dessert driver:
Hi boys
Norm there used to be some good digs in Whitchurch, parking in the station yard. Alot of cafes have gone but still a couple of good ones left at Prees Heath.
Chris the last time I went to IOM would be about 18 years ago with low loader to pick up the oldest known Walis and Stevens traction engine for repair in Cheshire.I don’t know if its the same ferry as your Ben me Chree but it looks the same.As we got out of the dock wall into a force 8 gale the bells went down.Life boat drill. Every one was instructed to put on life belts and proceed on deck to the back of the boat on the corner.The stewards and half of the drivers were a little disturbed to find out that there was no life belts for them. I was alright I had one the only thing was trying to stand on that rear corner in that weather was not pleasent, diden’t bother with the meal and was asked by the purser not to tell enyone about the life belts as he would sort it . By the way do you know Les Gleave, he has a large collection of vintage vehicles and lives between Onchan and Baldrine. He had a lot of property around Stoke on Trent at one time.
Regards Keith
No Keith,I don’t know Les Gleave but a Manx mate of mine maybe does.There is Steve Carter who lives at Baldrine,he owns The Laxey Towing Company and also provides Mersey pilot transfers in Douglas Bay when the weather dictates it - like this weekend.He has an AEC Matador amongst other things and I really must ask if I can see it.
If it was 18 years ago when you came with a low loader it would not be the same ship,it was more than likely the “King Orry”. The Irish Sea weather hasn’t got any better either. 
Keith, three of us Carlsberg drivers and a school teacher used to follow our local football team " Cobblers", and because I didn’t drink because of my ailments, I would drive, and we would make a day of it, by finding a pub by the ground and play crib, then watch the match, then travel back, find a pub and play crib again. One time, we was playing Wrexham, and I came off the A5, and followed the Whitchurch road, my mate ■■■■ said why have you come this way, because this is a old trunk road, with many cafe’s on it, and we can stop for a meal, I didn’t know that, me & colin shouted out, thats because you are not a proper trucker, the poor sod went red like a beetroot. the sad part is he died 3 years ago 61, colin has just retired this year, but I bet, he will do some partime, a bit like Harry, you have to prise them out off the cab, like you chaps, we had a lot of banter. good old times. Sandman Norman
hiya,
tell you what norm i would need an instruction manual to get into a cab now and believe me it wouldn’t bother me in the least if i didn’t get into a motor ever again not that i’ll be invited to or even need to.some good memories of when i did the job and thats enough, couldn’t do the job nowadays too many rules and regulations and for me not able to get the foot down a week and i’d be bored rigid, a pal of mine took early retirement from haulage because he just got fed up, and his son went in for his class 1 got it, quickly got a job stuck it for three months got fed up went back into computing trebled his money never looked back.
thanks harry long retired.
Hi boys
Chris King Orry sounds very familiar. Have been to Man a few times and loved it. even came over one year to watch the vintage car racing, great, must go again sometime.
Norm quite often take the old routes when time allows, sometimes the are just as quick, alas most of the old truck stops have gone.When driving europe in 70/80s used to do it all the time, resented paying the tolls this includes the M6 toll nowadays.
Harry your right as usual too many rules and regs, your big ex army boots would be no good to you nowadays,to heavey, you need to drive in slippers to keep the speed down. My lad is doing his A levels at the moment he wants to do something in design and engineering although he’s likes the idea of trucking he says theres to much hassel.He’s been coming with me for a few years now, learning the trade, He has been loading a securing machines up to 40 ton on my lowloader since he was 15. thats the type of apprenticeship the truck industry is short of.
Regards Keith
harry_gill:
hiya,
tell you what norm i would need an instruction manual to get into a cab now
I don’t know about now,I needed one when those Mercs came out with that daft EPS box.I was a full-time shunter and had to move this thing that somebody had abandoned in the yard.Could I hell as like find reverse so I put the tape in for instructions and it was in bloody Deutsch .I found it though much to the amusement of a gang of warehouse lads who were egging me on and chucking rocks at it singing “we won the war”.
And all those lights that came on with the ignition,green,yellow,red,buzzers sounding off,gongs sounding off and God knows what else.
