tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92200531664980033042024-03-05T03:06:41.501-08:00Fat Bloke TravelsFat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-11011290600276824862021-12-01T02:46:00.003-08:002021-12-01T02:49:19.005-08:00My Journey With Covid!<p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9iVW-ELyTy2wjGaj2It8b7oRwvj5LQNNhzJzbuLDDLu60-lw1pAtdocfKqoM5HytRKJChxp3bqoGpY8WR8DJ6BB216s0sWLZ7p83Nf9Bwxy4cmLrgtYk3eXaQlvStZ3Zp0QZP4xG_nD1/s500/Fat+Bloke+Travels+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9iVW-ELyTy2wjGaj2It8b7oRwvj5LQNNhzJzbuLDDLu60-lw1pAtdocfKqoM5HytRKJChxp3bqoGpY8WR8DJ6BB216s0sWLZ7p83Nf9Bwxy4cmLrgtYk3eXaQlvStZ3Zp0QZP4xG_nD1/s320/Fat+Bloke+Travels+Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Well, this post is really all about my journey with Covid and what it has done to me so far.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I have worked right the way through the pandemic as a long distance lorry driver here in the UK.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The nature of the job means that for the most part it is a solitary existence, but at services and business I do have to make contact with other humans, more the pity!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Right from the start I wore a mask, maintained social distancing rule, washed hands and took all the measures I could to keep myself and others safe.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">However, as time went on and certainly over the last few months, like many others I suspect, maintaining these protocols slipped a little.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As a result I tested positive!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For the first few weeks I started to feel just a little run down, headaches, tired etc, but put it down to working long hours (60 plus a week).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But it wasn't until I returned home on a Friday and more or less collapsed as I came in through the front door that my wife suggested I do a lateral flow test.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This proved positive and this set the wheels in motion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A PCR test was booked for the next day (Saturday) and at 0600hrs on the Monday the email came through that I was positive. I then went into isolation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">By Monday I was bed ridden and only getting up to use the bathroom. The next time I got up and had a shower or really moved was late Thursday - I was in a bad way!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The symptoms I suffered from were - Difficulty in breathing, tight chest, cough, aches and pains, headaches, loss of appetite (I lost 9 lbs), brain fog, loss of smell, partial lack of taste and sometimes things taste different. I slept mostly not being able to do anything else.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I honestly think that if I was not double jabbed I would of ended up in hospital - It was really quite scary!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is my 5th week, and I'm slowly recovering, I'm well out of quarantine, but going out for just 30 mins completely wipes me out. I still have a cough although not as bad. My chest is still tight and my breathing is still a bit laboured.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My sense of taste is getting better along with my sense of smell.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm still off work, a 15 hour day which is normal in the haulage industry here in the UK would be a real struggle and this has stopped me from going back. A job with normal hours would probably be ok.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm due to go back next Tuesday, but I'm still not sure if this is possible, I'll wait till the weekend and see how I feel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So if anyone reading this is in any doubt about having the vaccinations, please have them. I honestly think there was a strong possibility that without them I may not be here now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Stay safe out there, take all the precautions you can and hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Til later.................</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-62392293547312985572021-09-11T23:15:00.001-07:002021-09-11T23:15:43.353-07:00North Yorkshire - 10 Day Getaway<p><span style="font-family: arial;">During the summer we took our Swift Conqueror 570 on it's first proper outing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Up until now it was just a couple of nights away, but this time it was for 10 nights!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Recently our friends moved from where we live in New Milton up to Pickering in North Yorkshire, so we thought it a good excuse to pay them a visit and pitch up on a campsite near by.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We also arranged from my old friend Mark and his wife Kate to come across from the Wirral in the VW T25 and spend a couple of nights with us.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qwDhyrYhz-c4rYziwTavo2aFr8H2uQnE6oxTK558WWvz573QiHj7DOfyiD7dtrDX_VT4tihurPk1VXYz1NDb8BSv0H2lmLTSbLv6cA3T_VyLOMd5Ly6H6YbE2Hr0-q959Racy8D6FA4W/s4032/20210801_083431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qwDhyrYhz-c4rYziwTavo2aFr8H2uQnE6oxTK558WWvz573QiHj7DOfyiD7dtrDX_VT4tihurPk1VXYz1NDb8BSv0H2lmLTSbLv6cA3T_VyLOMd5Ly6H6YbE2Hr0-q959Racy8D6FA4W/s320/20210801_083431.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This was the first time I had taken the rig on the motorways, must say it felt very stable and was a comfortable drive up. Took us 7hrs approx to get up North and that was with a slight detour at the end due to an accident.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Not bad MPG - If I remember rightly it ended up averaging 28mpg which isn't bad for a big lump of a car and caravan!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Didn't take us long to set up and the Royal Signals flag was hoisted!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujvt0vaNEq_KiUDQSjZrCYxJEWfM9fMCXfH148uOCKZuhGFeRdKxHOxMysg92gjghDyva7KJsspLqIdI_WmHgaijRha9pbLx9tQucnJCcWWPT8G-0NCYdIZacxcC4XFJmc8DRS1lEgsCr/s4032/20210801_160401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujvt0vaNEq_KiUDQSjZrCYxJEWfM9fMCXfH148uOCKZuhGFeRdKxHOxMysg92gjghDyva7KJsspLqIdI_WmHgaijRha9pbLx9tQucnJCcWWPT8G-0NCYdIZacxcC4XFJmc8DRS1lEgsCr/s320/20210801_160401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It was also the first time that we had put up the awning, which was bigger than we thought and worked well for us. This awning had 3 openings, which was great.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Kate and Mark turned up in their T25 and we had arranged with the campsite for them to be next to us which was lucky!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGukRoTctUyexPw0zKaxXMqI3plRywQyPaDRsDkAOJ4iPuJiHMLTj6S45QIn4dykCT6A-9jsyasa1mHg6gs7AEbwbTEUENPLhZ6iIarW7M6gVw7G3peEKBKxzbSDYZopECrcFGowDJzD1/s4032/20210806_130941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGukRoTctUyexPw0zKaxXMqI3plRywQyPaDRsDkAOJ4iPuJiHMLTj6S45QIn4dykCT6A-9jsyasa1mHg6gs7AEbwbTEUENPLhZ6iIarW7M6gVw7G3peEKBKxzbSDYZopECrcFGowDJzD1/s320/20210806_130941.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We had some great days out, with a boozy day in Whitby.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Pickering is a lovely little town, which is where our friends Richard and Kjersti live, and we had a great time visiting a few pubs followed by a curry. Which after one too many, whilst having a pee, lent forward and my glasses slipped off and fell into the pan which I then pee'd all over!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">That could only happen to me!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">That night we also convinced them to bring their tent up to the campsite and stay for a couple of nights. They pitched up opposite us!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">York was a wonderful place to visit, to really take it all in required more than a day, but we had a good time. Kiera ended up with a Mulberry Handbag and some perfume so my wallet took a battering, but she turns 50 this year and has to put up with me so money well spent!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzwXbQq6q6ndGoNHAV2iJM9lHfj_l0FNfqxOimAv3d0976y-c773x0KLyz4xqB6ZGCzxDY-uFZ3SrVeGIVNXol2DawrE3syui4l_ov15gOX6rHHOdfCeSuQz2On2-cfG4kxbrgrnqGDjJ/s4608/20210804_111359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzwXbQq6q6ndGoNHAV2iJM9lHfj_l0FNfqxOimAv3d0976y-c773x0KLyz4xqB6ZGCzxDY-uFZ3SrVeGIVNXol2DawrE3syui4l_ov15gOX6rHHOdfCeSuQz2On2-cfG4kxbrgrnqGDjJ/s320/20210804_111359.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQYVpE-32MFQIqdZmc-Fjq7gOUnTCBhI9a5lpvQ6WOZE4vXgpxlyIhPptG3H6Mi-9a_Ru5ETP_wAe9HlGZmkYUcy8WvQphYbyEcKf_qeR0tLWWIyxoSg__bVXPEL1rWPBti0a5MPiHHvK/s4032/20210804_131120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQYVpE-32MFQIqdZmc-Fjq7gOUnTCBhI9a5lpvQ6WOZE4vXgpxlyIhPptG3H6Mi-9a_Ru5ETP_wAe9HlGZmkYUcy8WvQphYbyEcKf_qeR0tLWWIyxoSg__bVXPEL1rWPBti0a5MPiHHvK/s320/20210804_131120.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUEgLEho8WO3lze9HSaWH_0oQ3fiavAq3AKeDprajIaXg9f7SsBsgnWaHkuIqJqJNUweR_R9dx0MOknlt-LFpHlfrFGchr-UsOzwh1-S8gz2-4we-gxLfoSLarxbgxRFAX9LifC_STIci/s4032/20210804_131112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUEgLEho8WO3lze9HSaWH_0oQ3fiavAq3AKeDprajIaXg9f7SsBsgnWaHkuIqJqJNUweR_R9dx0MOknlt-LFpHlfrFGchr-UsOzwh1-S8gz2-4we-gxLfoSLarxbgxRFAX9LifC_STIci/s320/20210804_131112.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAtqlp3XM60GfT-7XdkYKRXJ5nkOnu2_bYDgsouojEttCBbtSQJLJNgr09c9_fd3IL-wXloeP2ckYDhuZjhKEwln8caOvaek1v7cFR52rNElvbM5QWvdm_r1krIbbmbfdmQ7vDlNJVsw9/s4032/20210804_130843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAtqlp3XM60GfT-7XdkYKRXJ5nkOnu2_bYDgsouojEttCBbtSQJLJNgr09c9_fd3IL-wXloeP2ckYDhuZjhKEwln8caOvaek1v7cFR52rNElvbM5QWvdm_r1krIbbmbfdmQ7vDlNJVsw9/s320/20210804_130843.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj6Xmfq0zn-OUG2mHCpJYNnCFkrFyjQDNBEmK1ejYg5wi5Z8NpAT4Fm4wa2JHz5H5JCdX3TObdbOsgXz-Bjno5bU1C-ozFD8g9_cnHdafUjMZCFj7tMkFbu8phLTMZCH7rwoNgHVKUUoX/s4032/20210804_130825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj6Xmfq0zn-OUG2mHCpJYNnCFkrFyjQDNBEmK1ejYg5wi5Z8NpAT4Fm4wa2JHz5H5JCdX3TObdbOsgXz-Bjno5bU1C-ozFD8g9_cnHdafUjMZCFj7tMkFbu8phLTMZCH7rwoNgHVKUUoX/s320/20210804_130825.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We had a day out in Scarborough, which I have to be honest felt a little run down and tired.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The highlight being a ride up on the near vertical Victorian railway.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK50TL1X0pfwGkyHIDg_gbipJlWY5x03XshA5QOZPosCi6Coc0SZMzzfNeOtgicyTYAQPLlwCJP4sm3hGUlvUyn6UHQe38x9B2RnDLGpWp3JTl4tqEQZsUyyssn07KrF3Q_ULhjMxN8mn/s4032/20210805_143704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK50TL1X0pfwGkyHIDg_gbipJlWY5x03XshA5QOZPosCi6Coc0SZMzzfNeOtgicyTYAQPLlwCJP4sm3hGUlvUyn6UHQe38x9B2RnDLGpWp3JTl4tqEQZsUyyssn07KrF3Q_ULhjMxN8mn/s320/20210805_143704.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZkerqFu5UEVknz8dG5yEAcAWuUdml0pNl_V_i2hadfzGquCXC3MYPNUZy8TS7tMvITHcrYA9hRk2oJS8krqEG89_w-dSnKoBo3EawBQXLfZNM5lA2G9e_j-2SCoXpU4Aim6T_ZgwyQUc/s4032/20210805_130136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZkerqFu5UEVknz8dG5yEAcAWuUdml0pNl_V_i2hadfzGquCXC3MYPNUZy8TS7tMvITHcrYA9hRk2oJS8krqEG89_w-dSnKoBo3EawBQXLfZNM5lA2G9e_j-2SCoXpU4Aim6T_ZgwyQUc/s320/20210805_130136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Whitby is a great place, it rained most of the day, but as we were on a pub crawl it didn't really matter!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcX1epq6AZjsf5TW4ng9oLRJfOSJSUmar83AoLElQip-85J150GVVJIynjprCNHipSojBw_EPtdk_nlKMDSBLa8GyUOgp4gD2r-TGrf90__FQOLeqMVzyTXwczFmUKcnpx73_6kUQS1yO/s4032/20210806_171922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcX1epq6AZjsf5TW4ng9oLRJfOSJSUmar83AoLElQip-85J150GVVJIynjprCNHipSojBw_EPtdk_nlKMDSBLa8GyUOgp4gD2r-TGrf90__FQOLeqMVzyTXwczFmUKcnpx73_6kUQS1yO/s320/20210806_171922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Finished the day off with Fish and Chips - How British!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">All in all it was a fantastic time, catching up with friends is always a pleasure.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon it was time to pack up and head South. No problems on the way back and it took a similar amount of time to get home.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Till next time.............</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-19373281313961093402021-08-11T01:04:00.000-07:002021-08-11T01:04:12.887-07:00It's Been A While!<p><span style="font-family: arial;">So, what have you all been up to?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If it's anything like me, it's been keeping your head down and ploughing on!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At least the "Plague" situation appears to be heading in the right direction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We have managed to have a few nights away in the caravan, not without issues though!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On our very first outing we had a heating issue, which thankfully after several months, lots of phone calls and call outs to rectify has finally been sorted. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We also had a burst pipe, I've never been a fan of push on/press fit type pipe couplings and there is a very good reason for this - they can fail! Which our hot water one in our end bathroom did. Not once but twice!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thankfully we were in the caravan on both occasions, we managed to shut the water down to avoid a fully flooded caravan.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We have just got back from our first proper holiday in it - a total of 8 nights and thankfully no dramas at all.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNmD5bRZTM34SkXbPOlYMiYWdpc66v-77yQNy_IV5W0uoWU9WPtMnU9IDBwLLnjMG9EXDcPgE6g_kDfZLLKAgyAazTnF258diHNLZSJaSryPWw-AtwL7JenaTSq7ypzq-S4Ub38HsYDsx/s4032/20210801_160401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNmD5bRZTM34SkXbPOlYMiYWdpc66v-77yQNy_IV5W0uoWU9WPtMnU9IDBwLLnjMG9EXDcPgE6g_kDfZLLKAgyAazTnF258diHNLZSJaSryPWw-AtwL7JenaTSq7ypzq-S4Ub38HsYDsx/s320/20210801_160401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Spent time up in North Yorkshire at a site called <a href="https://woldswaycaravanandcamping.co.uk/home">Wolds Way Caravan And Camping</a> - A well run site, which is fairly large, however, the vast majority of caravans all the way around the perimeter of the site were seasonal pitches. The actual number of tourers on site was probably less than 30 in total.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It was also near to where our friends from down here on the South Coast had just moved to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Spending time with them and one of my oldest Army friends who travelled across country with his wife in his T25 to camp with us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We visited York, Pickering, Helmsley, Scarborough and Whitby.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The journey up took just over 7hrs of driving and we averaged 24.6mpg in the ML350 (3.0L V6 Diesel)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was more than happy with the way the Merc towed and the caravan was rock solid behind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Back home now for a few more days before I hit the road in the truck again. Still with the same company and work is constant, so no real complaints.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a truck driver shortage here in the UK which is getting a lot of news coverage, with various reasons being banded about for the cause of the problem.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The perfect storm has been created, Covid and Brexit have played it's part and so has the change in tax laws, but the biggest problem which is slowly being addressed is that if you treat a driver like shite, don't be surprised when you can't get any!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It was nearly always the way that if you had a problem, the bosses would say, well, driver, if you don't like it then bugger off!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Now that they are short of drivers that attitude just does not work anymore and they are finding this out to their cost! Drivers are voting with their feet and leaving the industry and only working for the companies that pay the premium and treat you with a little respect.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I guess I'm one of the lucky one's where my company is half decent, still away to go, but better than most!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2YbgRZxu5g3UYHWK879wEh9IbB65PM4GOw76IHe3YsCpNPsrg_SWtUDDGqBmvwbH26d-_gvhNwrQ-_wVTpUG2u9DLgpCKAbLDWFKcl2e5ZPOOQc-ubEmFDEu9u9_u3td8gwEkOpJ2e_H/s4032/20210715_155015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2YbgRZxu5g3UYHWK879wEh9IbB65PM4GOw76IHe3YsCpNPsrg_SWtUDDGqBmvwbH26d-_gvhNwrQ-_wVTpUG2u9DLgpCKAbLDWFKcl2e5ZPOOQc-ubEmFDEu9u9_u3td8gwEkOpJ2e_H/s320/20210715_155015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We also have a new edition to the household, a black kitten called Milo, although he is now nearly 6 months old and about to have his knackers cut off next Tuesday.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly our cat Whiskers had to be put to sleep after suffering a stroke, he was only 7 and was the daftest cat I've ever known!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Lola which was Whiskers brother is not impressed at all, and has still not accepted him into the house, and hisses at every opportunity. This has not made the slightest difference to Milo and thinks it a fun game to ambush Lola constantly!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Other than that, all is well - Hope everyone is doing OK, and if you're doing that, then that's just enough in this mad world we find ourselves living in at the moment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Till later....................</span></p>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-81003223716725767512020-12-29T07:24:00.002-08:002021-08-11T00:32:12.833-07:00Merry Christmas 2020<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, what can I say about this year that folk have not said all ready!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But, even saying that we have had a pretty good year, we both have kept jobs which pay well, our health is good, Kiera's daughter has started University in Nottingham (Not exactly getting the full on experience) and we have bought a caravan!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Those who know me well, are fully aware that I actually spent 4 years living full time in a caravan, not because I had to but because it was a lifestyle choice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">However, we have a Grand Plan for the future which is rather exciting, and for our holidays for the next few years a caravan fits the bill perfectly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So what did we buy?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a Swift Conqueror 570 - Single Axle, Fixed Bed, End Bathroom - 4 Berth Caravan.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Great specification with this van, with loads of extra's fitted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm really pleased with it and towing with the Mercedes ML350 is easy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE6y81VUx31Gv6SwGvyS22bR09xQxcxCrcDRuNEtvDShEuVDiX5wEVFQrxTVrQSqv_H8OM6S18Kt-0MAKIewkD2ILvg21_s0FzrNyPYbOEiuCw9XMe4-RDAY382mxhl50136awqMiGbMy/s1204/20200912_143755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE6y81VUx31Gv6SwGvyS22bR09xQxcxCrcDRuNEtvDShEuVDiX5wEVFQrxTVrQSqv_H8OM6S18Kt-0MAKIewkD2ILvg21_s0FzrNyPYbOEiuCw9XMe4-RDAY382mxhl50136awqMiGbMy/s320/20200912_143755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Q_uQfXs4AibgyBqnRgnaIGzd3KTp0aIF2Zxq_Kqb592TGqNYigzC60qyQ5V9e3UejHWxitmJWuPWYemy989cWU5yHIxjpff2Gb7KyNGp9QLafrJ2RGiJUsuP6l2OW4g9bwNH7rsaH73N/s1124/20200912_163253.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Q_uQfXs4AibgyBqnRgnaIGzd3KTp0aIF2Zxq_Kqb592TGqNYigzC60qyQ5V9e3UejHWxitmJWuPWYemy989cWU5yHIxjpff2Gb7KyNGp9QLafrJ2RGiJUsuP6l2OW4g9bwNH7rsaH73N/s320/20200912_163253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These pictures were taken at the dealership before we collected it and the last on our very first outing on the day we collected it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Buying all the gear has been fun, hindsight is a wonderful thing which has made it easy to buy the right equipment with no fuss.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since we collected the caravan we have been away twice, not without incident, but all has been rectified now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We should of been away for Christmas, but at the very last minute the camp site decided to cancel all bookings, which to be totally honest was the correct thing to do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No idea when we will be allowed out in it again, the world appears very unstable at the moment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Work wise both of us have been flat out, and over the festive season we are enjoying down time, not having to be anywhere or see anyone is almost a blessing in disguise!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No idea what the New Year holds for us, but neither of us expect to be short of work, which is one less thing to worry about.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year, stay as safe as you possibly can and when I can I'll give you some more updates.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stay safe folks........</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span></p>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-9217536022393901892020-07-24T06:04:00.000-07:002020-07-24T06:04:16.259-07:00Time Off - But Not Our Planned Holiday!<font face="arial">The weeks before I went on holiday were hectic to say the least!</font><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Plenty of nights out and I had travelled the length and breadth of the UK.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">On Wednesday I found myself up in Leeds and a night out in a new Service Station - Skelton Lake J45 on the M1 just East of Leeds. Quiet and it was not busy.