Well Well
I realy stired the hornets nest on this thread but keeps everyone writing 
as for aDave poulton thread after Dave’s new knee’s and a walking stick I think Dave posting on here is a deff.no no 
Roger
hutpik:
Hi Brenics.As i[and others]have said before you have a go at me,i have no beef with anyone who writes a story on here but no-one is special.I also used to read avidly mr Llewellyns stories.I was one of the lucky ones in that i met him and ran with him on one trip.
As you say now we have a mr Kiely thread without a kiely.Either keep the stories coming regularly or,if only occasionally,put them up on the ME thread.
Maybe to avoid upsetting anyone we should start a new thread.Something along the lines of ‘‘stories from bygone days’’ or’’ stories from around the world’'. That way everyone can contribute with stories from Scandinavia to Maroc and Oman,Ireland to Pakistan and Siberia[China fo some]
As to a Dave Poulton thread i doubt you would ever get him to write about himself.[shame as he was quite special].As i have repeatedly said there are SOOO many wonderful tales out there still to be told.Maybe some people think they will be ridiculed for whatever reason and that is sad because stories are oral books,and as such make our history.
Brenics.Forgive me but when i lived in Afghanistan it was a different and difficult life which i would rather keep private.It was not in transport so maybe i will be forgiven for not putting it on here.Mike
Mike, ‘stories from bygone days’ are welcome from anybody on this thread. They do not have to be Middle East orientated. All of you can submit your stuff even if it’s the TIR trail from Bournemouth to Poole and some interesting people met en route. This thread is not a competition, you do not have to try to match anybody in literary / photographic skills because at the end of the day it is your story and you have made the effort to put it together. Let’s have one on Lappland Hutpik.
Just because this thread uses my name as its title does NOT mean it is my private club only to show my precious scribblings. Got websites to do that. This thread was specifically created as an open forum for all to display and so entertain other members with THEIR stories. What might seem a mundane tale to some might not to someone else so do not worry when you get an idea in your head as to what could be turned into the next blockbuster or flopbuster!
Do not worry about potential critics either. I did not think of this analogy but critics know the cost of everything and the true value of sweet FA. If two guys want to criticise each other because each is convinced his truck is better that the other guy’s or one drove further down the road than the other or one of them thinks a writer is a ■■■■ good bloke but the other thinks he is a total ■■■■■■ then fine, let ‘em get on with it. They are only trying to score points against each other, they are NOT creating anything for the entertainment of all.
As an example, in the days of contributing to various truck mags I often received both praise and criticism when back on the road. The trick is do not let praise go to your head and take the flak on the chin. Nobody can please all the people all the time. No harm in trying though!
If you are still a little nervous about putting your own stuff on here just use that attitude we all had to muster when faced with what seemed at the time like an impossible task. You wanted to complete that task but were not quite convinced within yourself that you could. But, in the end you did it. How? Because you knew, if you didn’t have a go, you would never know.
Here’s a little hint as to what the majority of people like to read about the most. The Power of Emotions. Trucks are machines, they have no feelings and they can not drive themselves. This is not self-appraisal but of the stories I’ve put on this site or links to them over the last few months the one which got the most viewers and comments was ‘Pricked’. Second was ‘My Mistake’.
Both were tough little emotional and physical numbers so do not be shy, let us all read yours.
Laurence Kiely
To Africa with you Laurence,preach to the ,down and outs the starving.give them hope ,that by your readings they may bring joy and comfort ,better still join the Government ,you should do well
Roger
Hi Laurence.If you take the time to read the other threads such as Astran\M.E and Simons you will see that over the past couple of years i have posted various stories of my meagre contributions to transport with a view to hopefully,amusing and sharing my adventures and misadventures along the way.So i do not think that i have any literary or photographic aspirations,merely a desire to share experiences which otherwise would be lost to the detriment of all.This applies to ALL the contributions which have been made by EVERYONE on the forums over the years.
