What a rubbish day on the road.
Discussion
Started with a bad accident on the exit of the M25 Dartford tunnel. As I went past I could see one of our artics had been stuffed up the back by a tipper 8 legger. Somewhere in between 2 or 3 other cars had been involved, all looked in a terrible condition with the roofs cut off. My thoughts are with the injured.
Back at the yard I picked up a skeleton trailer to get back across to the docks - 3 plus hours later I made it to the docks, only to be stuck in a queue for another 2 hours as one of the container lifting gantries was broke.
On the way home I recieve a phone call to say a neighbours 17 year old son had been hit by a lorry this morning in sidcup and is pretty badly injured. He's a good freind of the family and a great lad so again our thoughts are with him.
Just when you think you're having a bad day, there's always someone worse off.
What a
of a day
Back at the yard I picked up a skeleton trailer to get back across to the docks - 3 plus hours later I made it to the docks, only to be stuck in a queue for another 2 hours as one of the container lifting gantries was broke.
On the way home I recieve a phone call to say a neighbours 17 year old son had been hit by a lorry this morning in sidcup and is pretty badly injured. He's a good freind of the family and a great lad so again our thoughts are with him.
Just when you think you're having a bad day, there's always someone worse off.
What a
of a dayMine wasn't great either.
Had to go from Maidstone to Purfleet,you know what's coming
At the exit of M20 to M25 traffic queueing for maybe 2 miles so stay on for A20,i didn't at this
point know tunnel was shut.
"
Matrix sign then says " Long delays on A20 after M25".........Yep.
Come off A20 and go through Bexley to A2.
Traffic grinds to halt well before the A205 South circ junction and then i decide i have to take
tacho break as i have no idea how long i could be on A2 towards Blackwall and not many stopping
places available so grab a space when i can.
Make it to a supplier in Purfleet and proceed to sit in yard whilst 4 vans/lorries come and go while
nothing is getting put on my truck
Eventually forklift comes out with 4 boards,i was expecting 4 of one and 65 of another.
Forky tells me he can't find the 65 so ring my office and told to hang on while they try and find
them.
Sit there until my office calls back saying the 65 aren't there and to move on
Get back to yard to unload as truck is in for overnight service,no it's not as manager
swopped with the 7.5T and mine is now in tomorrow instead,thanks for telling me.
Had to go from Maidstone to Purfleet,you know what's coming
At the exit of M20 to M25 traffic queueing for maybe 2 miles so stay on for A20,i didn't at this
point know tunnel was shut.
"
Matrix sign then says " Long delays on A20 after M25".........Yep.
Come off A20 and go through Bexley to A2.
Traffic grinds to halt well before the A205 South circ junction and then i decide i have to take
tacho break as i have no idea how long i could be on A2 towards Blackwall and not many stopping
places available so grab a space when i can.
Make it to a supplier in Purfleet and proceed to sit in yard whilst 4 vans/lorries come and go while
nothing is getting put on my truck
Eventually forklift comes out with 4 boards,i was expecting 4 of one and 65 of another.
Forky tells me he can't find the 65 so ring my office and told to hang on while they try and find
them.
Sit there until my office calls back saying the 65 aren't there and to move on
Get back to yard to unload as truck is in for overnight service,no it's not as manager
swopped with the 7.5T and mine is now in tomorrow instead,thanks for telling me.
I have not even been out much today but managed to have a st day, The first part of the day was taken up with a regular customer, we pick up pallets of food and provisions for the Islands and take it to the docks, The customer was running late so I had a long wait for them to wrap it all up and load me, then I drive to the docks, wait around to be tipped and get a phone call telling me I needed to go back and pick up nother pallet they forgot to load, must be done today so I got unloaded in the pissing rain and then I go back to the pick up, put on the solitary pallet and head back to re-queue at the docks.
Finish up there after another long wait and then finally get my dinner at around 2pm. Just about to tuck in when I get another call to get back to base as the chippy has turned up to re-plank the damaged boards on one of our 40ft trailers, (was damaged by a load of mining equipment that came back from Columbia and was dropped on the deck by an idiot crane driver who just sort of let 5 or 6 tons of snaggly gear drop from about 8 feet) As I am the only person apart from the secretary I need to bolt my lunch and head back to make sure the chippy does the right thing. Again, still pissing it down with rain.
Tonight, despite being at work since 7am I was still putting Artics away on my own at ten past 6 and trying to find slots in the yard for everything, hindered horribly by the rain and dark.
