30/12/15

Nearly at the end of 2015, here in the UK it's windy and very wet.  Not at all  the sort of weather that makes this time of year a pleasure.  Not that I want snow but a few good hard frosts would be nice.  Not only does it give pleasant working conditions but it is good for the countryside.  The weather we are getting at the moment is not only unseasonal but it isn't killing off any of the bugs and fungi that are usually reduced by the cold.  Also my grass is still growing and its far too wet to cut it so the orchard looks a mess and I can't get on with the hedge cutting that needs finishing before I replant.  All in all its very frustrating.  But enough of my domestic problems.  On the good side our daughter has recently received her doctorate, she is now a fully qualified educational psychologist, we are both very proud.  But back to work.  Driving round my usual area today I can't help but notice the flooding, especially since one of the roads that I would have used was closed due to the inundation of water.  My work today was simple enough, only two drops and all soon accomplished with no problems.  Since we aren't busy I'm having tomorrow off as I still have holidays to use up.  See you in the new year.  Hope you all have a great one, best wishes for 2016.

28/12/15

The older I get, the more I learn
The greater my awareness of my own ignorance.

On that note it's back to work tomorrow.  What fun, but all good things come to an end.  For the last few days we have celebrated the festive season.  Our children and their partners were with us and we have had a peaceful enjoyable Christmas. And I hope all of you have had the same. A belated happy Christmas to you all.
See you tomorrow.

16/12/15

The water in the background isn't supposed to be there. I. Wasn't close enough to get a good picture. It was taken at Stillingfleet. My first drop of my first load. It's s two load day today. First load only two drops, but they were well spread. The second load was Carlton store and three drops. It doesn't sound much but it took until after six pm and I wasn't hanging around. It would have been quicker but for a faulty set of traffic lights. I hate the wireless lights they use now, they seem to spend more time faulty than working. It's time they were banned before they kill someone.  Bring back wired lights. I'm off tomorrow, going to my daughters graduation, a doctorate in educational psychology. We're very proud of her achievement. See you Friday.

15/12/15

The best thing about today was that it finally finished.

14/12/15

Another miserable December day, grey, overcast and in all ways dreary.  But after the 22nd of this month things start to get better.  Slowly, very slowly the daylight will increase and things will start to look more hopeful.  Yes I know I'm grumbling but, as I've said before I don't like this time of year.  But I am looking forward to spring.  Today has been a little like the weather but not as bad.  Carlton store and two farm drops then back to base and a full load for Malton store.  Back at base I started to load for tomorrow but finally gave up as every order we attempted to make up was short of  something to complete the order.  Perhaps it will go better tomorrow, but then again perhaps not.  Tomorrow will tell.  See you tomorrow.

11/12/15

Waiting to load. At least I'm next in the queue.  More later. 

Because of the European working time directive I am now sitting in a miserable lay-by near Shiptonthorpe waiting out a half hour. And I still have two and a quarter hours driving time left. It's grey overhead and starting to rain. Thank goodness it's Friday 

10/12/15

Another long day with little of note. The weather was poor but not bad. I didn't get wet, which is always a plus. And I got all my work completed. So I suppose the day was a success, it just wasn't enjoyable. See you tomorrow

09/12/15

Another long day but not as tedious as yesterday. One load with no collection. But the delivery area was spread from the outskirts of York to Brigg and included two in the lost world of Fishlake. For those who are wondering, there is no lake. At the moment there are several floods and a few small ponds. As to fish, possibly there are some. But no matter the spread of the drops all was completed by half past four. See you tomorrow.

08/12/15

Other than it being a long and tedious day with miserable weather I have nothing to say about the day.

04/12/15

Friday again, don't they come round quickly whey you're busy.  I'm not joking they really are coming round quickly at the moment.  Work is just starting to get busy again, we usually have a slack period around now.  The exact time of this varies with the weather.  Warm dry weather keeps the grass growing and the stock in the fields for longer so our customers, farmers in the main, don't need the extra feed and they haven't started serious fence repairs etc.  But as always the stock comes in and we get busy and remain that way until turn out in spring, which is also governed by the weather and the supply of silage etc.  Today started with a full load for our Kirkbymoorside store and was followed by a load for Carlton store and four farm deliveries then a collection from Walden Stubbs.  This would of been easy enough but it wasn't possible to complete the work in a nice tight circle and I had to have rid of all but one drop before I went for the collection as I wouldn't of had room for the goods.  To add to all this I was up against time limits, the place where I was collecting from closes at four pm on Friday.  Great!  And into all this I had to fit my break from driving after four and a half hours bearing in mind that I didn't want to have another enforced break before finishing.  Crap! that's the only way to describe it.  I managed it just with my time limit warning flashing as I returned to the yard at six pm.  It all worked, amazing.  Sorry I don't have any good pictures today, I didn't have time to take any.  See you Monday.

02/12/15

Carlton store and four drops.  One and a half tonnes to the first drop and the next four drops fitted on one pallet and weighed less than half a tonne.  But that's life some times all this fun was followed by a collection from Britons at Fulford, York.  Don't mind York but I don't like driving in cities, not fun, I'm much happier in farm yards.  Back in the yard in good time and managed to get loaded for my first load tomorrow.  See you tomorrow.

01/12/15

What a dismal start to the day, grey overcast and raining, not a nice day, a hat day.  I don't like water running down my neck so a wide brimmed hat is essential.  It may make me look like an idiot but it keeps water out of my neck so I don't care.  First load was a full load to Kirkbymoorside store.  It was a real jigsaw of a load but it all arrived safely enough.  The second load was for my usual run, Carlton store and two farm drops.  Easy enough but the second drop was silly.  Fifteen miles out of my way to drop off a high viz vest.  I'm sure posting it would have been more economical.  But no I got sent with an eighteen tonne truck.  Sensible!  No, I think not!  Lastly I had a collection from Howden Dyke, six tonnes of bagged product.  I was back in the yard for half past four but I didn't get unloaded.  Well I've got to save some excitement for tomorrow.  See you then.

The picture below doesn't do justice too the miserable day.  It makes it look reasonably pleasant and it wasn't.  December should involve frost and snow, or, at the very least, cold.  

30/11/15

Today was only half a day.  Well perhaps a little more than a half, six am until one pm.  I had Carlton store and three drops I was back in the yard by one pm and our TC didn't have anything to do other than load for the morning.  It was raining hard and I was wet, not fun to be hanging around the yard.  Since I had an odd half day holiday I thought it best to use it up and keep dry.  So with our TC's agreement I clocked out and went home.  At least I was dry for the afternoon and had much better coffee to drink than I would otherwise have had.  See you tomorrow.