As to my writing stories about Lappland.I have finished my travelling,and when i moved up here it was to have a more easylife,to finish my driving time until i can retire without stress,or having to work day and night,or being away for weeks if not months.Now i work 7 days,7 days free and have 2 or 3 months holiday each year to fish,drive quad or snowscooter or just relax.I fear that there is very little to write about unless you want to know how deep the snow is or how many mozzies there are.However as i have said many times there are a vast amount of stories still to be told by everyone.Mike
P.S.soon Roger and me are going to be two ‘‘grumpy old men’’ sitting by a lake fishing and drinking beer so you will be able to relax.
hutpik:
Mike
P.S.soon Roger and me are going to be two ‘‘grumpy old men’’ sitting by a lake fishing and drinking beer so you will be able to relax.
I’m picturing two grumpy old Brit’s looking like Statler & Waldorf from the Muppet show, highly critical & vociferous about everything. 
Have a good time & enjoy your retirement when it comes.
Ross.
Can i be Statler as he is the better looking of the two and i’m more handsome than Roger.Mike
Ok My go!!! 
New Zealand feb 2007. I had blagged a working visa (you have to have a company back you to get one and have to work for them only) my Visa was for 6mths and as i still had a house in the UK i had to earn and send money home to pay the bills . Anyway , a friend had entered all the relivent info on the visa form to get me one even though i was not going to be working for him!! I land in Christchurch with 1k in the bank at home and about 1k in my pocket. (now the trucking link) i was in a bar real old school sat on my own and this old boy walks up says hi realises im from the UK and invites me to join his mates who are all having a beer after work, next thing i know is this old boy has rang his son in-law and ive a trucking job!!! scania wagon and drag doing the grass in the fields!!! Top Bloke!!! I did this for a week but soon realised id not see much of N Z stuck following a combine round a field all week, (because distance can be massive they use trucks like our farmers use tractors to haul grain/grass etc back to the farm) anyway i did a week for him shook hands and left on good terms. On my way home i called into the supermarket for a six pack and as im getting out the car a bloke climbs out his car next to me with a work shirt on saying W.D. Transport. so i say “excuse me mate any jobs going” the following night im leaving Hornby just outside Christchurch in a Western Star B-Train heading for Duneaden way down south with 6/7 drops for the markets!!! Stroke of luck!! Im guessing plenty on trucknet would love to have a bash trucking in a far off place, the thing with NZ is the UK LGV is valid for 12mths, you get a Visa that allows you to get a IRD (national insurance number) that allows you to get a bank account to get paid! easy!!! English speaking and plenty of jobs. The b-trains are brill!! did 3mths for WD with a move up north to Nelson to run the Lewis pass south for WD then came back to Christchurch and walked into the office of Brenics Transport had a crap interview and left thinking "well that was a waste of time!" BUT 10 min later my mobile goes off and its Richard from Brenics telling me hes had a guy rang in sick, if i can start now as in NOW ive a job, talk about right place at rite time!!! shunting pallets all day round town, as my reward im put on line-haul (long distance is line haul metro is local) in a Kenworth B-Train doing the markets!!! Finnished on the Kenworth quads! WD subbied for brenics so i know the destinations!!! right place rite time. You tube BRENICS 2 vids should show up. Any guy wanting to drive Yank trucks needs to go to NZ. Laurence more pics please!! id post some but still working it out how to post them. Happy trucking!! ps Not once did any company ask to see my visa! good job as it said TNL ONLY
brenics77:
Ok My go!!!New Zealand feb 2007. I had blagged a working visa (you have to have a company back you to get one and have to work for them only) my Visa was for 6mths and as i still had a house in the UK i had to earn and send money home to pay the bills . Anyway , a friend had entered all the relivent info on the visa form to get me one even though i was not going to be working for him!! I land in Christchurch with 1k in the bank at home and about 1k in my pocket. (now the trucking link) i was in a bar real old school sat on my own and this old boy walks up says hi realises im from the UK and invites me to join his mates who are all having a beer after work, next thing i know is this old boy has rang his son in-law and ive a trucking job!!! scania wagon and drag doing the grass in the fields!!! Top Bloke!!! I did this for a week but soon realised id not see much of N Z stuck following a combine round a field all week, (because distance can be massive they use trucks like our farmers use tractors to haul grain/grass etc back to the farm) anyway i did a week for him shook hands and left on good terms. On my way home i called into the supermarket for a six pack and as im getting out the car a bloke climbs out his car next to me with a work shirt on saying W.D. Transport. so i say “excuse me mate any jobs going” the following night im leaving Hornby just outside Christchurch in a Western Star B-Train heading for Duneaden way down south with 6/7 drops for the markets!!! Stroke of luck!! I
