31/12/14

Sunrise at Spaldington. Was loaded last night and I only have four drops. Even had time to collect empty pallets from Carlton store. Still finished and back to base by lunch time. Managed to get a half day off so we could travel to be with friends for new year. See you Friday.

01/01/15

Happy New Year all. Hope you all have a great one.

30/12/14

Easy day. Bright and sunny with a keen frost. Good to be alive. Only one day left.

29/12/14

First day back after the Christmas break. A busy day but not too bad. The drops were spread about so there was some extra travelling. Gate Helmsley, Millington, Carlton store, Thorne and lastly Tadcaster. It was a full load when I set out, up to my weight limit. No collections today so I was able to get my first load for tomorrow loaded. The day was frosty and bright and apart from being dazzled occasionally it was a pleasure to be on the road. See you tomorrow.

25/12/14

Happy Christmas everyone.

22/12/14

Two miles down this track to drop three pipes. Glad I waited for daylight.

16/12/14

Dawn over Kirkbymoorside.  Not  bad place to see a new day dawn but I didn't have the best view in the town.

Today has been much better, everything went to plan.  First load was a full load to Kirkbymoorside store, I had a bit of a wait but not too bad.  The second load was to Carlton store and area, only two farm drops and the store so everything was easy enough.  Then a collection from Old Goole, a straight ten tonnes of hi-pro soya  then back to base.  I even got it unloaded before they closed the gates on me.  Don't know what I'm doing tomorrow yet but I'm not that curious, tomorrow will be soon enough to find out.  See you then,.

15/12/14

Today has been trying. Firstly I had to load four nineteen foot cattle feed barriers and the only way to do so was to put them on top of the load. At Carlton store we took them off, took off mist of the feed and carefully put them back. Only just but they did go on and I didn't have to move the last two pallets to do it. About half an hour before delivery I called the customer to give him a delivery time, no answer, but I left a message on the machine. I was surprised not to find the customer at home when I arrived. I called again, the machine again, not much help when I needed to off load. I searched the net as I knew the customer had a second premises. When I got through his brother told me I needed the other number which he gave me. It had all the numbers I had been given but not in the same order.  What wonderful office staff we have, nearly as good as the drivers.  I finally got off loaded, but when the owner of the other number gets home they will be very confused by my message.  The rest of the day didn't get any better, my last drop was at or near Halifax, I had the wrong product on the waggon. The only bright spot was that I realised before I had unloaded it. It was or would have been a hand tip. Here's hoping tomorrow will be better. See you then.

10/12/14

No pictures today. It's been a hard hat day. It's been windy all day so to avoid being rapped on the head by a strap hook while sheeting I wear a hard hat. I've been caught out a couple of times and it hurts. Otherwise the day went we'll with nothing untoward to report. See you tomorrow.

09/12/14

Dawn over Amotherby.  The view is spoilt by the steel container in the fore ground but it was still a beautiful sunrise.  I was loaded by this time but my first load was for Malton store and it doesn't open until eight.  No I didn't spend the time in between taking pictures, I spent the spare time baling cardboard, great fun for an hour or so.  But it fills in spare time and it has to be done by someone.

I took this while waiting at the traffic lights on the way into Malton, it would have been better if there had been a que and I was a hundred metres back.  My second load was for Carlton store and three farm drops.  It wasn't a big load but each drop takes time no matter what I'm delivering.  The last drop was at Mawson Green near Sykehouse.  Just as I pulled out two tractors pulling loads of straw pulled out in front of me.  I ended up following them all the way to the roundabout before the M62.  The first tractor had just pulled onto the roundabout when the trailer became unattached from the tractor dropping the draw bar onto the road.  Luckily the driver was only travelling slowly and the trailer ground to a halt.  It didn't take long to hitch it up again but the driver looked very embarrassed and deservedly so.  I had one collection from Howden Dyke which would have been easy enough but someone hadn't told them I was coming, great.  Once the gentleman on the weigh bridge had climbed off the ceiling things improved.  After an appropriate wait I was finally able to get loaded after that everything was easy and I went back to base.  See you tomorrow. 

08/12/14

Sitting waiting for a reference number before going to Howden Dyke for a collection. No reference number no load leaving me sitting on the weigh bridge feeling like an idiot. The missing number has to be e mailed to our base then rung through to me. Even the view of Howden Minster in the sunshine isn't compensation enough. I just want to get moving. But that's enough grumbling, I'm paid by the hour, the sun is shining and my back ache is lessening. Life's pretty good really. See you tomorrow.

05/12/14

As I was loaded the night before and the first load was only going to our Helmsley store, which I can't get into until eight in the morning I didn't rush.  I had plenty of time and I'd seen the tickets for my second load, not much there and no collection.  So all set for an early, four thirty, finish, easy.  Why is it that every time I have a late start something goes wrong, this time it wasn't even my fault.  I completed my second load in good time, I even had time for a lunch hour, yes a whole hour and I was back in the yard with ample time to load for Monday, all too easy, I should have known better.  I was just closing my curtains ready to get my tickets confirmed when who should come wandering round the yard but our very own transport controller.  "How's your back?" That was when I smelled a rat and became cautious.

"Not bad, improving."

"Good, you can go with Rusty and Andrew to swap a tonne of horse feed."

And that was the end of my early finish, off we go to the top of Sutton Bank to drop off a tonne of horse feed and load up the product that was incorrect.  In the delivery drivers defence, he had delivered the product stated on the ticket, trouble was the ticket was wrong.  So by the time I got back into the yard it was now half past five.  Oh well that's life sometimes.

See you Monday.