26/11/15

A busy and a long day, but a day with no rain.  Great!  Firstly a full load, half for Carlton store and half for a wild bird seed producer in Gilberdyke.  Oh, I nearly forgot, four five litres of Deosan de scaler to a farm near Newport.  It doesn't sound much but it took time.  The second load was only a part load but it included three farm drops.  Followed by a collection from Penistone.  I decided that since the last drop could be left on the truck and dropped after the collection.  The positions of the drops and the collection suggested that this would be the easiest and quickest way.  Believe it or not, everything worked out.  I was back in the yard just after six with everything completed.  All in all a good days work with no time wasted.  See you tomorrow.

25/11/15

The most spectacular thing about today was the sunrise, very spectacular.  The work for the day wasn't so spectacular but it wasn't bad either.  A full load to the Gate Helmsley store, followed by a load for Carlton store and area.  All went well and we were back in the yard by half past four.  Just in time to get half our first load for the morning loaded.  See you tomorrow.

Sunrise this morning.  I'm sorry to say the picture doesn't do justice to the sky this morning. But I did try.

Sunset today taken while travelling along the A1079 towards Dunnington.  And, before you ask, I wasn't driving.

23/11/15

Not a very exciting day. Carlton store and two drops followed by a collection from Saxilby. All went well and it didn't rain. No rain is always a bonus at this time of year. I was back in the yard by four thirty but I didn't get unloaded.  I ran out of driving hours whilst on the A15, not a nice place to stop but needs must. See you tomorrow.

20/11/15

Friday wasn't a bad day for a Friday.  It didn't rain, well not too much, perhaps not much more than you're average wet November day.  But the work went well.  First load was a nearly full load for Helmsley store, I was in with the curtains open by ten to eight and back in the yard by nine.  The second load was a bit of a runabout but nothing out of the ordinary.  Carlton store and four farm drops.  The only problem was that I ran out of driving hours about five miles from base and had to stop for a half hour break.  Other than that the day went well and I didn't get wet, there's a novelty.  I didn't even take the trouble to take a quick look at the tickets for Monday.  Monday will happen in its own good time, as it always does and no doubt I'll live through it as usual.  See you Monday.

19/11/15

Thursday and done.  Not a bad day, not bad at all. No rain, or at least no rain to speak of.  First load was a nearly full load to Carlton store and nothing more even though I had space left.  But looking at one of the drops there was no way it would have gone on, another five pallets of sheep handling system.  I was back in the yard by nine thirty with plenty of time to get the second load out.  The second load compromised three farm drops all easy enough.  Lastly a collection from Friendship Estates again easy enough.  Back in the yard by four thirty and unloaded by five, ready to load for tomorrow.  Helmsley store first.  See you tomorrow,.

18/11/15

Today we have had bright sunshine, heavy grey cloud and torrential rain.  Repeatedly. About every half hour.  I do love the British climate.  But otherwise the day has gone well.  A full load to the Gate Helmsley store followed by a tonne to Carlton store, four farm drops and one household drop.  Wild bird seed.  The latter was a good drop all in all, I got a cup of coffee some warm home made sausage rolls and a slice of home made lemon drizzle cake.  Its not every day a driver gets treated like that.  Thanks Mum.  Funny how I seem to manage to get there at lunch time isn't it.  Tomorrow promises sunshine but I think the forecaster is probably lying or at least bending the truth. See you tomorrow.

17/11/15

Today has not been busy, in fact it has been the opposite.  This is not unusual for the time of year though, it all depends on the grass growth.  When the grass growth slows the stock gets brought inside for the winter and we get busy again.  Trouble is I find it boring, I'd much rather be busy, time appears to pass faster.  But that's the trouble with agriculture and its allied industries, it's always seasonal and always will be.  Tomorrow doesn't look busy either but that's for tomorrow.  See you then.

16/11/15

Monday. Again!  It's not that I hate Mondays its that I hate this time of year.  The sooner we get to new year and the light starts increasing the better, everything seems more hopeful then and I start looking for the first snowdrops.  The scenery, at the moment, holds little pleasure.  All greenery is fading the leaves are mostly gone and their loss seems to leach all hope and anticipation from the dying year.  On the good side I am seeing small flocks of green plover and the flashes of black and white as they turn and weave over the empty fields does give some pleasure.  I haven't seen any fieldfares or redwings yet and this is a surprise as they are usually present in small numbers by this time of year.  I picked the last of this years apples from my fledgling orchard on Sunday and when everything is properly dormant I will start ruining the young apple and pear trees. On the work front today hasn't been particularly busy or arduous.  A drop at Carlton store followed by four farm drops, all easily accomplished with no problems.  I was back in the yard in good time and managed to get loaded for tomorrow, thereby earning an extra half hour in bed in the morning.  A driver has to take every advantage he can.  See you tomorrow.

13/11/15

Friday the 13th.  Do I mind a Friday the 13th, never. But!  First load, a full load to the Kirkbymoorside store but before that I had time too wash my truck.  It was looking a little grubby, country lanes get a little the worse for wear at this time of year and it shows.  I was unloaded in good time and back for my next load.  The second load was only three drops, and non of them large but they were spread over the extremes of my normal area and on top of that I had a collection from Penistone.  It didn't fit into a neat circle no matter which way I looked at it and on top of that I had to be in Penistone by lunch time.  Luckily my last two drops were small enough to stay on the truck while I completed my collection.  To add to my troubles I was contacted by my bank to inform me that they had noticed some suspicious transactions on my credit card.  Great!  But they had noticed quickly and informed me in good time.  Thanks to the wonders of modern technology I was able to check the transactions from my phone.  True enough there were four transactions that were nothing to do with me.  I am careful and my card has never left my possession or my sight.  My virus protection software is up to date and my online transactions are rarely with other than two companies, both reputable and largely honest.  In all I am not careless with my details and have never given them to anyone other than for the express purpose of a transaction.  So how the details were compromised I have no idea and neither did the bank when I contacted them.  But the damage was halted quickly and a new card has been sent out.  Well done the team at my bank for spotting it quickly.  After that little bit of excitement the day went well enough though I had to contact our TC and ask him to clear it with the collection at Penistone for me to be in my one pm. This was okay so I completed the work for the day and was back at base by just after five pm.  Not too bad for a very wet Friday the thirteenth all things considered. If you're wondering if I'm now more worried about Friday the thirteenth the answer is simple.  No of course not it is a Friday after all, the start of the weekend. See you Monday.  

