Im not sure on which trip, with which truck, but after leaving LeHavre heading into Spain, John and Phil stopped at Barcelona services for coffee and the cab was promptly broken into and a haul of gear taken including Phil’s camera equipment.
Yes Gazza, your right. That was the second trip.
Hi Mark R,
last I heard of John he was living in a flat above a shop in Alderholt Nr. Fordingbridge in Hampshire. Interesting chap had a farm in Dorset,had Aeroplanes used to tow gliders for my father in law at Compton Abbas airfield, also competed in the Monte Carlo Rally, known to the Rawlings lads as the Wing Commander.
Regards MaggieD
Of coarse the other Blackman drivers were firstly Mick Winterbourne ex Eric Bakers I believe and Ernie Bignall who was an ex public schoolboy who adored the game of cricket I know that Ernie lost hone of his legs in an accident near Verona but it was after my time and I dont know the details.
Best regards to all of them.
Polly now there is a name that no one has mentioned real name Richard Parrot used to live Bordon area but havnt heard of him for sometime.
Can anyone tell me why I cant get photobucket to load my pictures it just gets to the upload position and the dosnt do anything.
Mick Hellawell (yes ians brother) took some cigarette making machinery from Andover to Lecce, as did a few others. I think we couldnt go Mt.Cenis for some reason and we ended up going over Lautaret as in this foto (July 1981). EAA 453S, Derek Obies truck, who was on holiday.
IAN: When you are clicking once on the IMG code it should say copied (it hasnt), you must go to FILE (top of screen) and click copy, then paste it to your chat window.
Lautarat ■■? Thats a new one on me Gazza, but then i,m only a boy. 
Mt. Cenis and Mt. Genevre were bad enough for me. 
Hello Gazzer, Here is a picture of that very same Volvo F89, I Drove it for John Phillips AKA Billy Cotton, On my 1st trip to Barcelona… She died on that trip at Girona on my way back home and Mick Cairns came down to load her up in a tilt… I got a lift back with Micky Long who was on for Buzzer at that time…
Regards Kev
gazzer:
Mick Hellawell (yes ians brother) took some cigarette making machinery from Andover to Lecce, as did a few others. I think we couldnt go Mt.Cenis for some reason and we ended up going over Lautaret as in this foto (July 1981). EAA 453S, Derek Obies truck, who was on holiday.
IAN: When you are clicking once on the IMG code it should say copied (it hasnt), you must go to FILE (top of screen) and click copy, then paste it to your chat window.
gary tricky dickie sends his regards to you ■■?
traniht:
Of coarse the other Blackman drivers were firstly Mick Winterbourne ex Eric Bakers I believe and Ernie Bignall who was an ex public schoolboy who adored the game of cricket I know that Ernie lost hone of his legs in an accident near Verona but it was after my time and I dont know the details.
Best regards to all of them.
Polly now there is a name that no one has mentioned real name Richard Parrot used to live Bordon area but havnt heard of him for sometime.
Can anyone tell me why I cant get photobucket to load my pictures it just gets to the upload position and the dosnt do anything.
Ernie Bignall was a bit of a “drop out” He served an apprenticeship with the Aldershot and District Traction Co as a mechanic at their Hindead garage.I got on well with him.Polly Parratt was still living in Whitehill the last time I saw him.He has got an old peoples bungalow.Was not looking too well.It was strange seeing him like that.I remember him when he was a butchers boy in Farnham on a bike.Good lad Bit of a nutter when he was wound up.
Mick H. and I on our way to Lecce.
Ron: Tell “Trickie Dickie” that I apologise for not getting in to see them this year when I was over 
And not to forget Micky Cooper!
I remember the Jocker, did you run to Spain with it in the late 70’s early 80’s.
I used to drive a 1632 Merc in EuroHaul colours delivering Ford parts to the Ford factory in Valencia.
another one of the old boys i know he is back in the uk but not heard to much else
wrong phot
o
Photos courtesy of Ian Hellawell:
Rare vehicles in the ASR fleet; F88’s. Many Volvos were rebuilt due to accident in service with ASR . This one is no different, a 240 that should have a “chrome” grill.
Trip to Pontanevaux for wine with a Robert Armstrong tank container.
Loading the tank.
The wheels fell off on the way into Le Havre alongside the canal…guess where they went!
Subbying for Jamesons.
traniht, Last i heard of Dave Williams (Brain Damage) he was working for SWITCH out of Andover running Germany…
Regards Kev
Gasping for diesel! Fill up in Le Havre (400lts) and I could just get to the first UTA AGIP on the Italian side of the Blanc.
Thats strange when I worked for Jim we had to make three fillups to get to the Blanc.First the Shell in Le Havre second yhe shell on the old road just before Auxerre and then again at Serge’s at Pont de Ain.
Anyone know what these three have in common?
No your wrong they were just nice people to deal with 
Then Micky Cooper put 470 litres in a 400 litre tank and I had to buy me own truck Dont think Ive been in A shell Station since
I used to call them the Shell Banks.Can’t remember why
Hi Ian & Charlie,
Do you remember when Serge & Annie at the Shell in Pont D’Ain won a trip to America ?
It was a Shell competion he had sold the most Diesel in France, twice as much as he had brought from Shell !!
Kind regards MaggieD