Norman Ingram:
Chris, is that any better than gateshead ha ha ha, harry will give me hell, when he reads this when he gets back.
No,not really but he couldn’t get in at Blaydon.
In about 1973/4 when on the Brs, doing the Camping Gaz contract, I had a brand new Ford artic, the cab was fine, it had a double passenger seat, it made it grand to have a sleep in, when in the Torbay area, on my way back from plymton, the offside front wheel came off, due to a faulty hub nut cracking in half, exeter depot towed my trailer in , and Ford garage, fetched my unit in,to repair it under warrenty, so I had to stopp in B/B for two days on the south side of the river, when I was washed and changed into my best clothes, I asked one of the boarders, what was on in the town, on a wednesday night, he told me to walk up about half a mile to the river, and there was a good pub, where all the people who was going to the dance hall, would go for some drinks, because it was cheaper than having too many in the club. I got chatting to three women from 20 miles away, one was a drivers wife, she was a bit of a devil, I told her I was a trucker, and asked her if her husband knew she was out, she said he was on a night trunk, and did not get back until 6.00am in the morning. They showed me where the dance was, and we went in, they went their way, and I started to ask young ladies for a dance, I did not drink much, has the dance was due to end just after 12.30am, this women came up to me, and said norman, will you do me a favour, I have noticed you have not been drinking, would you drive these three girls home in my car, I have had a little too much to drink. Well being a sucker, I agreed, but I did not know, I had to do a milk run, and the furtherist away , was near exmouth, and then five miles to the next, and the next, and then I drove back to my digs, and she was ok to drive home, she said I will tell my husband what a gent you was "Curlytop, and plonked a kiss on me, and off she went, I saw her twice in the dance at different times, but I always left a little early, I did not want to work day and night at driving ha ha ha. Then several mounths later, when returning from Newquay, I got this trucker on the side, hey Curlytop, I have been trying to catch you on the road, why I asked, because of what you did for my Mrs,■■?, enlighten me, you Know, when you drove her mates home, oh yes, Thanks very much, I am always telling her not to drink and drive, she said you are a true knight of the road, and hopes I am the same when I am away, I just nodded, are you always that good, I just laughed and said, so the women tell me, and then was out of range. Sandman Norman
Norman Ingram:
In about 1973/4 when on the Brs, doing the Camping Gaz contract, I had a brand new Ford artic, the cab was fine, it had a double passenger seat, it made it grand to have a sleep in, when in the Torbay area, on my way back from plympton, the offside front wheel came off, due to a faulty hub nut cracking in half, exeter depot towed my trailer in , and Ford garage, fetched my unit in,to repair it under warrenty, so I had to stopp in B/B for two days on the south side of the river, when I was washed and changed into my best clothes, I asked one of the boarders, what was on in the town, on a wednesday night, he told me to walk up about half a mile to the river, and there was a good pub, where all the people who was going to the dance hall, would go for some drinks, because it was cheaper than having too many in the club. I got chatting to three women from 20 miles away, one was a drivers wife, she was a bit of a devil, I told her I was a trucker, and asked her if her husband knew she was out, she said he was on a night trunk, and did not get back until 6.00am in the morning. They showed me where the dance was, and we went in, they went their way, and I started to ask young ladies for a dance, I did not drink much, has the dance was due to end just after 12.30am, this women came up to me, and said norman, will you do me a favour, I have noticed you have not been drinking, would you drive these three girls home in my car, I have had a little too much to drink. Well being a sucker, I agreed, but I did not know, I had to do a milk run, and the furtherist away , was near exmouth, and then five miles to the next, and the next, and then I drove back to my digs, and she was ok to drive home, she said I will tell my husband what a gent you was "Curlytop, and plonked a kiss on me, and off she went, I saw her twice in the dance at different times, but I always left a little early, I did not want to work day and night at driving ha ha ha. Then several mounths later, when returning from Newquay, I got this trucker on the side, hey Curlytop, I have been trying to catch you on the road, why I asked, because of what you did for my Mrs,■■?, enlighten me, you Know, when you drove her mates home, oh yes, Thanks very much, I am always telling her not to drink and drive, she said you are a true knight of the road, and hopes I am the same when I am away, I just nodded, are you always that good, I just laughed and said, so the women tell me, and then was out of range. Sandman Norman
It will be interesting to read Harry’s comments on your story Norman. I would imagine he will have a good look at your little tale.