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzcvTINWw-QyHZtyuVfiwOYlSmf3jQZ-Yz0_GFVhTPKU1BmiLHJOnQGeCbRcNuJAuFkMGpXYWyfQAmNiZe9HaMYDF3Zp5wubQUN_SfHmiFNdPpI5mSVsFsyogSiWLVXz_OtwjaOwcYs9H/s4032/20200708_162138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzcvTINWw-QyHZtyuVfiwOYlSmf3jQZ-Yz0_GFVhTPKU1BmiLHJOnQGeCbRcNuJAuFkMGpXYWyfQAmNiZe9HaMYDF3Zp5wubQUN_SfHmiFNdPpI5mSVsFsyogSiWLVXz_OtwjaOwcYs9H/s320/20200708_162138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">From here I had a reload at 1100hrs on Thursday, and then I was to return to London Gateway.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">An easy trip or so I thought!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">I knew I would not get down to London Gateway and had planned to stop around 1900hrs, but at 1800hrs the traffic ground to a halt.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkCld9hSil5gqnS7_OIJ5AT9d3pPvUBwv1IoHQ_GknjwIDXV7bQW8SpAcfwih0GhQo0G-4FoXY_gKvfrROrPzANyFrIk_cDWrWlWryxDyCifvyKrX9kMFRs70RahWHzRs92lCCfe44jEu/s4032/20200709_212044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkCld9hSil5gqnS7_OIJ5AT9d3pPvUBwv1IoHQ_GknjwIDXV7bQW8SpAcfwih0GhQo0G-4FoXY_gKvfrROrPzANyFrIk_cDWrWlWryxDyCifvyKrX9kMFRs70RahWHzRs92lCCfe44jEu/s320/20200709_212044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">And from this spot I moved less than a mile over the next 8 1/2hrs!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Unfortunately there had been an accident just ahead which had closed the A1 in both directions.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">I am all the other trucks were stranded, they did manage to get the cars cleared, but we were left to our own devices.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">I ran out of Working Time Directive at 2100hrs, Drive Time was ok thankfully.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Eventually at 0240hrs we were given the go ahead to drive through.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">All the layby's were stacked out with vehicles, some trucks parked with their back ends sticking out onto the carriage way, which I thought was not only foolish but dangerous.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">I carried on till I hit the next truck stop, pulled in, parked up and slept like the dead!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">I had to take 11hrs off which meant that I did not get going again till 1400hrs the next day.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">I was supposed to be on the docks at 0600hrs and I still had a 2hr journey to get there!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">But, this is what happens, you just have to go with what is dealt you.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Eventually I got to the docks, unloaded and ran dead to Southampton where I had to go on the docks to collect a box.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">By the time I got back to the yard, unloaded all my gear out of my truck and got home it was 2300hrs and I was knackered and in desperate need of my 2 weeks off!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">The first few days I have to admit were spent sleeping! We did nothing at all!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Then on Thursday we travelled up to Preston for a flying visit to see my daughter who has just returned from Spain after losing everything after both their jobs fell through due to Covid-19.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Thankfully, after having been in 2 weeks of quarantine my daughter got a job, shortly followed by her partner, so both now in full time employment. Which is pretty impressive all things considering.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">We had booked into the <a href="https://www.classiclodges.co.uk/farington-lodge/" target="_blank">Farrington Lodge Hotel</a> - A lovely hotel, but upon arriving we did have our doubts that it was even open. It just looked deserted!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrJtlQDY85A9P9zIu1ZOfLsKysriGpfEBbpr46SMAUSIVr1ur5V1K13qnlc2YeIG01XHQZwyR4wfzV2St9HtXZRbWhi3QC9NrR9miN5h1Cils2Vb5wHKg4FTdltDhYSEkEzBz-DBpaoPQ/s4032/20200716_162117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrJtlQDY85A9P9zIu1ZOfLsKysriGpfEBbpr46SMAUSIVr1ur5V1K13qnlc2YeIG01XHQZwyR4wfzV2St9HtXZRbWhi3QC9NrR9miN5h1Cils2Vb5wHKg4FTdltDhYSEkEzBz-DBpaoPQ/s320/20200716_162117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ6K92_wvh-4tE3AkSgdbpVshKuGlj6YJ0iyRwM0DAlyj_w9TGa4_aVQjX5hZgSE4NEHKaUnEO2XxpayVU1LyTMa1JymEcQ6bqn5biSIshyR7nW5Imwag8946bIYdIXIhoYse4RvINaXR/s4032/20200716_162332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ6K92_wvh-4tE3AkSgdbpVshKuGlj6YJ0iyRwM0DAlyj_w9TGa4_aVQjX5hZgSE4NEHKaUnEO2XxpayVU1LyTMa1JymEcQ6bqn5biSIshyR7nW5Imwag8946bIYdIXIhoYse4RvINaXR/s320/20200716_162332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><font face="arial">There were only a few people staying in the Hotel that night and we were the first to arrive.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Must say that the the guy we saw on reception, who was also on the bar and appeared to be running the whole show "Paul" was brilliant.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">The restaurant was not open, and a continental breakfast was left in a bag outside our room but the room was big, clean and very comfortable.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Would I recommend it - Yes, without doubt.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">We met up with my daughter at the pub she works at, It's got a whole new team and owners from what I can make out, no website yet, but they do have a facebook site. It's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/woodsmanbarandrestaurant/" target="_blank">The Woodsman at Leyland</a>.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">We ate there and the food was good and inexpensive.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Next day we took my daughter and her partner out for lunch, stopping in Clitheroe, never been before but from what I saw was a quaint market town. It was raining but we did walk up to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clitheroe_Castle" target="_blank">Clitheroe Castle</a>, you can walk around it for free. There is a museum but it was closed.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">On the way up to the Castle you pass a rather splendid War Memorial, probably one of the finest around.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ueItReeu33BQ55VNvJCz7rgZTB4kmXqbdk3URFfIzHWZLYL7byZK3yWTxMszcGoMBaMG5nXVN-1bZH0UHXENKaD_KVUVYEXo99wIRQmIo0axrltBKhUrYiP0PzMzUrafo5Mvc4z_OR2d/s4032/20200717_111534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ueItReeu33BQ55VNvJCz7rgZTB4kmXqbdk3URFfIzHWZLYL7byZK3yWTxMszcGoMBaMG5nXVN-1bZH0UHXENKaD_KVUVYEXo99wIRQmIo0axrltBKhUrYiP0PzMzUrafo5Mvc4z_OR2d/s320/20200717_111534.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYYdMx-NCo81b1pZZ5PhZ2GKW4YgGD2rvk33RCUZ-T0gznh3na5gGQv4wEsXGLp21p8rMycPOSxLc2lMqBJAs-3VZuQYdoKByYtiAgzE-WY6suaNYieFpipoHB15r4h1tU3iCDPF4H_r6/s4032/20200717_111403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYYdMx-NCo81b1pZZ5PhZ2GKW4YgGD2rvk33RCUZ-T0gznh3na5gGQv4wEsXGLp21p8rMycPOSxLc2lMqBJAs-3VZuQYdoKByYtiAgzE-WY6suaNYieFpipoHB15r4h1tU3iCDPF4H_r6/s320/20200717_111403.jpg" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">The Castle itself, is really no more than a "Keep" apparently one of the oldest in the UK.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA7dNBJ8bfElYPE2pkqRu_6_aNpUHmC0k8LG3uPdOJV2i4IECVXFyB4MmSE7oisDQj414tagYZj5fSVemP-_PYrdM2DNqtzm1NA0aoW6ffGPio4peNVhYjAkb1jesigW0OgYyH5dJc2SW/s4032/20200717_111710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA7dNBJ8bfElYPE2pkqRu_6_aNpUHmC0k8LG3uPdOJV2i4IECVXFyB4MmSE7oisDQj414tagYZj5fSVemP-_PYrdM2DNqtzm1NA0aoW6ffGPio4peNVhYjAkb1jesigW0OgYyH5dJc2SW/s320/20200717_111710.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNND5RDoIgn1mlqWFCQB8qXXpDBNslgEUJE6Mx6rGq7iWt32PtISsue0RAdO4nvO5oMNKdwwq8VBjpl_05U0dfRk41Lotwn48LhJ62U4V2YfSm2e5PXND88yAjWTXdw5cbnS_z8Hj7MA9z/s4032/20200717_111758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNND5RDoIgn1mlqWFCQB8qXXpDBNslgEUJE6Mx6rGq7iWt32PtISsue0RAdO4nvO5oMNKdwwq8VBjpl_05U0dfRk41Lotwn48LhJ62U4V2YfSm2e5PXND88yAjWTXdw5cbnS_z8Hj7MA9z/s320/20200717_111758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyJHTnx7XDtYcSPmFfgUmeCCEVp2BvCa3VhmF1Dkp5zWe46Jl_NT59JdbN56RKWiq_lrJEm0MchfPutpRLRgp1HzyDMeQXbTA7FeZ1oX70oguDrWXRR-gdlGpQv-lGIAoPekPABv8vOM6/s4032/20200717_111820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyJHTnx7XDtYcSPmFfgUmeCCEVp2BvCa3VhmF1Dkp5zWe46Jl_NT59JdbN56RKWiq_lrJEm0MchfPutpRLRgp1HzyDMeQXbTA7FeZ1oX70oguDrWXRR-gdlGpQv-lGIAoPekPABv8vOM6/s320/20200717_111820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">On a fine day I can imagine the view is a little better, but it was pretty wet by the time we had wandered around and headed back down the hill to find shelter and a brew.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">We found refuge in the <a href="https://www.theroseandcrownhotelclitheroe.com/" target="_blank">Rose and Crown</a> pub and had a hot drink to warm us and helped us dry out before we headed out to our lunch destination.</font></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="arial">We did find an award winning butchers "<a href="http://www.cowmans.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cowmans The Famous Sausage Shop</a>" with an immense range of sausages, so we bought some to take home!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">After drying off we headed out to a pub called <a href="https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/aspinallarms/" target="_blank">The Aspinall Arms</a> - You just know you are in fro a special time as soon as you walk through the door.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">The service and food was amazing and could not fault the service or the food. We certainly dined in style that day!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">We said our goodbyes and headed home, eventually getting home just after 2100hrs.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Over the weekend it was my birthday, so we had a few beers with some friends down at <a href="https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/explore/towns-and-villages/milford-on-sea" target="_blank">Milford On Sea - village green</a>. The weather was kind, and a good day was had by all.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Then on Monday we were off for a 3 night stay in a <a href="https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/england/sussex/walnuts-farm/little-walnut-hut" target="_blank">Shepherds Hut in Old Heathfield in Sussex.</a></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">It was lovely and just what was needed.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">It had it's own resident goats which were very friendly and no trouble at all.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF3YQxsYHab9Y6rLbgSbG6MMe0mddb5i7iZJsyL3aqm-2pJlEYpjyMeQbKo97_jHJYyuc3rtUKpDBwHc2_U3YGfFmOD_hjYpzGZU_iMjumR_hl8pG7lWOHOiDXfq1BKa_BVtmLGiFVyeO/s4032/20200720_161622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF3YQxsYHab9Y6rLbgSbG6MMe0mddb5i7iZJsyL3aqm-2pJlEYpjyMeQbKo97_jHJYyuc3rtUKpDBwHc2_U3YGfFmOD_hjYpzGZU_iMjumR_hl8pG7lWOHOiDXfq1BKa_BVtmLGiFVyeO/s320/20200720_161622.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5CQ3nrSsVydxngQsPdipGOxTCpskhTs9utvYtq3UTeIJPFN3K5lMp8C5ljuUsGDETvcc5nV1EQwmgC4mteQPWavEcvYYze3xIAQj6iuQoDzFN2cooKvTtDwZcxQ_NhXlgWLEmcG4fyJ2/s4032/20200720_162024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5CQ3nrSsVydxngQsPdipGOxTCpskhTs9utvYtq3UTeIJPFN3K5lMp8C5ljuUsGDETvcc5nV1EQwmgC4mteQPWavEcvYYze3xIAQj6iuQoDzFN2cooKvTtDwZcxQ_NhXlgWLEmcG4fyJ2/s320/20200720_162024.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNcFSiJtPEBo9vvH5o8KKAY0EzMJBlbAhWBfq8f-Y6rqSNL_EWecy5k8SWwYwogcO3xTD8uKa7qBVqMOuGY4Q9iXwLmTZ1cXQPIx444Yo5AFPdf0oVvtpDm1aU8TcvqJALjDYkSvXWx3G/s4032/20200720_163136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNcFSiJtPEBo9vvH5o8KKAY0EzMJBlbAhWBfq8f-Y6rqSNL_EWecy5k8SWwYwogcO3xTD8uKa7qBVqMOuGY4Q9iXwLmTZ1cXQPIx444Yo5AFPdf0oVvtpDm1aU8TcvqJALjDYkSvXWx3G/s320/20200720_163136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">We were lucky enough to see an Owl and on our final morning I woke early and as I looked out the door I spotted a large deer with a full set of antlers and 3 or 4 females no more than 100 foot away. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">I didn't manage to get a picture, I was rooted to the spot just looking at them. It was magical to see.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">It was just so relaxing, the weather was amazing and we cooked on a wood fire pit each night.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">We decided to on our way home to follow the coast as we were in no rush and ended up having lunch at the <a href="https://www.camsmill.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cams Mill at Fareham</a>. An stunning building and great staff, unfortunately my pet hate is Triple Cooked Chips - These chips looked like they had been cooked three times, dry and burnt, along with the chicken burger which was also over cooked. The roll was not only warmed but burnt around the edges.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">What is with this fascination of cooking everything to death?</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">So sorry, not worth visiting and certainly not at £14.00 for a chicken burger!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Lovely location as well, so a bit of a shame really.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Then to cap it all, we had another problem with the car, same old fault by the looks of it. Another or maybe even a replaced tyre sensor, as it is displaying the same faults.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">A phone call to the garage and it is booked in for this Wednesday.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Now sat at home and it's Friday. Had a message from work wanting to know if I would start back on Sunday, I agreed as the money is too good not to do it. So Sunday I am back in my truck and heading to Liverpool!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">That's my summer holiday done for this year!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Stay safe folks.....</font></div>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-12001118091509350242020-07-14T03:54:00.000-07:002020-07-14T03:54:45.499-07:00Back To Normal - Ish!<font face="arial">Well it's been a few weeks, and to be honest it's been a bit hectic!</font><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Plenty of miles and jobs completed from one end of the country to the other.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Taking a bit of time out every now and again, but not enough - so we decided to take breakfast down on the beach a few weeks back.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAvNsoH1dWhYI3PLUcBGLlFEcArfBadS7Q1wX1_hK3EXVCyJL_t5ysT_YB0LGcF2XwkarkHEDjT7tPG3kPTV8iUw6y4kQ95m1KxF4BfaNltUTyJo_m-g5sgZ8Bm5OwsqbIkWtSX29QRpw/w578-h276/?authuser=0" width="578" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial">It was a bit windy down there, but we had wrapped up well and it was lovely to just sit for an hour and listen to the waves.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Iv'e been doing a bit of cooking over the past weeks, so here are a few creations.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VqG1VDgZA9Vz6VgEGzXuU7GcOrjOddhSv-tHx4tEbTUyT24wAP5cukLeSM-0rEWBetgcUPWdn-cudBqfjv-YEWuMKQkQJLr0ALWkOyKka1C2fYcexoOMKaa0B7ORzHcXpB-4lYC0Jq0q/s4608/20200606_183929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VqG1VDgZA9Vz6VgEGzXuU7GcOrjOddhSv-tHx4tEbTUyT24wAP5cukLeSM-0rEWBetgcUPWdn-cudBqfjv-YEWuMKQkQJLr0ALWkOyKka1C2fYcexoOMKaa0B7ORzHcXpB-4lYC0Jq0q/s320/20200606_183929.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="arial">Sometimes a simple feta cheese salad is all that's required!</font></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqCnG9BT1ph3ha61KnLNMO84QH_AWWYfJljLH27Oge_ktQTAB4VbWhUITMUIcxy2vytxjeoAdhZ1UZKCnc4LrQDVrmA-EUw_Ht08O4rqDdEaSySprMDDkFj24NiNTi-91MeGJSdkFOZZL/s4608/20200607_102843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqCnG9BT1ph3ha61KnLNMO84QH_AWWYfJljLH27Oge_ktQTAB4VbWhUITMUIcxy2vytxjeoAdhZ1UZKCnc4LrQDVrmA-EUw_Ht08O4rqDdEaSySprMDDkFj24NiNTi-91MeGJSdkFOZZL/s320/20200607_102843.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrHELUnp2mu_T5mwAVGMhclwlYBQI13vO41xnlE6NF_-gFa0-pvXjwojtkChtRhQ5-XNdMyjD1iDGmpqTyJUhXAYUKt_owrG1pTn1fECHFM3J8UEKZNbTM38O74u9W_JaDCiQK6pfW_E_/s4032/20200607_103259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrHELUnp2mu_T5mwAVGMhclwlYBQI13vO41xnlE6NF_-gFa0-pvXjwojtkChtRhQ5-XNdMyjD1iDGmpqTyJUhXAYUKt_owrG1pTn1fECHFM3J8UEKZNbTM38O74u9W_JaDCiQK6pfW_E_/s320/20200607_103259.jpg" /></a></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting to play with my food processor is brilliant! Smoothies are so simple to make!</div></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP4cTqCDr1ikRDAauIHbhhPCedGshu91C-QHCXJX4-GpRyNsV5gijAjZKyMCzkssCQxBuIyAgy7fhecVYAhXansjwl-TTu9FRM7i5QYN3GHT6Ppt7Gt_8-CVlG6gxDUo36-dkhGsbPo4S/s4032/20200620_111846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP4cTqCDr1ikRDAauIHbhhPCedGshu91C-QHCXJX4-GpRyNsV5gijAjZKyMCzkssCQxBuIyAgy7fhecVYAhXansjwl-TTu9FRM7i5QYN3GHT6Ppt7Gt_8-CVlG6gxDUo36-dkhGsbPo4S/s320/20200620_111846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YgG1oTO8iQ4YBitQnRsNcJi5R4DwkjquEYmrUWXPjoFYofbbbUQAaW3suEp6TMx3TsK1CtMLEtAi_lR-qC-ZChS8LTjDM3vXBWq5IDyq7RJBq2KZCMnKregU1vIjeKdPfKXb93Rn-eFD/s4032/20200620_115047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YgG1oTO8iQ4YBitQnRsNcJi5R4DwkjquEYmrUWXPjoFYofbbbUQAaW3suEp6TMx3TsK1CtMLEtAi_lR-qC-ZChS8LTjDM3vXBWq5IDyq7RJBq2KZCMnKregU1vIjeKdPfKXb93Rn-eFD/s320/20200620_115047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvmmZ8GqR24vGtlmgqG7fo4KW55RpZLIEBXg7GW5aV6C2tNdIgxZ7e1Bh8n9lqxGg9aYyLnq8oHTqn9VlU_WmgCf0DhWsgQ6AMzLPYqC5BdNvQ9ucahek8YT7ACpEzKq1KHu-5bPIaxhk/s4032/20200620_122758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvmmZ8GqR24vGtlmgqG7fo4KW55RpZLIEBXg7GW5aV6C2tNdIgxZ7e1Bh8n9lqxGg9aYyLnq8oHTqn9VlU_WmgCf0DhWsgQ6AMzLPYqC5BdNvQ9ucahek8YT7ACpEzKq1KHu-5bPIaxhk/s320/20200620_122758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="arial">A Mango Rainbow Salad</font></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnAYbn8ak_e88MfZdm_oWoRnBGxPlvzRvHnutE0c93NDffPZPZHbC20OOumKiwNJQh47flLWCt2sLixqIizVmt8JI5F32HUDMd9XxdmozUX9oIro2EaMjy2ISCZwyhFrlf8cVGXtouJqc/s4032/20200620_130109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnAYbn8ak_e88MfZdm_oWoRnBGxPlvzRvHnutE0c93NDffPZPZHbC20OOumKiwNJQh47flLWCt2sLixqIizVmt8JI5F32HUDMd9XxdmozUX9oIro2EaMjy2ISCZwyhFrlf8cVGXtouJqc/s320/20200620_130109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="arial">You just can't beat a home made potato salad! </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeMR37LRzEtcLTbovVhBkfjiCv2Pu9Sszk7CU8zyTH6EkWUZC_LWgnGFIyukNv6aV6vbJKaYbAtzjq-4HsMTUYyXFDyPb5La_8d7g1FDkrUVzEa9BqfpNuj2CkiDHTcguEN4fCVzoD9Ak/s4032/20200621_182321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeMR37LRzEtcLTbovVhBkfjiCv2Pu9Sszk7CU8zyTH6EkWUZC_LWgnGFIyukNv6aV6vbJKaYbAtzjq-4HsMTUYyXFDyPb5La_8d7g1FDkrUVzEa9BqfpNuj2CkiDHTcguEN4fCVzoD9Ak/s320/20200621_182321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: center;">Steak and salad with a home made Caesar dressing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I haven't been in my own truck I tend to travel a bit light and not have all my cooking gear with me. This does mean that sometimes out of pure laziness I eat from the truck stop cafes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To be honest, they have all upped their game and the food is sometimes exceptional!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7mi5VrrTfuDwlQkEB3jfqruB2gL0RrN1x3z_KjLzl6CS4Ma_ivcn0d7gXrvteVP6OctojgH8yqJh9X-mXHaMYU4Mwci-PkkLECwiaFBhxG_3ByQSxhgFG8sGG-Yw7NRQy0PASWX7jv_1/s4032/20200630_175857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7mi5VrrTfuDwlQkEB3jfqruB2gL0RrN1x3z_KjLzl6CS4Ma_ivcn0d7gXrvteVP6OctojgH8yqJh9X-mXHaMYU4Mwci-PkkLECwiaFBhxG_3ByQSxhgFG8sGG-Yw7NRQy0PASWX7jv_1/s320/20200630_175857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1-t5j1LdLVMIldHLyqJK1sLrPAu7CkEpv7k0A9-KhvKJL2GtBwWJvbZvWKOmZAP0iDQwVJPtvAzNTVNzi0YpnYzT0vwMwLTWWUrcIGxjHRmXlS0oFRLhJpP9xcl6UebOHFZpnsuqWb8p/s4032/20200626_210339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1-t5j1LdLVMIldHLyqJK1sLrPAu7CkEpv7k0A9-KhvKJL2GtBwWJvbZvWKOmZAP0iDQwVJPtvAzNTVNzi0YpnYzT0vwMwLTWWUrcIGxjHRmXlS0oFRLhJpP9xcl6UebOHFZpnsuqWb8p/s320/20200626_210339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxJP_Vr7sNEPfqkOdk2LIRsOEnu-4K4SyPrR350fokp2SbzUc8ehL-eeVVuH7ZzlcTXvH4nVM5OF4EfYuO8QLi1Oy97F8ZX04uFO91R-C-YNAW8xum8LkSQsE8kNh5e3ceQnxYll0Lc3a/s4032/20200623_174240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxJP_Vr7sNEPfqkOdk2LIRsOEnu-4K4SyPrR350fokp2SbzUc8ehL-eeVVuH7ZzlcTXvH4nVM5OF4EfYuO8QLi1Oy97F8ZX04uFO91R-C-YNAW8xum8LkSQsE8kNh5e3ceQnxYll0Lc3a/s320/20200623_174240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSfrIttiCFFV9soW1wbCCjQC0ZELOrNEjt_Mv3QwpjWjqFGCJF3z31w6jcRPG4eU-IZDF-GGoqwq0KZilU2NErcLUbL6sjsww8HXvz8T0nP0T8A16gm9_LbLfItlKCqyJsuFNGBu-pRtX/s4032/20200616_170844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSfrIttiCFFV9soW1wbCCjQC0ZELOrNEjt_Mv3QwpjWjqFGCJF3z31w6jcRPG4eU-IZDF-GGoqwq0KZilU2NErcLUbL6sjsww8HXvz8T0nP0T8A16gm9_LbLfItlKCqyJsuFNGBu-pRtX/s320/20200616_170844.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedv0mGuW_oPU2sRzRY1yquS5x-s7N5DTdigyaHwxj0QH9GDVs7IpTBsZ7XrBIcolnM_3wuFHYAeNc5IAOi4NyYibIBwV3n7hq8PsczS31NwiOP1YPZZbKwQ8OuG7tm-8M9Wg7dbJPndM-/s4032/20200608_172536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedv0mGuW_oPU2sRzRY1yquS5x-s7N5DTdigyaHwxj0QH9GDVs7IpTBsZ7XrBIcolnM_3wuFHYAeNc5IAOi4NyYibIBwV3n7hq8PsczS31NwiOP1YPZZbKwQ8OuG7tm-8M9Wg7dbJPndM-/s320/20200608_172536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAyjocLIaOVC5ui8dhLtXgO3-jR4Or1F9doItLx2FIXJ_IoLnuXdTqVLht4Zj2wvqYNtwx6oaH8vMofL9Kd9ZBWioRebDqDwC5OpSxfrGBpckunOc5GaisrAnsd2gDShTlO6e40Jbb2ly/s4032/20200528_190145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAyjocLIaOVC5ui8dhLtXgO3-jR4Or1F9doItLx2FIXJ_IoLnuXdTqVLht4Zj2wvqYNtwx6oaH8vMofL9Kd9ZBWioRebDqDwC5OpSxfrGBpckunOc5GaisrAnsd2gDShTlO6e40Jbb2ly/s320/20200528_190145.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not the most healthiest, but tasty and excellent value for money!