12/11/25

Not a bad day today, first a full load to Easingwold store followed by a part load for Carlton store and two farm drops.  I called the first customer before starting out from Carlton store only to be told that he knew nothing of the order. He asked me to leave the goods at Carlton store until he had spoken to his daughter. I hope I haven't started a family argument. I had my compulsory break while waiting for the last customer to arrive to unload the timber. Lastly I had a collection from Cherry Tree Mill at Pollington. I went prepared, food, a drink and a book. This collection can be the drivers equivalent of the long stand. Today wasn't too bad, about an hour, but even with the potential wait I like this collection. The pictures below was taken whilst waiting at Pollington. I have never liked or seen the point in Poplar trees. For me they do nothing for the scenery. Just a random thought. See you tomorrow.

11/11/15

Today hasn't been particularly busy, the first load was only two drops in my usual area. The load didn't amount to a tonne. But itches still after eleven when I got back to the yard. My second load was one stable drop ( nicer people than Mondays) one farm drop and around five tonnes for the Kirkbymoorside store. I was back in time to load nearly all my first load for tomorrow. See you then.

09/11/15

I have just had the misfortune to make a delivery to an equestrian centre in Swanland. There I met an operator of a forklift whose general lack of manners served to confirm my already low opinion of the English horse fraternity. But since I am at work I managed to be civil to the rude young man. Apart from that the day is going well. I have just run out of driving time, but at least I have a reasonable view over the Yorkshire Wolds, looking towards North Newbald. The day is overcast and windy but it is dry at the moment. The wind turbine in the picture looks to be having a productive day. Once my compulsory break is over I'm on my way back to base having completed my drops and collection. See you tomorrow

06/11/15

Friday, well yes it was Friday and what fun.  Friday started badly and slowly improved.  Firstly, and thankfully, it turned out to be more convenient for one of my colleagues to take my Halifax drop, first improvement.  If there's one day I like to get back on time it's Friday, most of the rest of the week I don't care and I don't grumble too much if I'm needed on Saturday but I do like to finish by five on Friday.  It didn't look good! The next problem came to light when we noticed the approximate weight on the bottom of my first drop to go on; ten tonnes one hundred and fifty kilos, my weight limit.  The customer had also ordered two twenty two kilo cattle licks and the loader refused until I weighed off the timber.  Luckily my gross weight was only fourteen tonnes and six hundred kilos so I was able to load the two licks and all of the sundries for Carlton store.  That saved me doubling back on my next load, even better.  But given all the delays it was half past twelve by the time I got back to base and I was due another half hour break which I took whilst I was being loaded.  So far so good.  The next load only compromised two drops but they were at the opposite end of my area and one is a new drop to me, that's all I needed for a dismal Friday afternoon in November.  However I called the new customer when I stopped for the first set of traffic lights in Malton.  What a pity, he couldn't take delivery.  My day just got brighter, only one drop to do in North Newbald and I know the drop well.  But even given all that luck it was still just after five when I finally got back into the yard but my consolation was that I hadn't had to go to Halifax and Swanland.  It would have been another half past six finish or possibly even later.  Even a humble driver has to  have a bit of luck occasionally.
See you Monday.

05/11/15

What a miserable day it's just turned into.  My driving time is up and I have to have a half hour break and I end up here. But to be truthful the day has only just turned wet. It's a change from fog I suppose. I have two drops left to do, the first is forty two bales of wood shavings and I often do it without help. My near future could be very wet, what fun. If I'm lucky I might be back in the yard by six. In a perfect world I would leave the UK at the beginning of November for somewhere with more daylight and come back at the end of February. But it isn't a perfect world so I'm here for the duration. See you tomorrow.

03/11/15

Another typical November day, though not quite as foggy as yesterday. First a full load to Helmsley store, easy enough. The second load was a days work in itself, and a full one. Our TC didn't seem to believe me when I said half past six finish at the earliest. As it turned out I finished just before but I had been to late for my collection and missed out the last drop. I wasn't within ten miles of the last drop at any time of the day and it was only sixteen trays of cat food. I did consult our TC on the subject before setting out so he won't be surprised. I don't mind the late finish but with me on overtime I'm sure it would run the sale into loss and there is usually at least a tray left when I deliver so I doubt the cats will go hungry. Perhaps they can catch an extra mouse. The pictures are intended as an illustration of a November day and have no other significance. See you tomorrow.

02/11/15

The day was everything that optimises a November day in this part of the world. Damp, foggy and dull. I think days like that are intended to help us appreciate the good ones. As far as my work for the day; there was nothing out of the ordinary for the time of year. The driving was a bit slow due to the limited visibility but it wasn't dangerous. I have no pictures, sorry,  I'm going to have to make a conscious effort to take more. On the good side I did solve the ridiculous problem of activating my replacement simply. I had to call them and explain the problem in simple words. They eventually put me through to their technical team who understood and corrected the problem. See you tomorrow.

Sunday Frustration

T Mobile and/or EE must be one of the most stupid companies I have ever had the misfortune to deal with.  I ordered a new sim as my new phone needs a different size.  When I finally received the correct sim after two attempts I need to activate it.  No problem, follow the instructions on their web site.  The trouble is that the idiots send a pin to your phone when you fill in the details.  Great!  They have sent a pin to my phone but I cant receive it because my sim isn't activated so I can't activate my sim.  Barring NATWEST bank they must be the most stupid company in existence.  They were definitely at the back of the queue when brains were handed out.  Idiots!  Back to work tomorrow, see you then.

27/10/15

Today I was one of four drivers to start the refresher for our ADR to enable us to carry dangerous goods.  Usually this entails collecting and delivering ammonium nitrate fertilizer onto farm.  But what can't be avoided must be lived with.  The course tutor is better than usual and is managing to make the experience reasonably enjoyable.  I have nothing more to say about today.  See you tomorrow.

26/10/15

I was supposed to be off work today looking for a new car or van.  Guess what; someone rang in with a seed dressing order and since I an on an ADR course for the next three days and off on Friday I volunteered to come in in the morning and do the job.  Only three tonnes and on a farm I know so no problem.  I should be back in the yard by half past nine.  Easy!  It was and I was back in the yard by half past nine, even given that most of the roads in Malton seem to be being dug up.  But on arrivel I was met by our TC waving an order ticket for another tonne to be dressed.  I could have refused but I have been an employer and have some sympathy.  So off I go the my next customer, no problem.  Only a tonne so setting up and taking down took about six times as long as completing the job.  Back in the yard by eleven pm.  Enough time to find a car, with the help of the internet.  What a waste of an afternoon that was.  I would have been better at work; the less said the better.  See you tomorrow.

