I am not a luddite, being in possession of a car, computer, TV, DVD and a powerful Brush Cutter. But my possessions are based on need. I live on a steep site, a lawn mower, particularly a manual mower simply wouldn't work. I wonder how many people here live on flat sites and use motor mowers? Time to consider the manual mower people.

Sweeping, however, is great exercise and is one less contribution to the waste and pollution to our world. Besides I would only take a broom on to the roof with me, it is light and easy to manage - taking even a small leaf blower onto a roof sounds a too risky - working on roofs is one of the most dangerous domestic chores. I clear the gutters by hand, it is not difficult and I get a great view across the ranges. Clearing leaf litter is a frequent chore up here in the ranges, I prefer to perform this task as safely and efficiently as possible and that means using a broom.

Oh ! Ian, You are indeed a wicked person.. To attack the very heart of Manhood...!.

However , I feel that , although you lightly touched upon the distinction of class levels you did not take it far enough.

Will the Blower ever completely become the centre of a Male World... NEVER..!

Can you see a Leaf Blower , no matter what name it is given by a the Maker or the number of Stripes on it ... compete with a Pit Bull in the areas in and around Logan ( as an example of a non La La Land )..?

NO !!

" My leaf Blower is more savage that your Leaf Blower"...

Nuh ! I simply cannot see it.. unless it's over the fence in a Leafy Paradise inhabited by petrol guzzling 4 Wheel Drives.and Executives.

I have to agree that Blowers ( and Pit Bulls ).. are indeed useless Items to have around the yard.. so perhaps you have performed a Public Service in pointing this out to our La La Land friends

Just buy the Lady of the property a Rake ....and a cold beer for yourself as you watch her work !

This was a serious Article, wasn't it Ian ?

Funny article and some funny comments. Humour is healthy.

I admit a dislike for leaf blowers because at the end of the clean up wouldn't you have to sweep up or rake up the leaves anyway? If you were going to go motorised, the sucking version would be better which would allow the leaves to be deposited into the compost heap. A rake and wheelbarrow is all that is needed. But each to his own.

The incessant noise of those motorised water thingies (forgot their name) or a mini-bike when one is trying to commune with nature is worse.

pelican: << The incessant noise of those motorised water thingies (forgot their name) or a mini-bike when one is trying to commune with nature is worse. >>

Don't get me started on bloody jet skis and trail bikes!

I suspect that many of the same people who think they need leaf blowers are the same drongos who insist on taking 2-stroke generators to tranquil campsites in the bush.

On one of my trout-fishing forays last summer, I encountered one of these at a beautiful camping ground next to a mountain stream in State forest near Armidale NSW. As evening fell, I was enjoying the babble of the brook, the bird calls and the rustle of the leaves in the trees, when all of a sudden

BBBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLRRRRRRRRRRRR

some clown had started his generator so he could watch TV and turn on the air-conditioner in his mega-campervan. I rapidly tired of this, so I found the most raucous heavy metal track I could find on my iPod and cranked it up far too loudly through my car's ample sound system.

About 2 minutes later the generator went off.

The ensuing silence was even sweeter than the revenge.

I'd like it known that vacumm mulchers (sound like blowers, have a suck function and a bag) serve a usefull purpose. Whereas blowers (only blow, no bag, used by coucil workers at 5am) simply remove the debri from the field of view for long enough for the user to walk away.

CJ - how annoying.

What is the point of being out in the bush in the peace and quiet if you need all the electric mod-cons of urban living. May as well stay at home. :)