downtime

i got back to lethbridge last saturday from my short run to idaho falls,due to my truck being way over due for a service.i dropped it in the yard,with a list of a few jobs that needed doing.i stayed in the lodge,and met some of the new drivers.we all had a good chat,i told them not to listen to all the bullshit and lies,and to make their own minds up.unfortunately,one of the guys,john,decided he was going home.we all tried our best to talk him round,but he had made his mind up.
i went round to jojo`s,when i knocked on the door,tina and jo answered with"weve got a dilema".it turned out that jo had locked her keys in the car.terrific.tina,being a cockney girl,brought a coat hanger and was trying to get in.jo said to tina that if she got in,she was going to snog her,i replied,wait till i got my phone out.haha.we all had a real good laugh,eventually,i had a go,and with some jiggling about i got the door opened.
anyway,i got my truck back thursday afternoon,(other jobs not been done,must have been to busy.)and got a load to iowa.it didnt deliver till monday.so a nice easy run down.nothing happened really to write about,apart from getting the confirmation of my ladies flight at xmas.really looking forward to seeing her again.we are going to spend it with some special friends.its going to be great.
so,ive just tipped at the customers.im now waiting for my next load

quick trip

my truck was due a service,i put in the shop,only to be told there was a trip that they couldnt get covered,and would i do it.it was a drop in twin falls.i got so far down the road,when i got a pre plan for my return load.that was quick!.i made delivery at 10 am next morning.my collection was for 3am the following morning,and it was only an hour and a half away from were i delivered.so i decided to chance my luck.i got to the customer around lunchtime,i asked if there was a chance they could load me today.sorry,no can do....so i parked up for a long chill out.anyway,i got loaded at 2am.nice easy drive back to drop trailer in taber.got to lethbridge,and put my truck in the shop for the well overdue service.my dispatch got me back real quick,as they promised.my truck is still in the shop,im hoping to hit the road in the morning.
while ive been sat in the lodge ive met a few of the new drivers that are starting their training.most of them seem very good and have come with the right attitude.they've been asking me lots of questions,which ive been happy to try and answer.i think they will do OK.
well that's it for now.Xmas is round the corner,and the weather is changing,so everyone stay safe

rush job

i did a reset in Calgary.got a pre plan to collect from brooks.if you go down tonight,you will be ready for it in the morning.no thanks,i know what brooks is like!!!!.i arrive at 08.00,give them my pick up number,"its on test,wont be ready till after 2pm.good job i didn't come last night.while i sat there waiting,a new driver parked at my side,i think he was called nick.he was asking me loads of questions.ive been there,i know how nerve racking it is.a message to ring work.Andy we have a load ready now,but needs to be there quite sharpish,in Nebraska.oh well,i better get moving.it was fresh meat,i think it had just been slaughtered,as the blood was still running out.i did get it there,although a little late,only due to the time difference.dropped the trailer and sleep.got my next plan,another meat load,but back to Canada!.i had been given plenty of time to deliver,so it wasn't a mad dash up the highway.i stopped at the largest truck stop,Iowa 80.as i was pulling in,i noticed a truck parked at a funny angle and close to another truck.i looked closer and it seems he tried to turn a little to soon and took the front end out of the other truck.he didn't look to chuffed.like i said,it wasn't a mad rush.it was enjoyable.i dropped the trailer in yard at Brampton,and did a reset at the husky in Mississauga.that's were i am at the minute.got a plan,but it may change yet!!!!!!!!