I have felt rushed and stressed all day, wet and pissed off with it all. Remind me why we do this.
t day, The first part of the day was taken up with a regular customer, we pick up pallets of food and provisions for the Islands and take it to the docks, The customer was running late so I had a long wait for them to wrap it all up and load me, then I drive to the docks, wait around to be tipped and get a phone call telling me I needed to go back and pick up nother pallet they forgot to load, must be done today so I got unloaded in the pissing rain and then I go back to the pick up, put on the solitary pallet and head back to re-queue at the docks.Finish up there after another long wait and then finally get my dinner at around 2pm. Just about to tuck in when I get another call to get back to base as the chippy has turned up to re-plank the damaged boards on one of our 40ft trailers, (was damaged by a load of mining equipment that came back from Columbia and was dropped on the deck by an idiot crane driver who just sort of let 5 or 6 tons of snaggly gear drop from about 8 feet) As I am the only person apart from the secretary I need to bolt my lunch and head back to make sure the chippy does the right thing. Again, still pissing it down with rain.
Tonight, despite being at work since 7am I was still putting Artics away on my own at ten past 6 and trying to find slots in the yard for everything, hindered horribly by the rain and dark.
I have felt rushed and stressed all day, wet and pissed off with it all. Remind me why we do this.
Drive to the Threadneedle Street in London and back to Brum on the M1 in 2+1/2 hours each way. Slight slow up for two accidents but really very clear driving. The forecast rain never arrived (Surprise!!)until I was on the return leg by Coventry.
Obviously traffic varies from area to area. Sometimes the M6 is just appalling. Utterly dire and downright dangerous in fog conditions. I try never to be on the M6 but fail miserably when needed in Manchester. But not today on the M1.
Obviously traffic varies from area to area. Sometimes the M6 is just appalling. Utterly dire and downright dangerous in fog conditions. I try never to be on the M6 but fail miserably when needed in Manchester. But not today on the M1.
Steffan - after the M25 I seem to hear of more incidents on the M6. Not sure if there are more than others, or i just turn my radio on at the wrong time?
Getragdogleg - Sounds like you were running the show on your own.
Iva Cos - like your layout, mine.......
3am arrive at work, my unit not in so take another cesspit of a motor.
Clean it out, clean mirrors and jet wash off.
Head to tilbury and pick up fridge to go half way up the M11 to a chill DC - back on bay and climb in the bunk for an hours kip.
Take fridge back to Purfleet and head back across river to pick up skell - once I've crossed the river I see size of task ahead of me.
Pick up skell and head out through Dartford to find short cut big enough for artic through to Erith and out towards the Woolwich ferry - stuck in Woolwich for an hour and diverted by police to join back of queue somewhere near Charlton.
Abandon ferry idea and wonder if unit can go through blackwall North, lucky I've got no container on board - looking around at other vehicles to see if my cab height's ok.
Get through tunnel and head for docks - BREAK flashes up!!! Stop for half hour.
Into Purfleet and join another Queue and notice one gantry crane is being welded
2 Hours later lugging container full of Frascati wine back to yard. Find a gap in our now rain soaked and muddy yard to back it into.
14 hours later I'm now trudging the mile and a half home in the pouring rain.
Stop off at corner shop for two lottery lucky dips - could this be my day.
Have hot shower and moan on internet and will shortly have a hot milky coffee and retire to beddy byes
Getragdogleg - Sounds like you were running the show on your own.
Iva Cos - like your layout, mine.......
3am arrive at work, my unit not in so take another cesspit of a motor.
Clean it out, clean mirrors and jet wash off.
Head to tilbury and pick up fridge to go half way up the M11 to a chill DC - back on bay and climb in the bunk for an hours kip.
Take fridge back to Purfleet and head back across river to pick up skell - once I've crossed the river I see size of task ahead of me.
Pick up skell and head out through Dartford to find short cut big enough for artic through to Erith and out towards the Woolwich ferry - stuck in Woolwich for an hour and diverted by police to join back of queue somewhere near Charlton.
Abandon ferry idea and wonder if unit can go through blackwall North, lucky I've got no container on board - looking around at other vehicles to see if my cab height's ok.
Get through tunnel and head for docks - BREAK flashes up!!! Stop for half hour.
Into Purfleet and join another Queue and notice one gantry crane is being welded
2 Hours later lugging container full of Frascati wine back to yard. Find a gap in our now rain soaked and muddy yard to back it into.
14 hours later I'm now trudging the mile and a half home in the pouring rain.
Stop off at corner shop for two lottery lucky dips - could this be my day.
Have hot shower and moan on internet and will shortly have a hot milky coffee and retire to beddy byes
ZR1cliff said:
Steffan - after the M25 I seem to hear of more incidents on the M6. Not sure if there are more than others, or i just turn my radio on at the wrong time?
