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stuart noble · 22-01-2013, 02:32 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 22/01/2013 12:43, wrote:
On Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:12:03 +0000, stuart noble
wrote:

Just used it to clear ice from the pavement outside. The blade slips
under the edges of the ice easily so that huge chunks can be lifted in
one go. At this rate I could do the rest of the street by tea time

Was doing that Monday, once into the rhythm was managing lift and hurl
the ice over the hedge into the field in one action.
Neighbour always gets her Dad in for gardening jobs,it is how he makes
a living. He started clearing 45 mins before I did using a spade,
using the Hoe I had cleared the same amount of ground and caught him
up in about 15 mins. Smart ******* he said as we both nattered over a
coffee. Must say that if I had to use a shovel it would be a Devon
type or one of the similar long handled styles. Using a normal spade
for something as relatively light as snow and then a brush to move it
when it can be lifted and hurled in one action is unnecessary hard
work. But the Hoe was in the closer shed and it was only hard surfaces
that needed clearing.

G.Harman

Harder work still when the spade blade is slightly curved so that there
is only contact in one small area. I guess a 6" long handled hoe would
be the perfect implement.
Given how fast a pair of blokes could work, it saddens me to see
everyone still sliding about and the council not concerning themselves
with footpaths and pavements