It's been over a year since my last blog so I guess it's time to either carry on with this rubbish or delete the site. Let's carry on for the time being and see how it goes :-)
On the driving front nothing much has changed but work wise there could be a few changes. More of that another time; maybe!
So let's get the party started with a quick diary of the week before last.
Monday.
The alarm clock went off at 02:15. After all these years it is still a shock to the system.
It takes a good 45mins to get my brain into gear after a very strong coffee and a quick shower. Where did the weekend go to? I didn't get half the jobs done that I had planned.
A 17mile drive into work, collect my paperwork and keys, hitch up, and I'm then ready to hit the road to Aspatria in Cumbria.
Pass Scotch Corner after the usual boring two hour drive along the A1 and it's over the A66 to Penrith.
At this time of year it's a glorious drive over the Pennines with the sun just rising behind me. Going in the other direction is a steady stream of Irish and Scottish hauliers heading south.
A one junction dive up the M6 and it's overland towards Wigton and Aspatria, the only distraction being the hundreds of rabbits who just sit in the road. Please move Bunny. At the very last minute they always get out of the way. I hope!
Swop trailers at our customer at Aspatria and head over the short distance to the small port town of Silloth on the Cumbrain coast. The road at best is narrow with just enough room to pass an oncoming car but at times shrinks down to just enough room to pass between the hedges. It can get interesting if a truck comes in the opposite direction but for a change it's all clear.
Slip into the yard where I'm making a collection with just a couple of minutes of driving time left. Twenty minutes later I'm loaded and move round the corner to have a cup of tea and a bacon buttie. I don't often buy from 'Burger Vans' but I must admit I treat myself here.
The couple who run this van are just such a friendly pair that I feel guilty not to stop. A friendly chat, good well priced food and they never fail to wave when it's time to drive off. Customer service at it's best.
Four and a quarter hours later sees me back in sunny Alfreton. Fuel up, do my paperwork and head home. Something to eat; grab some rubbish on TV and bed.
Tuesday.
Another early start sees me off to our factory in Corby.
A blast down the M1, off at Leicester and a run through the early morning gloom to my drop off point.
Have a good old chat with the forklift driver. Another happy worker.
Load up with pallets for a customer in Mansfield. When I get to their yard, that is tight at the best of times, I find major building work going on. I wind up the builders and they do their best to wind me up as I try and tip and then turn around amongst all their crap.
Back to the yard and an early driving finish as myself and two other drivers have a meeting with senior management regarding possible job losses. Happy days.
Wednesday.
A short local run kicks my day off. A full load of foam blocks to one of our customers in Ilkeston. Drink coffee and watch the heavily loaded freight trains roll past as I wait to get tipped.
All blocks off and it's along to the garage that services (!!) our trailers to drop mine off for some much needed work. No trailers to collect so it's a solo run back to the yard. Can't help blowing away a souped up Citroen Saxo at the lights. Childish? Oh yes, but fun!
My next load for a distribution centre in Bradford isn't ready so it's yet another cup of coffee and a chat with a couple of our other drivers who are also waiting for their loads to be got ready.
I'm booked into Bradford for 12:30 so need to be away by 11:00 if I'm going to get there on time.
Time drags slowly. There is a problem on the production line. 11:00 comes and goes.
At 13:00 I'm loaded and on my way; the customer will not be happy. Get to my drop two hours late and book in at the gatehouse. I say sorry and wait for them to turn me away. They don't. Even the yard shunter smiles and points to my loading bay. Bradford is happy today even though it's pissing down!
Into the back of the trailer with a pump truck and 24 pallets of mattress toppers are soon unloaded.
Back to base, then home.
Thursday.
Yet another short local run to Long Eaton outside Nottingham.
50 rolls of foam soon off-loaded then back for another load to Barnoldswick in Lancashire.
Or not.
The production problems have carried on and after waiting 5 hours for my load it is decided to cancel the run for today. Coffee overdose day. Just over one hours driving. Not happy.
Friday.
Another run down to Corby, take the empty trailer to the garage and a solo blast to the yard. Hardly worth going in, still it's Friday so an early finish is always welcome.