back in canada

so,after a brilliant 9 days back in the uk,im back in canada and on the road.currently sat in tanner washington(not elsie).tipping in the morning.so an easy day(again)sat in the TA truck stop

suprise trip too dublin

my trip back home wasnt exactly restful.
jan suprised me by taking me to dublin for 3 days.its a place ive always wanted to go,mainly for the guiness i think.
it was early up,dart to Liverpool.30 mins later.Dublin.we checked in a best western(i think i could be a trip adviser for this chain.Ive stayed in so many)the room was great,with a great view of the the liffy(i know its probably spelt wrong).
we bought day saver tickets for the open top tour bus.great idea,because you can get on and off whenever you like.anyway,first stop,guiness factory.well,i wasn't going to stay on the bus was i?did the tour,which was amazing,then up to the bar on the top floor for our 2 free pints of the black stuff,and it wasn't even lunchtime.to my surprise,Jan drank three quarters of her pint,which is good to say she doesn't drink it.
im not going to go through the whole trip,there is just too much to say.all i will say is that it was fantastic,and all down to my better half.needless to say,she got her surprise later.if you know what i mean.

thats perfection

the good old molly Malone.no wonder she made plenty of money,with a chest like that

hope im related to the owner

4th sep

on the sunday,we went down to oldham to see family.first,i picked one of my sons up.i cant believe how grown up he is,ive only not seen him for 12 months.on the way too my mums,he was telling me how much he enjoys the air cadets and what things he has done.he says he is going too join up when he can.im so proud of him.
met rest of family,hugs and kisses all round,especially of my little sister,she acted as if she hadnt seen me in years.me and my sis are very close.love her to bits.
i took my dad and brother-in-law for a quick pint and then we all went for dinner.it was a great day out,catching up with them all.
me and jan left early evening,i think i was starting to feel the jet lag.lol

my lovely sister,and brother in law

 my youngest son

back in the uk.3rd september

sorry guys for the long abcence.
i have just got back from a 9 day stay back in the uk.i had tried my best to keep it quiet as i wanted to suprise a mate.so everyone here was told not to put anything on facebook.
anyway,i arrived back in manchester early afternoon on saturday.i got the train as i wanted to walk to the house so i could have a look at the place.it was still the same.i was excited about being back,but only to see freinds and family,i havent missed the uk one bit,and after 12 months,i thought it was time to make the visit..
jan was stood there waiting for me,it was great to see her after so long.we planned to go out early that evening for a meal with her sister and husband.it was a bit risky,as the restaurant was a local one and i didnt want anyone to see me as my mate kev would find out,and i wasnt planning on suprising him until monday.
we had a great meal,and a good chat.i was telling all the good stories of over here.then jan said"you`ll never guess who`s sat behind you".it was only the bloody landlord and landlady of my local pub.we got the hugs and kisses out the way and i said to keep it quiet from kev.
we were walking past another pub that i go in now and again,and was seen by tony,who shouted us over.everyone was chuffed to see me,especially as no-one knew i was coming back.my plan was working upto now.so as me and jan were getting in the drink mode,we decided to go in my local.i knew kev wouldnt be in,but at 10pm i had to phone him.think i was feeling pretty guilty by this time.it was great to see him and leslie.i think by 01.30,we had done enough drinking and catching up,and called it a night.i slept like a baby.dont know whether it was due to lack of sleep,or the beer.
so that was my first day back.......

an eventfull trip

this trip turned a little up side down.
got my plan for new jersey,with a delivery time that was impossible,anway that got changed later.
i was on the i94,it was around 3.30am,and the rain was really coming down,i didnt think it could rain so hard.so im just taking my time,mainly because i couldnt see a bloody thing.in the distance i see these headlights doing funny things,as i got closer,i realised a car had spun out and ended up on its roof.i pulled on the hard shoulder and ran across the highway.a truck on the same side had also just stopped.myself and the other truck driver ended up pulling 3 people out of the cars windows.luckilly,no-one was really hurt,just a little bruised and shaken.we got them to the side,and then an off duty sherriff turned up.thats when i decided it was time to go.i got back to the truck and peeled my jeans off,i have never felt so wet.a quick change,then off on my merry way
i paid my last toll at pennsylvania,started to pull away,and the truck died.i managed to get out the way onto the hard shoulder.i tried different things,but she just wouldnt start.anyway,6 hours later,the wrecker turned up and towed me to penske.i booked into a hotel for 2 days.the humidity down there was unreal,so i didnt go outside much,apart from having a few beers in hooters,which was opposite the hotel.
i get the call that my truck is ready.so im ready to go again.as my trailer was taken away to be delivered,i picked an empty up and went to pick a load of chocolate up.
i only got so far up the highway when my truck started having the same problems it went in for.
i did manage to get to brampton,which was about 420 kms,but it took me 10 hours.truck would only do 15mph on the hills.
so on the sunday,dropped it at penske and checked in another hotel.today being thursday,i have just had a call that my truck should be ready in a few hours.
ill be glad to get back on the road,i just hope i make it back to calgary.
ive cut a lot of this short,as it could have ended up looking like war and peace,it would have been that long

