack, we finally got it to Toyota.
They gave me great service. "Yes sir, we changed it warranty because it has let you down"
Mind you I did manage to drink 2 x Toyota coffees in the 90 mins. And they even washed it
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