04/12/14

Yes I was a day in front of myself yesterday, it wasn't the fourth. I have corrected the post title. I put it down to the excitement of being back at work.  Today, the fourth of December. Not a busy day but a pleasant one. Three drops on my first load. First drop was a tonne and a half of feed to Hive, it's a bit of a tight get in but it's dooable. Second drop was another farm drop at Gilberdyke, only four bags. The last drop was a farm drop at Eggbrough, a good drop, especially as it included coffee and a slice of fruit loaf.  The second load was a stock load to our Malton store. I even got back in time to load for the first load tomorrow so I get an extra half hour in bed.  Every extra half hour is important at my age.
See you tomorrow.

03/12/14

Back at work today, the back managed OK. So far so good, though I did have to hand back one ticket but it did specify a small truck. As it turned out I wouldn't have been able to get in and would have had to wheel fifty bed of sawdust down the drive, not good for my back. The rest of the day went we'll and even the collection at Pollington was quick. See you tomorrow.

02/12/14

Been off work with a back problem for the last few days so I haven't had anything to say because I've been sulking.  But I'm back at work tomorrow, hopefully the back will continue to improve, it usually does.  But back to the fun tomorrow.

26th and 27/11/14

Two days off work to take my wife into hospital for a minor operation and take care of her the day after and what happens.  I come out in sympathy and my back gives problems again.  It looks like I'll end up with a week off sick, I'd much rather be at work than have the problem I've got.  It's happened before and will eventually disappear in a week or so.  In the meantime my wife is well and the procedure seems to have worked well.  See you tomorrow.

25/11/14

First  drop to Malton store and a cup of coffee whilst unloading, very good start to the day.  Also the delay while I drank the coffee gave time for the dangerous queue outside the school in Amotherby to go.  I do wish people would walk their children to and from school.  The parking on the main road at school times blocks one side of the road for about four hundred meters making it almost impossible to get past if the idiots are filing out of the lane end.  And all of them have their brains switched off which makes it even more difficult to get past.  I wonder if all parents switch their brains off when in the company of their children.  The second load was Carlton store, four farm drops and one household drop.  All went will but it took me a little longer than I hoped and i didn't have time for the collection but the boss didn't seem to mind as we aren't too busy at the moment, but it is the end of the month so we will be busy next week when the new month starts.  And next month is the start of December and another year's gone, but where has it gone and why has it gone so fast?

Sorry, not very exciting pictures but they're all I got chance to take.

24/11/14

First day back after a week off, a bit of a slow day, not very exciting at all, but that happens sometimes.  Things will change, they always do and the next thing I know we'll be over the head in work.  Carlton store and two drops, that's all and we got part of one of the drops wrong, I'll have to go back tomorrow.  It happens.  Back at the yard I had chance to clean the seed dresser at last.  All the beans were removed along with a quantity or rat muck, good vacuum cleaners Henry's,  That's one of the reasons that I like to leave the dresser clean as soon as its packed up for the season, it keeps the vermin off.  The trouble is that I'm never really sure when I've finished as there are often late bookings as farmers get everything drilled and realise that they have time to get a little more in before the weather changes for the worse.  Once that was done I got into the chemical store and stacked and wrapped all the empties from the season, it should speed thing up later.  And that was it for the day, I didn't get loaded for tomorrow but I have a load to Malton store first and I know I can't get in before eight am so there's plenty of time in the morning.  See you tomorrow.  Sorry no pictures today.

22/11/14

Well that's it, another week of my holiday time used up.  Though I haven't achieved as much as I hoped I have enjoyed myself. I have only been away from the house twice, a drive into Kirkbymoorside to buy frozen peas and a drive to Malton yesterday to do the weekly shop.  Otherwise I've been avoiding writing my next attempt at a book, seriously though I have managed to more than double what I have started.  I'm going to have to stop being lazy and get on with it, its the only way.  Oh well back to work on Monday.  I wonder what surprises lay in wait for me on Monday.  But no I'm not that curious, I'll find out on Monday.  See you then.

14/11/14

Its Sunday night as I write this, I'm late with the post.  Friday was a miserable day, it started windy then added rain to the equation.  I was at Helmsley store when the rain arrived just after eight am, it started out slowly and gradually got heavier.  By the time I got back to base to reload there was no option but to get wet, even with waterproof gear when you're lifting and moving things you can't help but get wet.  Sheeting up after loading I got a fresh stream of water down my sleeve with every strap I fastened.  What fun!  But about three quarters of my way round my drops it managed to stop though the damage was done.  Having said that the day went reasonably well and all was completed with comparative ease letting me get back into the yard by half past four.  I'm not at work next week as I have some holiday to use up so I may or may  not be writing in the coming week.  If not I'll see you a week on Monday.

13/11/14

No pictures today and no hitch hikers either.  Three loads today!  The first was to Malton store, only a short distance, I actually had time to wash the truck, not much fun.  The second load was my usual run of Carlton store and two farm drops but no collection.  The last load was to Gate Helmsley store and finally back to the yard for just after five.  Apart from the fact that I had three loads there was nothing about the day or the driving that deserves particular comment, so I won't even try.  One thing I forgot to mention about Tuesday, I caught sight of a kingfisher flying low along a ditch as I was driving.  I never cease to be amazed by the vibrant colours of these remarkable little birds.  See you tomorrow.

12/11/14

Two farm drops, one drop at Carlton store one household drop, one horse food drop and one drop for a country store.  All  sounds easy but there wasn't a sensible route and I ended up doubling back on myself, I hate having to double back, I like a nice circular rout but today it wasn't to be.  And to add to this I had a delayed start as I had to call into out Gate Helmsley store to collect a single bag of horse feed for that we didn't have at base, without it I would have had to go back to the customer in the next day or so.  After completing the last drop in Brigg I had to go to Gilberdyke and collect a load of wild bird food to go back to base.  It was another long run round but all went well.  At Brigg I picked up a hitch hiker.  See below.

If you can't spot the hitch hiker check the expanded view below.

The fly clung to the wind screen from Brigg until I had crossed the Humber bridge, perhaps he wanted to visit Hull.  Stupid fly!  He didn't even thank me for the ride.

See you tomorrow.

