PeverilPeril

Yes - the Toro is good. I have used a 6.5hp one for years but is is now relegated to rough stuff. To replace it would cost about £1000 but they are built to professional standards. The Frisky is multi function and mulches very well. The cutting blade is a bit like the Hayter, having 4 swinging blades. Turns grass into tea leaves. Sounds like we have a similar area to mow Phil. My zero turn Husqvarna is ideal for the orchard areas and 4wd copes with the slopes. As you say - having the right kit saves a lot of time.

I am hoping to aquire a stationary engine to drive a cider apple scratter. Brought a cider press home from France a month ago and the scratter will be brought over when I've refurbished it. The plan is to form a cider making club but I have not been able to find premises yet. Plan B is to assemble the press outdoors when needed. I could fit an electric motor to the scratter but a donkey engine and belt would be much more satisfying. Tasted last seasons cidre last week - a bit cloudy but drinks well. 4 ex whisky barrels full. 4 years ago I had planned to use my Toyota Hilux Mk3 to dr

For anyone with a large lawn I recommend a Wolf 'Frisky Fox' self propelled mower. Ebay trader £284 delivered. 5.5hp, 4 cutters and big back wheels. Very smooth, Easy to start and use. Other equiv mowers cost over £600. It's first job was to cut next doors large neglected lawn. Wet and 6 month neglect - the Frisky cut through it like butter. After two more weekly mows the lawn is now fairly good. The mower is not built to professional standards but should be good for many years for the weekly mow. I have worn out or wrecked a lot.of mowers and got to say that the Frisky perfor

This old fart was whizzing around the Staffordshire lanes in his lycra and shades this morning Weekly Old Farts meeting 16.00 hours in the local thisafto. Real ale £2.50 Everything that we have been predicting is coming true.

This lunch time I sliced a loaf on a bread board that I made 65 years ago. I was 13 years old at the time and at Berridge. I turned that bread board on a lathe and the piece of 'deal' was scrap from the centre of toilet seats. Can you imagine a 13 year old being let anywhere near a wood working machine with a large face plate these days? I started learning woodwork at 10 when at the Windley jr school. The woodwork shop was on Tennyson St annex. Again - can you imagine a ten y/o wielding sharp chisels and saws these days?

I love stories like that Lizzie Gorrenimore?

Not heard it pronounced that way? Was there yesterday and this morning. Stafford people say Ut Toxter.

I kept chickens as a lad, so looking forwards to that. My garden is big enough but my job meant being away regularly, then when I retired we spent half our time in France - so no chooks or bees, Selling up in France so we will be able to concentrate on the gardens at home. A new phase in life....5 y/o great granddaughter next door too! Yes Compo - the Good Life. Might find a space for a cidre shed big enough for the recently aquired press that has a 5' x 5' table and is 8' high. It's still sitting on the trailer and I'm scratching my head because I need to use the trailer. lol.

Looks like I'll be doing a lot of gardening this year. My grandson is buying the house next door which has a huge garden. Looking forwards to helping him and to teach him a bit about gardening. Our deceased neighbour was a keen gardener and leaves a green house and several raised beds and big compost heap. I will fit a gate between our gardens and get a bigger mower. Chickens and bees at last! Granddaughter in law is a qualified florist so I'm expecting plenty of flower growing too.

Yes Carni - it certainly is different. It is a sad day when a married couple, both working, cannot even dream of saving up for a deposit. Sky high rent on a little house and a daughter to provide for! These youngsters have no chance. My generation should do all we can to help.

80 next year - can't wait It will mean I'm in new age cat at indoor rowing contests. The 70+ cat is just too tough cos I would be racing against 70 y/o whipper snappers. It's a golden age for me. Can do more or less what I like. Mrs PP is the same - it's a big advantage having absolute trust in each other while giving each other space to follow our personal likes from time to time. We have a great time together too. It a formulae that young couples would have difficulty with Still go on week long fishing trips with the lads and have hilarious times. Trips already arranged for this y

My four grandchildren are of 'the lost generation' when it comes to buying a house. I want to help them all to get on the ladder before I croak. First one currently in progress. Rather help when I'm alive than when I'm dead.

The year after the Loch Ewe knife finding we rented a remote cottage near to Rosehall. It was owned by the Lord Lnt of Sutherland's son. His dad, Colonel Sir Allan Gilmore. (google him up). was a fantastic bloke and I was privileged to know him. He took me on his private beat on the river Cassley where I caught 2 salmon on the first outing. He also had one of the two boats on a fabulous Loch where he gave us permission to fish every other day except Sundays. I was just a Radford lad and spoke 'Radford' but he treated me like an equal. He and his grandchildren and me and my children had a fishi

£2.12.6. Wheaty! You were lucky. I started there on £1.7/6. in 1952. That went up to £1.12/- 6 months later. Did you start at 16 or at 15 like me?

I love foxes, Only ever seen dog foxes on my land here in rural Brittany. No females. I always greet them and talk softly, Over the years the young dogs get more confident and don't take flight unless surprised. Never get too close, but often just sit or stand looking at me in an unconcerned sort of way. They know me far better than I know them. No threat, just common respect. Found me latest 'Charlie Fox' mate dead in front of the house yesterday. Only yards from the spot I found his forbear 5 years ago - probably his dad. Not a ghost story but sometimes odd things happen. Hope his son

I have been known to set fire to an Alfreton Rd property .........taught me to not make fires on wooden floors... Still love making fires though

Yes i looked at the ICE website + a load more trike and whacky bike sites and pics. Looks like there is nothing new in bike/trike design - although that halfbike looks interesting for youngsters to fool around on.

Rog, The only time I tried riding a trike like that - I fell off! I used to be a friend of an amazing tricyclist - Jim Hopper. I last saw him about 8 years ago in Brittany. I was out supporting my mate (ex Bullwell lad) who now lives in Brittany. Jim was riding the awesome Paris Brest Paris event. It transpired that Jim had used his fortnights holiday to ride the event. He rode from his Staffordshire home to Dover, caught the ferry to Calais and then rode to Paris. Completed the PBP event ( basically a 3 day event where you ride through the night) then rode back home via the ferry. He car

#8 I'll try to find an old photograph of our gang of Nottm cyclists on the Ferry for the IOM cycle week 1958. Your dad is in the middle.

#171 well blow me! I'll be in Falmouth on Sat. May look in at ICE.

I lost the knife 20 years ago and I'm waiting for the finder to discover me. I made a replacement with a stag horn handle but lost that too. Shop bought knives have no soul.

1975 was our 3rd year visiting the Highlands with our young children. Two kids, dog and small boat. We were in a cottage in a remote part of Wester Ross. We fished for trout in the Lochs and sea fish in Loch Ewe. When beaching the boat on Loch Ewe I spotted a knife in shallow water. It looked like a home made knife with a woven string handle - the sort of thing that took skill and time to make. A knife that would be used by an old salt or a pro fisherman. The area was deserted and no where to hand it in. I used the knife for it's intended purpose for 20 years and each time I was reminded of th

#34 great pic CT. I lived just past the Blacks Head on the right - Park Rd 1954/61. Did a few miles on the old 39.

Your trike looks like a quality machine Rog. Is it built by Pashley? The front hubs look similar to my Pashley Mailstar (24" front wheel)..

#5 I knew Roy Brooks quite well. He was also a cyclist - a member of the Sherwood CC.