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.