Today, for Christmas Day, I went to Matthew and Joy’s place for lunch with their family and friends. At the lunch Matthew gave me the present he’d intended to give me for my birthday last month, but for one reason or another (mainly distance) he wasn’t able to hand it to me until today.  So here he is with the gift.

As you can see in the above photo, it’s the Chainsaw Operator’s Manual, which he obtained from Forestworks (which performs a range of industry wide functions acting as the channel between industry, Government and the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system).  Here is Forestworks description of the manual:

The Chainsaw Operator’s Manual is an essential safety tool for chainsaw operators. It is the ultimate guide to basic chainsaw operating techniques covering safety, maintenance and cross-cutting, but not tree felling. Detailed diagrams illustrate horizontal, vertical and boring cuts, as well as trimming and cross-cutting techniques.

Safety considerations are discussed, including workplace safety, occupational hazards, kick-back and identifying dangerous trees. An explanation of the ‘tension’ and ‘compression’ forces in timber is also provided to help you understand where to begin cutting to avoid jamming the saw.

The book covers chainsaw maintenance in detail, explains all aspects of the equipment and helps you select the right chainsaw and personal protection equipment for your needs. Trouble-shooting charts are included to help you solve operating problems.

This manual has been updated to take into account the most recent changes in nationally accredited competency standards. It is a must-have for anyone operating a chainsaw.

I’ve had a look at the book and it seems to be excellent, and with very detailed and useful information, including sections on chain tensioning, sharpening and cutting techniques, plus personal protection equipment and clothing.

At this stage I haven’t read the booklet from cover to cover, but it seems to very comprehensive in all respects except one.  It talk in several places about chain oil, which is perhaps clue enough, but it doesn’t appear to mention that chain oil is a specific oil sold for chainsaws.  It’s very viscous (thick).  When I bought my B&D cordless electric, I thought that Singer sewing machine oil or equivalent would be all that was needed.  But I didn’t have any at home, so it was only when I asked the store for oil for the chainsaw that I found there was a special oil.

I thoroughly enjoyed Christmas day with very interesting, cheerful and friendly company; wonderfully cooked food (I’d like a guest author to write up on the food) in abundance; and French champagne (there is no other), fine red and white wines, spirits, stout, Irish whiskey and cocktails mixed by an expert.

For me, where Mathhew and Joy live is equivalent to an  interstate trip away, so I was very fortunate that Matthew’s parents (Spencer and Jane) drove me there and back in, very appropriately, a large 4WD suitable for outback driving.

There were better photographers at the lunch than me, so I only took a few shots.  I’d put up a gallery of some of their photos if they wished.

Before lunch started, Darren (spelling to be confirmed, meanwhile, I’ll settle for Derwood as Endora in Bewitched might call her son-in-law Darren), took photos from the roof overlooking the lunch table on the patio. I’ll call this photo of him The Man on the Roof.

NOTE:  Since publishing this post, the man on the roof has written a comment advising that the correct spelling of his name is Daron.  Thanks Daron.

After lunch you can see Daron relaxing with his son Ethan, and watching on are Andrew and his sister, whose name I wouldn’t even attempt to misspell.  More help needed here, please.  In fact, I didn’t even know how to spell misspell, as I thought mispell must be right.  Not so, I looked up the OED on my computer, and it was quite clear on that.  I’ll segue from that into my Boxing Day post.