Next week I'll be on shunting duties. More to follow...........................................................................
On the driving front nothing much has changed but work wise there could be a few changes. More of that another time; maybe!
So let's get the party started with a quick diary of the week before last.
Monday.
The alarm clock went off at 02:15. After all these years it is still a shock to the system.
It takes a good 45mins to get my brain into gear after a very strong coffee and a quick shower. Where did the weekend go to? I didn't get half the jobs done that I had planned.
A 17mile drive into work, collect my paperwork and keys, hitch up, and I'm then ready to hit the road to Aspatria in Cumbria.
Pass Scotch Corner after the usual boring two hour drive along the A1 and it's over the A66 to Penrith.
At this time of year it's a glorious drive over the Pennines with the sun just rising behind me. Going in the other direction is a steady stream of Irish and Scottish hauliers heading south.
A one junction dive up the M6 and it's overland towards Wigton and Aspatria, the only distraction being the hundreds of rabbits who just sit in the road. Please move Bunny. At the very last minute they always get out of the way. I hope!
Swop trailers at our customer at Aspatria and head over the short distance to the small port town of Silloth on the Cumbrain coast. The road at best is narrow with just enough room to pass an oncoming car but at times shrinks down to just enough room to pass between the hedges. It can get interesting if a truck comes in the opposite direction but for a change it's all clear.
Slip into the yard where I'm making a collection with just a couple of minutes of driving time left. Twenty minutes later I'm loaded and move round the corner to have a cup of tea and a bacon buttie. I don't often buy from 'Burger Vans' but I must admit I treat myself here.
The couple who run this van are just such a friendly pair that I feel guilty not to stop. A friendly chat, good well priced food and they never fail to wave when it's time to drive off. Customer service at it's best.
Four and a quarter hours later sees me back in sunny Alfreton. Fuel up, do my paperwork and head home. Something to eat; grab some rubbish on TV and bed.
Tuesday.
Another early start sees me off to our factory in Corby.
A blast down the M1, off at Leicester and a run through the early morning gloom to my drop off point.
Have a good old chat with the forklift driver. Another happy worker.
Load up with pallets for a customer in Mansfield. When I get to their yard, that is tight at the best of times, I find major building work going on. I wind up the builders and they do their best to wind me up as I try and tip and then turn around amongst all their crap.
Back to the yard and an early driving finish as myself and two other drivers have a meeting with senior management regarding possible job losses. Happy days.
Wednesday.
A short local run kicks my day off. A full load of foam blocks to one of our customers in Ilkeston. Drink coffee and watch the heavily loaded freight trains roll past as I wait to get tipped.
All blocks off and it's along to the garage that services (!!) our trailers to drop mine off for some much needed work. No trailers to collect so it's a solo run back to the yard. Can't help blowing away a souped up Citroen Saxo at the lights. Childish? Oh yes, but fun!
My next load for a distribution centre in Bradford isn't ready so it's yet another cup of coffee and a chat with a couple of our other drivers who are also waiting for their loads to be got ready.
I'm booked into Bradford for 12:30 so need to be away by 11:00 if I'm going to get there on time.
Time drags slowly. There is a problem on the production line. 11:00 comes and goes.
At 13:00 I'm loaded and on my way; the customer will not be happy. Get to my drop two hours late and book in at the gatehouse. I say sorry and wait for them to turn me away. They don't. Even the yard shunter smiles and points to my loading bay. Bradford is happy today even though it's pissing down!
Into the back of the trailer with a pump truck and 24 pallets of mattress toppers are soon unloaded.
Back to base, then home.
Thursday.
Yet another short local run to Long Eaton outside Nottingham.
50 rolls of foam soon off-loaded then back for another load to Barnoldswick in Lancashire.
Or not.
The production problems have carried on and after waiting 5 hours for my load it is decided to cancel the run for today. Coffee overdose day. Just over one hours driving. Not happy.
Friday.
Another run down to Corby, take the empty trailer to the garage and a solo blast to the yard. Hardly worth going in, still it's Friday so an early finish is always welcome.
Next week I'll be on shunting duties. More to follow...........................................................................
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