Day 1 of 5 - Day In The Life Of A HGV Tramper

I was told on Friday that due to delays with the boats, there were no jobs first thing and to come into the yard for 0800hrs.

I arrived at 0730hrs so that I could unload all my kit and get a brew going before I start the day and put my card in.

Once I was sorted, my card went in at 0757. The clock is now ticking! Maximum working hours is 15.

Had a chat with a few of the other drivers and had a brew.

At 0900hrs I was given a job, down to the docks with my empty box to be off loaded, then a full box to be loaded onto my truck.

For a change it was lovely and quiet on the docks, as soon as I pulled onto a slot, the straddler was behind me waiting to lift off my box, Brilliant, first part done in less than 5 mins!

Onto another area of the docks for a full box, this time it took a little longer, just over 10 mins which again is a record time.

So all in all I was done on the docks in under an hour.

I decided to pull into Rownhams Services on the M27 to sort myself out and plan where I was going to stop for the night.

The delivery time was Tuesday at 0600hrs so I had plenty of time and didn't have to rush at all.

Had 1/2hr break, and headed up the road, I got to Cherwell Valley Services on the M40 and stopped again, as I would not of made it all the way to my nights destination before running out of time.

Had another 1/2hr which reset my tacho and I was off up North.

I had looked on the map and decided that my nights destination would be Lymm Truck Services just off the M6, a massive truck park, secure ish and easy to get in and out of.

I arrived around 1530hrs, went and paid for my parking £24.50 and signed off for the day.

Card came out at 1542hrs, I had driven 371km and a total driving time of 5hrs 17mins.

An easy day!

Its always good to get into a truck stop early as they fill up rapidly from around 1600hrs, by 1900hrs tonight this place will be rammed to the rafters!

Tonight I have left over Chinese Takeaway from Saturday night reheated in the microwave.

I'm going to watch a bit of TV on my ipad via BBC iplayer, possibly read a bit and that will be it!

An early night, and hopefully a good nights sleep with the alarm set for 0430hrs

I aim to be away by 0500hrs which gives me a full hour to get to my location. It should only take me 30 mins to get there so plenty of time in hand.

That's Monday done and dusted,

Till later........