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been to some places with amazing views as well - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjPqr7L6Ew_4XT6uk0YfKeC-OTwlGEI7MQyYxwRwCZdNoP6EyHmwnuzSJ1iFVI5Sf_bMDkMMan9AL3a9MQSYFLpL8ff9oYDFGrIbyyQmGu6DFIlBaSHbdmCq5g9S3Sn7w_TfNzLthQQU4/s4032/20200611_074039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjPqr7L6Ew_4XT6uk0YfKeC-OTwlGEI7MQyYxwRwCZdNoP6EyHmwnuzSJ1iFVI5Sf_bMDkMMan9AL3a9MQSYFLpL8ff9oYDFGrIbyyQmGu6DFIlBaSHbdmCq5g9S3Sn7w_TfNzLthQQU4/s320/20200611_074039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBI85Hyfs2LLff42_NYEMcTLByJHQOC32KYTsTUO76puqjU1G_hwlMxxbEBwXy_vbd8yGGXY6xQ0LbNg_ssSM34t5udfqYfqIMZ22pnJabNAN7jbrxQDG6CgDa2Stxp1aQQcYio0hrquA/s4032/20200611_074030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBI85Hyfs2LLff42_NYEMcTLByJHQOC32KYTsTUO76puqjU1G_hwlMxxbEBwXy_vbd8yGGXY6xQ0LbNg_ssSM34t5udfqYfqIMZ22pnJabNAN7jbrxQDG6CgDa2Stxp1aQQcYio0hrquA/s320/20200611_074030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__jvWQ2ArcsoOzP5NR9rOSOVs79PzETHfhAyOSxBAs0nxpDDkS3PMPInOF-lNnIv7Eq7KfCphXFFPmW7i6xJ4WJwxtGWMQleWh4l1A8QASIPTRXEQuxJKrC7XjRsNaA-VGZDD1fzF87IU/s4032/20200611_080802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__jvWQ2ArcsoOzP5NR9rOSOVs79PzETHfhAyOSxBAs0nxpDDkS3PMPInOF-lNnIv7Eq7KfCphXFFPmW7i6xJ4WJwxtGWMQleWh4l1A8QASIPTRXEQuxJKrC7XjRsNaA-VGZDD1fzF87IU/s320/20200611_080802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEPfoOhmN4-FylF9NGFgkpAgohGCcMGmt9Bst_28AERTRfk0QTRB_7KTgmZuEFc48ziz_q2ox6r6Kf9DiEK3gxo8GCzlyCYigKQW0XDuCB1sqwMKqdIVgdFeLeBf4NUa61tGrMWYY_q6k/s4032/20200611_080825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEPfoOhmN4-FylF9NGFgkpAgohGCcMGmt9Bst_28AERTRfk0QTRB_7KTgmZuEFc48ziz_q2ox6r6Kf9DiEK3gxo8GCzlyCYigKQW0XDuCB1sqwMKqdIVgdFeLeBf4NUa61tGrMWYY_q6k/s320/20200611_080825.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These were taken out at New Quay a small fishing village on the West of Wales coast. Nightmare to get into I must add!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then again I get some really crap views!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNg1loVLdAZYdPLfBVUeJjk6heXBt5sXiAVHoqTtUE8RwN5mjb8FOLKQ85aDMYzHWjSy2BNLDVQTSwK5iPVNL3QW5rn9dg3gvrH1F_7N7KfWJ9pnPPKvwCQFOTdmz3ATLnuPwkutPwU_6/s4032/20200703_122010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNg1loVLdAZYdPLfBVUeJjk6heXBt5sXiAVHoqTtUE8RwN5mjb8FOLKQ85aDMYzHWjSy2BNLDVQTSwK5iPVNL3QW5rn9dg3gvrH1F_7N7KfWJ9pnPPKvwCQFOTdmz3ATLnuPwkutPwU_6/s320/20200703_122010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsO_VFjyPFeYkSRJPKk7tuOw0ZbLw_W6o9GJQbc4TAvdbEH-3-8AUM1TVv1setErtftDnkfoO_-K9E2TraaPG3f2lPtMdW3AwvaiLwFSawmgU_F2o-5sXCIxGiARqWXQXZjxiY-3IhDS7/s4032/20200702_095338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsO_VFjyPFeYkSRJPKk7tuOw0ZbLw_W6o9GJQbc4TAvdbEH-3-8AUM1TVv1setErtftDnkfoO_-K9E2TraaPG3f2lPtMdW3AwvaiLwFSawmgU_F2o-5sXCIxGiARqWXQXZjxiY-3IhDS7/s320/20200702_095338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlDmgmG00Z1lkS45U57Ih2HRCGO5otgF5GrQUlIWHxU3CfPtfBq1-XflRybJDR1SeMpPI47mBWop6dR2j6Qo8ccznBU9AOwL22d_oIn614RuqpnKMk4jahLxTdVNqX2VaXdUYEjCqgQwt/s4032/20200629_152541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlDmgmG00Z1lkS45U57Ih2HRCGO5otgF5GrQUlIWHxU3CfPtfBq1-XflRybJDR1SeMpPI47mBWop6dR2j6Qo8ccznBU9AOwL22d_oIn614RuqpnKMk4jahLxTdVNqX2VaXdUYEjCqgQwt/s320/20200629_152541.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTZKacOPZsh2bkj_BXcEJakXq3r3HTyXynDKXBbkPK4uThsw2MvAAwIL5fun1hmbaZQuVywEzDc5W8x9z39D6oZXbbNmNVM6-j4XGlvGci1xMEoUsp_ssyOGqhaBuCfNFkvEKyHPb-WBP/s4032/20200624_091418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTZKacOPZsh2bkj_BXcEJakXq3r3HTyXynDKXBbkPK4uThsw2MvAAwIL5fun1hmbaZQuVywEzDc5W8x9z39D6oZXbbNmNVM6-j4XGlvGci1xMEoUsp_ssyOGqhaBuCfNFkvEKyHPb-WBP/s320/20200624_091418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And some really tight spots!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOoYhSMYQDydNhqcU-KLhtk-8gpQ4X9jfAQdyQb_Xdyo8n9NgNx1EoJ-f874dbBd6V3yBKytvfEFqEYfyhzHW_kOjJSmVimdAN6R-hF-M75djhlPVC7HaMrvOXV7BMvjUUyE6FNO4wy_s/s4032/20200612_122742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOoYhSMYQDydNhqcU-KLhtk-8gpQ4X9jfAQdyQb_Xdyo8n9NgNx1EoJ-f874dbBd6V3yBKytvfEFqEYfyhzHW_kOjJSmVimdAN6R-hF-M75djhlPVC7HaMrvOXV7BMvjUUyE6FNO4wy_s/s320/20200612_122742.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-wbPaUPXeOY_NMwBDVro7ZgSD3Ar-AoROJdeISgdcqgIXXwSr2IHxbKlcip_73CDQOacAfpUI4TVbrvJXwNAz9YhGhs7DM2CaKIhL-7YQ9hTnVeIlAhUKPDim9SC9UqcwkUV5teOpM6C/s4032/20200610_071041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-wbPaUPXeOY_NMwBDVro7ZgSD3Ar-AoROJdeISgdcqgIXXwSr2IHxbKlcip_73CDQOacAfpUI4TVbrvJXwNAz9YhGhs7DM2CaKIhL-7YQ9hTnVeIlAhUKPDim9SC9UqcwkUV5teOpM6C/s320/20200610_071041.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And some interesting cargo!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSGDB4BSP89X9DJO7FquvUf-4qZA1HWuNHHY1DewahN8TK-RMFfs7jnzGC19WuAJW6AC3EHtaaC4YaWVr7GgB5H1s8AT7ReRcz5ft8PYrbKA7yHXOcxrJcpR-Z2pz9kSV2pB2n2JhPJB8/s4032/20200619_090742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSGDB4BSP89X9DJO7FquvUf-4qZA1HWuNHHY1DewahN8TK-RMFfs7jnzGC19WuAJW6AC3EHtaaC4YaWVr7GgB5H1s8AT7ReRcz5ft8PYrbKA7yHXOcxrJcpR-Z2pz9kSV2pB2n2JhPJB8/s320/20200619_090742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlD6m4uNo0H2FHrwkOggFbWy5MWAa4jobpf9FLcf5ViTre3wOdMiVLqWVEsrg_dwcikvF1h0S0YWrRM-ZTiSqDbpnYXw97QNEaheyl2grgn39nfpYm0XEUAtOF7-KNrlzIl7vDSft94Zu/s4032/20200619_090817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlD6m4uNo0H2FHrwkOggFbWy5MWAa4jobpf9FLcf5ViTre3wOdMiVLqWVEsrg_dwcikvF1h0S0YWrRM-ZTiSqDbpnYXw97QNEaheyl2grgn39nfpYm0XEUAtOF7-KNrlzIl7vDSft94Zu/s320/20200619_090817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX8zMlYBsYFertp2LqNYg5czmu3Y0bQgmyFtMBJwBEEgs5vb0tRPVbfSXmOeEqfEw2aMl4zXqeVRmjByLaxKuJRbPLNrZFcbbQgDse76De9lnsyQG5teu179-LY0XtiRgtX7zRopUaCeI/s4032/20200619_092939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX8zMlYBsYFertp2LqNYg5czmu3Y0bQgmyFtMBJwBEEgs5vb0tRPVbfSXmOeEqfEw2aMl4zXqeVRmjByLaxKuJRbPLNrZFcbbQgDse76De9lnsyQG5teu179-LY0XtiRgtX7zRopUaCeI/s320/20200619_092939.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some times you see things that make you wonder what goes through folks minds! These kids were running feral around the truck parking area!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpctRNUS-DEvq4E7jidt00hBdQWMIoaiykQg2HubPXvgKVUp3RvD2crFh9Q3ZLE9KjcLgMZGzXKv5M6mDYMELpi0SDPWz3U01aeWFIZ3FsamgOgF4rh8T-2vDJGVwhzhiWyxEiG8dB7P5/s4032/20200625_121126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpctRNUS-DEvq4E7jidt00hBdQWMIoaiykQg2HubPXvgKVUp3RvD2crFh9Q3ZLE9KjcLgMZGzXKv5M6mDYMELpi0SDPWz3U01aeWFIZ3FsamgOgF4rh8T-2vDJGVwhzhiWyxEiG8dB7P5/s320/20200625_121126.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eventually a couple of adults came out and then stood in the middle. Can you guess what part of the community they came from?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrPHt0O9gUlweQZ7whbakSp2UllrP8ZvgFjuPwAk3RM_OYszBBMzu-VzBRaXWcpg-gbpcUMJ3xuOf4J5Mobfg9WPuh10nbliQaH7zayG06TCcdk7xi9Z2H5_3pBvZO-auNv6PbvR6ZE2o/s4032/20200626_121814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrPHt0O9gUlweQZ7whbakSp2UllrP8ZvgFjuPwAk3RM_OYszBBMzu-VzBRaXWcpg-gbpcUMJ3xuOf4J5Mobfg9WPuh10nbliQaH7zayG06TCcdk7xi9Z2H5_3pBvZO-auNv6PbvR6ZE2o/s320/20200626_121814.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RnmFhYWP6rRw8nrdeWvKC5vuErwis_vppigD_mE2iVaGQgcAeAEhC0KaoGM4I2U96jln_5GeT0sJF4iENypc0TIPLyn56OlI5vTOxpsVQIcE8_DzpgucY3p1kjuZB0m6Xq7PafcX569W/s4032/20200626_121756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RnmFhYWP6rRw8nrdeWvKC5vuErwis_vppigD_mE2iVaGQgcAeAEhC0KaoGM4I2U96jln_5GeT0sJF4iENypc0TIPLyn56OlI5vTOxpsVQIcE8_DzpgucY3p1kjuZB0m6Xq7PafcX569W/s320/20200626_121756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_xdIdDyyIbOIu7sWk3j31Ydj7NDBy0iFQmfnP6uSNd1HZeQmJBHU-7SrlIZER4fPgDm27sDfex5S7Zk9_WXo3oSKUxXYycxLbJ-49qYO6x_Pnf-G_yIUaAS9A0nE-_EgClQQQHWVSAdi/s4032/20200626_124534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_xdIdDyyIbOIu7sWk3j31Ydj7NDBy0iFQmfnP6uSNd1HZeQmJBHU-7SrlIZER4fPgDm27sDfex5S7Zk9_WXo3oSKUxXYycxLbJ-49qYO6x_Pnf-G_yIUaAS9A0nE-_EgClQQQHWVSAdi/s320/20200626_124534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Had a bit of an issue when the fork lift decided to go through the floor of the container. It bowed so much that they decided to unload the container and reject it. That was another long day for me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's not something that is noticeable when you load an empty container, only when a fully loaded fork lift drives in and it decides to bow do you realise it's buggered!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Royal Corps of Signals recently celebrated it's Centenary year, so I had to get my mug out and raise it to the best the British Army has and one I am proud to of served in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lVxqi0Odlu1sEhJH28_TnzQsLS_R3OWYqb5Q5VnQ8BoC2wlqkPfTQkOCqoTc476krc-KdauOdTDtDwUgFweqP_Q0OEA7ptyekjcrS-kW6W-g9jqvZaerqIyJIZHTsXmpV-K5hfG46P_3/s4032/20200627_190214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lVxqi0Odlu1sEhJH28_TnzQsLS_R3OWYqb5Q5VnQ8BoC2wlqkPfTQkOCqoTc476krc-KdauOdTDtDwUgFweqP_Q0OEA7ptyekjcrS-kW6W-g9jqvZaerqIyJIZHTsXmpV-K5hfG46P_3/s320/20200627_190214.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv-rKIxg4mHWlF1rcWV6DEnhPqbPjFjC6jDwl8GmyCby64_nhlajiDuWHNC12pbhGF2zsE8IkUhV587gNq4fvWURPcRPUn4TT1BYBCXvbJuJ0nFjteXLWrfqTD3Nt_SMesUcPoSeLEr50/s800/royal-signal-corps-flag-std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv-rKIxg4mHWlF1rcWV6DEnhPqbPjFjC6jDwl8GmyCby64_nhlajiDuWHNC12pbhGF2zsE8IkUhV587gNq4fvWURPcRPUn4TT1BYBCXvbJuJ0nFjteXLWrfqTD3Nt_SMesUcPoSeLEr50/s320/royal-signal-corps-flag-std.jpg" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally I am back in my Mercedes Actros, it's certainly been a while and to be honest I do prefer the Merc over the DAF.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Even though the DAF is a little more refined, the Merc certainly has far more room, the flat floor certainly makes a difference and the dash does not move out into the centre of the cab.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I'm glad to be back in it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although, I have only been in it a week as I am now on holiday for 2 weeks!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We should of been travelling over for a week in Holland, returning to the UK and then having a week in France, but all that has gone right out of the window!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So now we are going up to Preston to see my daughter who has just returned from Spain with her partner. They lost everything, as they were working in the tourism industry and it's just not there at the moment.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then we are of to Sussex for a 3 nights in a secluded Shepherds Hut, looking forward to that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So that is everything up to day I think!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Take care - stay safe!</div></font></div>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-49190584651403826182020-06-05T09:04:00.006-07:002020-07-14T03:15:56.717-07:00Still On The Road - HGV Trucking During Pandemic<font face="arial">Well it's more or less business as usual for us, however, out of 24 trucks there is only 13 of us on the road at our yard.</font><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">The rest have been furloughed, I've had that many truck changes I've lost count and have been from one end of the country to the other since my last post.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">I also had a paint swapping experience with a VW Passat on the A4 just out of London!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDU1ELLB5-aJZ3A4TcNLNsFAojlf5illcjoc0ZDEGk-cOwXyKR78ZPASVAW7r1LXP730FaY2zvP7QP7fti2mekLf5DozP_-1b6xVPD1KZjnrwnQZZ5lMoJTjpDR2INY0RetRZO82eOA7o/s4032/20200518_161817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDU1ELLB5-aJZ3A4TcNLNsFAojlf5illcjoc0ZDEGk-cOwXyKR78ZPASVAW7r1LXP730FaY2zvP7QP7fti2mekLf5DozP_-1b6xVPD1KZjnrwnQZZ5lMoJTjpDR2INY0RetRZO82eOA7o/s320/20200518_161817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><font face="arial"><br />There were just a few scratches on my truck - video evidence from my truck suggests that I was not to blame!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">I'm back in a DAF XF which I am enjoying, I think I still prefer my Mercedes but the DAF is a smoother ride and does have some fancy night lights in the cab.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_eZ9r2OKuCM_qZXvl39HTqPdCtymTRQmVb9EoMAlc2MQsBoUp-c2JuCMM2UcIh6R_JGOwVfVqjUp9y1pZ8nZA9ibpuNKs4MVfYxGCi3dc0QHcESChcRB_pSKiWIHBdrYFeQ-ePsb6ww7/s4032/20200519_213904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_eZ9r2OKuCM_qZXvl39HTqPdCtymTRQmVb9EoMAlc2MQsBoUp-c2JuCMM2UcIh6R_JGOwVfVqjUp9y1pZ8nZA9ibpuNKs4MVfYxGCi3dc0QHcESChcRB_pSKiWIHBdrYFeQ-ePsb6ww7/s320/20200519_213904.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Still not as fancy as the guy below with all the polished chrome and fancy paint!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">It's from the film "Gladiator" As much as I like the effort that goes into it, at the end of the day a truck is a depreciating asset, this guy must have more money than sense.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="arial"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5JswHjmudTkFWlsl2f3WVEIqLi1sbcY0hXTO7aVRmxG-TFP-Ub39oM2UsuSGxEnzAUMxAuabmtjXYFaAMGQ9H8M2Iqd5JY-NFidocejZNSr5GrB5f0jDLLtSyo3zgkwlZu-PmH_klTH4/s4032/20200521_164929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5JswHjmudTkFWlsl2f3WVEIqLi1sbcY0hXTO7aVRmxG-TFP-Ub39oM2UsuSGxEnzAUMxAuabmtjXYFaAMGQ9H8M2Iqd5JY-NFidocejZNSr5GrB5f0jDLLtSyo3zgkwlZu-PmH_klTH4/s320/20200521_164929.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZzrjEgvCa_A4hVARq76aXZyTgu-SMR8CGKHcz6t3OND6Ay8tVNtg7v7L46yrKQAT4CbWSlwPZaPKW2A8u2DadkIA6ZNPDzf89jLF9g2U6IjAt5mn6fiqpml7rYuGhAR0n0Ws3yzkm2dT/s4608/20200521_165022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZzrjEgvCa_A4hVARq76aXZyTgu-SMR8CGKHcz6t3OND6Ay8tVNtg7v7L46yrKQAT4CbWSlwPZaPKW2A8u2DadkIA6ZNPDzf89jLF9g2U6IjAt5mn6fiqpml7rYuGhAR0n0Ws3yzkm2dT/s320/20200521_165022.jpg" /></a></div> </font></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: left;">I'm still trying to work out how it gets across the Cat Walk to connect his lines without damaging his paint work?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During time off I've cooked a few tasty meals and had some rather lovely Mango Cider from <a href="https://www.snailsbankcider.co.uk/" target="_blank">Snails Bank Brewery</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpYtIzREEyIKGShcqIfilGQFctnCffjdQZrX5QghY4kIJF1XaqzIHMaprGB3VOPXkE79iQwcqy7kUwIb9diQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></font></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: left;">This was a Thai Sticky Chicken - Had a bit of a kick to it and tasted wonderful!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ElwY16lydG-Wjbb1xyJcBL_VfYtQMLkDZf7P7ImZyOnTCVhemrPFlFIG4F6_-7u1Qz8yDbBVjSwWensBGmVAO3HpquPYDN3lyriL5ejMoH0VWNHVkqJJKz9CGodAAYA2WYKcBPpPbL5J/s4032/20200523_190810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ElwY16lydG-Wjbb1xyJcBL_VfYtQMLkDZf7P7ImZyOnTCVhemrPFlFIG4F6_-7u1Qz8yDbBVjSwWensBGmVAO3HpquPYDN3lyriL5ejMoH0VWNHVkqJJKz9CGodAAYA2WYKcBPpPbL5J/s320/20200523_190810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></font></div><div><font face="arial">The cider was from our local Micro Pub here in New Milton - They are doing a collection and delivery service!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-xyE-1bnIDPRS57VuOyHlBbZk82aE62iNJaeqhZjIM44VHkKoanTfrrFjA8TAbyCMDfqkjD9Fz4qCLcsx5zVztGImQOgmH5OE1sE77TA55HRl_Mnk8tbkw8j7EqdLfp1ceDj3DY6VHpS/s4032/20200523_155742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-xyE-1bnIDPRS57VuOyHlBbZk82aE62iNJaeqhZjIM44VHkKoanTfrrFjA8TAbyCMDfqkjD9Fz4qCLcsx5zVztGImQOgmH5OE1sE77TA55HRl_Mnk8tbkw8j7EqdLfp1ceDj3DY6VHpS/s320/20200523_155742.jpg" /></a></div><font face="arial"><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div>We have also had some amazing weather recently although it has cooled off the last few days, not that I'm complaining as sleeping in the truck when it's hot is not great.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">It does mean we get to see some fantastic sunsets, this was taken late evening as we drove across the New Forest.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyShVq7ijCS5LCT7q14jZmI7Fr99uI7XddXfqcj6566R1XuHpVkbQFqjbox05UZlFPSgp-A-3tVdZzEYL3OjWCBNIdb6G71dnwQtsvdw8IgOXAMDJpuPcAbit8iHiuwn_drEs1Hu48LjQo/s4032/20200525_215022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyShVq7ijCS5LCT7q14jZmI7Fr99uI7XddXfqcj6566R1XuHpVkbQFqjbox05UZlFPSgp-A-3tVdZzEYL3OjWCBNIdb6G71dnwQtsvdw8IgOXAMDJpuPcAbit8iHiuwn_drEs1Hu48LjQo/s320/20200525_215022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Stayed at a Truck Stop called the Red Lion just off the M1 the other night, really well organised and the food was excellent. With your parking you get a £6.00 meal voucher - I added £1.75 and got a very good Tandoori Chicken, Chips and Salad.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSPT39hWCJ8VeaELARLfds6ihMQp9wziVZLlyqaRGAq51Jfb5aZthwd_Spdx5S6LQnW-esgaEp6zK65a_DlCH3GYFDnKAk2CF0XHVLA7N-L0O7BboNHInUW_MW6LMmZstomTS8knG5Nd-/s4032/20200528_190145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSPT39hWCJ8VeaELARLfds6ihMQp9wziVZLlyqaRGAq51Jfb5aZthwd_Spdx5S6LQnW-esgaEp6zK65a_DlCH3GYFDnKAk2CF0XHVLA7N-L0O7BboNHInUW_MW6LMmZstomTS8knG5Nd-/s320/20200528_190145.jpg" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">My 14 year old Base Ball Cap also had to be repaired, out with the needle and thread and it's good to go for a few more years!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZFaDBeA2ecIE4eexuT5twdE9rHtcY9ViZkvwvjU2SPEmGTGEZwGslnKQ7G9cSe8_e3Od2UBV4VgVcOTXHoVnTVZct24tDfdk04eTvo6lLpXbYC86iQzzh_gRKAm9ZonP8pJHaZwgbWuO/s2944/20200531_132105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZFaDBeA2ecIE4eexuT5twdE9rHtcY9ViZkvwvjU2SPEmGTGEZwGslnKQ7G9cSe8_e3Od2UBV4VgVcOTXHoVnTVZct24tDfdk04eTvo6lLpXbYC86iQzzh_gRKAm9ZonP8pJHaZwgbWuO/s320/20200531_132105.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Sat down on the beach just 10 minutes from our house the other evening, this view looks out towards the Needles on the Isle of Wight.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_GDlPSv36AMojuJmTkK-VTPlJFor37a-5OcHLZdRhIxyfwYT-C4ztunnfGC6PQKnb9UOf5SDjkHgpcoYKYOsl3ErZuR0ZVEbEzk1iwthLxBM85TVSXACzB7iO5vV0yX_oou9ZNnficTk/s4032/20200530_193936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_GDlPSv36AMojuJmTkK-VTPlJFor37a-5OcHLZdRhIxyfwYT-C4ztunnfGC6PQKnb9UOf5SDjkHgpcoYKYOsl3ErZuR0ZVEbEzk1iwthLxBM85TVSXACzB7iO5vV0yX_oou9ZNnficTk/s320/20200530_193936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><font face="arial">Some times whilst out in the truck you get to have a reasonable view whilst you brew up - other times not so pretty!</font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewhhyMWEuHLWNNPOp5SfPVdVoEvhH7h3HFUcHD5Ln1K6ugx0upDUcnpkSrKoBbp2Z88hLbCRS9J6NPOa1HS8Jxd67u0BoQasms8joJL_z-0nJ_sf_lNxJvQSClljcp6513Mv5IW5A4zUN/s4032/20200602_101518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewhhyMWEuHLWNNPOp5SfPVdVoEvhH7h3HFUcHD5Ln1K6ugx0upDUcnpkSrKoBbp2Z88hLbCRS9J6NPOa1HS8Jxd67u0BoQasms8joJL_z-0nJ_sf_lNxJvQSClljcp6513Mv5IW5A4zUN/s320/20200602_101518.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k4_0V-M3UVndjQmjdRXNiYZIhFHSBtpdxs6EGFWyEK6u3G7wsAQDUvMpX20Phi4TaoARn3OKlvCVfmXA264FkalbFo5mPjKu4OXtzIP3p4b61ytRa1mAHg9RiUM25eO_Qwkqu1J-My5m/s4032/20200602_172534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k4_0V-M3UVndjQmjdRXNiYZIhFHSBtpdxs6EGFWyEK6u3G7wsAQDUvMpX20Phi4TaoARn3OKlvCVfmXA264FkalbFo5mPjKu4OXtzIP3p4b61ytRa1mAHg9RiUM25eO_Qwkqu1J-My5m/s320/20200602_172534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">It also never ceases to amaze me what we export - this last week I have collected Ash - Being exported to Vietnam to be turned into furniture and scrap aluminium to be smelted down and recycled into more goods!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTgIrzqrKaN1tiwT0mqomvbqikxbNaXdO5rLfP5eY9liYrwy7qzwSJcl_ZAQbD5BojTvJUkK3ptvFP9ep3HiZNNrFXtsiCHAleFx1V9TyxFfFj-DF3v_ZwMfMoru85hef3B_lXxq7r-Hg/s4032/20200605_072352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTgIrzqrKaN1tiwT0mqomvbqikxbNaXdO5rLfP5eY9liYrwy7qzwSJcl_ZAQbD5BojTvJUkK3ptvFP9ep3HiZNNrFXtsiCHAleFx1V9TyxFfFj-DF3v_ZwMfMoru85hef3B_lXxq7r-Hg/s320/20200605_072352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Watching them load the tree's into the back of the container made me wonder how on earth they get them back out! They were rammed in pretty hard!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j0jyD2YRPQsy8kJinn4Pc9Ar_umE2n108uWAA9qlBmwyfY37d88t8lML1b1yDX21KF_G0UwgjWo5-24BTwns9jSFck6oiJj38CXa2dkdpPdrIwNC9IGaqo8ZMdk4mgMIstSJjd8Sj2Xl/s4032/20200603_163421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j0jyD2YRPQsy8kJinn4Pc9Ar_umE2n108uWAA9qlBmwyfY37d88t8lML1b1yDX21KF_G0UwgjWo5-24BTwns9jSFck6oiJj38CXa2dkdpPdrIwNC9IGaqo8ZMdk4mgMIstSJjd8Sj2Xl/s320/20200603_163421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LHF2B8jVG4-N9CXQ3_7XzBvaKzOj2SgZRznohypNdNBGfpwxM7HzbeFYt-9JgcqLoLI5aLN6p68JHaoLPqqQ54nD-j2yHhzZdCW6q-EdkrACRrC9SDRotmBmNkFFTuGr44FmO_1bpSgo/s4032/20200603_163513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LHF2B8jVG4-N9CXQ3_7XzBvaKzOj2SgZRznohypNdNBGfpwxM7HzbeFYt-9JgcqLoLI5aLN6p68JHaoLPqqQ54nD-j2yHhzZdCW6q-EdkrACRrC9SDRotmBmNkFFTuGr44FmO_1bpSgo/s320/20200603_163513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZkD3LkcA7dMaLtWwmMN3VaM4tqFlJSOZG1DzY-BjhI0cncd7ZoyjNT5ZHpwD5h4cgcasmOo3-TEd84EBnXbZceJdqw4rNuHFliP-h6Nn5O-dz-7vIGvoVJp5qVzjLu3xigZIXeEcWfDy/s4032/20200603_163522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZkD3LkcA7dMaLtWwmMN3VaM4tqFlJSOZG1DzY-BjhI0cncd7ZoyjNT5ZHpwD5h4cgcasmOo3-TEd84EBnXbZceJdqw4rNuHFliP-h6Nn5O-dz-7vIGvoVJp5qVzjLu3xigZIXeEcWfDy/s320/20200603_163522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidS1IGusl4axP9odwX21Ewy-1YeXROUziUM7aZz8eX_GX7z_JI5fymD4N_2Dc5fZDleBEBBXnPoJ7mU2Dga5NtH2yMDcAV-sI_w8Z94SL00vwKN7IGuoJUjrzhwFYGA_iDs9_OuBzFBxEv/s4032/20200603_165321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidS1IGusl4axP9odwX21Ewy-1YeXROUziUM7aZz8eX_GX7z_JI5fymD4N_2Dc5fZDleBEBBXnPoJ7mU2Dga5NtH2yMDcAV-sI_w8Z94SL00vwKN7IGuoJUjrzhwFYGA_iDs9_OuBzFBxEv/s320/20200603_165321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><font face="arial">I also delivered a 40ft container full of ventilators - a sobering thought! Let's hope they are not needed!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Monday - I'm back on the road and heading over to South Wales with a 40ft Container full of Mobility Scooters!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Hope you all have a great weekend!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Stay safe!</font></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-12287154654062544922020-05-11T02:22:00.001-07:002020-05-11T02:56:40.261-07:00Be Alert Your Country Needs "Lerts"<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, a quick update for you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I managed to spend 2 whole weeks being on "Stand By" which for me meant being awake by 0600 hrs every day, just in case the phone went.