hi guys.not posted for awhile.
went down to wisconsin last week.after picking up my load,i set off for kitchener,ontario.i got to the customer the night before,i thought i might try my luck to get tipped early,but the place was closed.so time for bed.i got tipped pretty quick,and then i was to drop my empty in maple leaf in kitchener and pick up a load for saskatoon.i got to maple leaf around 10am,went into shipping and was told my load would not be ready until midnight.what a bummer.i asked my dispatcher if there was anything else i could do.no was the reply.so as i was running close to my hours,i asked to do a reset.
now,it was my birthday and i hadnt seen a live world cup game since it started,all i needed to do was find a place that had it on.then i remembered,me and jan met a couple in mexico in 2006 and i have kept intouch and i knew they lived up this way.put their address in the sat nav.cool,20 minutes away.off i go,i was coming up to the dealership were tom works,i called in,and was told it was his day off.so went round to the house.no answer.to cut a long story short.he was on the golf course and would be home in 10 minutes.i put the truck on his drive were it would be nice and safe.we shook hands and hugged,4 years is a long time.his wife julie was in bed due to working a night shift,poor girl had only been in bed a few hours and some bloody truck driver was waking her up with the noise of a truck.
me and tom went round to a bar to watch the england team(play crap,i might add).after the game we went for some food,then back to their house.we sat outside for a couple of hours,then off to bed,as tom needed to be in work.it turned out to be a very good birthday,afterall,only thing missing was jan.
my reset was due to finish at 9pm on saturday.pre plan had come through,but i just thought i would check if it was good tp pick being late in the evening,to be told,no,go in the morning.so,with that news and tom home from work,off to the golf course.had a great game of golf,even though i havent hit a ball in two years,and i played pretty good on all accounts.
back to the house for a bbq and another catch up chat.
i said my goodbyes in the morning and tom getting his daughter up,even though she had only been in bed for three hours(she was out partying).picked up my dairy load,and set off for calgary.
so thats were im upto at the minute,sat in smooth river falls,getting ready to hit the road.
a really enjoyable weekend was had

well,our holiday period has come to an end.i take jan to the airport this morning,after a quick stop at jo and farons,so jan can say her goodbyes.
ive really enjoyed her being here,and she has said she has loved every minute of it,and doesnt really want to go home,but needs must and all that.she is coming back for a week at xmas,so i cant wait for that.
i took her in the truck yesterday,only to the lock up were all my gear was stored.we loaded everything in,and i started putting things in their respective places,while jan worked wonders with the duster and polish(thanks love).
we ate in the bar in the hotel last night,had a few drinks.the staff that was on, said goodbye to jan,after tellling her she shouldnt go.
so,im not looking forward to this morning,god knows what ill do next week.haha.at least i dont have to wait 9 months till i next see her.going to miss her loads

waterton park

had a great day out today with jo,faron,chris,tina and kids.
first we went to costco to get some stuff for the bbq,then off to waterton.
faron(chef) did the cooking,and as far as i know,we are all still here.haha.cheers matey,food was great.
later on in the day,we went up to cameron lake,and couldnt believe our eyes when we got there.it was still full of snow,but it was really warm.the pics say it all