11/11/14

The eleventh day of the eleventh month, a time to remember those who gave their lives to ensure we have and enjoy freedom.  We shouldn't grumble about the small problems we encounter in the course of our lives, they are small things when compared with the horrors faced  by those young men in the trenches.  For all its faults the UK isn't a bad place to live.
Today has been an easy enough day, Carlton store and one farm drop then a collection from my favourite seed supplier.

I mean, would you really run a business that requires both incoming and out going trucks many times a day three miles down a road like this?  Flood defences down one side and a drop to the fields on the other side with visibility limited to around two hundred metres at the best.

But that's enough grumbling the two seed drops went well and I was back in the yard with enough time to load for tomorrow.  The only trouble is that I am one bag of horse feed short so I will have to call into out Gate Helmsley store on my way out to collect the last bag.  If the woman I met at the end of the road works is reading this please note I didn't jump the lights they had only just changed to green when I started through the road works. 

I don't know if anyone else finds this but the temporary traffic lights that work without hard wiring don't work.  The number of times that I have come across temporary wireless traffic lights that are out of sync is beyond count.  In fact I find it amazing if they are working correctly.  One other comment before I go, I am sighting more and more buzzards on my rounds.  When I was a child seeing a buzzard was an unusual event today I have seen at least four.  

See you tomorrow. 

10/11/14

Busy day, though I was loaded on Friday night I have still had a long day.  First a run to Louth, and I had to be on the customers farm before nine.  I estimated that I would have a two and a half hour run to get there then added an extra half hour for delays.  All went well and I was there by a quarter to nine to find the customer ready to unload me.  I was turned round quickly then back across the Humber bridge to Newport, a quick drop then on to Carlton store.  From Carlton store back to a farm near Crowle with eleven gates and fittings.  Lastly a collection from Penistone.  It was one of the longest runs round that I have had for a while.  Finally got back in the yard for half past five.

Its usually a good load at Penistone and today was no exception. 

07/11/14

At least I had an early start today.  I was loaded, or, almost loaded the night before.  All I had to load was five bags of feed, that is, if the mill had produced it before I was ready to go.  And they had so I was able to go with all orders complete, a good start to the day.  The deliveries were to Carlton store and area, only one was well out of my usual area and after a little thought I realised that I had delivered to that customer once before.  All went well until, following the instructions on the ticket, I called this customer to ask if the gate could be opened as I would be there in around a half hour.  The customer sounded slightly confused for a while and when the confusion cleared he informed me that he had cancelled the order two weeks previously and he no longer required the products.  So I had been taking a twelve foot gate and a diagonal cattle feed barrier for a ride round the countryside.  The cattle feed barrier seemed happy enough but the gate complained of a bumpy ride.  The last drop went easily enough, the customer wasn't at home but the place for the feed was obvious and it was only thirty bags of feed.  On the way back to the yard I met the rain that I'd been dodging round all day and had a miserable ride back in very overcast conditions.  Back at the yard I was in time to load for Monday, thankfully, as I have to be with a customer in Louth by nine am on Monday and I know its at least a two hour run.  I have no idea where the customers farm is but no doubt I'll know by Monday night.  No pictures today, sorry.  See you Monday.

06/11/14

Carlton and area today, only one drop wasn't known to me but I found it easily enough after a phone call to the customer.

At my second drop today I met this Alpaca, or at least that's what I was told it was. I don't think it was impressed with me and I must say the feeling was mutual.  Its strange what you meet on farms today.  I am told they are used to make socks, that is, the wool is used to make socks, not the whole animal.

On the way back to base I was stopped by the red lights for the swing bridge on the A63 Selby byepass.  I have only seen the bridge swing open twice before and this time I was at the front of the queue, hence I got an excellent view of the operation of the bridge.

The bridge dropping to allow opening.

Opening.

Fully open.

The operation from starting to swing to fully open took about two minutes.  The whole thing seems to operate very smoothly.  The only trouble, from my point of view, was that because of the angle I couldn't see what, if anything came through.  When I crossed the bridge after it had closed there was nothing in view on the river.  I suppose its possible that it has to be operated on a regular basis to ensure it is working correctly and that is what I witnessed today.  Either way it is an impressive construction.  After I had completed my drops I collected a full load of horse feed from Walden Stubbs to go back to base.  Apart from the bridge and the standoffish alpaca there was nothing remarkable about the day but that's not a bad thing.  See you tomorrow.

05/11/14

Bonfire night tonight with all the fun that involves, but it didn't impinge in the days work.  First load was five drops in the Carlton store area but didn't include a drop to the store.  While my tickets were being confirmed I was informed that my next load would be six tonnes to Saltburn.  As it turned out the delivery wasn't to Saltburn but nearly, Easington.  But I'm getting in front of my self, back to the first load.  All the drops were easy enough and all known to  me so they didn't take long.  In fact it all went so well that I was expecting to be back at base before my compulsory break.  Dream on, it never works as expected and today was no exception.  Road works on the A19, great.  This left me short of time and I had to stop for three quarters of an hour on the A64.  I hate stopping in the stopping places provided on the edge of busy roads, the cab is violently rocked by every passing vehicle, its a very good way to get a lap full of hot coffee, not nice!  And even worse I had to stop within five miles of base.  Still even with the enforced break I was back in good time and got re loaded and turned round soon enough.  It wasn't the usual pleasant ride from Pickering to Whitby, it was raining most of the way.  It wasn't a drop that I have done before but I found the place easily enough and was quickly unloaded and on my way back.  It did finally stop raining or nearly so.  I even managed to start loading for tomorrow, See you then,.