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last thing I wanted was for a call to come through, then for it to be a mad rush to get out the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, the phone never rang!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then after 2 weeks of being at home, on the Friday I called the office to see what was happening and they wanted me in on Monday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I was back in a Mercedes Actros, which is what I normally drive and we were set to go!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I must point out that this was not my Actros, that truck is still stood down and in moth balls. The truck I was in, the driver was on holiday, not that he could go any where!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also thought that it would be fun to make a video everyday - this I did and uploaded to Youtube. I've included a link to each video below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was heading up to Northampton, an easy day, the worst thing that happened was a new tube of 300 sweetners decided to fall apart and spill out all over the floor of my cab as I was making a brew!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE_9UoGg4pWI-vT7XgYJ5IJ8v1rhvkbvvo5sgj_kaxtYtqYRdxcVOjGkvwgtvAK8sDFH1WYAXq04djwE_9-5LcP2hvfcNe1kRVlNAUReNXa7EFMnPg-Ws4m65JFvYf-2MCOggmiCRfIU5/s1600/20200504_100114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE_9UoGg4pWI-vT7XgYJ5IJ8v1rhvkbvvo5sgj_kaxtYtqYRdxcVOjGkvwgtvAK8sDFH1WYAXq04djwE_9-5LcP2hvfcNe1kRVlNAUReNXa7EFMnPg-Ws4m65JFvYf-2MCOggmiCRfIU5/s320/20200504_100114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was still finding them on Friday! Took me bloody ages to pick them all up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The link to today's trip up to Northampton is here - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay7ROCeuZ_Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay7ROCeuZ_Y</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An early start - the alarm going off at 0215 hrs! Not pleasant!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the docks for 0300 hrs and then off towards the Cotswolds, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Down" target="_blank">Aston Down Airfield</a> to be precise. Lovely location with a good view out of the cab as I was being unloaded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A bit tricky to find, my satnav deciding on taking me on a very inappropriate route.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided against trying to get my truck up a 21% gradient! Managed to loop around at a roundabout and tried another easier route in, which I had driven past 2 miles previously!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdRsxtAtb4Mul7XWVEPgWLMkgkWeCgY5jm-XVdA45HUME91J6jwB9tnnZoMTItNlJYNxG-5OjG41xDbYn3h85eOYZWnfXNYA6_t7eu8B0zJPqv8hGgRp2awyL2NrC8ZAhhE2BM68t_iQQ/s1600/20200505_085346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdRsxtAtb4Mul7XWVEPgWLMkgkWeCgY5jm-XVdA45HUME91J6jwB9tnnZoMTItNlJYNxG-5OjG41xDbYn3h85eOYZWnfXNYA6_t7eu8B0zJPqv8hGgRp2awyL2NrC8ZAhhE2BM68t_iQQ/s320/20200505_085346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAZBduxtiCJXRbUOgLx7DXJNYR_tw-00QZ77NIAWxiHNDdpoI4OucHr-17lbieYB_Dy2_NPASj80CwIbyr_PesQGeV40Lw2aOeAnxOqfxF4SX0zN8SEg-FgcesJlNMuxR_Poau_gaw9LI/s1600/20200505_082436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAZBduxtiCJXRbUOgLx7DXJNYR_tw-00QZ77NIAWxiHNDdpoI4OucHr-17lbieYB_Dy2_NPASj80CwIbyr_PesQGeV40Lw2aOeAnxOqfxF4SX0zN8SEg-FgcesJlNMuxR_Poau_gaw9LI/s320/20200505_082436.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then it was back to the yard, missed the slots on the docks so an early finish and another early start for the morning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ChpeUznTIsQ8GiWE7oiQPlg9ngsk8nAhGSp8phgVyr14WruWgET8iUtkigonARpP45iTlsx6bioCS5rk1tH7cbPadcrkFWcuihDjzPFn5UFN7bUr5lIxu_5mlUskh9vD9Vbo4ITQF3Ip/s1600/20200505_144024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ChpeUznTIsQ8GiWE7oiQPlg9ngsk8nAhGSp8phgVyr14WruWgET8iUtkigonARpP45iTlsx6bioCS5rk1tH7cbPadcrkFWcuihDjzPFn5UFN7bUr5lIxu_5mlUskh9vD9Vbo4ITQF3Ip/s320/20200505_144024.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did have some good views to look at whilst I was resting up! There are quite a few cruise ships tied up in port at the moment due to the plague.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The link to today's video is here - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkve352rFL8&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkve352rFL8&feature=youtu.be</a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A day trip into Wales, well, Chepstow! It did mean that I drove over the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severn_Bridge" target="_blank">old Severn Bridge</a> which was a first for me in a truck!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I managed to get some good footage I think as well, but I'll let you be the judge of that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Truck looked good in the sunshine, I only had a 20ft box on. It was weighing in around 26 tons which is almost maxed out. You certainly knew it was on the back when you hit a hill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On my return, I had to take the truck in for it's service. This meant a night at home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The link to today's video is here - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjUHXBhLhJ8&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjUHXBhLhJ8&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Had to collect the truck at 0700 hrs so not an early start today, and due to it being <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_in_Europe_Day" target="_blank">VE Day</a> tomorrow, my last day of the week!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A trip back up the A34 to Litchfield and a tip at 1300 hrs meant I didn't get back down the road till late.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not much of a view today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time I had emptied my truck and then sanitised it, I eventually made it home just after 2000 hrs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The link to today's video is here - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYgPYqDS1M&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYgPYqDS1M&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was my week!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hope you enjoyed the video's - don't forget to subscribe to my channel on Youtube it would be very much appreciated!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, next week?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can you guess?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yep - "Stand By" again!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hence I'm bringing you up to speed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay safe and as we have now been told to be "Alert" it reminds me of an old Army poster we used to have.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVLXSM7l7Kz2OAxPi87oAt67dSiI7imqO9r5x-r6OLwnXFjFY3qLsZcQArAA_33iDvD96fbf4_O6LUmBbaLH9uRft5Pswh2e6hkrZBV8GC7YR5DFvkTotDOeZpzvTqxQFQrDvHuP82UJ4/s1600/IMG_2562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVLXSM7l7Kz2OAxPi87oAt67dSiI7imqO9r5x-r6OLwnXFjFY3qLsZcQArAA_33iDvD96fbf4_O6LUmBbaLH9uRft5Pswh2e6hkrZBV8GC7YR5DFvkTotDOeZpzvTqxQFQrDvHuP82UJ4/s1600/IMG_2562.JPG" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay safe every one and be a "Lert"!!!</span></div>
Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-21612944232141486512020-04-24T00:51:00.001-07:002020-04-24T00:51:55.761-07:00The Week That Didn't Happen - Stand-By!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my last post I said that the plan for Monday was to be on Stand-By.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, I stood by and did bugger all! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOZZHZ3lhU6fbeBu3h0nWY41GrsaW56GCF1ei7Y9RMgLFK9r1fR4KEKe2dWrLO7pz7pmitJgLtDqNOdvvve2MQHY1jclC9jsc88_rTcHO29hohQDU5RWl24SyptlhXNGNSFB-FCWwwMVN/s1600/cd13cc_2c8b14e21cb644ecba156f09fe42f9b7_mv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="565" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOZZHZ3lhU6fbeBu3h0nWY41GrsaW56GCF1ei7Y9RMgLFK9r1fR4KEKe2dWrLO7pz7pmitJgLtDqNOdvvve2MQHY1jclC9jsc88_rTcHO29hohQDU5RWl24SyptlhXNGNSFB-FCWwwMVN/s320/cd13cc_2c8b14e21cb644ecba156f09fe42f9b7_mv2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This past week I have been sat at home doing nothing, please don't get me wrong - I'm as far as I'm aware, still on full pay, so I am certainly not complaining, but I was certainly not expecting a full week at home!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only down side to being on Stand-By is that you feel like you can't start anything in case you do get the call!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My week has been a bit stagnated as a result.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, I have mastered a new skill, and that was being able to video capture my screen direct from my laptop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After learning this new skill I managed to cobble together a virtual tour of my home town of Shaftesbury in Dorset using Google Street View as I basically talk nonsense!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can find it here --> https://t.co/kgyAdDhbwq?amp=1</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWnKkZKf3dzsK90m-Ouk7H7-9Pqn7LrP9TJbJv0vylJ0AepfETJK9d7ByKbBdPDhd9V8t0JMSMmZnjW-5m40B_EFvK56_xLa95KU-bIpj1JaTAUpX-PQmmqEgFDgdczZY34AditasUHK0/s1600/1200px-Gold_Hill%252C_Shaftsbury%252C_Dorset%252C_England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWnKkZKf3dzsK90m-Ouk7H7-9Pqn7LrP9TJbJv0vylJ0AepfETJK9d7ByKbBdPDhd9V8t0JMSMmZnjW-5m40B_EFvK56_xLa95KU-bIpj1JaTAUpX-PQmmqEgFDgdczZY34AditasUHK0/s320/1200px-Gold_Hill%252C_Shaftsbury%252C_Dorset%252C_England.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have a watch and let me know what you think - I've also put one together for Child Okeford which is where I spent the first few years of my life before I moved to Shaftesbury.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I haven't been back to Shaftesbury for a while, once all this virus has calmed down, we will have to return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, who knows when that will be?! It seems to be never ending with no return to normality in sight at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will we ever return to normal? I'm not so sure if we will!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll find out later today what the plan is for Monday, if there is a plan!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But till then I have some solar lights to put up in the garden and the plumber is out yet again later as the shower is still not working as it should.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It really is a Rock 'N' Roll lifestyle we are living at the moment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay Safe - Stay At Home!</span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-56224731371347196722020-04-19T06:09:00.002-07:002020-04-19T06:09:13.802-07:00Holiday Over - Back To Work - Or Is It?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I have done very little other than cook, drink and sleep!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What an existence! Ordinarily that sounds like heaven, but when you are denied the right to go where you want at any time, it all becomes a bit weird!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took the time to make Ethiopian Coffee using my Jebena - a traditional coffee pot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also made a video showing how I did it - You can watch it here https://t.co/03gNoaVHyA?amp=1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I said in my last post, this was a wasted holiday for me. My company would not allow me to cancel it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I understand to a degree the reasoning behind it, but now I am left at a disadvantage of not being able to travel over to Holland with Kiera to visit her family once we come out of lockdown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I phoned up the company on Friday to find out what the plan was for Monday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To put it simply, there is no plan, not enough trucks available so I am sat at home on stand-by!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm on full pay, so not bad, but to be honest I'd rather be furloughed for 3 weeks and not have to be ready to go at a moments notice. That is a pain! I all ready did 3 days of that 2 weeks ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh well, I've got a job and I am still virus free - I think! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to tell, you sneeze and your first thought is - I've got it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am I sweating because I'm just hot or have I got a fever? Am I coughing because it's just clearing my throat or is it a sign?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see why people with anxiety are suffering, it's enough to bring on a anxiety attack just thinking about it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have managed to cook some great meals though, it's nice to have the time to be able to do it, and to have a few beers at the same time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSIrxHZlOeMVOfVynfWUZ6gSSxHK0kCItpujU_epj0DLwOTk3Rlgbe8CoRSAsAouch9nHOIWto8cZLpz4TUhV3tdLluMVs8vtxeIaaWn23Rd-5W4XpNDRiX4oQvKipOoa801ysyYw-uR-/s1600/20200418_222817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSIrxHZlOeMVOfVynfWUZ6gSSxHK0kCItpujU_epj0DLwOTk3Rlgbe8CoRSAsAouch9nHOIWto8cZLpz4TUhV3tdLluMVs8vtxeIaaWn23Rd-5W4XpNDRiX4oQvKipOoa801ysyYw-uR-/s320/20200418_222817.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's now Sunday afternoon, had one too many last night and paying the price now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just got my gear to sort out for next week in case I'm called out and that's it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope everyone is staying safe!!</span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-54960912616770100672020-04-15T04:02:00.001-07:002020-04-15T04:19:22.283-07:00On Holiday But Stuck At Home!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We should of been in Holland by now, but due to the bat shit crazy world we are all living in right now I find myself on holiday and sat at my kitchen table!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I finished work at lunch time on Good Friday, came home to find the shower was not working.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That would not of been so bad normally, but due to current events I haven't taken a shower all week and was in great need of one!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you can imagine I was not a happy teddy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, I was alive and healthy, so one cannot complain too much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday we tried to get our normal plumber to come out, but it was like pulling hens teeth, and eventually gave up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday evening I tried another mate (ex services) and he said he would be round first thing on Sunday, which he was. Should of called him first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We thought it was the pump playing up, and managed to get it going again, but not for long, and it was soon failing to work correctly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally we took the pump apart and loads of muck was clogging up the filters, so let's hope that this was the problem. Time will tell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, I managed to play the harmonica live on facebook! Never done anything like that before and I hope it gave people a few smiles! I'd had a few beers at this stage so it was all a little ropey. But it was fun to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also made another video of me making a Chilli Con Carne - I was drinking as I went and on watching it back you can clearly see and hear me getting progressively pissed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://t.co/vHsfZisVMB?amp=1 Thats the link to my Youtube Channel - Ill warn you now, it goes on for a while and is full of me swearing with the odd rant thrown in!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a very sore head the next day, and we both did absolutely nothing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yesterday I just pottered about, and today, has been similar, although I have got a sausage casserole bubbling away in the slow cooker, and I got my Ethiopian Jebena out and made some rather delicious coffee.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBkRc2OW-uTxHm9NZq_abYljMiHGx7Hf5pFGxkIiF01SFsgrGPdOQO_dsInf55ZiFR5zpC5jm3dR7QvMPZ1aLkMfcRSX817IwyKcXBnkG7f-IfPXVPNHQhVHg_eWL68_0L0C9ZgM0VQz8/s1600/20200415_112657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBkRc2OW-uTxHm9NZq_abYljMiHGx7Hf5pFGxkIiF01SFsgrGPdOQO_dsInf55ZiFR5zpC5jm3dR7QvMPZ1aLkMfcRSX817IwyKcXBnkG7f-IfPXVPNHQhVHg_eWL68_0L0C9ZgM0VQz8/s320/20200415_112657.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope everyone is staying safe, I'm not back at work till next Monday. I've a close friend who is now isolating and another friend who is just coming through from having it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was very close to be admitted to hospital and openly admits to it scaring him badly!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So don't take any risks, keep safe and stay at home!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-63675083705755720862020-04-12T06:53:00.002-07:002020-04-12T06:53:10.623-07:00YouTube Channel - I'm Going To Have A Go!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years I have watched many Youtube videos, some good, some bad, so I thought it time that I had another go at making some videos of what I get up to on a daily basis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you all know, I'm not normal, in fact I pride myself with the fact that I'm far from normal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who want's to be normal???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have made a few videos before whilst I have been out on my bike, but to be honest they have been a pain in the arse to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With mobile technology and quality now being so good, I thought I would try my phone out to see how I got on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a GoPro, which I find a pain to use, probably because I'm not sure how the thing works, but with a phone, it really is point and shoot!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, last week I made a few vids, and have put them up onto Youtube - I will put the links down below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please take the time to have a look, and tell me what you think.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you are probably well aware, I am not Politically Correct and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I served in the British Army, so of course I "Swear Like A Trooper".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have been warned!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-1ny4l3l r-1ddef8g r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/oJmlZbmKZ3?amp=1" original_target="https://youtu.be/iol0iovtklq" rel=" noopener noreferrer" role="link" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank" title="https://youtu.be/IoL0IOvtKLQ" waprocessedanchor="true">youtu.be/IoL0IOvtKLQ</a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This link takes you to my trip travelling out of Nottingham South Bound on Monday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-1ny4l3l r-1ddef8g r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/9HoV5Aersb?amp=1" original_target="https://youtu.be/a8san-_msaw" rel=" noopener noreferrer" role="link" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank" title="https://youtu.be/a8san-_msaw" waprocessedanchor="true"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-hiw28u r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-size: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: inherit;">https://</span>youtu.be/a8san-_msaw</a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This link takes you to my trip travelling on the A34 South Bound on Good Friday morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It would be great if you followed me on Youtube by subscribing, and giving a thumbs up if you like it or a thumbs down if you think it's shite!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Either way let me know - I've another video to put up later of me leaving Southampton Docks but I'll put that up later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No doubt there will be a few cooking videos and a few drunken ones as well, using my phone I think the quality is actually pretty good. I've certainly seen a lot worse!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So click the links and get to hear what I sound like!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay safe.................</span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-70241677909726085672020-04-12T05:43:00.000-07:002020-04-12T05:43:10.893-07:00Week Of Driving A HGV Truck Under Lock Down<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First week back and it's been a long and strange week!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Mercedes truck is still being stood down, so I was in a DAF xf all week, as the regular driver was on holiday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a (69 plate) new truck, and was nice to drive, but to be honest I still prefer my Mercedes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in at 0700hrs to sterilise the truck and to load all my belongings into it to last me a week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Food, bedding and all the other one hundred and one things that makes my life easier whilst being out on the road!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was planned to go to Chandlers Ford which was just up the road then across to Tilbury Docks, unload my box and head back to Southampton.