didnt get much sleep,due to the damn sunburn and the sheet kept sticking to me.up early,and set off for a nosey at the hoover dam.the dam was great,well worth a look.had a couple of hours there,then set off for the canyon.im not going to bore you with details,ill let you make your own minds up with the pics,but it was bloody amazing

more pics

vegas

anyway,arrived in vegas,weather was red hot.hotel is amazing.after a good nights sleep,we had a mooch round.walked for hours,looking at the other hotels.
glad we are only here for a couple of days,couldnt do more than that here.
a couple of jans friends were here in vegas,bev and gary,so we got a cab and met them last night.what a brilliant night.they put a cinema show on the ceiling,it was fantastic.
there was this guy/girl.whatever trying to dance.if the video is on,please take a look.its funny as hell,and frightening.we stayed there till about 2am.got a cab back to our hotel,and hit the sack.

we had another day of walking(dont think ive ever walked so much)seen some great sights/shows.we check out in the morning to set off back to canada,with a couple of stop offs.

we decided to stay another night,due to the fact we had never walked so much.so we were just going to chill by the pool.i think i lay in the sun for way to long,and ended up looking like a bloody lobster.

we went across to new york new york for another of their pints of guiness(best ive ever had).we also had a meal.i had a steak and it was fantastic.after the meal we caught the bus and met gary and bev again.after a few drinks i started feeling a bit crap,and i was bloody freezing.i think i had a touch of sunstroke.we ended up getting the bus back after a couple of hours.

didnt get much sleep,due to the damn sunburn and the sheet kept sticking to me.up early,and set off for a nosey at the hoover dam.

my time with jan,after 9 months of not seeing her

My better half arrived on sunday afternoon.it was great to see her after 9 months.it has felt as if i hadnt seen her for years.
On the journey down to lethbridge,i kept saying to Jan that it felt weird having her sat next to me.it took some getting used to.
Tuesday night we went round to my mates house.Faron and Jo,had a meal which was great.Jan seemed to be enjoying herself,with her new friend Freya(Farons daughter)
I had planned a trip down to vegas,so Wednesday morning we set off.we made a stop at fFranks Slide.it was well worth the visit.very interesting.
anybody that goes to this centre,take time to watch the two films they put on,they are really worth watching.you begin to understand the devastation when the mountain came down.
we were planning to stop at fernie,the ski resort.we got there,had a walk round and decided,we were just going to get something to eat and drive a little longer.
we were coming upto bonners ferry,but i couldnt remember if i had seen a hotel when ive travelled through here before.i had completely forgot about the best western hotel,until i was reminded by faron.
what a hotel
it was right next to the river.the room had a little balcony,which looked across the river,and good views of the mountains.we had a quick dabble in the casino,which was pretty good,especiallyfor me as you could smoke in it.the rooms are good,very spacious,with a huge tv.anyway,up early to carry on down to vegas,with probably a couple more stops on the way down.
we got down to idaho falls and decided to stop over,found another best western hotel,not as good as the other one,but not bad.we set off early next morning due to being woke up by the tv making funny noises.i thought some tosser had set it as an an alarm,but no,it was a power cut.

had a bit of a mare today.
i stopped in niagra for the night.didnt get to see the falls though.
i set off for my delivery,which was only about an hour away.to cut a long story short,i sat there for almost 10 hours.i was thrilled to bits(not).so now im in the husky in brampton.pick up my trailer tomorrow to take down to delta in bc,then hopefully back to lethbridge for the truck inspection

trip to new jersey

not up-dated this for awhile,i think for two reasons.