23/10/15

Friday!  I'm sure there should be more Fridays in a week than one.  Today has been strange; as usual when I'm loaded the night before for a short run on the first load I end up with a late finish.  The first load was a single drop for our Helmsley store.  I was in and off loaded by half past eight and back in the yard by just after nine.  My second load wasn't that simple but that's life.  Carlton store and five farm drops.  It wasn't the number of drops that was the problem it was the spread of the drops which took time.  They included two farms that I have never delivered to before and both had to be located on the map before I set the sat nav.  The sat nav is a great help but I don't fully trust it.  It has a habit of trying to send me down tracks that are impassable to trucks, and in some cases impassable to anything larger than a bike.   But in both cases the sat nav guided me correctly to my destination.  The day didn't end as late as I suspected but it was late enough for a Friday.  See you Monday.

22/10/15

Not the greatest place to stop for lunch but drivers can't always be choosers. Whilst not beautiful it is off the main road so you don't get shaken up by the wind caused by every passing vehicle. Lunch was a small pork pie and a bottle of home made grapefruit squash. I dislike the taste of sacherine so I make my own lemonade and grapefruit squash using an adaption of a recepie that my mother used to use. Luckily she was able to find it when I asked. Well done Mum. Well best I get back to work. See you tomorrow.

21/10/15

Back to work properly today.  I've given up on finding a vehicle at the moment, I'll have to do something but it can wait.  Today has been a good day really.  I got slightly wet whilst loading this morning as it was raining but it wasn't too bad and I didn't get any down my neck.  I have a silly hat with a wide rim, looks silly but it works.  I was away from the yard just after eight.  It was my usual run of Carlton store and area.  Nothing particularly onerous and all went well.  I was back in the yard just before four pm and got most of my load for tomorrow loaded. Tomorrows is a horrible load, both for the items that I have to deliver and the route I have to take, non of it makes any sense.  Its one of those loads that are impossible to deliver in a nice neat order.  I hate having to double back but tomorrow will be mostly doubling back.  See you tomorrowl

20/10/15

Only a half day today.  First off was a full load to our Whitby store, a very enjoyable ride out in this mornings weather, clear and sunny.  This afternoon was taken up with looking for a new second hand van for myself.  My old car is dying and isn't worth the expense of repairs.  How I hate looking for and buying a vehicle.  It's not the expense, its the hassle, bloody irritating.  And the result of the efforts of myself and my son?  Nothing, nothing at all, a complete waste of time, we found nothing that would do.  The search must go on, I have less than a month to find another vehicle as mine won't pass its MOT.  See you tomorrow.

16/10/15

Bad news, I'm seed dressing again on Monday.  Well it's not that bad really, I'm grumbling unnecessarily, but why not?  Today was a good day even though I had to complete a delivery that should have been made by one of my colleagues yesterday.  The problem was caused by a confusion of messages and misunderstandings but the customer didn't seem too upset.  I didn't want to start the day by having to deal with a disgruntled customer, especially when the problem wasn't one caused by me.  The rest of the day went well until I got the the Hopgrove roundabout on the A64 on my way back in.  I had a full half hour to get back to the yard before my driving time expired and I had to stop for a break, easy, until I met that abomination of a roundabout.  I ended up taking my break in a lay bye on the side of the A64, never a good place.  I don't understand how the powers that be could spend a fortune on upgrading a roundabout and make it no better than it was before.  Somehow they managed it wit this roundabout, it is truly terrible.  See you Monday.

15/10/15

We are now just over half way through October and it doesn't feel as if the year has really started.  It must be my age.  Today has been a good day.  Carlton store, three farm drops followed by a run over the Humber bridge to Brigg with three tonnes of bagged feed for a store.  As I have mentioned before I always enjoy a run over the bridge.  I don't know why, it's not a particularly beautiful bridge, merely functional, but I enjoy it all the same.  Perhaps it's the history of the river itself.  It is and always has been, a route into the heart of the country.  One that has been used for centuries.  It isn't hard to imagine Viking long ships sailing or being rowed up the river on their way to York.  All in all strange thoughts for a truck driver.  Remember when you see a trucker watching the road that he or she is probably thinking of far stranger things than the road and route.  See you tomorrow.

13/10/15

Back to deliveries again; a change is as good as a rest so I consider myself rested.  First load to Malton store.  Second load to Helmsley store, Carlton store and three farm drops in Carlton area.  Yes I know Helmsley is well out of the Carlton area but remember I don't plan my load.  Other than the change of work there was nothing particularly remarkable about the day.  It has been a typical October day, raining on and off and both dull and sunny.  Not at the same time though, perhaps that will happen tomorrow.  Sorry no pictures, perhaps tomorrow.  See you then.

12/10/15

So far as I know that's it, no more seed dressing for this season.  At least there is no more booked in but you never know when it's really finished, perhaps it never is.  But tomorrow I will be back to driving.  The dresser is cleaned off and all the chemical has been removed.  I am told that the dresser is being taken out of service as the truck is beyond viable repair.  I will believe that when I'm operating a new one.  See you tomorrow.

06/10/05

Yes I'm still seed dressing and it's getting boring now, I've had enough.  Can I go home now.  Please.  The good news is that the job should come to an end with the end of this week. Though I enjoy the job as it makes a change from my normal work after nine weeks I've had enough.  See you tomorrow, perhaps!

01/10/15

Seed dressing again, or supposed to be. At the moment the machinery is refusing to play and I'm awaiting the arrival of an engineer. So who knows what will happen. The engineer is good so I expect a fix. He will probably point out something obvious that I have missed. See you later.

30/09/15

Still seed dressing so I haven't been keeping the blog up as well as I should.  The trouble is that most of my days are similar and there is nothing particularly interesting or diverting to tell, just work more work and dust.  Very boring to write up so I haven't.  See when life gets more interesting or possibly tomorrow.

23/09/15

Still seed dressing, this makes a total of seven weeks up to now and still counting.  I am expecting another two weeks or possibly more.  What fun.  So just to break the monotony I have included a picture of me seriously abusing one of the two shovels that I had made to my own specification.  And if you are wondering if I really did break the root by standing my fifteen stone one the shaft.  Yes I did and I haven't broken it.  I am six foot three and have suffered back ache since my late teens.  Early this year I cleaned the ditch running up the edge of my orchard with a shovel with a standard shaft.  The result was several days off work, I couldn't even get my socks on in the morning.  The shovel in the picture is one of a pair with a much longer shaft.  I chose plastic over wood as the average wood shaft wouldn't stand the sort of abuse you see below.  The shovel is on the heavy side but I spent most of Sunday digging around the stump which this root is attached to.  I didn't suffer back ache from the work.  I wonder if I could market these tools. 

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Before you ask, yes I did drive it into the top of the stump.  Yes again, I know this is abuse of the tool.  The thing is I want to know if the tool is tough enough.  So far it is, though I think I haven't chosen the correct handle.  See you tomorrow, Perhaps!