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That soon changed and I was heading North towards Nottingham.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The roads were real quite, this really was the first time I had driven any where since the UK introduced Lock Down measures. It all felt a bit strange!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I made it up to Nottingham in good time, the picture above shows the truck I was driving and with a 20ft container behind. The trailer has to be slid into a special position to make sure the weight is evenly distributed across the axles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I stopped at Cherwell Valley Services, the toilets were open and so was M and S Food Hall and WH Smiths, but that was it. I think I only saw a handful of people whilst I was in there, it just did not feel real!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd been to the company before so knew where I was going. The other times I've been there it has always been difficult to park due to the amount of cars all over the place. But, due to the lock down, there was not a car in sight, so made it very easy to get set up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had to shrink the trailer down so they could empty it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It only took an hour for them to unload, just enough time to have a brew and catch up on facebook!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So much for essential supplies - I had artificial grass on board!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, it is keeping other folk in a job, so not a bad thing I guess?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heading out of Nottingham was straight forward with no traffic to contend with, my journey back being, M1, A43, M40, A34 and a quick blast on the M3 back to Southampton.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I missed out on going onto the docks, as between 0500hrs and 0700hrs then 1700hrs and 1900hrs they shut, this is so the operators can sterilise the cranes and straddlers to keep them safe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got back at 1730hrs and did not have enough hours left to wait to go onto the docks so it was back to the yard and park up for the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I stayed in our yard, it just isn't worth me travelling home when I only have 9 hrs off. By the time I'm home fed and asleep it's time to be going back to work!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hence I tend to stay in the yard unless I have a late start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was up and on the dock at 0400 hrs, box off and box on and I was off to Corby up in Leicestershire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once again, an easy run up with no traffic at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another highly critical time sensitive load - Prawn bloody Crackers! I kid you not!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not much of a view! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Had to wait a bit to be tipped, then it took a couple of hours, but once done, I was heading back down South.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due to the length of time it took to unload I missed going on the docks, so another night spent in the yard and another early start!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Never had a Creamy Cajun Chicken and Rice before, but it was rather good for a microwave meal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I said earlier, I'm not in my Mercedes, this DAF has an inbuilt DAF microwave, which is low wattage, so it takes ages to heat anything up. In my Mercedes I have a 1000w invertor and it's brilliant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A simple mug of milk for my milky coffee in the mornings takes 3min 10 secs in the DAF whereas in the Merc it takes just 2mins! A big difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back on the docks for 0400hrs and heading North all the way up to Pocklington which is just outside of York.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took a while to get up there but made it on time, and my life was made easier by the guys there who undid my doors and unloaded and closed me back up without me getting out of the cab!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was there a couple of hours unloading, this time I had tyres on board. A bit more of an essential load, so felt a little better about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not much of a view as they unloaded though!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY4HcOizz-U4ILh98xoJKivNt7aJhP6HMTzpyW5hDcYXRX9_yWyrynIcJsO42y10oR-_n1jMw_4DjMEuOfAntIBVKvSJkDUewlO12yWhXMNRhRE9jP9RdOXJM9ETqMem4UXcVLGfh3LWp/s1600/20200408_115347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1204" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY4HcOizz-U4ILh98xoJKivNt7aJhP6HMTzpyW5hDcYXRX9_yWyrynIcJsO42y10oR-_n1jMw_4DjMEuOfAntIBVKvSJkDUewlO12yWhXMNRhRE9jP9RdOXJM9ETqMem4UXcVLGfh3LWp/s320/20200408_115347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once I was clear I was heading South, I wanted to get down as far as I could with the time I had remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the end I got as far as J23 on the M1 - there is a truck stop here, I've stayed here before and it's been ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pulled in and it had a few trucks in all ready, just over half full, so parked up, paid for parking and went in to use the loo. The cafe was doing food, but takeaway only. I had food I could of cooked but was feeling a little lazy and the Roast Pork dinner was looking good and for £5.00 it had to be done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dinner was eaten outside on the catwalk, it was a warm evening. After that I settled down with my book and had an early night once I had spoken to Kiera which I do every evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Didn't get much of a view!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">0230hrs and the wheels are turning!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An easy run down to Southampton, I stopped on the way down for a break, went back to the yard to refuel and by the time I had done all of that it was time to go on the docks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a time slot of 0800hrs, it did not take me long to get my box off and loaded once more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This time it was a temperature controlled box or Reefer as it is commonly known (as in refrigerator).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I definitely had a worth while load on now, medical supplies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back up the road to Coleshill, which is just off the M42 North of Warwick and East of Birmingham. I'd been here before which always makes life a little more easier.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At first they were unwilling to tip me as I was late, my company all ready knew this, in fact they knew that I would be late at 1630 the previous day! My new booking time was 1300hrs instead of 1100hrs. However this information for what ever reason had failed to get to the people who needed it and that was the warehouse staff who were operating on a skeleton crew!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the end I managed to sweet talk them, and 3 hrs later I was good to go. Not that I could go far as I was more or less out of time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Luckily there was a truck stop just 20mins down the road.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I pulled into Lincoln Farm Truck Stop and parked up in a dust bowl of a yard!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Made my way over to pay, and to be honest it was grim. The toilets had last been refurbished in the 50's and the loo's had no seats, straight to porcelain!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I entered the cafe to pay for parking I noticed the green and black hygiene rating sign displayed at the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ratings are from 1 start to 5 stars, 5 stars being the best. Most places these days are 5 stars with a few dropping down to 4 stars. However this place only had 3!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It just looked skanky, cracked floor tiles and chipped formica tables. So decided I would pay for parking and not eat from there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting the virus is one thing, but food poisoning on top is a risk to far!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back to the cab, and just chilled out, watched a bit of YouTube and read and fell asleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Good Friday</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a later start for me today, I just had to run down South to the docks, unload the box and return to the yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Was still up at 0430hrs and on the road for 0500hrs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Travelling back down the M1 was strange, it was the same the day before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Normally at those sort of times (early hours) it's like a train of trucks heading South, truck after truck after truck. It was so quiet today I could put my main beam on - I was the only truck around at some points!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stopped for a break at Sutton Scotney services and was hungry, bought a cheese and onion sandwich from the shop and turned it into a toastie on my catwalk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo06tpeCj0NWIfLLqOkLAeOGhEhmZdHenwLuRezFaCqrnjkHUr6UgKaojEy9YvPVCPHw93by-_hGI31YYuw3ZvHJmK2EoWW34CTlyfjwqndTqSIhMzZ7jSEIr_E9KcR9tKoUnIbVivjzrg/s1600/20200410_074005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo06tpeCj0NWIfLLqOkLAeOGhEhmZdHenwLuRezFaCqrnjkHUr6UgKaojEy9YvPVCPHw93by-_hGI31YYuw3ZvHJmK2EoWW34CTlyfjwqndTqSIhMzZ7jSEIr_E9KcR9tKoUnIbVivjzrg/s320/20200410_074005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Turned out great and much needed along with a Costa Coffee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Down on to the docks, box off quickly and back to the yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Refuelled, parked up and emptied all my gear into my car.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I then set about sanitising the truck as best I could with anti-bacterial wipes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I finally got home around 1200hrs, I was knackered, but still alive and as far as I can tell, virus free!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It now so happens I am off for a week. We should of been going to Holland but that clearly is not going to happen and my company is not allowing anyone to cancel holidays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I'm at home for the week - at least the weather looks good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay safe everyone!!!!!</span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-23254215870878876422020-04-03T06:08:00.001-07:002020-04-03T06:08:18.185-07:00Stand By - Stand By!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I'm back at work - sort of!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm on Stand By - There is no truck for me to drive so I'm working from home this week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A truck is available for me next week, I pick it up Monday and I'm then tramping through to Thursday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As of Good Friday I'm then on holiday for a week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We should of been going over to Holland to see Kiera's Dad but for obvious reasons that is now on hold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The annoying thing is, is my company will not allow me to change my holiday dates so it buggers up me going over later on in the year!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6LmC4Qfl_XaBFDOm_3u2pqcMMJ87V1iQHrcxQw23w5disRc6_-HYthdwoTpa08CU8XqabQxCVXSwvixn2s6ak1Lht4jMpEHT1pf87o9YFuiItG4MnTuPwHUyRm1eeyko18zdW9h-7c5N/s1600/20200330_133410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6LmC4Qfl_XaBFDOm_3u2pqcMMJ87V1iQHrcxQw23w5disRc6_-HYthdwoTpa08CU8XqabQxCVXSwvixn2s6ak1Lht4jMpEHT1pf87o9YFuiItG4MnTuPwHUyRm1eeyko18zdW9h-7c5N/s320/20200330_133410.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of the places we go to, once backed onto a bay, we have to hand over our keys to the warehouse staff to ensure we cannot drive off with anyone still in the back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a bit excessive but there have been cases when this has actually happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, due to the Corona Virus I'm not exactly happy about handing my keys over due to cross contamination, so I have made up a dummy set, placed them in a zip lock back and sealed it with a travel padlock. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Impossible for them to remove the keys without me noticing, and if they do, they had better have a bloody good reason for doing so!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have also completed the sign for my in laws, we went down to drop off their shopping as they are now both confined to barracks and I put it up for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think they liked it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDIYU3JoeUHxWJ9A-nii-5y66x6vO2qOhbi5JO22ss0alkUdiE-saqkGGs6Py5tg3F83ar7MXzeSeZXOxYRLCsZ2zJGepnZN2dtxGWXwRY_5-6HYOai-1j_EJo1NnzGqksSAqgqcDRF0W/s1600/20200329_141900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDIYU3JoeUHxWJ9A-nii-5y66x6vO2qOhbi5JO22ss0alkUdiE-saqkGGs6Py5tg3F83ar7MXzeSeZXOxYRLCsZ2zJGepnZN2dtxGWXwRY_5-6HYOai-1j_EJo1NnzGqksSAqgqcDRF0W/s320/20200329_141900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi1GOvBi_NZ_83nu7O4Atz1F4CPyQuzfp2TB9_T1I8b64dIoOpjBSFQsZ_43jBc9yTmjvkeq502PTBdFAl15uFSyUZQl_288vdJA8syWoa9iL_nBYVPNmRxq31TWAZezh45i2c7bVT7ir/s1600/20200331_191414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi1GOvBi_NZ_83nu7O4Atz1F4CPyQuzfp2TB9_T1I8b64dIoOpjBSFQsZ_43jBc9yTmjvkeq502PTBdFAl15uFSyUZQl_288vdJA8syWoa9iL_nBYVPNmRxq31TWAZezh45i2c7bVT7ir/s320/20200331_191414.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Certainly stands out, I gave it a couple of coats of varnish to seal it, so will be interesting to see how well it weathers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooked some squid rings the other night, they were really cheap from Aldi, all I did was dust them in plain flour and cooked them off on a high heat in sunflower oil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turned out really well!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7qnOugdGqUBLMM4TymXDsPlT1yutz5kfP2fVSaiXj0wpRY3uC-YCGU7E5IDUpVhddQVXHUHTN4jgGVhjXW623PiSpA2SUCU9l4IBC2jT_3DdA_js9GRzfeXqygKXMDrhVHmBOfFZvvpD/s1600/20200328_195051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7qnOugdGqUBLMM4TymXDsPlT1yutz5kfP2fVSaiXj0wpRY3uC-YCGU7E5IDUpVhddQVXHUHTN4jgGVhjXW623PiSpA2SUCU9l4IBC2jT_3DdA_js9GRzfeXqygKXMDrhVHmBOfFZvvpD/s320/20200328_195051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just had my job through for Monday, in for 0700hrs, load just up the road at Chandlers Ford (Southampton) then it's a drive up to Tilbury Docks to unload the box for export.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No idea where I will end up after that, maybe back down to Southampton or over to either London Gateway or Felixstowe. Will have to wait and see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No plans for the weekend - not like we can go anywhere, but, what's the betting the beaches and forests will be full, especially as Sunday is supposed to be glorious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When will people learn. I hope they all stay away, but there are some incredibly stupid folk about!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay safe..............</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-14953154192769571522020-03-29T04:47:00.000-07:002020-03-30T02:34:15.780-07:00Back To Work As A Key Worker - HGV Truck Driver - Corona Virus - Covid-19<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is with some apprehension that I return to work this Wednesday after being off for more or less all of March due to Calcification Tendinitis of the shoulder cuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My shoulder is around 80% recovered, I'm waiting now for a steroid injection, but cannot see that happening any time soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So back to work - I will phone the office on Tuesday to find out what is happening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My truck (Mercedes Benz Actros) was taken off the road just before I went sick and is still off the road due to lack of work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do not know if they are re-taxing it or if I will be in another truck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would rather be in my own truck, not looking forward to driving a truck that someone else has been in recently!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From what I can make out from mates still on the road and from the trucking forums, we as truckers are not having an easy life out there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, some would say that truckers are complaining too much, but, in some cases they are being treated like lepers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being refused access to toilets at business premises and not allowed to wash their hands is in my view poor conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Service Stations have closed in many areas with no facilities at all, and you are still charged to park!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You are now having to shit in a bucket and piss in a bottle in your cab - is that really acceptable?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When unloading they are being told they must wait in a rest room containing up to 30 other drivers on some large sites, all crammed in together. Social distancing just not happening!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since I've started trucking I have always been self sufficient. I make sure that I have enough food to last me the week and the equipment to cook and keep myself clean.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, not all have the ability or the mindset to do this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I for one will be practising my social distancing, I have a tool to ensure this will happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's called a cricket bat, I carry it with me in the cab, by holding it out at arms length, I reckon it's approx 6ft. Get any closer and you will feel the smooth surface of willow on your noggin!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I carry a bucket with bin liners to poo in. I've been caught short before and out of necessity had to carry out the procedure and to be honest I've crapped in far worse situations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also carry a bottle to pee in, this is always in my cab, and I do use it often, so no worries or changes for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I reckon I will be ok, as long as folk keep their distance. But one thing is for sure I will not be waiting in any rest rooms whilst loading or unloading. I'll be in my cab, if I can't do that then I'm out of there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Containers on the docks are starting to come back in slowly, but the problem now is that the companies that we deliver to are starting to shut down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I'm really not sure how long I'll be out on the road for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other questions is, do I come home? Although none of us here have any pre existing conditions, do I risk bringing the virus back into our sterile home?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kiera is all ready starting to worry about it all, so not sure how things will pan out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be totally honest I hope we all get stood down, but until we do, I'm back on the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll keep an update either via my facebook page or via instagram.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay safe................</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-28600520393380850822020-03-26T02:02:00.001-07:002020-03-26T02:02:18.658-07:00Key Worker? - By Doing More You Could End Up With Less!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not really sure how to go about this without sounding like I am moaning or complaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not, but I do think I have a valid point that requires addressing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My problem is this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A key worker (I fall into this category) is someone who carries on their daily work no matter how bad the virus gets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This I do not have a problem with. I guess it helps with my mind set that I signed many years ago an Oath of Allegiance to Queen and Country. So will do what ever it takes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I do have a bit of a gripe with this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have been stood down or cannot work from home due to the virus as an employed person, you, via the Government will receive 80% of your wages.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will hear later what is being given to the Self Employed later today, but, by all accounts there will be a rescue plan in place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, to stay safe and at home you will be paid - Brilliant. I totally agree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, those key workers who carry on, putting their lives and their families at risk day in day out only receive their normal pay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I am not asking for extra pay, but the issue I have is this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If in the line of your work, particularly NHS and Careworkers (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(As a truck driver I can pretty much self isolate in my cab) So I'm probably safer than most!) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who are most likely to fall ill during this time - what help do you get.