Getragdogleg - Sounds like you were running the show on your own.
Iva Cos - like your layout, mine.......
3am arrive at work, my unit not in so take another cesspit of a motor.
Clean it out, clean mirrors and jet wash off.
Head to tilbury and pick up fridge to go half way up the M11 to a chill DC - back on bay and climb in the bunk for an hours kip.
Take fridge back to Purfleet and head back across river to pick up skell - once I've crossed the river I see size of task ahead of me.
Pick up skell and head out through Dartford to find short cut big enough for artic through to Erith and out towards the Woolwich ferry - stuck in Woolwich for an hour and diverted by police to join back of queue somewhere near Charlton.
Abandon ferry idea and wonder if unit can go through blackwall North, lucky I've got no container on board - looking around at other vehicles to see if my cab height's ok.
Get through tunnel and head for docks - BREAK flashes up!!! Stop for half hour.
Into Purfleet and join another Queue and notice one gantry crane is being welded
2 Hours later lugging container full of Frascati wine back to yard. Find a gap in our now rain soaked and muddy yard to back it into.
14 hours later I'm now trudging the mile and a half home in the pouring rain.
Stop off at corner shop for two lottery lucky dips - could this be my day.
Have hot shower and moan on internet and will shortly have a hot milky coffee and retire to beddy byes
I am delighted to see that other people have really exciting lives. Many years ago I realised that a nice cup of cocoa was mich less troubkle and infinteluy-y more reliable than the floosies I was enywined with daoly. Getragdogleg - Sounds like you were running the show on your own.
Iva Cos - like your layout, mine.......
3am arrive at work, my unit not in so take another cesspit of a motor.
Clean it out, clean mirrors and jet wash off.
Head to tilbury and pick up fridge to go half way up the M11 to a chill DC - back on bay and climb in the bunk for an hours kip.
Take fridge back to Purfleet and head back across river to pick up skell - once I've crossed the river I see size of task ahead of me.
Pick up skell and head out through Dartford to find short cut big enough for artic through to Erith and out towards the Woolwich ferry - stuck in Woolwich for an hour and diverted by police to join back of queue somewhere near Charlton.
Abandon ferry idea and wonder if unit can go through blackwall North, lucky I've got no container on board - looking around at other vehicles to see if my cab height's ok.
Get through tunnel and head for docks - BREAK flashes up!!! Stop for half hour.
Into Purfleet and join another Queue and notice one gantry crane is being welded
2 Hours later lugging container full of Frascati wine back to yard. Find a gap in our now rain soaked and muddy yard to back it into.
14 hours later I'm now trudging the mile and a half home in the pouring rain.
Stop off at corner shop for two lottery lucky dips - could this be my day.
Have hot shower and moan on internet and will shortly have a hot milky coffee and retire to beddy byes
ZR1cliff said:
Steffan - after the M25 I seem to hear of more incidents on the M6. Not sure if there are more than others, or i just turn my radio on at the wrong time?
Getragdogleg - Sounds like you were running the show on your own.
Iva Cos - like your layout, mine.......
3am arrive at work, my unit not in so take another cesspit of a motor.
Clean it out, clean mirrors and jet wash off.
Head to tilbury and pick up fridge to go half way up the M11 to a chill DC - back on bay and climb in the bunk for an hours kip.
Take fridge back to Purfleet and head back across river to pick up skell - once I've crossed the river I see size of task ahead of me.
Pick up skell and head out through Dartford to find short cut big enough for artic through to Erith and out towards the Woolwich ferry - stuck in Woolwich for an hour and diverted by police to join back of queue somewhere near Charlton.
Abandon ferry idea and wonder if unit can go through blackwall North, lucky I've got no container on board - looking around at other vehicles to see if my cab height's ok.
Get through tunnel and head for docks - BREAK flashes up!!! Stop for half hour.
Into Purfleet and join another Queue and notice one gantry crane is being welded
2 Hours later lugging container full of Frascati wine back to yard. Find a gap in our now rain soaked and muddy yard to back it into.
14 hours later I'm now trudging the mile and a half home in the pouring rain.
Stop off at corner shop for two lottery lucky dips - could this be my day.
Have hot shower and moan on internet and will shortly have a hot milky coffee and retire to beddy byes
I am delighted to see that other people have really exciting lives. Many years ago I realised that a nice cup of cocoa was much less trouble and infinitely more reliable than the nymph that I was entwined with at the time. Ain't life grand.Getragdogleg - Sounds like you were running the show on your own.
Iva Cos - like your layout, mine.......