1.some of the negative comments piss me off

2.been too busy

anyway.

i dropped my last trailer at the yard in calgary,got my pre plan to pick beef at brooks,going to wisconson,once i had my ten hours off,i set off

there was another of our drivers there already.sean.he said his load was on hold until 2pm.i went in to check mine.yes,you guessed it,on hold till 9pm

it was only 6am.sent the macro,message came back,forget that load,get this one.i was rubbing my hands,down to new jersey.once i had picked the trailer up,my macro went off

andy,cancel that,ill get you something else.well,as you can imagine,i was a little pissed off.sean was laughing his head off.so all the info he had given me about all

the tolls,was of no use.so,the next load came,upto bloody calgary.great,ive gone from a load to new jersey for one upto calgary.so off i went.30 mins later,macro went again

andy,once you have dropped that,nip to another place,pick up empty and go back to brooks for,guess what.the new jersey load.i was chuffed again.now this run seemed to go on

forever,i had driven for what seemed days,and didnt seem to have got anywere.i had been told by my mate graeme,that i would pass the largest truck stop in the world.

,when i got there,he was right,it was huge.they had everything inside,including trucks.i had a quick walk round,

took a few pics,then on my merry way.the info sean had given me about the tolls was bob on.ive never been through so many,and

paid out so much money.all in all,ive enjoyed the run,seen some great sights.now im resetting,waiting for my re-load back to lethbridge,as my truck is due service and inspection.

hope you enjoy the pics.

mississippi river

the flights are now booked for my partner jan to come over in may.cant wait to see her it will have been 9 months since ive seen her

well the time came,which i was dreading.the interview with the boss.i was only dreading it in case i was turned down.we sat in the office,had a good chat,and a lot of positive stuff was said.i was chuffed.so,i am now being sponsered.so i can now start the ball rolling for my PR.looks like things are starting to fall into place.
im glad its done,as i really love the job and most of the people i have met,love the country.what more can i say.
so,after my interview,off i went with my delivery.salt lake city,here i come.it was a rush job,so attached a rocket to truck and got there 15 mins early.quick tip,next load done and on my way back.
as i was rounding the corner before sweetgrass,i noticed an animal in the road.whats a bloody alsation doing on the highway,only it wasnt an alsation,it was a wolf.it was eating something in the road,i must say,he was a clever wolf though.as i got closer,he moved to the hard shoulder,once id gone past,he went back into the road to finish his meal.nice!!!!!!!!!

i was looking forward to this trip,think ive changed my mind.got my first drop off in tracy california done quite quick.then set off for my second in vernon.going through los angeles and passed hollywood,in the rushour traffic.what a f*****g nightmare,they are mental!.


anyway i had to do a reset,and as i was pretty close to long beach,i thought.that will do.could i find anywhere to park,dont be stupid...so ive ended up in a truckstop in ontario,and every man and his bleeding dog are here.at least its RED HOT,and im in my shorts.

oh and another thing.tight arse arnie needs to get his hand in his pocket and sort the friggin highways out,i bet they were more comfy when wagon trains were going through.think all my suspension is shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

got my next load.its strawberries back up to edmonton

these pictures were taken just coming through strathmore on the way to calgary.all three are not reflections off the glass,this is how it actually looked.

well after my tip in sioux city,i got my next run down to little chute.ive been here a few times now,so i didnt to look for it.the run back was ok,until i got to new years eve.i was parked in estavan,and decided to phone my other half,think it was a mistake,because when i put the phone down,i got a bit down.this is the first xmas,new year we have not been together,and to say i was missing her,would be an understatement.this carried on all the way up on new years day.i dropped my trailer at the yard and set off for the j were i am re-setting my hours.i gave her another ring,she seemed ok,but i could tell she was a little down.i think its just the xmas period and me not being there.i really hope may comes round quick,as this is when she is coming over for three weeks.she cant wait for that,nor can i for that matter.that will be 9 months that we havent seen each other.so,here i am,new years day,sat in a truck stop,hoping i get another decent run.the longer i am on the road,the time seems to go quicker.
anyway.on another note.i hope everyone has a great new year,and it brings nothing but good things.take care