Merry Christmas 2020

Well, what can I say about this year that folk have not said all ready!

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!

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.

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.

So what did we buy?

It's a Swift Conqueror 570 - Single Axle, Fixed Bed, End Bathroom - 4 Berth Caravan.

Great specification with this van, with loads of extra's fitted.

I'm really pleased with it and towing with the Mercedes ML350 is easy.

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!

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.

Since we collected the caravan we have been away twice, not without incident, but all has been rectified now.

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.

No idea when we will be allowed out in it again, the world appears very unstable at the moment.

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!

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.

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.

Stay safe folks........

 

Time Off - But Not Our Planned Holiday!

The weeks before I went on holiday were hectic to say the least!

Plenty of nights out and I had travelled the length and breadth of the UK.

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.

From here I had a reload at 1100hrs on Thursday, and then I was to return to London Gateway.

An easy trip or so I thought!

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.

And from this spot I moved less than a mile over the next 8 1/2hrs!

Unfortunately there had been an accident just ahead which had closed the A1 in both directions.

I am all the other trucks were stranded, they did manage to get the cars cleared, but we were left to our own devices.

I ran out of Working Time Directive at 2100hrs, Drive Time was ok thankfully.

Eventually at 0240hrs we were given the go ahead to drive through.

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.

I carried on till I hit the next truck stop, pulled in, parked up and slept like the dead!

I had to take 11hrs off which meant that I did not get going again till 1400hrs the next day.

I was supposed to be on the docks at 0600hrs and I still had a 2hr journey to get there!

But, this is what happens, you just have to go with what is dealt you.

Eventually I got to the docks, unloaded and ran dead to Southampton where I had to go on the docks to collect a box.

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!

The first few days I have to admit were spent sleeping! We did nothing at all!

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.

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.

We had booked into the Farrington Lodge Hotel - A lovely hotel, but upon arriving we did have our doubts that it was even open. It just looked deserted!

There were only a few people staying in the Hotel that night and we were the first to arrive.

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.

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.

Would I recommend it - Yes, without doubt.

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 The Woodsman at Leyland.

We ate there and the food was good and inexpensive.

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 Clitheroe Castle, you can walk around it for free. There is a museum but it was closed.

On the way up to the Castle you pass a rather splendid War Memorial, probably one of the finest around.

The Castle itself, is really no more than a "Keep" apparently one of the oldest in the UK.

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.

We found refuge in the Rose and Crown pub and had a hot drink to warm us and helped us dry out before we headed out to our lunch destination.

We did find an award winning butchers "Cowmans The Famous Sausage Shop" with an immense range of sausages, so we bought some to take home!

After drying off we headed out to a pub called The Aspinall Arms - You just know you are in fro a special time as soon as you walk through the door.

The service and food was amazing and could not fault the service or the food. We certainly dined in style that day!

We said our goodbyes and headed home, eventually getting home just after 2100hrs.

Over the weekend it was my birthday, so we had a few beers with some friends down at Milford On Sea - village green. The weather was kind, and a good day was had by all.

Then on Monday we were off for a 3 night stay in a Shepherds Hut in Old Heathfield in Sussex.

It was lovely and just what was needed.

It had it's own resident goats which were very friendly and no trouble at all.

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. 

I didn't manage to get a picture, I was rooted to the spot just looking at them. It was magical to see.

It was just so relaxing, the weather was amazing and we cooked on a wood fire pit each night.

We decided to on our way home to follow the coast as we were in no rush and ended up having lunch at the Cams Mill at Fareham. 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.

What is with this fascination of cooking everything to death?

So sorry, not worth visiting and certainly not at £14.00 for a chicken burger!

Lovely location as well, so a bit of a shame really.

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.

A phone call to the garage and it is booked in for this Wednesday.

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!

That's my summer holiday done for this year!

Stay safe folks.....

Back To Normal - Ish!

Well it's been a few weeks, and to be honest it's been a bit hectic!

Plenty of miles and jobs completed from one end of the country to the other.

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.

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.

Iv'e been doing a bit of cooking over the past weeks, so here are a few creations.

Sometimes a simple feta cheese salad is all that's required!

Getting to play with my food processor is brilliant! Smoothies are so simple to make!

A Mango Rainbow Salad

You just can't beat a home made potato salad! 

Steak and salad with a home made Caesar dressing.

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.

To be honest, they have all upped their game and the food is sometimes exceptional!

Not the most healthiest, but tasty and excellent value for money!

I've been to some places with amazing views as well - 

These were taken out at New Quay a small fishing village on the West of Wales coast. Nightmare to get into I must add!

Then again I get some really crap views!

And some really tight spots!

And some interesting cargo!

Some times you see things that make you wonder what goes through folks minds! These kids were running feral around the truck parking area!

Eventually a couple of adults came out and then stood in the middle. Can you guess what part of the community they came from?

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!

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!

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.

 

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.

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.

So I'm glad to be back in it.

Although, I have only been in it a week as I am now on holiday for 2 weeks!

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!

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.

Then we are of to Sussex for a 3 nights in a secluded Shepherds Hut, looking forward to that.

So that is everything up to day I think!

Take care - stay safe!