19/09/15

Saturday morning and I'm working.  Yes I'm still seed dressing, six weeks now and still counting.
It was nearly worth getting up at half past six on a Saturday for the views.  Below is the view from the truck compound at work.  I love North Yorkshire on mornings like this.

The two pictures below were taken on the road through Helmsley woods and neither do the views justice.  Sorry,

See you Monday.

17/09/15

Still seed dressing.  I have had to drive through Harrogate twice today and that's not the sort of experience I need once never mind twice.  Harrogate needs a ring road to enable it to be ignored, which is the best thing that could be done for it.  That's my grumble for the day.  See you tomorrow.

16/09/15

Still seed dressing and too exhausted most nights to manage to switch on the computer.  On the good side the job will slow down in about three weeks, I might not see you tomorrow.

07/09/15

Yes you've guessed it, seed dressing again today and to make matters bad and even worse I wasn't even able to use my usual dresser.  The colleague who normally operates our second dresser was off work ill and the only other person able and available to operate one of the dressers has never operated the second dresser.  Whoopee! I  get the privilege of operating the second dresser and I hate the damned machine and I suspect that it hates me.  Since I have had a bad day and haven't taken any pictures of work I have included a picture of the sunset over my orchard.  See you tomorrow. 

03&04/09/15

Been seed dressing for the last two days and truth to tell I'm too exhausted to switch on my computer when I get in.  I usually sit down with the intention of updating the blog but instead I fall asleep in my chair for a couple of hours then go to bed.  So sorry if the blog is a bit patchy for the next four weeks or so.  See you on Monday, perhaps!

02/09/15

Yet another day seed dressing by the sea above Whitby.  No rain and a slight wind, it was even just warm enough to be pleasant.  All in all I had a good day, not bad considering I was at work.  Other than that I have nothing unusual or remarkable to report and no pictures to add, sorry.  See you tomorrow.

01/09/15

Still seed dressing and I don't expect any change to that for the next six weeks, then it will gradually dwindle away and I'll be ready for a change.  The first customer was booked for two and a half tonnes of barley.  When I arrived it was three tonnes of barley and three and a half tonnes of wheat, hmm!  The first job took longer than expected and included a full clean down but I was done and with the second customer by mid day.  The second customer only wanted one and a half tonnes dressed, setting up and taking down took longer than dressing the seed but that's life sometimes.  I was back in the yard by just after one pm and had time to run a load of sundries up to Ruswarp store.  I had company in the cab for the run, a new starter was sent with me.  The company was OK but I was driving the newest curtain sider, I haven't driven it before and made a complete has of the gear changes on the way out.  It was better on the way back but I'm sure I looked a complete wally.  I don't like driving new trucks and its worse in company.  See you tomorrow.

28/08/15

The last working day of August and the year has only just started, Only four months left, where has the year gone? Other than being the last working day of August there has been nothing remarkable about the day.  I have spent the day seed dressing and apart from the generator set taking the mickey by refusing to start straight off everything went well.  Not a big day but not bad for a Friday.  See you on Tuesday, we have an August bank holiday on Monday, a long weekend.  Yes!

27/08/15

Seed dressing again today, only five tonnes, which turned out to be six tonnes. It involved a long ride out to a farm near Hornsea. All went well except for the journey back. I was passing through Wetwang and had intentions of stopping for some fish and chips, it was lunch time. Every parking space was taken, others must have had the sane idea. No fish lunch for me. See you tomorrow.

The generator set on my seed dresser has been playing up and simply refusing to work so I have been operating the other machine.  I find this machine so exhausting to work with that I haven't had the energy to switch on my computer when  I got home so I'm afraid that I haven't been keeping up my blog, sorry.  My dresser is working now and I hope it will remain working so my life will be considerably easier.  Today I've been working on the top of the sea cliff at Kettleness.  It's a great view and a wonderful place to work.  We were working on the edge of the coastal foot path and we had a lot of questions to answer as curious walkers asked about the operation.  I don't mind satisfying peoples curiosity and, I hope, I answer all questions in a polite informative way.  See you tomorrow, perhaps.

20/08/15

After two days seed dressing with the wrong dresser I've had a day driving.  They say a change is as good as a rest and even though today has been a long day it has been a rest compared with running the seed dresser.  The start of the day was easy enough, all but one two hundred litre tub went to Carlton store.  The delivery of the two hundred litre tub involved reversing about a half mile down a single track road with a canal on one side and a hedge or sometimes a fence on the other.  Still at least I didn't have to pull off for anyone, and that's a good job as it wasn't possible.  Then I had a collection of ten tonnes of fertilizer from Howden Dyke for delivery to Gothland, Whitby and Hawnby.  That was a good drive round but all done.

This bridge looks a tight fit.  Will it go?

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Not a lot of room on the right hand side and even less on the left but it went over without a scratch and that's both ways.

See you tomorrow.

17/08/15

Seed dressing again. Nothing very interesting today only two customers one for one and a half tonnes and the second for two tonnes so, despite the drive round I was back in the yard just after mid day.  The rest of the day was spent cleaning down both dressers, I had used the other machine on Friday last and hadn't had time to clean it down.  As I didn't want to hand it back to its regular driver in that condition I cleaned it down as well.  The picture below has nothing to do with work and is only remarkable because it is the first apple that I have been able to pick from my newly planted orchard.  Not exciting on a world scale but in my own little world a very moments event.  The apple tree is discovery and after eating it I came to the conclusion that I had picked the apple a little too early, it looked great though.  See you tomorrow.

14/08/15

Friday was every bit as bad as I was expecting and possibly worse.  My seed dresser wouldn't start so I had to take the other out.  The only good thing about the whole day was that the nice lady in the office cancelled my first two appointments.  It took me most of the day to complete four tonnes of oats.  Firstly the other dresser has a smaller throughput, secondly I have never operated it solo before and thirdly it was raining; very hard.  When I did get the machine going something like the chemical pump stopped pumping chemical.  The pump was turning at the correct speed and everything looked okay but it wasn't pumping chemical.  I have no idea why it decided to stop pumping chemical, it just did.  When I managed to persuade it to work correctly, and I have no idea how I did this, I had one and a half tonnes to run through again.  There were two good things about the day, firstly I was inside a large shed and secondly it was Friday, thank goodness.  See you Monday.

13/08/15

No seed dressing today, back to my usual job.  I suspect that I was only driving again because they are down two drivers at the moment, but work is work and it made a change.  I suspect changes will be few and far between for the next month or so and I'll be well and truly sick of the seed dresser by the time I'm done with it.  But back to today's work.  There was nothing remarkable about the day I was on my normal run of Carlton store and area.  There were two new drops amongst my deliveries but I found both easily enough.  Other than that there was nothing remarkable about the whole day.  Sorry its a very boring report for today, but some days are like that.  See you tomorrow.