m guessing plenty on trucknet would love to have a bash trucking in a far off place, the thing with NZ is the UK LGV is valid for 12mths, you get a Visa that allows you to get a IRD (national insurance number) that allows you to get a bank account to get paid! easy!!! English speaking and plenty of jobs. The b-trains are brill!! did 3mths for WD with a move up north to Nelson to run the Lewis pass south for WD then came back to Christchurch and walked into the office of Brenics Transport had a crap interview and left thinking "well that was a waste of time!" BUT 10 min later my mobile goes off and its Richard from Brenics telling me hes had a guy rang in sick, if i can start now as in NOW ive a job, talk about right place at rite time!!! shunting pallets all day round town, as my reward im put on line-haul (long distance is line haul metro is local) in a Kenworth B-Train doing the markets!!! Finnished on the Kenworth quads! WD subbied for brenics so i know the destinations!!! right place rite time. You tube BRENICS 2 vids should show up. Any guy wanting to drive Yank trucks needs to go to NZ. Laurence more pics please!! id post some but still working it out how to post them. Happy trucking!! ps Not once did any company ask to see my visa! good job as it said TNL ONLY
Briliant stuff Brenics. Just the sort of thing we need. Yeah, yeah more pics coming soon.
Anyhow to get your own pix on here I host mine on web site as that what TRUCNnet ask for - a URL. These pics do not need to be viewable on the website as long as they are hosted by that internet provider. If you need a hand with this let me know. It took me ages to suss it too if that is any consolation.
Good luck
Laurence
Hi Brenics.As iknow nothing of your history i will ask the basic question in my mind.As you managed to get into NZ and worked there,did you not consider emigrating there[or did you].For myself it was never a country which interested me,the same goes for AUS but i have several friends in NZ and my wife visited them several times.Just curious as it seems that you were as well treated as i was in Canada and here in Lappland.Mike
Hi Mike, to be honest i new when i went to NZ i would be coming back to the UK it was just something different to do BUT i did go over with an open mind. As said i still had/have a house in the UK and my girls were 17 and 13 so still too young for me to leave them but i was divorced so now… well the girls are all grown up! What a country , like no place ive ever been. The people the land the TRUCKS! i lived in Christchurch and its like the UK in the 50s! . Im just in a relationship with a gal and we are talking about selling up and going to NZ for good. Kenworth quads!! They have a Kenworth quad tagging behind a Foden followed by a Sissu all going down the road!!! All walks of trucking life. The japs are cheap tho you can buy 3 for the price of 2 Kenworths but we all know what steering wheel we would like to be behind! Its trucking mecca. Mountains , gradients, plains. everything. Top off the hill its jake-brake on select 4th and away you go! Duneaden has a nasty hill just before town with homes at the bottom man it must shake them out of bed every night with the trucks grinding down the hill.
I`m 40 and done a bit but nothing like you guys! Mike so you know why Brenics (as i worked for them) but why have i got 77? Buy you a pint if i ever meet you if you get it correct! (no help guys) John
Hi John.Thanks for the reply.Always nice to have one’s curiosity satisfied.As to riddles i’m hopeless,i’m just happy i can remember who i am at my age. 
As i certainly didn’t know you then i am sure it’s not in honour of me as 77 was the year i moved to Holland 
.Taking a[very]wild stab i will say was it the year of manufacture of the first Kenworth you drove,or your first trip in a truck[with your dad].
It’s funny but Canada and Lappland are also places in which one feels in a sort of ‘‘time warp’’.
Just as a matter of interest they used to run Sisu’s underground in the mine here.It was easy for them as they are made in Finland.They had bloody great ■■■■■■■ engines coupled to Allison auto boxes and ran at appx 120ton. 
