New Year

Well here we are, 2014. The end of 2013 marks the end of a long difficult year, full of ups and downs.
From the first anniversary of my dads passing, though to being selected to go on the St John Trainers course. All whist fighting the ongoing battle with the black dog.

I can not see 2014 being any different. As I have come to a conclusion that no matter what year it is, life is always a mix bag of ups and downs. New years resolutions come and go, however the mixed bag is always there, so I decided on a easy resolution. To carry on fighting the back dog as I have done over the last 12 months.

Talking of a mixed bag, that can be used to explain my Job over the last 12 months. During the year a member of the department I work in injured himself in a way that put him off work for 6 months. I started to cover one part of his duties, locking/ unlocking our Baschurch campus.

Then as part of my job is being a handyperson. (PC I know). So I was asked to look at a few thing, and by the end of the six months I was doing a relief caretaker type job when at the campus. No skin of my nose, yet another string to my bow.

So now i am a relief caretaker for Baschurch Campus, I end up doing job over there. Like working with Nicky on temporary sleeping accommodation arriving on site before term starts Monday.

The Truck and the TSA

This is what I was doing today with Nicky. Getting the tracks down for the truck, guiding the driver down them, help getting them into position, then we had to work hard to get the truck back onto the car park.

It had been raining on and off all over Christmas, and the ground was wet to say the least. At one point I did wonder if it should of been issued it own flood warning, as it passed me going on firing a jet of muddy water out from under one of the track boards, directly at me. And no I don't have a photo of myself after that event.

After getting even more muddier packing up the trackway, the truck driver was due a break (by law) so we retired to the caretakers workshop/ tea room, nickname 'the shed' for a well deserved hot drink and a warm up.

So it was then that I realised, same sort of stuff different year.

Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.

run on fuel.

Do you remember a few weeks ago the panic buying of fuel. Well it happened in town, diesel dried up fast. and the queues where stopping normal traffic flow

I was not even trying to get fuel at this point, but was stuck in the traffic jam for 20 mins. As I finally got passed the fuel station, I see a sign saying no diesel.

That was great, no blockage, no tanker driver strike. Just the talk of they maybe a strike, after 7 day notice. and there is panic buying on fuel. It did not help that a minister said to stock some fuel at home in a 20 litre jerry can, which is wrong. you can only store 10 litres per container.

After the second day, and pleas from the media and ministers to not panic buy, the diesel running out again! 

My minibus was getting low on fuel. There was only one thing to do, use the Fuel Contingency Plan.

Now I am not going to tell you much about it, Just that I ended up queuing for the fuel there too.

Oh well at least there was only one waiting in front of me.

  Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.

Cold weather and flat ardvarks

 Hi all.

It is cold, very cold. and I have to do bus checks, below is a photo of me checking one in -4C

And before anyone says anything, the vehicles had been de-iced and used before I took the photo. also I'm not fat, that bulk is a polo shirt, a sweater, a fleece and a jacket. Told you it was cold!!

Oh yes, just to prove I have a weird mind, during a game on radio Shropshire Drive time slot, called schools out. where two young kids explain an object and we got to guess what it is, so I guessed "cartoon ardvarks that have been run over by a road roller" It was not right but gave Vicki and Ryan a good laugh.

They also asked for Charles Dickens type names so I suggested  Vicki Archer  could be Victoria Audipenny, or Audio Penny as she does voice work. voice = audio and work = money = pennies. See I do have some logic going on up there. :D

Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe. 

Old airfield and a Camper van

Well here is another View from the cab.

I took some media students to film at a local VW restorers, wrigleys aircooled. I got a call asking to go back early to transport them to another place.  An old airfield just down the road from the restorers, to do filming of a restored camper

Its a nice restoration, it looks good. but then it come from the only Landrover Defender fan in a family of VW fans.

It just goes to show, There is never a normal day in my job. That's half the fun. 

Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.

Ok, idea time :D

Hi all

You know that after put up the photo of dilbert up and said i had an idea. well here it is

View from the Cab

As part of my job I drive around. some times I take a photo or two. When I do I will post it here, some time say where it is and sometimes I will let you guess where it is.

OK, first one is from a trip before Christmas to West Midland Safari Park

Oh, and don't worry that I am driving around taking these, I only do it when park or get some that with me to take them if we are on the move.

Hope you find them fun.

Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.