04/11/10

Today has been remarkable for three reasons. Firstly I broke my nearside mud guard indicator off on a gate post at my first drop. I have backed into the yard many times, it isn't a good back in, but it's perfectly possible. And this morning I fluffed it and broke my indicator. A very poor start to the day. Secondly my fifth delivery was to a little village in the suburbs of Halifax. That's well out of our usual delivery area. The strangest thing about it was that the written directions were simple and accurate. It's surprising to me that some people are incapable of giving clear directions. These were clear and correct. The third remarkable event occurred on the way back to base around four pm. I met a steam train on the A64. I was head I'd East and it was heading West. Yep OK, it was on the back of a large trailer being pulled by an artic unit, but you've got to admit it's a remarkable event. Anyway my indicator is now repaired, courtesy of one of our mechanical geniuses. I didn't even get many sarcastic comments, it was good to tell it was nearly home time. See you tomorrow.

03/11/14

I have had a slightly confusing day.  I had to leave a delivery at Carlton store as no one was able to contact the customer and the instructions said ring the day before and if no one answers leave a message before delivery.  There was no answer machine on the other end, three of us tried with the same result.  Oh well its another drop for tomorrow at least I'll be busy tomorrow.  Then a collection from Little Airmyn.  Not fun its a miserable little single track road with very limited visibility, very bad.  Why anyone would develop a business that requires the two way traffic of trucks is anyone's guess, it must have been an unfortunate accident.   Very good view of Draks power station though.  Nice contrast of green and non green energy.

Then a collection of nine tonnees hi-pro soya from Old Goole, good collection though.  Back at base it was decided that I should deliver the seed I had collected from Little Airmyn.  No problem even though when I got to the customers farm I was informed that I should have been re-directed.  I did eventually find the correct farm and get the seed off loaded.  I even got back in time to load for tomorrow, and yes I am to collect the tonne of feed from Carlton store and deliver it.  The customer has been in contact.  See you tomorrow.

31/10/14

Today was much better.  Firstly it was possible to complete my allotted deliveries within correct driving hours.  Don't get me wrong, I don't mind working silly hours, when I'm seed dressing I often work straight through with no break for lunch or anything else, its not a problem and it is good for the diet.  But when driving I am compelled to have a three quarter hour break after four and a half hours driving, it's bloody irritating some days but there it is.  So today was busy but it was possible, I like that.  First drop was to complete the previous days work.  All in all the day went well and it even started with enough coffee, unlike yesterday, so I was fully concious.  I love coffee but my daughter thinks its sad to be so addicted to caffeine, but there again she doesn't drink coffee.  So yes the day went well and I was finished by five, great.  Friday is shopping day and I like to get to the supermarket before the shelves are denuded.  As it was most of the wine offers were gone from Morrisons before I arrived there and I only wanted one bottle.   I find Morrisons normal wine prices far to high so I only buy their offers. See you Monday.

30/10/14

Yesterday was bad, today was much worse, much worse.  It started when I woke up.  I woke and looked at my alarm, three forty five, great back too sleep.  I woke up again, six thirty eight, WHAT?  Up and dressed and at work by seven, I intended being in by six.  Worst of all when I collected my loading tickets our TC had put together drops that have never been put together, not ever.  It just didn't make sense, but when I asked, yes that was my work for the day.  Unbelievable!  Worst of all I hadn't had time for a coffee, not a drop.  Grumpy doesn't begin to describe it.  I don't think I am usually considered a grumpy old git at work but today proved I can easily be so.  Our patient loading staff even passed remarked on it, especially to me.  They really are nice people! Sometimes!  I started out completing the drops that I hadn't done the day before, yes I was correct, they wouldn't have wanted to see me after six pm.  So I stopped grumbling and got down to work, at least I was given a coffee at Carlton store, thanks Duncan it was badly needed today.  Lunch break, what lunch break.  One of my customers wanted me to collect an IBC from his other farm and I think he didn't believe me when I said I didn't have time, but I really didn't.  As it was I was caught out and had to have a second break as my driving hours ran out, very irritating.  The last drop was a pet food shop in Cottingham for which the driver has no choice but to back in off a busy road and round a blind dog leg in the yard.  This isn't good in daylight but in the dark its truly horrible.  The only way is to block the road as you back in otherwise drivers try to pass you as you are reversing, no patience at all.  But all went well, though slowly, and I got backed in without knocking the shop down or reversing over any of their customers.  I finally pulled out of the yard at about six pm with about an hours run to my last drop.  As I didn't know the last drop, it was down a narrow little road and it was six bales of shavings so it was doubtful that it was urgent I left it for tomorrow.
See you tomorrow.

29/10/14

Bad day, very bad.  Back to work to discover that I was cleaning four tonnes of beans, before, that is before a full day of deliveries.  Perhaps this is revenge for having two days off, perhaps!  The beans went reasonably well, it would have been better if the farmer was out of bed when I arrived but all in all the job went well and I left him with four tonnes of clean bagged beans that he would be able to drill.  And they were to be drilled that day.  On to the next job, at least the nice store man, thanks Gary, had picked my load for me before I got back so I wasn't waiting to load.  But even so it was after seven before I got finished after a six am start and that was not completing my last two drops.  Farmers don't really want to see us after dark at this time of year, trouble is our TC doesn't understand this.  (TC = Transport Controller) All in all it wasn't a bad day, just a long one.

See you tomorrow.

27/10/14

I am not at work but I thought these two pictures were worth sharing. They are taken from Lambley viaduct which runs over the South Tyne. My wife and I often walked along the old railway track  just for the pleasure of the view. The viaduct was used from 1852 to 1976 when the line was closed.  Thankfully it has had the necessary restoration work to keep it in good repair. I can recommend the walk at any time of year.  See you tomorrow.

