13/03/15

For a Friday it's been good today.  Our TC (Transport Controller) said he would ensure that I got finished for five tonight. My thoughts were "some chance!"  but my scepticism was proved wrong and looking at my work for the day it all seemed possible.  But on the down side I did have a load for Malton store first load, but I wasn't loaded the night before so it didn't seem so bad.  My second load was for Carlton store and area, my usual run, though there were two new customers. But all went well and I found both new customers easily enough, though I did have some doubts about the first.  My sat nav started by trying to send me over a foot bridge crossing a canal, but since I knew what it was trying I ignored it and went the way I thought.  Bot the sat nav and the map indicated that I should take a small track lined with ancient oak and willow.  The track had no farm sign on its entrance and the sat nav claimed that I should follow the track for a mile before reaching my destination.  I must admit I was very doubtful so I pulled over in the entrance and made a call before committing to the track, I've had to back out of places like that before, it's not always fun.  When I contacted the customer and described my position he assured me that the sat nav wasn't lying and they were about a mile down the track though there was a gate half way down and could I shut it on my way out.  As usual with a track like that I spent the drive down hoping that I would have room to turn round when I got there.  I needn't have worried, though the yard wasn't big there was easily sufficient turning room.  Entering the yard I was met by a free ranging Alsation and I think I upset the customer by my reaction to the dog.  I had an Alsation for ten years and aren't usually intimidated by dogs.  True to form I got out of the cab and offered the dog the back of my hand to sniff and by the time his owner appeared I was patting his guard dog who was wagging his tail in response.  I suspect the customer was wondering about the dogs worth as a guard for the property, but I think that in other circumstances the animal would behave in a different manner and he needn't worry.  I completed my last drop and was in good time for my collection and managed to get back into the yard at about ten to five.  Spot on for a Friday.  Friday is the only day that I care what time I finish and I think that I am managing to convince our TC to co-operate.  The only other thing of note for the day was the sighting of an Egret fishing in a ditch in Thorpe Willoughby, I have never seen one in this country before.  See you tomorrow.  Yes I know it's Saturday but I'm working.