3am arrive at work, my unit not in so take another cesspit of a motor.
Clean it out, clean mirrors and jet wash off.
Head to tilbury and pick up fridge to go half way up the M11 to a chill DC - back on bay and climb in the bunk for an hours kip.
Take fridge back to Purfleet and head back across river to pick up skell - once I've crossed the river I see size of task ahead of me.
Pick up skell and head out through Dartford to find short cut big enough for artic through to Erith and out towards the Woolwich ferry - stuck in Woolwich for an hour and diverted by police to join back of queue somewhere near Charlton.
Abandon ferry idea and wonder if unit can go through blackwall North, lucky I've got no container on board - looking around at other vehicles to see if my cab height's ok.
Get through tunnel and head for docks - BREAK flashes up!!! Stop for half hour.
Into Purfleet and join another Queue and notice one gantry crane is being welded
2 Hours later lugging container full of Frascati wine back to yard. Find a gap in our now rain soaked and muddy yard to back it into.
14 hours later I'm now trudging the mile and a half home in the pouring rain.
Stop off at corner shop for two lottery lucky dips - could this be my day.
Have hot shower and moan on internet and will shortly have a hot milky coffee and retire to beddy byes
My working life environment just got better
Started yesterday morning West of Glasgow in one of our fleet of 53 plate Daf 85's. Call into depot near Birmingham to swap over to brand spanking MAN XLX 3 axle with 000085 kms on the clock. Now on
tucked up in Plymouth. The weather is foggy, wet & sh*t. But who cares about it, not I!
Started yesterday morning West of Glasgow in one of our fleet of 53 plate Daf 85's. Call into depot near Birmingham to swap over to brand spanking MAN XLX 3 axle with 000085 kms on the clock. Now on
tucked up in Plymouth. The weather is foggy, wet & sh*t. But who cares about it, not I!When you all get days like tvat, does make you wonder why we do it.
I sat in tilbury for 5 hours mon night to get a box on, last night was better only 3 hours once I'd diverted around the overturned artic on the asda roundabout near the dock!
Currently sat at Haverhill waiting to be let in. Got a 10pm booking, got here 9.55, but they have no room!
Not my prob, but your always at "there" mercy!
Ho, ho, ho
I sat in tilbury for 5 hours mon night to get a box on, last night was better only 3 hours once I'd diverted around the overturned artic on the asda roundabout near the dock!
Currently sat at Haverhill waiting to be let in. Got a 10pm booking, got here 9.55, but they have no room!
Not my prob, but your always at "there" mercy!
Ho, ho, ho
chilistrucker said:
When you all get days like tvat, does make you wonder why we do it.
I sat in tilbury for 5 hours mon night to get a box on, last night was better only 3 hours once I'd diverted around the overturned artic on the asda roundabout near the dock!
Currently sat at Haverhill waiting to be let in. Got a 10pm booking, got here 9.55, but they have no room!
Not my prob, but your always at "there" mercy!
Ho, ho, ho
Colina?I sat in tilbury for 5 hours mon night to get a box on, last night was better only 3 hours once I'd diverted around the overturned artic on the asda roundabout near the dock!
Currently sat at Haverhill waiting to be let in. Got a 10pm booking, got here 9.55, but they have no room!
Not my prob, but your always at "there" mercy!
Ho, ho, ho
Tues 4am start tip2 pallets in coventry would help if the company name or unit number was on the place.then 5 pallets to a car manufacturer in liverpool then overnght lymm truck stop phone call to collect midday in Fulham in the morn.6 am start arrive fulham 11-30 only to be told load not ready till 5.30./6pm overnight outside oxford 6am start deliver cheshire oaks 10am re- load near northampton after battle through m6 as m6 toll closed both ways then the joys of the M25 home to Dover tonight off to Bristol in the morn M25 both ways on a friday oh joy of joys.
Cpc and Adr courses after xmas more joy !
Cpc and Adr courses after xmas more joy !
Better today, full compliment of lads to assist and I was not the last one in the yard tonight so I had help to put all the wagons away and I even managed to wash the recovery truck and put it away in the warehouse for its Christmas break. We are having a close down now and after tomorrow we are back on the 2nd. We all have young families and we take holiday now so we are not away for Christmas.
Ha heard the M6 closure on Radio2 as I cut across country from Swindon to MK. It was great to get some time away from the busy motorways for once.
Just had 4 hours sleep, time for the customary milky coffee and back to bed for a 4 am start.
Please let Friday pass with no road closures!!
Just had 4 hours sleep, time for the customary milky coffee and back to bed for a 4 am start.
Please let Friday pass with no road closures!!
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