24/10/14

mooStarted later than normal, half past six. My first load was for Helmsley store and had been loaded the night before, all except some medicine from the fridge. So I had time to fuel up and complete my paperwork before getting my loading tickets confirmed. I was still there five minutes before the gates were opened. Unloaded and back for my second load, three drops and Carlton store, easy enough. The only trouble was that I had to be in York by 1pm for my tacograph to have its biennial check and I had to fit in a three quarter hour break. Our TC had forgotten that it was booked in, great! My first quarter hour break was taken on a weigh bridge waiting for the operator and the half hour was taken at Carlton store while I was unloaded. I was only ten mins late, amazing. I then had an hour and a half wait while the calibration was done!  Finally I was able to complete my last two deliveries and get back to base.  I am away for the weekend, we are going to Cumbria and just over the border in Scotland to visit friends. I won't be back to work until Wednesday. We have our son's bedroom to decorate just in case he comes back from Canada. But with him you can never tell, he could do anything. See you Wednesday, if not before.

23/10/14

As I was loaded last night I got to spend an extra half hour in bed, I put the alarm off and turned over and nearly forgot to wake up.  I was only saved by my wife's alarm which goes off three quarter of an hour after mine.  It didn't matter but I had intended spending the extra half hour reading.  As it was I was rushing about in the same way as usual.  What I haven't said is I like time to myself in a morning as I aren't worth speaking to until I have imbibed enough caffeine.  My wife, on the other hand, bounces out of bed and attacks the day with the same vigour and energy as she shows a couple of hours later.  Life's unfair sometimes, to both of us.
My work day went OK considering I had two new drops and one of them was 69 Church street.  House drops like this can be testing for an eighteen tonne truck.  As it was I took some advice on the approach and found the house easily enough and made the delivery of nine bags of coal.  The problems only started when I tried to leave.  The best route was to proceed straight down the street for about four hundred yards, turn right onto the main street and continue to the A63 West bound about a mile away.  But there was a long left hand corner between me and the T junction with cars parked on either side nose to tail.  Fair enough I had room between the cars, just, but I couldn't see if anything was coming round the corner.  I finally gave up and backed into a side road and went back the way I came, much safer.  One more farm drop then on to Penistone to collect a load of horse feed before returning to base to unload and load up for tomorrow.  All the rest of the day went well thank goodness.

The picture of this balloon isn't relevant to anything but it is different.  I attempted to take a picture of it in my drivers side mirror but it was drifting too fast.

There can be no excuse fro dressing like this.  Just get on a bike and go for a ride, don't dress for a trip to the Rocky Horror Show.

No wet crow this time, I expect the Oil Seed Rape is too high for it to forage now.

Well stacked, well wrapped and well loaded, but even so I don't know what these two are looking so pleased for.  Its not as if they haven't done it before.  This is tomorrows first job for Helmsley store.

See you tomorrow.

22/10/14

The picture below is real, I have to put this drop, a whole tonne of chicken food, on a pallet on the side of the road.  I have been making this drop off and on for around four years and have never yet met the customer or anyone connected with the customer.  Perhaps they are afraid that if they meet I will expect them to help.  It''s actually a good drop as it is straight off the side of the truck and onto the pallet with no steps to get from one to the other.  But I do find it a little strange that the customer has never put in an appearance, there's usually vehicles around but even if you ring no one answers.  Perhaps they're all vampires and as such can't go out in daylight, poor chickens!  A fate worse than death.  Today was reasonably easy, Carlton store and three drops in the area followed by a collection from Cherry Tree Mill at Pollington.  All went well, even the collection, sometimes there can be a long queue at Pollington two hours or more.  Today I was approx three quarters of an hour from pulling on the weigh bridge to pulling off the weigh bridge loaded.

Again not a great view for a lunch stop. But what's a driver to do?  When you are about to run out of driving hours you have to stop where you can.  Some of you may recognise the view from earlier entries.  I was on my way out from the lost world of Fishlakes and the view is of Dracks power station from across the M62, as I said not great.  But beggars can't be choosers and this was the only pull over between me and Pollington so it just had to be.

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I have got tomorrows load on and my tickets confirmed so all I need to do is fuel up and off I go.  Four drops and a collection from Penistone.  That's not a bad day but there is a bit of motorway involved, booring! But the alternative is exciting and that's usually very bad.   See you tomorrow.

21/10/14

First job was back to seed dressing, or in this case cleaning. The customer had attempted to drill his beans straight from the combined, not a good idea. He had successfully and comprehensively blocked his drill. Not only that but he was planting weeds along with beans. I'm sure his chemical supplier love's him. The first 50kg of beans stopped the tipping auger dead. I haven't tightened its belts this season so I attended to that laps. During this operation I discovered that the only thing holding one of the pensioners on was the galvanising, the weld had missed the plate. The galvanising had given up the struggle so the tensioner was loose. A pair of mole grips made a temporary repair and I removed twenty five kilos from the weigh box so as not to overload the auger. Things went we'll but cautiously after that and i was  back in the yard by lunch time. I was given the pleasure of swapping a tonne of horse feed that one of my comrades had delivered incorrectly. Yes you're right, no forklift, all by hand. But it's good exercise after lunch. Lastly I got loaded for morning and gained an extra half hour in bed in the morning. See you tomorrow.

20/10/14

A fairly easy day today.  Loaded by seven this morning, First drop for Carlton store, second drop was a farm drop at Ousefleet, which is accessed through Old Goole along a road following the South bank of the Ouse.  The last drop was at a wild bird food manufacturer in Gilberdyke.  The last drop compromised ten half tonne bags.  I hate carrying these bags if I have to carry them stacked two high.  Today I had to do just that.  They are very unstable when stacked and though I always strap them with ratchet straps and tighten them at every stop they still often slip.  Today, though, I managed to keep them standing until I reached my destination.  Once they were off loaded I loaded with ten tonnes of wild bird food to go back to base.  The only irritation to the whole procedure is having to weigh in and out again for the incoming goods.  Strangely I don't have to weigh in or out when collecting goods.

