PanX:
Memory is fading a bit, but is this Kim Belcher of Astrans examining his camera after a few effes at lunchtime…A little further back to get everyone in… this was taken around 1982 Londra Camping.
I took the good lady to Istanbul in October last year, as I have been going on about what a great place it is for over thirty years and said we would have to visit the Londra Camping as a mark of respect. Dissapointed to find it was an indoor Go Cart track and two five aside pitches
Judging by your passport you would have known Jock Bell.
As a newcomer here I’ve only just found out about his passing. He was a top man.
Jock helped me out once, I had a trailer loaded and ready to go to Jeddah, but no driver. I knew Jock was home and was going through a difficult patch after working for the Iranians and then the Turks.
I phoned him up and asked if he fancied the trip, he said “are you mad Geoff, you know what I’m like”
I replied “Yes I do, you’re one of the best there are and anyway you wouldn’t let me down would you?” to which he said “Of course not”, so the deal was struck.
He turned up in less than an hour with his bag, said he didn’t need to stock up with food as he’d eat in the cafes. Went through the paperwork checked the truck over and set off.
I got a daily progress Telex, not for many days as he made a very fast trip, tipped, turned round, came home, faultless trip.
He then got a job as a warehouse manager in Boreham Wood and as with many things in life I lost contact with him.
I know it may be a bit late but RIP mate, you put a smile on many faces.
I won’t blow smoke in your face Geoff but I didn’t take a truck on that trip. I hitched from Copenhagen to the tip of India to get to Colombo in Ceylon. When I got to the tip the ferry jetty had been blown away so I flew into Ceylon. The idea was to get a boat to Oz, but due to unforeseen financial difficulties I couldn’t afford the ticket & so I hitched back in the Winter thru India, Pakistan, Afghanistan ,Iran, Turkey ,Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Italy ,Austria, Germany, Belgium -Dover.
Got malnutrition in Madras, arrested for spying in Pakistan,& Iran, arrested in Istanbul by secret police, arrested in Germany for sleeping in a railway station ,arrested by the Austrians in Tyrol as a suspect terrorist. Met unhinged motorists by the score… need I go on?
After that I made sure all my trucking took me South ,N. Africa ,Southern EU. Greece etc. M/E held no attraction or mysteries for me. Any money the truckers made out of M/E was made the hard way. My way was holiday with pay. The golden years working for Swiss francs I was eating good food in night clubs & all the best places in EU on full expenses. That trip to India was Gods way of telling me to go south ,young man!
Passed thru Bombay airport a coupla years ago on my way to the land of smiles. Same old sh8t, different day -never want to return.
Two funerals I was at , one I was the only Driver That was Jock Bells ,Two Pipers played fairwell ,Tony Fingers Soamesons more that a few said their fairwell
Fred some nice pictures,
The one of Grangewoods, is that you in the white shirt…?..The Pan Express truck MWC 333V was my old 141, it looks like it has had a few bolt on’s added after I had it.
Mick
PanX:
Fred some nice pictures,
The one of Grangewoods, is that you in the white shirt…?..The Pan Express truck MWC 333V was my old 141, it looks like it has had a few bolt on’s added after I had it.
Mick
Fred wrote:-
I thought that would get a response from you on that PAN 141 Mick, nice looking truck that, I did wonder if it was yours and to think that I knew you when you had nothing : but anyone in our game would agree that PAN’s had a very eye- catching livery and were always clean and presentable in fact you may have made it on Grangewood’s - bye for now - regards FRED
PS - yes that was me in the pic when I was ugly but I am ok now
Hi Fred,
The old girl belonged to Johnny J when that photo was taken. There are a few photos of it on other threads on here. But Johnny Ellingham had it before me, she was such a tart that one. She only let me down once, just left the mirrors and the prop shaft coupling failed at Rafa. Geoff Frost was subbing for Astrans at the time and he towed me all the way to Oryx’s. Fair play to him for that. It wasn’t without incident, but we got there in one piece. I felt I knew Astrans telex number off by heart having been sat eight feet away from it for two days…
Mick.
That is something I have been trying to find out for ages, Fred. Last time I saw him he was working as ‘security’ in Baghdad (what ever that might mean) and still living in the Aldershot area. But the trail has gone cold. Ashliegh Coghill was looking for him a while ago but also without sucess.
Someone who might know would be his mate Aussie (the other coloured fellah) because I know that Ken and his wife were great friends with Aussie and his respective wife but I have no idea how to get hold of him. Any ideas anyone??
Loose-wire:
Two funerals I was at , one I was the only Driver That was Jock Bells ,Two Pipers played fairwell ,Tony Fingers Soamesons more that a few said their fairwell
Hi Loose-wire my uncle Noel was at Jocks funeral, Jock and him worked together at Asian Transport in the days of the LB76s
David Miller:
That is something I have been trying to find out for ages, Fred. Last time I saw him he was working as ‘security’ in Baghdad (what ever that might mean) and still living in the Aldershot area. But the trail has gone cold. Ashliegh Coghill was looking for him a while ago but also without sucess.
Someone who might know would be his mate Aussie (the other coloured fellah) because I know that Ken and his wife were great friends with Aussie and his respective wife but I have no idea how to get hold of him. Any ideas anyone??
David
Fred wrote :- Another old workmate of ours who comes to mind was the German driver ‘Uri’ (Spelling ?) he was a top man and I often wonder what he may be up to now, any info on him David ? I ran back with him from somewhere and we came via Linz where he showed me around and pointed out where Hitler was born (Another old mate of mine) and then via Scharding/Passua, it was like a conducted tour running with him - Oh well fond memories eh? be lucky regards Fred
: but anyone in our game would agree that PAN’s had a very eye- catching livery and were always clean and presentable in fact you may have made it on Grangewood’s 