Hello Keith,
Brilliant night! didn’t know what to expect, couldn’t have gone better, about 150 there, sent you an e-mail inviting you to attend about a week ago, don’t know if you got it…brother was there, grumpy as ever in the nicest possible way!!! more importanly that model is absolutely bloody fantastic. worth a buy if anything ever was,told Bob C. about it and the site and he is more than interested in it. Bob C, Smudge, Lenny Baylham, Ray’Raynham, Micky Coombs, John Scott, Phil Greenfield, Brian Wales were there, Freddie Grimble and Mick Prigg had to call off, Fred’s on Chemo for prostate cancer and Mick injured himself today.
Best Regards.
Paul
KW:
As Paul said,if you are thinking of making a few more,then I’ll put my name down for one.
I love to make more but in reality its not going to be possible, so far this is 5 months in the making, and there is still loads to do on it, especially as its done in between trying to run the business, drive the truck, maintain the trucks/trailers and all the rest of the stuff that goes with it.
Also it would likely be cost prohibitive, as your value of the model would be miles away from what its actually cost so far. Its already well in excess of £200 in parts/kits, paint, decals etc so unfortunately, its highly likely to be a one off.
It will be on display in the model show at Gaydon’s CV show in 2011, and I would love you guys to come and see it for yourselves and give me your opinion on how its turned out.
For some uncanny reason the last 4-5 models I have built are all middle east related, and a couple more are planned, because its just such a brilliant subject.
Heres a couple of the others built.
Gavin McCardles Scammell crusader.
Ian Taylors F88
Astran Scanny - fictitious truck
Chris Hoopers 143
Sorry to hijack the thread about your fantastic book.
TC
PROWLANDS:
Hello Keith,
Brilliant night! didn’t know what to expect, couldn’t have gone better, about 150 there, sent you an e-mail inviting you to attend about a week ago, don’t know if you got it…brother was there, grumpy as ever in the nicest possible way!!! more importanly that model is absolutely bloody fantastic. worth a buy if anything ever was,told Bob C. about it and the site and he is more than interested in it. Bob C, Smudge, Lenny Baylham, Ray’Raynham, Micky Coombs, John Scott, Phil Greenfield, Brian Wales were there, Freddie Grimble and Mick Prigg had to call off, Fred’s on Chemo for prostate cancer and Mick injured himself today.
Best Regards.
Paul
Hi Paul,
I wish I could have been there,a week later and I would have been as I’m over for a few days next week.
Just came off the phone with Mick and he said it was a good turnout,though he didn’t know or recognise any of the ‘You Call-We Haul’ guys,only the Tolemans ones 
can’t think why?
How is Micky Coombes doing these days? I haven’t spoken to him for ages,apart from last Christmas when I phoned to give him and Carol seasonal wishes.
I haven’t seen ‘Scotty’ for years,the last time was when I was on for Fred Archer and I used to see him when I came off the boat in Felixstowe and put my papers in.
Same with Phil,haven’t seen him for nearly thirty years.
Sorry to hear about Fred,hope he’s going to be okay.
Always nice to hear that Bob is still going strong,he was a good boss.
It’s about time for another reunion too,though as I was just a mere UK driver I may not get invited. 
Anyway,well done,and I can’t wait to get my hands on the book.
Keith
KW:
tc trans:
that look bloody fantastic, when its done if i can get some pictures ill drop and see bob carter and show him the finished article, if i cant make gayden im sure my brother will be there, excellent stuff
tc trans:
KW:
As Paul said,if you are thinking of making a few more,then I’ll put my name down for one.I love to make more but in reality its not going to be possible, so far this is 5 months in the making, and there is still loads to do on it, especially as its done in between trying to run the business, drive the truck, maintain the trucks/trailers and all the rest of the stuff that goes with it.
Also it would likely be cost prohibitive, as your value of the model would be miles away from what its actually cost so far. Its already well in excess of £200 in parts/kits, paint, decals etc so unfortunately, its highly likely to be a one off.It will be on display in the model show at Gaydon’s CV show in 2011, and I would love you guys to come and see it for yourselves and give me your opinion on how its turned out.
For some uncanny reason the last 4-5 models I have built are all middle east related, and a couple more are planned, because its just such a brilliant subject.Heres a couple of the others built.
Gavin McCardles Scammell crusader.
Ian Taylors F88
Astran Scanny - fictitious truck
Chris Hoopers 143
Sorry to hijack the thread about your fantastic book.
TC
That Crusader is something else,amazing stuff!!
Rgds,
David 
back on track paul, the book is fantastic and im only halfway through… already though one big complaint ==== it isnt long enough, im already scared off the point when i finish it, i want it to be 2000 pages.
there was a 3 page spread in the local paper today too, im looking forward to reading it when i get home!
gonna get my copy of the book monday
tony them models are bostin looking forward to gaydon next year
Hi boys
Just finished reading the book, thank you Paul it was brill. Like Jessicas dad said not long enough I hope you are righting a sequel. It brought all those early days back to me. The descriptions of things along the way were so exact as to bring them back into my mind.It was like running with you. For those readers that were not prevliged to do ME in the early days I can ashore them that was exactly as it was, and for those that did it will bring back so many memories good and bad.
Well done Paul
Regards Keith
Exellent read Paul Not long enough though. So now i got a read it again.
What makes it really good is knowing most of the characters in it and and the local area.
well i finished it last week i regret to say. i hope you on with another.
Finished.And it only took me a couple of days! Way too short!!!
It was especially good as I knew most of the other Trans UK guys mentioned,although,sadly,I never got to meet Taffy,he died in a tragic accident on the M5 elevated section near Birmingham after suffering a heart attack not long after I started with Trans UK.
It was also nice to read when Bob actually started the company,I’ve often wondered about that,and of him and Tony Waugh following the trucks down in his old Hillman Hunter.
The Middle -East heyday of the seventies was a window in time,one which will never be repeated,and one which I sadly missed due to being too young.
I remember the meeting one Sunday morning in The Routemaster when Bob announced that to keep the company afloat,he was going to start Middle-East again,and that anyone who wanted to go should raise their hand.I think my hand was first up! He was going to send us down in pairs,a rookie with a veteren,and I hoped I would go with Gary North.Sadly it never happened,and it was a very sombre day when the firm closed it’s doors.
Well done Paul.
Well done Paul,a great read,well written by someone who has “done it”,Cola was written by a journalist,and the difference shows,very entertaining,just makes me wish even more that I had taken up the challenge back in 70’s/80’s,instead of plodding around the UK,congratulations,thoroughly recommended.
Rgds,
David
Not all sunshine and sand is a great read.
I cant put it down.
I’m at chapter 19 .
I had to read chapter 18 twice because its was so funny & i was crying with laughter.
I got it from amazon & it was £12:59.
Its a great book…
kickstart:
Just thought I would let everyone know that Paul’s book is available from “The Book Depository” for £12.58 delivered free.
Les. (who doesn’t like spending more than he absolutely has to!!!)
My copy was lying on the mat when I got home this week but I had to pay more than you did, £12.59 delivered free from Amazon. Really enjoying the read.
The Book Depository is brilliant and half the price of Amazon, or it was with my David Lowe books!
just ordered my copy from amazon , the book depository are out of stock …
just ordered my copy as well
Once again I’d like to thank everyone for their support and interest in my book and for all the encouraging comments. The good news from my perspective is that the first print run has sold out and my publisher has ordered a second run.
Paul