Love them or hate them wind turbines are now a fact of life.  The one in the picture is sited in the adjoining yard to where I was collecting wild bird food.  I don't hate them, in fact, I find the large ones majestic.  I would rather double or treble the amount of wind turbines on the sky line than build a single nuclear  power plant.  Until we can render the radioactive waste safe as it is produced and be completely certain that it is impossible for any radioactive substance to be leaked in any way we shouldn't take the risk.  Its not that I mind creating a little dirt, its that I object to creating waste that could poison a vast area for several thousand years.  Anything that can happen will happen if given enough opportunity  so nuclear power will inevitably lead to accidents which leak toxic waste into the countryside and poison our environment and us.  Nuclear power shouldn't be developed or used, this is the only way to avoid inevitable radiation poisoning that will be the certain result.  On that happy note, see you tomorrow. 

17/10/14

October is over half way gone, why has time changed?  I'm sure time is speeding up, I remember years lasting much longer when I was at school.  I am writing this on Sunday night and am desperately trying to remember what happened on Friday.  That''s another problem I seem to have as I get older, the days all merge together.  Perhaps its due to the changes that have happened to time.  Back to Friday, so far as I can remember everything went well.  My truck is in  for service so I was driving a twelve plate Daf.  This truck is not only newer than my Merc but it is lighter and has, approx, another hundred horse power.  Yes it will climb Whitwell hill on the A64 without having to change down once, never mind three times.  The load for Friday kept getting bigger, initially it was Carlton store and three drops but then I was handed tickets for Malton store and lastly one ticket for Gate Helmsley store.  And all this after delivering a full load of fencing timber to Chop Gate.  But still not to worry everything will only take as long as it takes, and it did.  Really the whole day went well the only bad point was realising that whilst the mirrors on this truck, and there are six attached to the cab, give excellent views of what's behind they create a blind spot to the right.  This is especially apparent when approaching small roundabouts as I found out.  I must apologise to the white van man  whom I very nearly pulled out in front of, I really didn't see you for the mirrors, please accept my humble apologies.  My only excuse was that I'm not used to the vehicle, but at least I did manage to stop in time.  See you all Monday, hope you have had a good weekend.

16/10/14

Why would a cyclist travel along the A19 at before seven in the morning with no lighting? It was still dark. Not only that but he had a large black rucksack on his back making him even harder to spot.  To make matters even worse when I passed him I glanced down at him and found he was wearing black and white diamond pattern Lycra.   I don't know where the performance of the Rocky Horror Show was at that time in the morning but, so far as I can imagine, his going to that show can be the only reason for such attire.  I don't mind cyclists, I even ride a bike myself on occasion, but why do they have to dress like that?  But after that the day got better.  See you tomorrow.

15/10/14

No pictures today, I forgot to take any. But my lunch stop was a lay by on the A64. I hate stopping in such exposed places, every vehicle that passes shakes the truck. Trouble is I had no choice I ran out of driving time. Not a busy day, a drop at our Carlton store and one farm drop. Then a collection of two tanks in Fulford. I've never been there before so I was a little hesitant bug I found it OK. The collection went we'll and I was back in the yard in good time and got tomorrow's load on.  See you tomorrow.

14/10/14

Today hasn't been busy, Carlton store and one drop then a collection of one tonne of seed from Little Airmyn.  On the way to deliver the seed I had to drop off eighty fence posts and pick up eighty which were wrong from East Cottingwith.  Then deliver the tonne of wheat seed to a farm near Pickering.  All went well and I was back in the yard by three pm.  The weather has been miserable, overcast and wet, not a good October day.  We still haven't had a good frost.

A miserable wet day and an uninspiring place for lunch.

The stop didn't look any better through the mirror.

See you tomorrow.

13/10/14

Not yet 8 am and I was sitting in a queue for roadworks at Camblesforth. Great! But the day did get better, but not by much. It has been cold and wet all day. That's not to say that I hate cold, I don't.  There's nothing like a crisp frosty morning. But cold rain being propelled sideways by an unforgiving wind is truly horrible. But other than that the day went we'll with very little out of the ordinary to report. Sorry. See you tomorrow.

10/10/14

Once again a salubrious stopping place to stop for lunch, not the choice I would have made but I ran out of driving hours and only just made this drop.  Some farmyards leave me with a sad feeling. Yards like this were once a hive of activity, you can tell from the buildings that in the 

70's this place was loved and cared for by a forward looking and progressive farmer.  Now, however, the neglect is showing and the whole place is running down towards demolition.  I expect that in a few more years the site will be sold off with a couple of acres and turned into yet another equine fantasy land.  Any remaining land will pass to another farmer.  I know this is progress but I don't have to enjoy it.  

Below is a picture of the rear of a highway maintainance truck which cut me up on the infamous Hopgrove roundabout on the A64.  The driver not only cut me up but then proceeded to brake hard once he had obscured my view of the road in front.  For a fellow HGV driver this was very poor driving and not at all of the usual standard that I have come to expect of fellow drivers.

The day wasn't bad for a Friday, I only had a small load but it compromised One store drop at Carlton and three farm drops followed by a collection from Friendship Estates.  All was accomplished and partially unloaded by five pm.  See you Monday. 

09/10/14

Not the best place to stop for lunch but that's where I was when my hours ran out.  Though the picture does make the situation look better than it was.  There is a large industrial estate immediately on the right.

Two farm drops and Carlton store, the farm drops were rather too well spaced, especially as one of them was only two and a half kilos of rat bait.  I hope there is a lot of profit on rat bait otherwise the transaction will have been made at a loss.  Not good for business and not good for my Christmas bonus.  But enough grumbling, next a collection from Penistone.  It's always a good load at Penistone and today wasn't an exception.  Back to base and I managed to get the collection off loaded though I didn't get loaded for morning.  See you tomorrow.