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep just your Statutory Sick Pay - that's £94.24 a week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So by doing more you will end up with less!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How on earth is this correct?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay safe...........</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-9709419360962015842020-03-25T02:22:00.000-07:002020-03-25T02:22:00.747-07:00Lock Down UK - 2020<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would not of in my wildest dreams was I expecting to find myself in the situation we are in now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are in Lock Down - well sort of!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would of preferred to of seen greater restrictions on public movement more in line with Europe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instead we have guidelines which folk appear to be bending to suit their own strange beliefs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are still people carrying on as normal, seemingly oblivious to the problems that are surrounding them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the fact that an Exhibition Centre in London Docklands is being converted into a 4000 bed hospital doesn't scare you into staying indoors, it bloody well should! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, all we as a family can do is keep our heads down as much as possible, effectively we are on Super Lock Down - I have been out once for essentials and that is it. I don't think our 15 year old lad has left his bed yet! He is in heaven!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Must admit I don't have a problem with it. I'm conditioned to living in my Truck which has the square footage of your average kitchen table! So being stuck inside our house is not an issue for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, I can see how others feel enclosed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been keeping myself busy by watching loads of YouTube and playing with my "Router"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wish I had bought one years ago, they are brilliant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As my sense of humour is rather dark, some would say verging on the disturbing my first sign I made using my new toy raised a few eye brows!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYeAHTyqVoZYDj2TTtg00QoPLigW7YPailZZjxzZMSRY_s0eZiuxNB8fJQM_U5om3Yob-ZFXMMeMoEGnCjVTO9tlupIhZ7Gd4pmeZ5TOATF4Jfk2Tz1NqCxv9_FJ46mvF02wlVtwgh7bp/s1600/20200323_142713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYeAHTyqVoZYDj2TTtg00QoPLigW7YPailZZjxzZMSRY_s0eZiuxNB8fJQM_U5om3Yob-ZFXMMeMoEGnCjVTO9tlupIhZ7Gd4pmeZ5TOATF4Jfk2Tz1NqCxv9_FJ46mvF02wlVtwgh7bp/s320/20200323_142713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to put it next to my front door but was persuaded not to!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">However, four of my friends have asked me to make one of these for them!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I am also in the process of making a couple of bee signs - These are still work in progress and will be completed over the next couple of days, weather permitting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oc6MJXBAJMI8YK9F-NDPSPfeF2RFsjvdSdY53Fau2_Ys_FLW9wJtLdAdkRxx41zzGsEYtTsi7N3iIUD_3Jlu1gOvFW9jCKdptqIqe6Ld6rvtoHc6O7Bao8hmIKjsBH3GrI9pbXDPo-Rq/s1600/20200323_160421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oc6MJXBAJMI8YK9F-NDPSPfeF2RFsjvdSdY53Fau2_Ys_FLW9wJtLdAdkRxx41zzGsEYtTsi7N3iIUD_3Jlu1gOvFW9jCKdptqIqe6Ld6rvtoHc6O7Bao8hmIKjsBH3GrI9pbXDPo-Rq/s320/20200323_160421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3r-i909XYz0okYOFrdmEY0YR9GwhTnj1EgCb5J_7uEe6HgjYY-4RntGxMN0Qi_ZGU8MxQPvLGY-AwV0EwHHFKF1BFV0lpLn1mQek7cJnmAbS9T7h-wJ322ZRRqHx1X4LLKr7gvDMgjHTv/s1600/20200324_142426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3r-i909XYz0okYOFrdmEY0YR9GwhTnj1EgCb5J_7uEe6HgjYY-4RntGxMN0Qi_ZGU8MxQPvLGY-AwV0EwHHFKF1BFV0lpLn1mQek7cJnmAbS9T7h-wJ322ZRRqHx1X4LLKr7gvDMgjHTv/s320/20200324_142426.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A fiddly job, as I had to mask off as much as possible so that I could get an even coat of spray paint.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCRPYShyphenhyphenty9CEzmSDe7324AHTWgvEp5H0R-3pvQomMIqGjeq34Jr0ujDFXnnNsx85gFxTMrqNsScT00p8QHNPyzfhkl1NWGsZFgrbZJFdTAtTrDB8EfSKcNj5RYZIWQbQunhWzJrfprPy/s1600/20200325_084826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1204" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCRPYShyphenhyphenty9CEzmSDe7324AHTWgvEp5H0R-3pvQomMIqGjeq34Jr0ujDFXnnNsx85gFxTMrqNsScT00p8QHNPyzfhkl1NWGsZFgrbZJFdTAtTrDB8EfSKcNj5RYZIWQbQunhWzJrfprPy/s320/20200325_084826.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">All that is required now is sanding down to remove the excess paint, leaving only paint in the routed out parts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also started a house number for my inlaws, they don't know anything about this yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Both in Lock Down due to health issues, once it's finished and I have supplies for them I'm going to go down and replace their old one, which is currently lying on the ground with the one I'm making and will wait to see how long it is before they notice!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I will also know if they are going out or not!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">They do not read this blog so they won't find out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpYY-XlWkRXF8LcCellmKQCqHf_LFagB9m0QJgrciux5F0p5VyCqVvxrtnLeNE-edDfBd0MdV_y7mAZjmZuFbgc3LAXYzJr2kY-xyqFKw7-pbSXLJ18XKfooMFbvyJvot1VgHpJ_yavTQ/s1600/20200325_081454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpYY-XlWkRXF8LcCellmKQCqHf_LFagB9m0QJgrciux5F0p5VyCqVvxrtnLeNE-edDfBd0MdV_y7mAZjmZuFbgc3LAXYzJr2kY-xyqFKw7-pbSXLJ18XKfooMFbvyJvot1VgHpJ_yavTQ/s320/20200325_081454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On the right will be a Bee - Ill put more pics up as I go. The numbers still require sanding back to remove the paint bleed around the edges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have been watching the news, I know it's depressing, but it's almost like you feel you need to!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You may of noticed more and more people are being interviewed from home. Now there is a clip floating about of an important guy being interviewed at home, and his really young kids barge in, then you see the child minder on hands and knees trying to retrieve them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But we have been noticing more and more animals finding their way into the shot, mostly cats so far but none the less amusing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We have also noticed that some folk have paid no attention to where they are being interviewed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If I was being interviewed from home by the BBC I would make sure that the back drop was plain or uncluttered or showed something nice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">One MP was interviewed recently appeared to be sitting under the stairs, whilst the lady below looked like she was either sat on the floor or her radiators were head height!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rw80_3-w5XJpsWAYf_AKoKxhuFsWuJanT0q-HwrubotayhTelR6vBo4t4sl3k-CYL8lO3UbY2YwB0Sgevy5m2DxHRcPTA0GwLGPKHCM2OCvqmZsG4Ve75CtQd3Iyx5WUApOcI1XjWlaK/s1600/20200323_174428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rw80_3-w5XJpsWAYf_AKoKxhuFsWuJanT0q-HwrubotayhTelR6vBo4t4sl3k-CYL8lO3UbY2YwB0Sgevy5m2DxHRcPTA0GwLGPKHCM2OCvqmZsG4Ve75CtQd3Iyx5WUApOcI1XjWlaK/s320/20200323_174428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">With all this doom and gloom you have to find humour somewhere!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Talking of which, I find this amusing, it's an old picture that's been circulating for some time, but it just makes me smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe17MqgTIQaZ8ZINLLdh3C4kio62HiU0QxZJAWECFmHG5zuv6U-XXxp3wNSi08z7_cXm4321VZT2H5UQ756yCAbtSGGljUK0cq-c_cfaA6Hg9GCOCAvCSM6fRFOJhcUgUGKKa8q5yTBavJ/s1600/FB_IMG_1585033446134+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="558" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe17MqgTIQaZ8ZINLLdh3C4kio62HiU0QxZJAWECFmHG5zuv6U-XXxp3wNSi08z7_cXm4321VZT2H5UQ756yCAbtSGGljUK0cq-c_cfaA6Hg9GCOCAvCSM6fRFOJhcUgUGKKa8q5yTBavJ/s320/FB_IMG_1585033446134+%25281%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooking still plays and important part in our lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Breakfast for Kiera is a healthy one, whilst mine on the other hand is, well, unhealthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oGS0Q4XDNCb7oxYSCGVderyGKIwFTBpfkgzkG4HWZ8iIs-oQ_iTuUR0WY84mwGwnMh5-8shGCrhnWOl-MmMjoOkY7zEqusvnbS0GMSQgareqLtT6DwrkYl07bQxriJ_wcgD8XDlaXKQp/s1600/20200324_085214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oGS0Q4XDNCb7oxYSCGVderyGKIwFTBpfkgzkG4HWZ8iIs-oQ_iTuUR0WY84mwGwnMh5-8shGCrhnWOl-MmMjoOkY7zEqusvnbS0GMSQgareqLtT6DwrkYl07bQxriJ_wcgD8XDlaXKQp/s320/20200324_085214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11LxZMQhxB2lsBn1EUze1hEMsrugzWAP3E90T72-M7bjlVvsbw1p37Azmyfw2Cn3RCyqL3DVezmXAS_RSIHheK5c66_TQI95qt2b7h266mk1Bv58eI7CWxaRmOfIxImsXISNcBU5w6CJm/s1600/20200324_092900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11LxZMQhxB2lsBn1EUze1hEMsrugzWAP3E90T72-M7bjlVvsbw1p37Azmyfw2Cn3RCyqL3DVezmXAS_RSIHheK5c66_TQI95qt2b7h266mk1Bv58eI7CWxaRmOfIxImsXISNcBU5w6CJm/s320/20200324_092900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't even wait to take the picture of my bacon sarnie before I tucked in!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I have also discovered in our time of need and rationing that a PG Tips T-Bag can be used 7 times before it disintegrates!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs6pP1yVupHeb4Z3_jHYG2VqqAdA77N8SmGNHFDAwmKq2rNIIaSOxyGEZDLWuAxhlfm0GkGpxOG9TY6NxvLBBivgK2Bu-__x_g5rk-E4paLKLF6BUVXtZLj_tNLL9XzM45w2ds9xWg8a7/s1600/20200323_144907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1204" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs6pP1yVupHeb4Z3_jHYG2VqqAdA77N8SmGNHFDAwmKq2rNIIaSOxyGEZDLWuAxhlfm0GkGpxOG9TY6NxvLBBivgK2Bu-__x_g5rk-E4paLKLF6BUVXtZLj_tNLL9XzM45w2ds9xWg8a7/s320/20200323_144907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Gone are the days of my T-Bag stack being 12 or 13 high!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Making good use of the skillets last night, Chicken and Bubble and Squeak. Nothing is now going to waste in our house.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_UKMsc8KSDarWQ1xKeBqEDU3BN1e2QZxJBjnC_j3ZWMuPPIuFy6TxB-h44XaEq-FoyLdjQRIDH23eGZO5QOzcKWfxxl5H-TtRvOdjChyNrdGp1ll2XYGYj4RhR38QMWQXcSd4HGtVpf3/s1600/20200324_190740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_UKMsc8KSDarWQ1xKeBqEDU3BN1e2QZxJBjnC_j3ZWMuPPIuFy6TxB-h44XaEq-FoyLdjQRIDH23eGZO5QOzcKWfxxl5H-TtRvOdjChyNrdGp1ll2XYGYj4RhR38QMWQXcSd4HGtVpf3/s320/20200324_190740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Typically, the weather is wall to wall sunshine now that we are in Lock Down, it would probably make it easier, and more would comply if it was raining, but that would only make the situation more depressing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm still due to return to work on Wednesday, but talking to a couple of the guys yesterday, we now have containers coming into the docks, but the businesses that we deliver them to are closing down! We can't win!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So who knows, to be honest with the current situation and the plans the Government has in place to protect workers. I'm happy to stay at home and take 80% of my pay!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I hope everyone is coping with the situation? it won't last forever, and although there will be sacrifices to be made, and loved ones lost we need to keep going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a future, just not as we know it today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay safe..........................</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-57887696876624161222020-03-20T02:37:00.000-07:002020-03-20T02:37:58.007-07:00Corona Virus Covid19 Update - How Long Till Lock Down? 20th March 2020<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the biggest question there is right now?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How Long Till Lockdown?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My guess by the end of next week, I reckon midnight Saturday 28th March.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We appear here in the UK to be taking everything real slow compared to other European Countries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter lives and works in Teneriffe, Spain and they are on full lock down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also friends who live in main land Spain and are the same as my daughter, also locked down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally I think they need to do it sooner rather than later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People here in the UK are still not taking it seriously enough! This I find rather scary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I had to go to my local Doctors Surgery to get a new sick note issued. My shoulder is still not right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst waiting in the queue, I was listening in to the 3 old folk in front of me. All agreed that they had no intentions of self isolating or restricting their movements.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there was ever evidence of panic buying - I over heard the receptionist say to the very same old guy who was in front of me who tried to get a repeat prescription for a medication he was last issued in May 2019! She said he would have to see a Doctor if he wanted the repeat!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was the same guy also that was moaning he could not get Diet Pepsi and was now going to have to visit other super markets to try and find it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is there a need to put yourself at risk by looking for Diet Pepsi?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also heard that an elderly family friend had been out to have her hair, then her nails done then stopped off at a garden centre for a coffee!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is why I think people are not just getting it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally I feel that there is more than enough information on TV, Papers, Radio and the Internet to understand that there is a crisis on our doorstep - here, now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why are people not adhering to the advice?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only way to combat the virus now is to go into full lockdown the same as other European Countries - Then to start fining people who break the rules.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It upsets me thinking that people <b>"WILL"</b> not <b>"COULD"</b> needlessly die for the sake of a bloody can of Diet Pepsi! (Other brands available)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other news in our household is our two kids who were due to sit GCSE's and A Levels in a few weeks time, this is their last day at school as all schools close today and all exams cancelled!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still remember the euphoria of my last day at school! This will be a bit of an anti-climax for them, both are a little subdued.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also not knowing what grades they are going to now get and how they will be worked out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A levels being especially important as University places are worked out on grades achieved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully we will know later today how this will happen as this will put their young minds at rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Cat "Whiskers" is enjoying us all being at home, being a very sociable cat, he is in heaven!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5sJBvAxD25QmSMB94xlImX1cIOFRD0nxrg2kVxC76_kBw3J2VB-JLu55QUW4mpn-Dw7s-AkJQDMldQ9CRexVc_N73UmvUqW9L0JrPwN6CLB9RaMpfmQs1acMpYGuK8zScv6kXEazIHkL/s1600/20200317_164233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="677" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5sJBvAxD25QmSMB94xlImX1cIOFRD0nxrg2kVxC76_kBw3J2VB-JLu55QUW4mpn-Dw7s-AkJQDMldQ9CRexVc_N73UmvUqW9L0JrPwN6CLB9RaMpfmQs1acMpYGuK8zScv6kXEazIHkL/s320/20200317_164233.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was given a couple of bottles of <a href="http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/" target="_blank">St Peters Ale</a> the other day, a friend of ours is having her house renovated and currently has no kitchen, so I made a Cottage Pie for them, in return I got a couple of bottles of rather fine beer! Good trade!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like my porridge in the mornings, but I must admit that having a beard is a bit of an issue with eating porridge, especially when you add <a href="https://www.lylesgoldensyrup.com/" target="_blank">"Golden Syrup".</a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxNBgzqafHEYjWB_fQzBP9EnqgEhrPVYEgoaxIRwAxMjJYNjqujl3cCuOT57mVjC2yBqF3suLh8VYCry4rlrSj-bBnr-XK-KWQgLhjz91CJiq4EArgyadwyJy4LvgEdX30XvmLt6eLCiR/s1600/20200318_093553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxNBgzqafHEYjWB_fQzBP9EnqgEhrPVYEgoaxIRwAxMjJYNjqujl3cCuOT57mVjC2yBqF3suLh8VYCry4rlrSj-bBnr-XK-KWQgLhjz91CJiq4EArgyadwyJy4LvgEdX30XvmLt6eLCiR/s320/20200318_093553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top Tip</b> - Never wear a clean t-shirt prior to eating porridge and be in a position to get a shower immediately afterwards!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven't made Spicy Potato Wedges for a while so rustled some up the other night to go with our Chicken Kiev's - Chunky chips placed in a bowl, a good few glugs of Olive Oil, then my own blend of Herbs and Spices mixed in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baked till crispy - lovely!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bit of good news from work - I run containers out of Southampton Docks, a new contract from Southampton now looks like it will secure our jobs. So at least I now know I have a job to return to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually miss driving, and am looking forward to getting back on the road on the 1st April.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's as long as we do not get the virus!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will probably venture out to the super market, haven't been for 4 days now, so we need to replenish a few things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could do with some flour to make bread and some fresh fruit and veg, and some minced meat and chicken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, the big questions is - Do I wear a mask or not? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is conflicting evidence of the benefits of wearing one, but if it's good enough for the health professionals why shouldn't I.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay safe..........................</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-80759519501057571082020-03-18T02:20:00.000-07:002020-03-18T02:20:04.376-07:00Covid-19 Corona Virus Update 18th March 2020 - Shopping In Tesco<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to take my Father in law to the eye hospital yesterday, he managed to semi-blind himself whilst out walking the dog! (Don't ask)!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bearing in mind the latest Government advice is to "Not make unnecessary journeys" My journey I felt was necessary, however, I believe very few are adhering to this, which is why we are going to be hit hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw 4 old ladies all stood close together talking in the street, I passed a number of cafe's all with people in them, none of them complying with the distancing policy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of parking up in Bournemouth hospital and paying excessive parking fee's I drove across the road to wait for my Father in law in the Littledown Centre (sports/gym complex). I was not aware that going to the gym which should of been closed was a necessary journey?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People are either stupid or just don't care, or they have no comprehension of how bad this could potentially become.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I watched the news more or less constantly yesterday, and the one defining point everyone in authority made was is if this is to work and reduce the amount of deaths that are predicted. The one single thing we need to do right now is comply with "Social Distancing."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If folk are not doing this then how on earth will they manage to self isolate?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Social Distancing</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If anyone is in any doubt what the British Government is saying click on the link below</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://bit.ly/2vz5TOC</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are told that we should not congregate in groups, and I totally agree with all of this. However I am now starting to feel that there is a massive area that is now a black hole of conflicting information.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schools have not closed. Our kids aged 18 and 15 are still attending, it's an important year for A levels and GCSE.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have heard nothing about what happens if these exams cannot take place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a stressful time for the kids without the added worry of the virus on their minds!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only that but the instruction from the Government is conflicting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On one hand we are told not to congregate in groups, yet it is ok for a class of 20 plus kids to sit next to each other with a teacher in a room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry but the two do not go together. Head teachers and teachers we are hearing are very concerned over this and I have read today that some schools feel that they will not be in a position after this Friday to remain open.