Cheers Dave. 
Hi boys
Norm are you trying to tell us you are whiter than white, all those women falling at your feet.Like Dave I’m shore Harry will have somthing to say about that when he returns.
Regards Keith.
Hi all, found these pics in an old album I found in the loft,sorry no details. Thought it they might interest you ex Red and Rust men.
Ray
Nice photo’s Ray, they would be in harry’s age group, but he his on a holiday at a rest home for ten days, it will not be long before he gets the Queens telegram, he is the founder member for the darby & joan club, that should get old harry going, when he gets back ha ha ha. Keith, I just tell it like the FBI program " Give us the facts", you assummed they was falling at my feet, when they was comfortable in my present, I never went searching for anything, but I was never so stupid to refuse a gift, if given with a willing heart ■■, but the question is was it ever given ? , that is for me to know, and you may never find out, ha ha ha. Read my book when it comes out, and you still might think, is it true or is it fiction, I know, for it was part of my life. Sandman Norman
H boys
Norm what are we going to do with you. you keep promising this book but no sign of it yet… When it does eventually come out you will need to surply the librarians with instructions as to what catagary to put it in. ie. fact or fiction as you say or will it need to go on the top shelf? 
Regards Keith
Harry will be as sweet as a nut when he comes back on here and sees this,his new motor
Not even registered yet look,but all ready to roll when she’s taxed and number plates fitted.
Hi boys
Chris, Harry will be right chuffed with you, even took the trouble to load it for him. Not a bad job of sheeting Chris even though that front corner is a bit untidy, maybe he will show you how to do it properly when he comes back.
Regards Keith.
Allways thought BRS drivers were a smart lot. We only used to take the rear number plate off when on a dodgy. 
Ray
dessert driver:
Hi boys
Chris, Harry will be right chuffed with you, even took the trouble to load it for him. Not a bad job of sheeting Chris even though that front corner is a bit untidy, maybe he will show you how to do it properly when he comes back.Regards Keith.
I didn’t sheet and rope it Keith,my young ‘un did it while I was in the canteen.I’ve scuffed him round t’ earole for that sloppy bit on the N/S/F corner.
And Ray,I know what you mean about rear number-plate-taking-off the trailer,never had time to take the unit front and rear off though.
BRS drivers would have all the time in the world to do that.
Ray, you would be supprised what some of them red & rust lads got up to, but me being such a saint, and pure in thought, I ran strictly to the book, the only thing was I wrote the one I carried with me, thus I could do no wrong ha ha ha. Sandman Norman
Hi boys
Norm is this the same book as your righting now. I thought it was taking you a long time
By the way when’s Harry back ?
Regards Keith
I was going to give Harry this motor when he came back 'cos the sheeting and roping is a bit better than the Crusader’s trailer.
Nice modern rad blind and a spot light,what more could a driver want?
Hi boys
Chris thats a lot better, that driver must have been on Harrys “Rope and Sheet” course. It’s even got a roof rack for his suit case 
Regards Keith.
dessert driver:
It’s even got a roof rack for his suit caseRegards Keith.
And his wallet Keith!
Do not be silly, chris & keith, that was his bed, do you not remember, he stated he never!!, slept in his truck, but never said he didn’t sleep on top of it hahaha. Sandman Norman
Hi boys
Norm you just wait till he gets back,wouldn’t like to be in your boots
Regards Keith
Old harry will be so glad to get back on his laptop, he will full of joy, that we have even mentioned him while, he is doing his ten days of hard labour, under the eyes of she who must be obeyed, I only hope for his sake, he has some old trains and lorries to see, the poor old chap, said he cannot drink or eat too much, and has lost that loving feeling, whoe, whoe. Sandman Norman