08/10/14

The day started out in bright sunshine, that is once the sun rose. But it didn't last and the day became overcast. But enough about the weather, it's not that interesting. While driving down the narrow road to my first customer I was brushing the trees with the side of my sheet. On the way out u realised the trees were sweet chestnuts and they had ripe nuts on them. I couldn't resist, I put a glove on and picked a few as I stopped by one of the trees. It's the first time I've ever found nuts big enough to eat. I'll roast them tonight. Today worked out as five farm drops and a collection from Cherry Tree Mill at Pollington. Straight in and out, amazing, I've sometimes had a couple of hours wait. Back to base and got loaded for tomorrow. I get an extra half hour in bed.  The picture below is a sight I enjoy at this time of year, newly emerged grain. See you tomorrow.

07/10/14

Dressed what I hope is the last three tonnes of wheat this season.  Two customers, the first with two tonnes and the second with one tonne.  Thankfully both were close to our base so I didn't have to travel far which was good since it was only a small tonnage.  Both samples of wheat were clean but neither were outstanding.  In both cases it took longer to set up and clean down than it took to do the job.  I was back at base by eleven and loaded my truck for Malton store.  The load was reasonably quickly put together and I got the tickets confirmed and the load delivered by twenty to one.  The second load was a full load for the Helmsley store, it took a bit longer to gather up but I was back at base and loading for tomorrow by ten past four.  I didn't complete the loading but it won't take long to complete in the morning.  I'm back on my usual run tomorrow with one collection of dog and cat food from Pollington.  The day has been cloudy and sullen, nearly raining, not a particularly nice day.  Hence I haven't taken and pictures today, but there's always tomorrow.  See you then.

06/10/14

Back to driving today and what a miserable day it was.  The only high point was that I managed to get loaded before it started to rain properly.  I had Carlton Store two farm drops and a collection from Old Goole.  The Carlton store drop was small and didn't take long, the coffee took longer but was much appreciated, we do have to have breaks you know.  ;-)  The first farm drop was one tonne of horse feed, it had to come off by hand but that was the only exercise that I got today so I was happy to do it.  The second farm drop I completed on the way back, three gates and fittings.  At Old Goole I dropped of two empty IBC's and collected an IBC full of fish oil. I didn't know fish needed oiling but there you are!

The best picture of the day was this solitary crow which was searching a newly emerged crop of oilseed rape in the rain.  It seemed intent on its search but it really was a miserable day and I can't think that it was having much fun.

Not a very inspiring place to stop for lunch in the rain but beggars and drivers can't be choosers.

Seed dressing again tomorrow, perhaps for the last time this season but we shall see.

See you tomorrow.

03/10/14

Sunrise on the A169 looking towards Robin Hoods Bay across the North Yorkshire Moors.

This should have been my last day of seed dressing wheat until next year.  Not so, I'm out again on Tuesday.  I had only one customer today with five tonnes of wheat to clean and dress the customer was based near Saltburn, North of Whitby.  I have been to this customer several times in the past so there were no surprises.  Everything was going well until my intake auger stopped rotating.  After a bit of digging around in the intake hopper I found a lump of concrete about the size of a half brick.  Augers don't like things like this, they tend to throw a hissy fit and refuse to work until the offending article is removed, the auger did just that.  Peace was restored and the auger happily continued working for the rest of the job.  The second auger complained a little as a smaller piece of concrete had passed up the first auger and into the second but after a lot of rattling and banging it spat it into the cleaner which promptly removed it, no problem.  Job done and back to base before lunch.  After lunch, a flask of tea, I'm slimming, back to driving.  One store drop at Malton, one drop at A19 Koi Carp, which, surprise surprise in on the side of the A19.  And one drop at a boarding kennels.  All done easily enough and I had the pleasure of driving a nearly new Daf.  What a powerful little truck, on the way back I came up Whitwell hill on the A64 without changing down, amazing.  Monday I'm back to my normal delivery area, it'll be good to be back.  But, Tuesday back to seed dressing.  I know I will have some beans to clean later this month but I was hoping I'd finished with wheat, barley and oats.  See you Monday.

02/10/14

Ten to six in the morning seems a little early to be washing a truck.  But there's no accounting for for what some people think of as normal.  No it wasn't me, I'm not that keen.

Today should have gone well, everything was ready and I only had four and a half tonnes of wheat to dress at Bridlington.  But it wasn't to be, why should I be surprised?  As usual I went to start the generator set on the dresser to be sure everything was running.  It wouldn't start, I found our mill engineer, expecting him to wave his magic wand and everything would be OK.  Not a hope, after two and a half hours and a phone call to the manufacturers still nothing.  So yours truly had the pleasure of a ride into Hull to the manufacturer to get it repaired before going on to Bridlington.  I don't enjoy driving round Hull and I have serious doubts if anyone does.  But I found the manufacturer easily enough.  The engineer climbed onto the machine and pressed the start button to see what faults the system showed.  Yes you've guessed it, the damned thing started and kept running smoothly.  Obviously I had been pressing the button with the wrong hand, what an idiot.  Tomorrow I'll remember to use my left hand not my right.  ;-)  The engineer looked serious, brought out lots of expensive looking tools and poked about, he ended up using a thermal imaging camera, shouldn't everyone carry one?  The camera showed that one of the cylinders is failing and I hadn't blown the radiator out for the last few days but little else.  The final verdict was that there was a lot of dust clinging to the machine and it could do with a thorough service.  Tell me something I didn't know.  But he will report to the mill engineer who will tell our boss and the whole thing will be ignored for another year.  Perhaps it will eventually blow up, I would like a new one. I did manage to brighten up my day by taking a picture of the Humber bridge while sitting in a queue on the A63 caused by a van man running into another vehicle. 

Cats always find the warmest spot to sit.  The two below were seated in the sunshine on the bales (when the sun was out, that is.  Even cats can't arrange the sun.)