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Staff are phoning in sick and self isolating added extra pressure to those who remain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The schools are not a care service for those who need to go to work, they are there to teach and teach only. It is the parents responsibility.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I know that some kids will be at a serious disadvantage by not attending school, and others will require their parents to either take time off or arrange child care.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we now have to look at the bigger picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids in the main do not suffer as we adults do with this virus, but can still carry and spread it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking it home to healthy parents, healthy elderly Grandparents etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, I guess at this stage it probably is all ready to late, the damage has been done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once this has been brought under control I know that one of the questions will be "Should we of closed the schools earlier"?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now to my main part of the blog - Shopping in Tesco's</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I popped into Tesco yesterday in New Milton, I wanted some fruit and to see what they had in store and pick up some flour, cereal and some frozen bits and pieces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fruit and Vegetables was not an issue, plenty of everything, more or less, most of the shelves had produce on them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fEzE8GMsXYne156e0ixfSODVsgIlCLl_-lydRb4TGqgoxyGai8Uahv9q66sJE9lFqzg_rNrnzXlLlwV164_SY8GFo_8fPPkwgKBuSxzs8cCIhYvyjsKn9NOyhcphiGaQJ3V4VKT5Uo7K/s1600/20200317_141047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fEzE8GMsXYne156e0ixfSODVsgIlCLl_-lydRb4TGqgoxyGai8Uahv9q66sJE9lFqzg_rNrnzXlLlwV164_SY8GFo_8fPPkwgKBuSxzs8cCIhYvyjsKn9NOyhcphiGaQJ3V4VKT5Uo7K/s320/20200317_141047.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bread Display</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the rest of the shop was to be honest in a terrible state.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't expecting to find loo roll or pasta, but now there was very little of anything and I do mean anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No bread or eggs, no flour, very little tinned goods of any description.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58mMA5j7uGgL8TQSScLeM8eRYR3ohlfvN-ZWcRvOrGYwoVdB1cRqu5EHCuN8srGGnKkx5TWjKoeKK0TSJ8WyfV7Ca_dDs_l7wQw869a0UkgWFmE-GbvK8BHelcbdFlC8XwRRJ0zeIwAjt/s1600/20200317_141420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58mMA5j7uGgL8TQSScLeM8eRYR3ohlfvN-ZWcRvOrGYwoVdB1cRqu5EHCuN8srGGnKkx5TWjKoeKK0TSJ8WyfV7Ca_dDs_l7wQw869a0UkgWFmE-GbvK8BHelcbdFlC8XwRRJ0zeIwAjt/s320/20200317_141420.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCa9P7qwnj9rC-M1q4HvsIBKzZ99ecROK5Cm1bVwpHC2hyQgFQp6yMcz2FZ7hA7Up7S-JkVRtwNF8694I6iBlXLHo3L5DAa5rYq32Hu3aUH-mlTo-qYvz3xe8iara-a5JqHYDGGxp9h-B/s1600/20200317_141541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCa9P7qwnj9rC-M1q4HvsIBKzZ99ecROK5Cm1bVwpHC2hyQgFQp6yMcz2FZ7hA7Up7S-JkVRtwNF8694I6iBlXLHo3L5DAa5rYq32Hu3aUH-mlTo-qYvz3xe8iara-a5JqHYDGGxp9h-B/s320/20200317_141541.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now this wasn't late at night, these pictures were taken at 1430hrs!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The shelves were stripped bare, a thoroughly depressing site.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But, was this panic buying?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Milton has a population in excess of 26,000 people, made up predominantly of over 70's.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each brown bread tray holds between 12-15 loaves of bread, in our supermarket there is room for approx 8-10 next to each other with 8 trays stacked, so doing the maths that's approx 1200 loaves of bread.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I have done some research - Morrisons say that there average weekly footfall of shoppers here in the UK throughout the year is approx 23,000 per week. So I suspect the other supermarkets are roughly the same give or take.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I spoke to someone in Tesco who said the queue at 1100hrs was from the checkouts to the back of the store!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They had more people in one day than they normally do in one week. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to work the figures out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is no wonder the shelves are stripped bare!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really don't think it's panic buying in quantity wise ie, 10 packs of loo roll, 10 tins of soup and 15 bags of frozen chips, its panic buying because the Government has told the over 70's they need to stay in for the next 12 weeks!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They need supplies for that time, so of course they need to stock up. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So they all went shopping!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm off out in a bit as I forgot to get ink cartridges as my wife is now working from home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully her company has the ability to do this which is brilliant news for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I will see what Tesco is like this morning, I'm going with no expectations so I'll report more tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay safe everyone...............</span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-80829264922180177412020-03-16T02:20:00.002-07:002020-03-16T02:21:05.108-07:00Covid-19 Corona Virus - My Views And Update 16th March 2020<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wrote a few days ago (9th March) my feelings and thoughts, a week on, we as a Nation have done nothing or very little that I can see to change anything that we do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We go from total apathy, to panic buying and clearing shops of Freezers and Laptops!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have read and heard of so many stories of people saying that it's just like the flu and you will get over it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One story was an 80 year old lady here in New Milton that told her neighbour, that we live in a beautiful part of the world, nothing ever bad happens here so don't worry!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bravado or Naive?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I remember the days of rationing lad" and "As a kid I ate worms, I've the immune system of a donkey" are being banded about daily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I could recite many more stories, but to do so would be pointless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take a look at Italy, an up to date European neighbour, just 2 hrs flying time away, to see how their medical system is coping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fact is it is not - People as young as 40 are being assessed for ventilators those we a good chance of survival get to live, those 40 year olds with pre-existing respiratory illnesses are not. This is no longer scaremongering it is indeed fact!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet, have we woke up to this fact, do people not read or listen to the news or as a Nation are we casually burying our heads in the sand and hoping nothing happens?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting we go full out in to "Panic Mode" and start acting like the "Mad Max" Films, but we do need to think more about "Social Distancing" and the opportunities of working from home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's all to do with slowing down the spread of the virus, stopping it is impossible now, we are far too late for that, but there is still time to slow it down, just!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But - Only if we act now, today, right now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of those who can work from home, work from home. Continuing to work in an office when you can easily work from home is like trying to save the carpet from a burning house!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You are not going to win that one!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you need to go to the shops? Out for that meal? Go to the Gym? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's the little things right now that could make the difference later on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you continue to carry on normally, then I make no joke of this, but do you want to be responsible for killing someone with a low immune system or respiratory problems?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or you pass it onto a perfectly healthy person and they pass it on. Either way you could be responsible for someone's death, just think about that for a minute, please!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So limit what you do, by all means "Keep Calm" but please do not "Carry On"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here in the UK "The Lancet" is by far the most respected mouth piece of the Medical Profession - I have included the link below</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well worth a read - Here is the link ---> http://bit.ly/3aWc7Hh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It details exactly what is happening in Italy and it does not take a genius to work out that exactly the same will happen here in the UK in the next few weeks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do what you need to do to protect you and your family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Till later............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Disclaimer - I am not an educated man, however I am not stupid and therefore whilst my outlook is not based on academic first hand knowledge it is based on common sense, reliable sources and an open mind to all possibilities and outcomes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-10403892025833508652020-03-13T03:07:00.000-07:002020-03-13T03:07:38.806-07:00Corona Virus - My Take On It So Far!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to point out, right from the start of this post that these are my views based on what I have read from the internet and learnt from the news over the last few weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not an educated man, however I am not stupid and therefore whilst my outlook is not based on academic first hand knowledge it is based on common sense, and an open mind to all possibilities and outcomes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we are, a sunny day, the air is crisp and the signs of Spring are well and truly underway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However a dark cloud is looming over us - Covid-19 or Corona Virus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Estimates vary depending on what you read and hear, but one thing is for sure, not every one is going to coming out the other side!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">China, where it is believed to of all started, by the looks of it, is over the worst - or is it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A number of things went on in China that we need to point out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. They tried to cover up the extent of the virus!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. They enforced a strict quarantine on the worst affecting areas, which contained (we are led to believe) the virus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. How do we know that the figures released from China are accurate?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. China is now a Super Power and is a direct threat to the USA and Europe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Point 1 - It is now widely known that at the very start of the problem the situation was covered up at a local level, only once it started causing problems did we hear about it. This is fact and is undisputed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Point 2 - The quarantine was rapid, but this has crippled the economy, not only in China but throughout the rest of the world. China is the centre of the universe these days when it comes to manufacturing goods.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Point 3 - The Chinese are not that squeaky clean when it comes to releasing figures, so anything they say has to be taken with a pinch of salt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Point 4 - The more cynical may say that this is what China needed to assert their massive might over the rest of the world. They are the power house, we have seen many companies suffering as a result of unavailability of parts which halts their own manufacturing processes. Having put all their eggs in one basket they are now facing the consequences.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing is for sure, China has the capacity to bounce back and quickly, where else in the world could they build a fully functioning hospital in 10 days! No where - and this is why they are dangerous!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what if the immediate lock down has served no purpose but just delayed the problem. I will come back to this point in a minute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at what the British Government is doing, we are not on lock down, their way of thinking is to slow down the progress of the virus and go through a process of "Herd Immunity".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is where the catching of the virus is slowed down, and that everyone gets it, but at a slower rate, therefore spreading the problem out over a period of time. Over a period of time we become immune and life carries on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see a few flaws to this plan, firstly, I don't think the virus will respect us and slow down it's spread. We are not doing enough to "Social Distance" and I'm afraid to say that there are still lots of people who regard it as not important and it's just the same as getting a bad cold!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This type of apathy is what is going to kill people!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going down the "Herd Immunity" route will mean, many elderly and venerable people will catch it and potentially die.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are not enough hospital ICU beds in the UK to cope with the influx of patience. From what I have read and heard, we have approx 4000 ICU beds in the UK - They are estimating that 150,000 are required.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simple maths says that due to the lack of beds, there will be serious casualties. We will all potentially loose a loved one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now for a second, lets look at "Lock Down" - In China they acted swiftly. They did not go down the route of "Herd Immunity" there is no vaccine and they have not eradicated the virus, yet millions of workers are now returning to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many think that there could be a second wave of infections once the "Lock Downs" are lifted, then we will see "Herd Immunity" take place but at a massive cost to life. All they have potentially done is lulled themselves into a false sense of security.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the problem of going into "Lock Down" to early. The only thing they have done is bought time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing is for sure, the world is not equipped to deal with this. Of course we will get through this, but at a massive cost to life and the economy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The winners, will be those who can get back to normal the quickest, and that undoubtedly will be China.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The USA is so slow to react to anything with Trump at the helm who believes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A) He is an expert on viruses and there is nothing to worry about)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B) The Lord will save you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C) The answer to most problems is simply close all borders and have a burger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Europe is no better, with conflicting plans of what to do and when, borders open/closed which is a massive joke.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Europe cannot control the migration of people let alone an airborne unseen virus!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The poorer countries of the world where hygiene is not top of their priorities and health care is limited to an aspirin and a shot of penicillin if you are lucky, let alone access to ICU beds!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without wishing to sound alarmist we are facing a real problem if civilised countries such as Italy are overwhelmed then how on earth is Bangladesh going to cope?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the moment I feel sorry for two groups of people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The elderly and those who are venerable, there will be some heartbreak over the coming weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids about to sit their exams, my step kids are taking A levels and GCSE's all this uncertainty must be playing on their minds as well as the playground gossip and the access to media via the internet which if they read it, does not paint a rosy picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids today are not equipped to deal with this type of trauma and disruption, video games of death and destruction is one thing, it's not real, but real life on a normal daily basis is an issue for some of them! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I only hope I am wrong, some how I think we are in for a rough ride. Let's hope we all come out the other side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Till later............</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-82733136488158882172020-03-13T01:58:00.002-07:002020-03-13T01:58:30.321-07:00Cottage Pie Recipe - Quick Simple Easy - Perfect Winter Food<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend is having her house renovated and currently has no kitchen so I thought I'd ease the situation a little by rustling up a Cottage Pie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All that's needed is to cut into portions and ping in a microwave - easy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So the list of ingredients used is as follows:</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To feed six - or four if you're starving!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">750g of Minced Beef</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Onions (chopped)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Cloves of Garlic (chopped finely) or Teaspoon of "Lazy Garlic"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Field Mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Beef Stock Cube</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sprinkling of Gravy Granules</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Squirt of Tomato Puree</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Big Knob of Butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Large Saucepan of peeled and cut Potatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grated Cheese - (as much as you want)!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">First thing I do is get the potatoes, peeled, and chopped and in a pan, the smaller you cut them the quicker they cook, it doesn't matter that they go a bit mushy, after all you will be mashing them!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglRaBne5zkLsSVnTp1R1CJCQ32RDIbOhp6DoN0LQrWd1A6pgRFPfBwhpMgtvEsF8XT41jgkHQa8wfKYNSd5DhMqTPRGLE4b1gOFlRb3z6cPq2TgpZN4kahhfrNT0rGnLGwIpY7okMOpte/s1600/20200312_134917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglRaBne5zkLsSVnTp1R1CJCQ32RDIbOhp6DoN0LQrWd1A6pgRFPfBwhpMgtvEsF8XT41jgkHQa8wfKYNSd5DhMqTPRGLE4b1gOFlRb3z6cPq2TgpZN4kahhfrNT0rGnLGwIpY7okMOpte/s320/20200312_134917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I used potatoes that were a little cheaper due to the recent flooding. However, I certainly did not feel that there was anything at all wrong with these potatoes despite the label telling me otherwise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Are people really that fussy? I remember as a kid we used to buy potatoes by the sack full, and they were all shapes and sizes, complete with mud. These days they can go straight into a pan - how times have changed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The cynical side of me says it's a way of paying the farmers less, making up an excuse that because they are all odd sizes or have a blemish they cannot sell them at normal market price?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsoGgkxW-54RF3K09nAEatOvx4M3J70k6KbrybiVblGMzMMibXTVxlV5qhb_qnb9LwFFHqBBRr941J-0tbIjBo9SoGzX-8owatgRIYyZD_H4cgHrSddNxM0-PZkwa7nFtHLPMcGgbRoxL/s1600/20200312_133646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsoGgkxW-54RF3K09nAEatOvx4M3J70k6KbrybiVblGMzMMibXTVxlV5qhb_qnb9LwFFHqBBRr941J-0tbIjBo9SoGzX-8owatgRIYyZD_H4cgHrSddNxM0-PZkwa7nFtHLPMcGgbRoxL/s320/20200312_133646.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiPJBgv0devnh-kkJyt_hFc3I0K8VaYVSmTqHM7uy_SmikH4-BzY04B5Tw49duQTYbNmLIvtSo08IFXXqlQ2qCwyD9YcDy8V_b2t_B6HucXPoeaiLTcRGPUgRLoCNoam1fhzFVY0CCDUQ/s1600/20200312_133708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiPJBgv0devnh-kkJyt_hFc3I0K8VaYVSmTqHM7uy_SmikH4-BzY04B5Tw49duQTYbNmLIvtSo08IFXXqlQ2qCwyD9YcDy8V_b2t_B6HucXPoeaiLTcRGPUgRLoCNoam1fhzFVY0CCDUQ/s320/20200312_133708.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the Onions were finely chopped they were cooked till soft along with the Garlic in the wok. I just use a splash of water to cook them, there's enough oil that comes out of the meat without adding to it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When these are almost soft I add the mince and break it up and cook till it has gone a brown/grey sort of colour. At this stage I think mince looks rather unappetising which is probably why some folk dislike it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRVAW20ScrCQ39KFjn5X2ImR_0xGr5ljYbuyhAhhipQ6LJHakq79WZg-nj87qjLyWhTEzmj7jrvx5V_2eL_P1zhpi37ZIrSkwfCGB8h1XnF0JZkGHRzcGH9Jaiq19rGZG1bbRLfpA_N_u/s1600/20200312_140631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRVAW20ScrCQ39KFjn5X2ImR_0xGr5ljYbuyhAhhipQ6LJHakq79WZg-nj87qjLyWhTEzmj7jrvx5V_2eL_P1zhpi37ZIrSkwfCGB8h1XnF0JZkGHRzcGH9Jaiq19rGZG1bbRLfpA_N_u/s320/20200312_140631.