When my wife was alive she went several times to NZ to visit a friend with whom she had hitch hiked round Turkey,I was never tempted to go although i was always impressed with the descriptions of the place.Take care.Mike
PS.The temp has now stabilised here at a fresh min 30c.
Mike the Sissu youre on about did it have a quite tall cab but had a narrow bit half way up? loved the look of them. In NZ they have every kind make style of truck it makes you dizzy!!! USA (built in OZ) UK JAP EUROPEAN everything!!! As for the 77 its from my 6yrs with DUKES (Portadown) they had 77 as the last bit of the reg plate, UIB 1277 KDZ8977 two of the trucks i drove. Now we are all friends again can you share Afgan/pakistan tales? To be fair the middle east boys rock but Packistan/ Afgan boys rule!
Hi John.The Sisu’s in the mine had low cabs which is the norm for mine working.You could perhaps find photos on www.lkab.se which is the site for the company.they have not used them for a few years now,volvos,scanias and mercs are almost the only trucks you see in the mines now.I have a volvo fh 16 660 auto which is popular.600-700 hp scanias are starting to appear more.
I dont think that Afghan or Pak is more special than,say saudi or Oman,it just happens that i liked going that way more than south.As i keep saying there are so many stories still waiting to be told.
I will see what i can dredge up out of the fuzzy memories but will post them on the ME site as it is more general.
As i said the time i lived in Afghan is not related to transport[except in a landrover]. I’m going driving my tracked quad tomorrow in the forest.Take care.Mike
PS. Be nice to Roger,he has stories still to tell.
Hi Laurence,
Great to hear of you again, I was responsible for your Kuwait and Breakfast in Baghdad trips. You had some fun with Necdet in Istanbul as I recall,
Can’t understand the reasons for your Asda video. Can you explain■■?
Jazzandy:
Hi Laurence,Great to hear of you again, I was responsible for your Kuwait and Breakfast in Baghdad trips. You had some fun with Necdet in Istanbul as I recall,
Can’t understand the reasons for your Asda video. Can you explain■■?
Holy @uck!!! Jazzandy please tell!!!
I started Orient Transport in 1985 and Peter King was one of our best subbies.
I will be posting lots more but I really can’t get my head round the problems with posting photos. Not like Facebook where you just click and post.
I’ve started a thread for Iran Container Co. for whom I drove in the early 70’s and I’ll also add to the OHS thread where I was a driver and then transport manager (poacher turned gamekeeper!).
Anyone remember Freightlane or European Traction?
Jazzandy:
Hi Laurence,Great to hear of you again, I was responsible for your Kuwait and Breakfast in Baghdad trips. You had some fun with Necdet in Istanbul as I recall,
Can’t understand the reasons for your Asda video. Can you explain■■?
Mr MacLaine, I presume. Welcome to you too.
Regarding the Kuwait and Breakfast In Babylon (not Baghdad) trips the loads were hauled for one or two of your customers as you were trading then as Orient Freight Group I believe. Perhaps you still are. P King Esq owned the truck and Harryboy here drove them. Took a few snapshots on the way just for good measure.
Re: the ASDA video.
The explanation for that is a long story, not the sort of thing you would read before you went to bed at night, unless you want incessant nightmares of course. Working on the first part now. Suffice to say for you Andy all you other guys on this site the story will be on the lines of a Long Distance Diary type feature like My Mistake, My Lesson stuff put up earlier. Something like a one way ticket to hell from which there is no return. Or is there?
Will be back on here shortly with a progress report. Good luck, stay safe + God bless
Laurence Kiely
laurencekiely.co.uk
Hi Lawrence,
Hope you weren’t on an ASDA timed delivery when you fell foul of them.
The only shop work I’ve done was for Gist Logistics on M and S deliveries with a CF and fridge.
Excellent people to work for.
jazzandy, are you still classed as orient freight?
No, I retired from Orient six years back.
I’ve done one or two driving jobs since just for fun including Gist for Marks and Sparks- getting artics into shop loading bays designed for Transits!