12/08/15

Today has been a good day, apart from the generator set on my seed dresser beeping at me all day with no explanation.  My work went very well, the day was hot and sunny and, in the morning at least, I was working amongst spectacular North Yorkshire scenery, beautiful.  The scenery in the afternoon wasn't bad either but my view of it was obstructed by some of the worst farm buildings around.  But all in all a good day.  Tomorrow I'm back in my truck, my load has been loaded for me, now there could be a problem, but that's a problem for tomorrow.  Sorry I didn't take any pictures, very remiss of me, I'll try to do better in future.  See you tomorrow.

11/08/15

Nothing much to say about today, two loads to our Malton store followed by an afternoon seed dressing with one of my colleagues, that's about it.  See you tomorrow.

10/08/15

Back to the grind stone. A bit of a silly day really. Seed dressing today, the job itself isn't silly but the work I was given was. Five tonnes at Great Baurgh followed by twelve tonnes at Eddlethorpe. Sensible enough so far, but now for the silly part. An hour and a quarter drive to Hawsker for two tonnes then on to Lythe for another three tonnes. It's not the work that I found silly, it was the unproductive hour and a half driving, when I know there will be a full days work in the Lythe/Hawsker/Whitby area. Still that's life sometimes, silly. See you tomorrow

09/08/15

Properly back to work tomorrow. I worked last Thursday seed dressing but otherwise I have been off for two weeks. Below is nearly a picture of a hummingbird hawk moth. The camera on my phone is no where near fast enough. I spotted the amazing moth feeding on our lavender, never seen one before but I did know what it was. See you tomorrow.

30/07/15

Wine,wine and occasionally coffee. Aren't holidays great.

28/07/15

This is definitely not North Yorkshire. It's hotter and drier. We're enjoying it though.

27/07/15

The driver is on holiday, a week in Madeira. Great! :-) What a happy driver. The landing was exciting, strong cross winds and a short runway. The passenger across the isle from me crossed himself when we hit some turbulence coming in to the runway. He was gripping his wife's hand very firmly as we landed. Gives one so much confidence. See you tomorrow, off perhaps not.

27/07/15

No more work for two weeks.  No, I'll correct that, no more work at my full time work for two weeks.  Anyone who knows my wife will realise that I won't get away with no work for two weeks I will be working just as hard at home for at least one of those weeks.  We are going to Madeira for the first week, should be fun.

23/07/15

Back to work today.  Only two days left before I have two weeks holiday, one week away in Madeira and one week at home decorating etc, but I'll be working with my wife, which I enjoy.  Back to today, There wasn't anything outstanding or problematic about today, a long day but that's not unusual.  My deliveries were Carlton store and area, all deliveries I know and have delivered to before.  Deliveries done and a collection from Penistone, again all went well and I was back in the yard by just after five.  Sorry so far as I can remember there was nothing interesting about today making for a very boring blog post.  Perhaps tomorrow will be more interesting, see you then.

22/07/15

A day off today with my wife at Driffield show.  We haven't been for around five years as my wife is usually still working, but this year the schools in this area broke up a week early.  The day wasn't hot and there was a light amount of cloud, it all made for a good show day.  We had a good day, we met several acquaintances who we hadn't seen for some time.  The show is now around twice as large as it was the last time we were there so it took us nearly half a day to orientate ourselves.  There was nothing earth shattering about the day, just an enjoyable day.  See you tomorrow.

21/07/15

I have mints and my radio is working, all set for a better day.  The load wasn't big only about five tonnes for six drops.  Intermingled with a collection of fert from Howden Dyke, some of which was for delivery to a little village near Leeds.  I had a long run round but all was achieved, though I had a late finish, half past seven.  On the way back from the Leeds drop I saw three red kites over a field of newly mown grass, what a sight.  I'm not at work tomorrow, my wife and I are going to Driffield show.  We haven't been for several years as my wife is a teacher and usually hasn't broken up for the summer.  But this year it's all come together so we're going.  Might see you tomorrow.

20/07/15

Monday again, I'm sure someone has managed to get more Mondays than the required number in every week, they come round very quickly.  Well my Monday started well, I was loaded in descent time and the work wasn't too onerous.  I got my loading tickets confirmed and all was well.  As is my normal practice I placed my mobile phone in its holder took my extra strong mints out of my bag and put them in their own trayand switched the radio on then it all went wrong.  I reached for a mint, I like a mint when I set off, it clears the lingering taste of coffee.  My mints had gone and haven't been found since.  After a hasty search I gave up and turned the radio up, nothing; things just got better.  The mechanical geniuses had been fitting a new starter motor and had disconnected the battery thereby decoding the radio.  Bugger, if I wanted music I'd have to sing and I don't even inflict my singing on myself, never mind other innocent members of the public.  I have a truly awful singing voice, and that's no exaggeration.  So no mints, no radio and its Monday morning, bad, very bad but it could be worse, I think.  But the rest of the day went well enough until I reached Howden Dyke for my collection, though I had my paperwork for the collection no one had thought to arrange the collection with the vendor of the goods.  I rant our TC and was told someone would get back to me with a release number for the collection.  Three quarters of an hour later I'd had my break and heard nothing, I called our TC again, I think he'd forgotten me, hurtful isn't it, but eventually I was told to leave it and go back to Carlton store and collect the waste and pallets from there.  The highways agency has seen fit to close a significant bridge for the next six months, I know it's falling into the river but really, I need that bridge.  Just to make things even more interesting they decided to renew the tar and chippings through Carlton on the same day.  Now that's planning for you.  But all in all it wasn't really a bad day.  I bought some more mints at the shop in Carlton, enough for the next two weeks and when i got back to base I was informed that the code for the radio was probably written in the front of the instruction book for my truck.  It was and the code has been re entered things are set for a better day tomorrow.  See you then.

16/07/15

Only one delivery today and a small one at that but that doesn't make for an easy day.  I had a collection from Howdendyke of ten tonnes of fert to go up to Kettleness.  Lovely views but not the best place in the world to get to. It didn't seem much of a day but the work took me all day.  I have some good pictures but they haven't uploaded yet so I'll add them when they do.  See you tomorrow.

17/07/15

Yesterday was our wedding anniversary thirty three years and still counting, hasn't she done well putting up with me.  But back to work.  Today started well, I was loaded the night before and my first load was a store load to Kirkbymoorside, no problem.  Or at least that's what I thought.  I even went in a half hour later than normal, my tickets were confirmed and I only had a drive of about seven miles, easy.  No not a bit of it, my truck wouldn't start, great.  When our mechanical geniuses arrived it still wouldn't start, not even for them.  For some reason the starter motor had decided to pack up.  At least it happened in the yard first thing in the morning rather than out at my final drop.  Even when they found the problem it didn't help me we had to transfer the load to another truck so I had a different truck for the day.  But apart from that the day went well My second load was for my usual area but not Carlton store followed by a collection from Walden  Stubbs.  I only just made it before they closed.  See you Monday.