I finally made it to my only customer of the day and duly cleaned and dressed four and a quarter tonnes of wheat.  I hope tomorrow goes better, it should be the last day for dressing grain, only beans to go.  I hope!  See you tomorrow

01/10/14

Still seed dressing.  Two customers today, the first was only two tonnes so the whole operation including setting up and taking down didn't take more than an hour.  I noticed that the bags were fuller than I would have expected, so at the second customer I set up my platform weigh to check.  Sure enough my batch weigh was out by three to four kilos every fifty so I finished the job with the weigh platform in use.  I hate the thing, it gets in the way.  When I got back to the yard I checked the batch weigh over and discovered that it was off one of its hinge points.  No wonder it wasn't correct.  After putting it back together correctly I checked it and it seems OK again.  Thank goodness for that.  I'm going to Bridlington in the morning, no not for a paddle in the sea, I'm dressing seed for two customers there.  The job is only four and a half tonnes so it shouldn't take long, then its back to the yard.  I am told that I will then be taking a load to our Seamer store, the only trouble is that it appears that I won't have a truck.  I'm a little baffled as to how I'm going to do the job without a truck but who am I to question my instructions.

I stopped to look over a bridge today on my way to my second customer.  Look what I saw below the bridge.  I hate swans, very conceited birds, full of their own importance.

The view the other way was good though.  The river is the Derwent and I was stood on Howsham bridge.

See you tomorrow.

30/09/14

The last day of September already, where has the month gone?  I'm still seed dressing, at least until the end of the week.  There will probably be dribs and drabs after then but it won't be constant.  I usually have some beans to clean at the very end of the season.  Most of the beans are still to cut so I don't expect to see any for a while.  This morning was a typical Autumn day, it started with thick fog and when it cleared it didn't really get out until the afternoon.  The only saving grace was that there wasn't any frost.

The first two pictures below was taken at my first customer, looking East, towards the coast which will be approximately a mile away..   

I met this friendly pig while at my first customer and had a quick word through the fence.  It didn't say much in reply, only a few contended grunts.

See you tomorrow.

25, 26 and 27/09/14

Still seed dressing, and working on Saturday as well.  I had better things to do on Saturday than spend the morning getting covered in itchy dust.  But covered in itchy dust is what I got, at least I'm getting paid for it, the jobs I was going to do would have cost me.  The only trouble is that they have been postponed and I will still have to complete them next weekend.  Still it will be over shortly and I will be back to driving until the spring season starts.  I shouldn't grumble as I enjoy the job except for the dust.  I get to customers that I only see once a year.  Today my first customer was at a little village called Ulrome.  On arrival I parked up and switched the engine off to listen, listening is usually the easiest way to locate someone on a farm.  All I could hear through the mist was a heavy sighing.  It took me a while to identify it, waves gently breaking on the beach.  I hadn't realised that I was so close to the sea.  Today went well enough and I didn't encounter any problems.  See you tomorrow.

24/09/14

As I expected I have been seed dressing again today.  Two customers today, the first not for from the top of Sutton Bank and the second slightly south of Thirsk, just off the A19.  Both jobs were good jobs for well organised farmers.  The pictures are from the first job of the day.  Ten tonnes of Wheat from two varieties, the second variety was Grafton and it was the best sample of wheat I have dressed this year and possibly the best sample I have ever cleaned and dressed.  The grain wasn't only bold, it was even with very little small grain and was a pleasure to work with.  As an added bonus the yard I was working in was spacious and tidy.  For those who haven't had any involvement in agriculture, sorry if I'm being boring.

All set up and running.

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The best wheat of the season coming through the cleaner.

And into the bag, couldn't be better.

I'm seed dressing again tomorrow, but we must be getting to the end of it shortly.  The season has been kind to us and we haven't been rained off yet.  Also we haven't had to work inside, thank goodness.  The dust can be incredible , not nice.  See you tomorrow.

23/09/14

Seed dressing again today, both customers near Thirsk.  Today went well, that is until I found I was dressing two and a half tonnes of naked oats.  They are the most dusty, itchy and irritating crop to work with.  But though I had to run them through slowly they went through without causing any blockages.  That in itself is a wonder, I was very thankful to get them finished, with a bit of luck I won't see any more this year.  Otherwise the day has been good and I was back in the yard by a quarter to five.  I am back in the same area tomorrow, my first customer is near the top of Sutton Bank, the second on the side of the A19 just south of Thirsk.  It's wheat all day tomorrow so it should be a better day, we shall see.  If there isn't any fog I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow, the views in the Sutton Bank area are great.  See you tomorrow.

22/09/14

Today has been tedious beyond belief.  I have been seed dressing again, which was no surprise, but that isn't usually a problem.  Some customers are nearly beyond belief.  The first customer started by attaching his loader tractor to a trailer, thereby tying up the loader tractor.  He then proceeded to fill the hopper from half tonne bags which he held over the intake hopper with his dedicated loader.  The only problem with this is that it left him unable to remove full bags of seed unless he tied off the bag he was holding and put it down first.  Great!  We finally got through the seed he had bagged and started on the seed he had put in trailers.  Yes trailers! He managed to split five tonnes of seed of the same variety between two eight tonne trailers, I still haven't managed to work out why he did this.  I think this level of disorganisation must take a great deal of planning and forethought, otherwise it just wouldn't be possible.  The job took at least twice as long as it should have done but I did manage to get finished and move on to the next job.  The second customer holds the record for the most screenings from one and a half tonnes of seed, this record has been unbroken for four years and I sincerely hope it remains so.  This year the barley wasn't quite as bad, but nearly.  Its not that the quality of the grain is poor, quite the opposite, it was very good.  Its just that for some reason his combined harvester makes a very poor job of threshing barley.  There was a very large amount of partially threshed ears in the sample so I had to run the machine very slowly. But I eventually did manage to get the job completed and got back into the yard, with a sigh of relief, at about a quarter to five, having not stopped working since six in the morning.  No lunch again, this job is very good for slimming.  So it took me all day to complete just over ten tonnes, with good organisation this should have been two and a half hours working time and two hours setting up and cleaning down.  But some days it just goes like that, tomorrow will be different.  Could be better, could be worse, I don't know which, but it will be different it always is.  See you tomorrow.