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Mushrooms in and simmer on a low heat till properly cooked through and some of the moisture has cooked off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">During this time I also add the stock cube and stir till it's dissolved with a generous squirt of tomato puree, finally adding a sprinkling of gravy granules. These combined brings the mince back to a dark brown and a better looking colour!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This mixture then goes into a pyrex dish and flattened down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Potatoes, once they have cooked through, drained for a few minutes, then return to the saucepan, add a large knob of butter and mash!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Once mashed add to the top of the mince, and grate your cheese, I like a cheesy top so I go a bit over board, but add as much or as little as desired.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G0dTI5snBwvPmLm9ob3xx-Q9PeG854rDTX6IPg3RV5sgIy9CXOWHtiPn2JyiIM5pzzwEd0_L1KyvyiA-fLq2WNlFdUTx_S1yFVn8Q9SS6E-PeuBl5dcMsdovQA-UcVASA0gMuDOdIezJ/s1600/20200312_145843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G0dTI5snBwvPmLm9ob3xx-Q9PeG854rDTX6IPg3RV5sgIy9CXOWHtiPn2JyiIM5pzzwEd0_L1KyvyiA-fLq2WNlFdUTx_S1yFVn8Q9SS6E-PeuBl5dcMsdovQA-UcVASA0gMuDOdIezJ/s320/20200312_145843.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Once done, I pop into the over for 20-30 mins at 180 degrees or until the cheese has melted and browned off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember it's all cooked all you are doing is heating it through and melting the cheese.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW1upvpSvvFgNOWXbCYd37XxbfMO4L1CcoafpXJyiNDUMXPCL9uI5VpRuzS9nV5yLYrPWknGqIO_UcR2fHG9oDNDp0R87kmjRiMRVWDiig6EvE0K6lhgT3zKLV7XPJddFcYUli_ao8GKn/s1600/20200312_155445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW1upvpSvvFgNOWXbCYd37XxbfMO4L1CcoafpXJyiNDUMXPCL9uI5VpRuzS9nV5yLYrPWknGqIO_UcR2fHG9oDNDp0R87kmjRiMRVWDiig6EvE0K6lhgT3zKLV7XPJddFcYUli_ao8GKn/s320/20200312_155445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Once done, serve with a few veggies and gravy and Bob's Your Uncles Cousin!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you look carefully at the last picture, one of the problems with cooking with oil and a lot of liquid in the mince is that it tends to rise up and discolour the potato, by making it a little dryer this does not happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Till later..............</span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-13671817289544922522020-03-12T02:22:00.000-07:002020-03-12T02:22:31.660-07:00Chicken And Mushroom Stroganoff - Simple Recipe<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now this recipe started off as just a Mushroom Stroganoff, but I added Chicken to add a little more to it, plus by using Chicken, there was more chance of the kids eating it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also I forgot to add Garlic! I know bad me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, even with forgetting to add the Garlic it still turned out ok, and we all enjoyed it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I did feel that there was something missing, I'm not exactly sure what it was, and cannot count the lack of Garlic as the main reason, but on looking through other recipes I did notice that most of them used Sour Cream instead of Creme Fraiche. Could that of been the reason, Sour Cream does tend to have a bit more of a tang to it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So the list of ingredients used is as follows:</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To feed four.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 Chicken Breasts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Large Field Musroom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Pack of Wild Mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Pack of Shiitake Mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Large Red Onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Cornichons (used Small Gherkins)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 Teaspoon Paprika</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Big Dollops of Creme Fraiche</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Splash of Whisky but I used Rum!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cut the Chicken into bite size pieces and cooked off on a high heat in the wok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Left to one side and reused the same wok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Added the chopped Mushrooms and Onion and cooked down, till the onion was soft.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Makq0F7X9hb49LgLbFJ9afjbPLqgYB3E9B3X0E942zf8z3N6Gl-RgQasW3iAvqdbqH-XpiInmvv0JM48IDBlyuCnMI9WaTMFrfQlykNaS4n3Ih2Li6AaXaDIE2hvnY2j__pARdhWFq7h/s1600/20200311_183507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1204" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Makq0F7X9hb49LgLbFJ9afjbPLqgYB3E9B3X0E942zf8z3N6Gl-RgQasW3iAvqdbqH-XpiInmvv0JM48IDBlyuCnMI9WaTMFrfQlykNaS4n3Ih2Li6AaXaDIE2hvnY2j__pARdhWFq7h/s320/20200311_183507.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfF9zj6EZTh6WSKrCzQ8XBfogrj0aGJDWIL40NNpzSTR1A5RUJaBDN79kJSXahQ5d325t2rl2TT36qmGHn5sKKSXoQoSenGLQNgFFoZPoOYMvPDrXBKo9jpiiO8ZefOPeXfK0tPIOFAeZ/s1600/20200311_184048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfF9zj6EZTh6WSKrCzQ8XBfogrj0aGJDWIL40NNpzSTR1A5RUJaBDN79kJSXahQ5d325t2rl2TT36qmGHn5sKKSXoQoSenGLQNgFFoZPoOYMvPDrXBKo9jpiiO8ZefOPeXfK0tPIOFAeZ/s320/20200311_184048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is where the Garlic should of been added!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjghxPWM6FANdtdJGJl-b9yGDklEnnLMvcaPUD8SqxcXdce6T11hsAfLSHGC0pKT__TfbovVZZoHhEv7g7Cya4ONWsE33ukVSNfkogtDfAbo4dShVzz28ix3tyq9BDb52_1L-YikTtOXMw/s1600/20200311_185851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjghxPWM6FANdtdJGJl-b9yGDklEnnLMvcaPUD8SqxcXdce6T11hsAfLSHGC0pKT__TfbovVZZoHhEv7g7Cya4ONWsE33ukVSNfkogtDfAbo4dShVzz28ix3tyq9BDb52_1L-YikTtOXMw/s320/20200311_185851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Stirred in the Chicken and added the Paprika and Creme Fraiche with a splash of Mount Gay Rum - Whiskey was on the recipe but I don't drink it and I only had Rum available, so Rum it was!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Always advisable to sample the ingredients!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVIVqGQAf5L-OiKMmlQt1Z_yqWXszqEm7OHBFWzszy9YFTmAxhvmhHawiuHQx7-dSRDkJt9dkSZYEpEXdhj9biJb9gxWLY_yLcySuR-O2veUSkdGAiYP-R0jJC9R9dguQcw__pnZAWyfQ/s1600/20200311_185217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVIVqGQAf5L-OiKMmlQt1Z_yqWXszqEm7OHBFWzszy9YFTmAxhvmhHawiuHQx7-dSRDkJt9dkSZYEpEXdhj9biJb9gxWLY_yLcySuR-O2veUSkdGAiYP-R0jJC9R9dguQcw__pnZAWyfQ/s320/20200311_185217.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">That was it, cooked up some White Rice and served!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61-B0hL9NRluYDT_iTH25iGgYULo8-tuqH_mn9bsCt1E9yciPNZlg5_W5e88YEnf_nuoBapHuwz8McHEIzuZRtvswGmP4Z8g6puQV7UjIHTcfJJZj1-ZSlmmxYVRli2-cA3jrC77Bwg7J/s1600/20200311_190426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61-B0hL9NRluYDT_iTH25iGgYULo8-tuqH_mn9bsCt1E9yciPNZlg5_W5e88YEnf_nuoBapHuwz8McHEIzuZRtvswGmP4Z8g6puQV7UjIHTcfJJZj1-ZSlmmxYVRli2-cA3jrC77Bwg7J/s320/20200311_190426.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Took around 30 minutes all in from start to finish.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzRoZVvLrEafBZ1qPPP7i4N8ORkfa21j5idUQ4kTJvzx_woFAq5b8AsNU8xmaHhrt2e3XyohivXCFP2r50_CvGbAhyphenhyphenT3FskegWfdbnXYxcKOHrDjKonF_cZzIJFAvcHyiYIgGLKn8mscx/s1600/20200311_190719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzRoZVvLrEafBZ1qPPP7i4N8ORkfa21j5idUQ4kTJvzx_woFAq5b8AsNU8xmaHhrt2e3XyohivXCFP2r50_CvGbAhyphenhyphenT3FskegWfdbnXYxcKOHrDjKonF_cZzIJFAvcHyiYIgGLKn8mscx/s320/20200311_190719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I think if I were to make this again, I would use Sour Cream and definitely put in the Garlic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Till later.............</span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-45232642977964916442020-03-11T01:52:00.001-07:002020-03-11T01:52:11.379-07:00Chicken Satay Noodles - Quick And Easy!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cooked this delicious meal last night and it went down a storm in the house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was so simple to make and quick as well, I had all the time in the world, but this dish only takes 20 minutes start to finish!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On looking at the recipe I changed a couple of things, firstly it suggests you cook the chicken in a tablespoon of oil, now I rarely use oil to cook, and chicken these days unless you are using organic corn fed type is full of excess moisture so there really is no need to use oil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second thing I changed was using coconut milk, I simply forgot to buy any, but I did have creme fresh in the fridge and used that instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the list of ingredients used is as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To feed four.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 Chicken Breasts (cut into bite size pieces)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Small Handful Of Fresh Chopped Coriander</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Heaped Tea Spoons of Pataks Balti Curry Paste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Heaped Desert Spoon of Light Brown Sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Heaped Desert Spoons of Crunchy Peanut Butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">350ml of Creme Fresh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Packet of Sugar Snap Peas/Mange Tout</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Packet of Baby Sweetcorn</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Packet of Straight To Wok Noodles.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzAUR18za9IFcVYr3j8UG8lL5aRoD5nTQQjcizP10z0OCyJ3IdB1WND2Wkj4bWmzqdx6bt3ZzJJdvM3mJjS4ezxlrfdqAH7gOy5yk_khA8U6bwQJ2muQ9Vm-kOgPOu3nsVGDnl4Elcpm0/s1600/20200310_190356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzAUR18za9IFcVYr3j8UG8lL5aRoD5nTQQjcizP10z0OCyJ3IdB1WND2Wkj4bWmzqdx6bt3ZzJJdvM3mJjS4ezxlrfdqAH7gOy5yk_khA8U6bwQJ2muQ9Vm-kOgPOu3nsVGDnl4Elcpm0/s320/20200310_190356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now for the more observant amongst you, there are a couple of things wrong with the above photo, firstly a lemon crept into the shot! secondly the Wijko Peanut Satay at the back was replaced with a more normal type of Tesco own Peanut Butter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr4YGWuZ23NItiecWnpi9vIq6R0PJXjcdsy2ZhHoKe0DhPXcn1wbwipGd4_LMbyK49zK9ITLrzrI77a814xxO44-Bbyj-I6ip8afV2lKSNiEbQ1cU8J5whnfh0yk3f_8ArVdb0K0YujWO/s1600/20200311_083739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr4YGWuZ23NItiecWnpi9vIq6R0PJXjcdsy2ZhHoKe0DhPXcn1wbwipGd4_LMbyK49zK9ITLrzrI77a814xxO44-Bbyj-I6ip8afV2lKSNiEbQ1cU8J5whnfh0yk3f_8ArVdb0K0YujWO/s320/20200311_083739.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with any cooking preparation is the key, with all the prep done, the only thing you need to do is add things to the wok in a logical order.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43PSrjbDbTs2ocWkT_xS7vUCPGNj8l9FYbiLL-Ux-TtjApoKclocZA7Ie3Qeqi2kdIDqvoKcOiFVcdmE0layqZ_FCL5IwzVcESCTd31AjmUr9egHbLfb_DcJ5ee1uOUM0RtuLWyg6O_I9/s1600/20200310_190333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43PSrjbDbTs2ocWkT_xS7vUCPGNj8l9FYbiLL-Ux-TtjApoKclocZA7Ie3Qeqi2kdIDqvoKcOiFVcdmE0layqZ_FCL5IwzVcESCTd31AjmUr9egHbLfb_DcJ5ee1uOUM0RtuLWyg6O_I9/s320/20200310_190333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always trim the ends of sugar snap peas and mange tout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I chopped the chicken into bite size pieces, and placed them into a wok and cooked them till most of the juice had evaporated and the pieces started to brown. Took around 8-10 mins.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7__Zl1nG69mzspQDUuM955VQ75sDUUEcw5wnIqzeMmQFKb3lQFmjTjmNcBBXfvmOgL7lrWZBG-ykQoESYLR94yv2ISAy6ZhgoXrUA13O6hiP2AZdCOToq-roc4ioKoDYO_IsHuQOxjpmX/s1600/20200310_190327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1204" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7__Zl1nG69mzspQDUuM955VQ75sDUUEcw5wnIqzeMmQFKb3lQFmjTjmNcBBXfvmOgL7lrWZBG-ykQoESYLR94yv2ISAy6ZhgoXrUA13O6hiP2AZdCOToq-roc4ioKoDYO_IsHuQOxjpmX/s320/20200310_190327.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then stirred in the balti paste and a good handful of chopped coriander, making sure that all the chicken was coated. I turned the heat down a bit and left that for a further couple of minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I added the peanut butter, creme fresh, brown sugar and gave it a good stir. If you feel it's a little to thick, then add some more creme fresh or a little water to thin it down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then the sweetcorn and peas went in and once stirred, left for a couple of minutes to heat through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use straight to wok noodles, and I find that if you try and add them into the wok they can break up and it just becomes a mess. So I usually microwave them for a couple of minutes, fluff them out with a fork, then they can go straight on the plate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use Tesco Udon Noodles, for this recipe I used two packs, each pack contains 2 sachets of noodles, simple cut them open, place in a large bowl all together and zap in the microwave till piping hot, 3 1/2 mins for me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzdsS5BsMXJRyExeEvhlCTP7FT10g3T-IVNK69Mcpp1yiD8F0V0w8vjLhDc8wwclMjdtHyl0kUJvQb9olqxYW38Bed8BPD0dDkOvFjW405_rD79RRgBppKLQcIeAvjvtPECFhG1fc6kOK/s1600/20200311_083727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzdsS5BsMXJRyExeEvhlCTP7FT10g3T-IVNK69Mcpp1yiD8F0V0w8vjLhDc8wwclMjdtHyl0kUJvQb9olqxYW38Bed8BPD0dDkOvFjW405_rD79RRgBppKLQcIeAvjvtPECFhG1fc6kOK/s320/20200311_083727.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adding the the chicken satay directly on top. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garnished with a pinch of coriander and there it is - job done!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqBAt5G46QkA3xp_xUN1B8TT-a-A6uC-jwiJOlUnWZ7zREcBDDjZoU5_rAuwJkGfwhoVUyLsj3SWlHxkWBe9bRIhK8a5ddTVK_5XGrnqM3t4RCEqBc3yGy1hpA9I6bBSdWo0pT-ulZrS1/s1600/20200310_192056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqBAt5G46QkA3xp_xUN1B8TT-a-A6uC-jwiJOlUnWZ7zREcBDDjZoU5_rAuwJkGfwhoVUyLsj3SWlHxkWBe9bRIhK8a5ddTVK_5XGrnqM3t4RCEqBc3yGy1hpA9I6bBSdWo0pT-ulZrS1/s320/20200310_192056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with all ingredients feel free to add more or less of which ever you feel is necessary, the beauty of this recipe is that it is very difficult to get it wrong!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20 minutes to make and feeds four - not sure what the costings are for this, but it's not that expensive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Till later.....................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220053166498003304.post-15182131569872537952020-03-10T02:43:00.001-07:002020-03-10T02:43:43.167-07:00I Like To Cook - Do You?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy cooking, it's something that I only picked up once I had left the Army.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm self taught, started by following recipes then progressed to just having a go with what ever was in the cupboards and fridge!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy putting ingredients together over a period of time, whilst I have a beer or two, or more, which have in the past led to a few mishaps!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in my bad old days, I cooked a chilli, drank a couple of bottles of red wine, woke up in the morning to find that I had not eaten anything, the kitchen looked like it had suffered a mortar attack and my chopping knife in-bedded in the ceiling!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have calmed down a lot since then, and can safely say my knives do not end up in the ceiling!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Especially as they are a set of <a href="https://globalknives.uk/" target="_blank">Globals</a> - which are rather expensive to say the least! I recently looked into buying a Global Meat Cleaver (Chinese Chopper) but at £249.00 that was not going to happen. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzxC2Gso5cxX6-jBdGYzRMOqY6EQwjPmcoT7AyWUop_RnUanrsux952S4tyQKE5VlJI5OkvIquYLv2kukeGGX8YAoZbeutSa-TABudZFUas_d8fJIWJv0zCjTWlqynGLSITYjB2k1g11v/s1600/g-50_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzxC2Gso5cxX6-jBdGYzRMOqY6EQwjPmcoT7AyWUop_RnUanrsux952S4tyQKE5VlJI5OkvIquYLv2kukeGGX8YAoZbeutSa-TABudZFUas_d8fJIWJv0zCjTWlqynGLSITYjB2k1g11v/s320/g-50_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To replace the current set we have would be well over £1000.00</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful knives though, Japanese with a rich history behind them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love cooking outdoors, although BBQ cooking I feel is rather overrated. We have a big gas BBQ, but it does not get used that much to be honest. Perhaps I should make more of an effort with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cook a fair bit in the cab of my truck, but it is rather easy, especially after a long day just to put a pre packaged ready meal in the microwave on board and ping it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the better weather arrives I can cook outside, and get some chops and steaks going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's if I have a job to go back to, but that's another story!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are things I do not enjoy cooking, Roasts is one of them, easy to do, but I get no pleasure from it. Mundane things like egg and chips or sausages, you know, every day sort of bung it in the oven type of food. No prep, apart from removing packaging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No pleasure from that at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do however like to cook things that take time, it's all in the preparation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stir frys, rich meaty type dishes such as the aforementioned chilli, currys, and anything else that requires a bit of care over what you are doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also about finding good ingredients, the best you can find or afford. Of course you can make a compromise but when it comes down to it, why should you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm lucky I guess as Kiera although an ok sort of cook, does not enjoy any of the process and is more than happy to leave the cooking to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where as she has to follow a recipe to the exact detail, I'm more of a Jamie Oliver type of cook, my measurements are in pinches, glugs and handfuls!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, I'm trying out a couple of new dishes, I will be following a recipe for all of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the menu this week we will be trying</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chicken Satay with Noodles</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chicken Balti Curry</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An array of chicken based international dishes (chicken being easily available and cheap plus the kids eat it)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I will try and do is take some pictures as I go and put them up for each dish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooked Double Barrelled Sausage Rolls yesterday which turned out rather well!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI6D2-wP3FdQ7wJNNftbasOnYFvJdQDaRCTUoOYbsjTf1TD8886S_PfzswkwTIMC4aPI_DWvVoKlgAzZw8_6e08OfzAtvr3WcopoKwWP-WVi542Sw1ZSq7rFDNqiXO6act2erxY87qdTm/s1600/20200309_171327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI6D2-wP3FdQ7wJNNftbasOnYFvJdQDaRCTUoOYbsjTf1TD8886S_PfzswkwTIMC4aPI_DWvVoKlgAzZw8_6e08OfzAtvr3WcopoKwWP-WVi542Sw1ZSq7rFDNqiXO6act2erxY87qdTm/s320/20200309_171327.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To give them a bit of extra taste I laid the Tesco Finest Chipolatas onto a wash of Soya Sauce. Coated them in egg yolk to give them the brown colouring and sprinkled with Sesame Seeds. For the Pastry I cheated and used ready made Puff Pastry, quick, simple and saved loads of time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdczVzOzbp_JRaOzOTGh1VhL13CLpfn6LgAMW2Q1kbqUNtXAc22izBJ0qmyLfLznUtWfQLPSSrIj2BaPHGNh1MyM5oaS55gCy4uY_kQskm7DILneFnW-jyuNCOxcds8-5PFGWKAJuPtyHe/s1600/20200309_175249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdczVzOzbp_JRaOzOTGh1VhL13CLpfn6LgAMW2Q1kbqUNtXAc22izBJ0qmyLfLznUtWfQLPSSrIj2BaPHGNh1MyM5oaS55gCy4uY_kQskm7DILneFnW-jyuNCOxcds8-5PFGWKAJuPtyHe/s320/20200309_175249.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And previous to those I made some coleslaw using just carrot, onion and red cabbage.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FlH69ktBck_Fbl1HW9DT_5c6XFBiVhWlZKXeosJt5FkvZLlBS2UzUZRTZmE6P_YYNv2-pTJy7PSxvhrkSkrH3pIaaToyAMym9GNvG7_ORC_1F898dR8nO6VHVQ-ZopFj9o7p-_ngN6Gj/s1600/20200308_192641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FlH69ktBck_Fbl1HW9DT_5c6XFBiVhWlZKXeosJt5FkvZLlBS2UzUZRTZmE6P_YYNv2-pTJy7PSxvhrkSkrH3pIaaToyAMym9GNvG7_ORC_1F898dR8nO6VHVQ-ZopFj9o7p-_ngN6Gj/s320/20200308_192641.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not sure where this blog is going now! Right off the travel scene and now into cookery!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh well, it's my blog and my diary of what is going on in my life right now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Till later..............</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fat Bloke Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09672612098633907950noreply@blogger.com0