14./07/15

Today didn't demand as early a start as usual, I got a quarter hour lie in and was at work by six fifteen, yes!  The first load was all to go to Helmsley store so I had time to fuel my truck, fill up the add blue and fill the screen wash. I was at the store and had the gate open before the store manager arrived, but only just.  The second load was for Carlton store, two farm drops and one house drop.  All went well I even found someone with a loader at the house drop.  Well I've got to have some luck occasionally.  Lastly I had a collection from a small village near Leeds, again everything went well and I was back in the yard by a quarter to five, I didn't get tipped but you can't have everything.  I just hope I didn't miss seeing one of North Yorkshire's motorist taxation vans.  I don't think I was speeding but!  See you tomorrow.

13/07/15

The Scottish have a word for days like today "dreich", meaning dull, overcast and drizzly. I think the word encompasses the feelings engendered by the sort of weather we had today perfectly, especially when spoken with a good Scottish accent. But apart from the weather my day has been pleasant, not too arduous but with enough work to 've interesting. And all accomplished in good time. The only slight problem I encountered was caused by an insufficient address and an incorrect post code on my delivery ticket. The ladies in the office should really take more care. I lost a half hour on this delivery because of their mistake. I'm going to Helmsley store first  tomorrow, with a full load. See you tomorrow.

07/07/15

Tuesday and it has brought an explanation of what went wrong yesterday with the order for six one hundred and ninety seven litre tubs of proprionic acid and why I delivered only four.  In my tickets was a reprint which compromised the full order for the customer again and this time the number of drums was stated as six.  Obviously the reprinted ticket and the original ticket were both in circulation and I had been given the first ticket to load but our TC had confirmed the amended order which was for four tubs of said chemical.  For a change not my fault nor the fault of the warehouse staff, yet another example of how poor our computer system is.  But all of that is beside the point, back to the days work.  Carlton store and five drops, the last being the biggest and a mill drop, six tonnes for a firm in Gilberdyke and a collection from the same place.  I couldn't picture the second to last drop, though the name seemed to ring a distant bell.  One of the warehouse staff knew roughly were the drop was and I thought I knew.  On approaching the farm I remembered why the name was familiar, one of my long time friends used to own the place.  Sometimes I think my memory is failing and at others I realise its just that I have a lot more experiences to remember than I had twenty years ago, pity I can't add a second memory stick.  The day went well and other than solving the mystery of the incorrect order there was nothing particularly remarkable about the day.  I had a small delay whilst finding someone to weigh me in at the final delivery but other than that everything went well.  I was back in time to unload and park up.  I'm off work for the next three days so I'll see you on Monday.

06/07/15

Have you ever noticed how quickly
Monday morning comes around? Perhaps they have slipped an extra Monday morning in each week while I wasn't watching. The day started badly, I slept through my alarm and woke with a start at half past five. Hence I have been suffering a caffeine deficiency all day, that's no way to start the week. But, much to my surprise things didn't get much worse.  Apart from me not spotting that I was two drums of proprionic acid light for my second to last drop, that is.  I was on my usual run, Carlton store and three drops. Only my last drop was out of my normal area, Goxhill in North Lincolnshire which involved a trip over the bridge, much to my pleasure. Then a collection from Immingham Bulk Park, of fertiliser for a farm at Lockton. I decided to go back via the M180 as the feet was drilled nitrogen and no matter how well you strap it it can move if you shake it about, the motorway route is flatter and straighter. All went we'll unroll I joined a queue on the A64. When I finally got to the front there was a horse drawn gypsy caravan. I'm sure there was, and possibly is, a place for horse drawn transport but that place isn't the A64. Tractors are bad enough but a horse drawn caravan is ridiculous.  I was an hour late to the customer and an hour late home and all on reduced caffeine, not good.

The picture below is of a ten furrow reversible plough which will require a tractor of over two hundred horse power to pull it. I learnt to use a plough nearly forty years ago using a three furrow plough pulled by a tractor of forty seven horse power. How things have changed!
I think I counted the furrows correctly

03/07/15

Friday and for the first time in three weeks we aren't going anywhere this weekend, I get to enjoy my home and small orchard for the weekend.  With this happy thought in my mind I approached the days work with a positive and cheerful attitude, not that I don't do this on a normal work day, well not always.  The load wasn't bad though I did have six drums of proprionic acid to deliver, I hate the stuff.  I can taste it for days in the air, after carrying it, but that's life sometimes.  The load comprised five farm drops and Carlton store followed by a collection from Walden Stubbs.  The day went very well, I found farmers with loaders when needed and there was no one in front of me for the collection.  It was around four pm when I got back into the yard and I even had time to unload and start reloading before that weekend feeling took hold and the loading staff and myself lost the will to rush about.  See you Monday have a great weekend.

02/07/15

Thursday, the day before Friday.  The weekend is on its way!  Theoretically I had two loads, and apart from being told that I should be at Carlton store for as near eight am as possible the order of loading was left to me.  It appears that high command has issued an instructions that runs as follows, "Ye! let it be known that on sundries days all stores shall receive delivery or their allotted goods by eight pm and woe betide any lowly driver that hinders this order."  This is a great instruction, it takes me an hour and ten to reach Carlton store when there are no road works and with he Selby bye pass shut it takes an hour and twenty five.  This means that is only possible for me to reach the store by the pre ordained time if I am loaded and have my tickets confirmed the night before and this is a situation that rarely happens, not even once a month.  So on Wednesday I was informed that the store manager had complained that he wasn't receiving his sundries on time.  This was, at best, an exaggeration and  more correctly a falsehood.  When I asked said store manager if he knew he had complained I received a blank look, which I expected.  He knew nothing of said complaint.  But that's beside the point, I arrived before nine pm, which was good all things considered.  It was a terrible load with no even surface that could be properly strapped even if I had wanted to.  I would have liked to fit another ten bags on for one of the three remaining drops but it was completely impossible.  Apart from that everything went well with the first load but it was still nearly two pm when I arrived back in the yard for my second load.  Of the three drops we didn't have the goods in the yard for one so I asked our TC where I was bound on the morrow.  After consulting his book of works and a suggestion from me it was decided that I would be able to complete the last two drops the next day.  That gave me time to load for Kirkbymoorside store and deliver said load.  Not a bad day.  See you tomorrow.

