I was speaking to Chris hooper today at the raven / midway truckstop on the A41at prees. he had just loaded drums of cable at wrexham for Qatar then he was off down south for his second collection before shippin out.
I had a bit of a chat with him. He seemed a nice bloke.
I mentioned trucknet to him and how all the middle east fans would like it if he joined and posted some photos. He said he’d seen ferdys toprun site at his mates house. He said he might have a nosey as he wanted to see what his old mates had wrote about him! He mentioned Kevin in the Caribbean - I take it thats you GS??
So he might join and post some pictures.
Ive had a couple of PM’s asking if I know chris hooper.
Im sorry but I dont . I introduced myself to him and although he didnt know me from adam he had plently of time to chat and tell me a couple of stories about the job and his old 143 that was smashed up. he was a perfect gentleman and it was a pleasure to meet him.
They are dutch plates,although not legal dutch plates as they should be yellow.
The truck is in the colours of Van Der Plesse from Yrserke,Holland who specialise in fish transport,obviously hooperman has only just got it.
I was on a long weekend in Jordan in October last year, and on the way back stopped on the shores of the dead sea, to experience this reportedly impossible swimming experience.
Upon arrival at the resort, my attention was caught by exactly the same truck, eye-catching in Jordan because in 4 days there, I had only been able to see 98% Mercedes (old or recent), about 1,9% MAN, and one or two volvo’s.
So when I saw this Scania I got curious and walked up to the man, and had a chat.
Dozer, it must have been an experience very similar to the one you describe herebelow. I was born in 75 so am equally as inexperienced as to what long-haul driving might have been in those days, but am equally as fascinated by it. And meeting Chris left me with exactly the same impressions - what a nice guy and what a life these guys have had!
An extremely nice bloke and still very eager about the story of his driving career.
I reckon it could make quite some blokes of my generation regret not having been born 30 years earlier then we did… I certainly do.
It’s the first time I’m posting a message on this forum, and I’m not familiar with the pic insertion procedure. l’ll try and post one or two from Chris’ Truck and the environment.
If I fail miserably - which I expect, in “preview” it doesn’t work - anyone’s help will be most welcome to explain me how to do it.
F:\Resize%20of%20PICT3147.JPG
Pictures that are only on your computer will not show up, you need to upload them to a picture hosting website such as www.imageshack.com
From there you can image link them to show on here
Parked up alongside Chris was a local, shipping sweet water to a nearby village.
In the background is the dead sea, visible despite the hazy wheather.
For some reason he had to turn his truck around two or three times, each time narrowly avoiding Chris’ trailer (on the right side of the pic).
The driver didn’t mind me having a look inside and taking a shot. This is what dashboards used to look like in those days…
Note the rather crude paintjob.
Also found this pic lying around on my hard drive. Interesting way to carry a 20-ton watertank.
Another very common sight in Jordan. This one still had the Hamburg-based shipping company name written on the right side, as well as the MB Dealer that originally put it on the road. By comparison this was VERY modern equipment. I reckon only about 20% of their Mercs are Actros generation.
chris is a great bloke a real gent last time i saw him id been sat in ancona for 2 days on my way home with no loads about then he turned up with 1 of stobarts[ subby i think] cant remember his name but a loverly bloke we had some good nights out on the town the stobart driver got a load after 2 days but we sat for another 2 days it was a hard life?
if i’m right, i think he hails from near me, when he’s not on the road.
i’m in basildon essex.
remember he’s transcontinental in astrans colours, then a big scanny in their colours too, but this is the 1st time i’ve seen the white and blue truck.
like others have said, i’m abit young, so missed out on the middle east days, sure it was fascinating job, with some amazing stories. the sort of job i’m guessing, that sorts the drivers, from the screwdrivers.
i’d like too have tried it, dunno if i’d have made the grade though.
Many years ago Chris & I were transiting Germany to destinations East.
On the eastern side of Bamberg there is a steep climb, I was behind Chris, who then was driving his Transcon, as this climb progressed , Chris who was heavily loaded became slower, I behind ,was dropping gears to maintain gap.
Then Chris stopped , he then ran back , pointing toward the front of my vehicle.
Upon looking down I see a red car broadside on my bumper ZB .
Long story short.
Chris is now losing because of hot tempetature red diesel from belly tank,my advice is get to parking at top of hill, will meet you there,
At top hill Chris is (Blowing) I then advised him to stop because Police will be here shortly.
Police arrived and I was informed that no further action would be taken againest me
The car Driver was fined 70 Dmarks,.
. I introduced myself to him and although he didnt know me from adam he had plently of time to chat and tell me a couple of stories about the job and his old 143 that was smashed up. he was a perfect gentleman and it was a pleasure to meet him.