01/07/15

The start of July and it's the hottest day of thSee youear. Does this pressage a good summer?  Back to the serious business if keeping UK agriculture up and running, yes, work. Today's run round only needed to include a Doncaster drop to cover all the extremes of my area. I started at Newbald with a farm drop. I saw no one and, of course, it was all to come off by hand. Then forty rolls of silage wrap to Howden, and the only machine lift of the day.  From there to Carlton store for a small drop and to collect two bags of hen meal to complete an order for later and also collect a single bag for Gatehelmsley on my way back to base. Next drop was a tonne of horse feed at Halifax. All by hand and again there was no one there. Horsey people love work, they could watch it all day. Then off to Wyke just North of Leeds with nearly a tonne of mixed product. Once again all by hand on my own, must be the heat keeping the customers in doors.

Great view, just a pity about the rest of the way out.

I wish people who plant trees would trim them. I folded up my mirrors going in and out.

A dying digger just entering terminal decay.

see you tomorrow.

30/06/15

The last day of June and it's warmed up at last. Strange day today, Helmsley store first. As I was loaded the night before I had an extra half hour in bed. Kirkbymoorside store next, so far so good. Carlton store next, so far so good. Then comes the sting in the tail, fertilizer from Howdendyke to Gothland. Our TC blithely told the customer I would be there around three pm. Sure!  I arrived just after four pm to a sarcastic reception. Thanks TC!  The customer was OK with it though and I got tipped and off. But it was six by the time I got diminished. But on the good side the views were fantastic. The picture doesn't do it justice. See you tomorrow.

29/06/15

Not very busy today, it's both the time if year and the time of the month. The agricultural year is at it's quietest almost holding it's breath before the dizzying rush into harvest which is quickly followed by the start of planting again. All the livestock that gets turned out to grass is now turned out and the work load is that much less. Hence we are not in our usual mad rush. The day started with a meeting, necessary but not fun. Then Carlton store and a single drop. What would have been my third drop and collection were done by one of the blower drivers. I even managed to get loaded for tomorrow, see you then.

26/06/15

Today was an easy day and that wasn't only what our TC called it.  It really was easy, at least I think it was.  Kirkbymoorside store first and back in the yard and loaded again by ten twenty.  The second load was for Easingwold store.  Today is my final day as a Barry substitute, all good things must come to and end, I've enjoyed the change but I must admit that it takes longer when you aren't fully familiar with the area.  I estimate that yesterday's second load took about an hour and a half longer than it would if I knew the area as well as my normal area.  Lastly I had a collection from Masham, a very nice ride out.  The only trouble I had was the poor signs off the A1 othewise the day went very well.  I was back in the yard and clocked off by four.  I got home in time to complete cutting my grass before the rain.  See you Monday.

25/06/15

Thursday always used to be the day to be sent on silly missions and apparently it still is just the same.  For most of this week I have been a Barry substitute which means Barry is on holiday and I'm on his usual round.  They say change is as good as a rest and perhaps that's true today has been interesting, for want of a better description.  First load was a straight load to Easingwold store, easy enough and soon accomplished.  Back to the yard for my second load, very interesting!  Easingwold store again followed by seven drops to easingwold area.  So far as I could recall I knew only one of them but as it turned out I knew two but it didn't help much as I had forgotten that I knew the other one until I reached the village where the drop was. The first drop was down an overgrown drive, I'm surprised that we havent received a complaint about broken branches.

Well I got in here so I suppose should be able to get out, and I did, but I cracked my nearside mirror getting out.  If people are going to plant trees along a drive and then expect people to deliver they should have the sense to plant them further back.  Some people don't seem to realise that little trees become very large.  The branches will have thickened by next year and I won't be able to get in, the year after, if something isn't done, no one will be able to deliver with anything larger than a small van.   Either the trees will have to be cut down or the customer will have to collect the goods from the drive end and all becasue they didn't have the sense to realise trees grow.

The duck was nearly as stand offish as the cockerel the day before, it was wandering down the middle of the road at my penultimate drop.  But meeting me it took a wide detour avoiding me. I do like eating duck, perhaps it knows.

Yes the writing on the bags is correct, nearly two tonnes or reindeer pellets.  No they aren't pelleted reindeer they are pellets to feed reindeer.  Perhaps Santa is feeding them up in preparation for Christmas.  This was my last drop of the day.  I was supposed to collect from Masham but since I completed the last drop after five, no chance.  See you tomorrow.

24/06/15

Today didn't seem so bad when I started out. Easingwold store and three drops. So far so good. It didn't last. Easingwold store, easy enough, but then things got bad. I got a call from TC to say they had some drops to do from the store and their pickup was broken. Three more drops and my carefully planned route buffered. Then I checked my Huby drop to find it wasn't the conveniently close Huby. No it was a long haul, the day just got better. I was also loaded with some cattle licks with damaged lids, they leaked sticky brown water all over the body. It's not even my truck. Never mind I would be back in good time to clean it down. Five miles from base TC on the phone. Can you go to Dishforth and collect two tonnes of calcium. I had just enough driving time to make it. But no, Sutton Bank is shut, a truck either over or stuck. So now I'm sitting out my break at Dishforth, about five after I should have stopped and I'll be late back again. Still,what else would I be doing.  One the interesting side I have seen two buzzards and a red kite. See you tomorrow.

23/06/15

Met this cockeril near Louth but he was a bit stand. offish and wouldn't come any closer. His friend wasn't any better. Had a ride across the Number bridge twice, all in all a good ride out. See you tomorrow

22/06/15

The longest day is past and still no sign of summer. I don't like our version of global warming, it just doesn't work for me. I thought it should be warmer by now not colder. I was looking forward to spending my later years in a tropical paradise, but it seems not to be. I blame the government, yes it's all their fault! :-) But back to the job in hand, not a busy day Carlton store and area, but I don't see how North Newbald fits into Carlton area. But it's not mine to question why. All I do is  take what I'm told to where I'm told, what fun! Nothing particularly interesting about the day so I will say no more. See you tomorrow.

19/06/15

Only a short day today, things have quietened down, it's a time of year thing with agriculture.     But saying that I had a full load though only three drops.  Carlton store and two farm drops followed by a collection from Friendship Estates.  All went well and I was back in the yard with no more to do than have my lunch break,  unload and wash my truck off.  The most amusing item of the day occurred on the A64 on my way back to base.  I was overtaken by several motor bikes, this isn't unusual but the third bike had a life size unclothed blow up woman mounted in the pillion position.  Not only that but from the way her hands were waving about I think she wanted to get off.  I wonder if he realised that he could blow her up when he reached his destination ;-) Sorry I wasn't in a position to take any pictures.
See you Monday, have a good weekend.