Give me an AEC MK3 or 5 anyday,this MK5 will do,no problem finding reverse on her .
Rant over 
dessert driver:
Hi boys
Chris King Orry sounds very familiar. Have been to Man a few times and loved it. even came over one year to watch the vintage car racing, great, must go again sometime.
Norm quite often take the old routes when time allows, sometimes the are just as quick, alas most of the old truck stops have gone.When driving europe in 70/80s used to do it all the time, resented paying the tolls this includes the M6 toll nowadays.
Harry your right as usual too many rules and regs, your big ex army boots would be no good to you nowadays,to heavey, you need to drive in slippers to keep the speed down. My lad is doing his A levels at the moment he wants to do something in design and engineering although he’s likes the idea of trucking he says theres to much hassel.He’s been coming with me for a few years now, learning the trade, He has been loading a securing machines up to 40 ton on my lowloader since he was 15. thats the type of apprenticeship the truck industry is short of.
Regards Keith
Keith,if you come over again let me know and I’ll buy the beers. 
I used to take the old routes as well,back in the 60s/70s.One of my favourites when running back to Sheffield on a saturday from Canvey Island was A13 then the A128 to Brentwood,Harlow,Bishop’s Stortford and across to the A10 and then the old A14 to Huntingdon and A1 home.Such a change from North Circular and A1 or M1.Got more hours anyway.
Far too many rules and regs now,it was bad enough when we had to discard log sheets and have log books,and then that tachograph came in and if that wasn’t enough there are digi tachos now.Also drivers will have to take the CPC every five years if I’ve read it right,what the hell for? Surely with all this induction that drivers are given they don’t need a CPC.They aren’t after Operators Licences and not working in a transport office so what’s all this CPC rubbish? I can only say that the tackle has got better but the job’s got worse,no independence,cab phones,trackers,same long hours,speed limiters,hardly any old cafes left - I sometimes wonder why blokes take the job on.
Diesel in the veins,must be that.
Second rant over .
Yes lads, you are all correct, too much red tape & rules, it was not brought out by anyone who knew transport, either a civil servant or some burocrat, they would not put the rules in, if they was doing the job, they hate change to their work. One time being a Hgv driver, was like being a trailblazer, conquering new routes, retuning home to the wife & kids, with a small gift, they would think the world of. Then off on another trip, to who knows where, it was a type of a adventure. Always I am repeating myself, " But I’m glad I was born in my era ", I feel sorry for the younger generation, they have nothing to stir their human spirit, to seek out and go places “Captain Kirk” has never been, Ha Ha Ha, I know Harry, you have never been to some places, but you have travelled, some people your age, never left the top of their street. Sandman Norman
hiya,
keith dead right your laddie has learned the job the only way and the correct way, no facilities in the job to gain that sort of experience now, i learned by taking notice of the older guys and not being ashamed to ask if i had too,i could always drive since being young, but loading, roping and sheeting so that the load got from a to b without falling off you needed to be shown, and i was a quick learner and never lost anything, i’m aware it’s all curtainsiders now but have spotted trailers on the road with a canny bulge in the fabric so obviously not secured properly, youv’e done it right keith and your laddie will be safe on the road, now back to old norm he didn’t bite when i mentioned being your trailer boy i think he was frightened of having to buy you a tea, so your better off without him the mention of buying a breakfast would push him over the top he might even leap off the northampton lighthouse, but he’d survive if he landed on his wallet.
thanks harry long retired.
No too young to be one of those, came out of army in to a civy driver.
harry_gill:
hiya,
keith dead right your laddie has learned the job the only way and the correct way, no facilities in the job to gain that sort of experience now, i learned by taking notice of the older guys and not being ashamed to ask if i had too,i could always drive since being young, but loading, roping and sheeting so that the load got from a to b without falling off you needed to be shown, and i was a quick learner and never lost anything, i’m aware it’s all curtainsiders now but have spotted trailers on the road with a canny bulge in the fabric so obviously not secured properly, youv’e done it right keith and your laddie will be safe on the road, now back to old norm he didn’t bite when i mentioned being your trailer boy i think he was frightened of having to buy you a tea, so your better off without him the mention of buying a breakfast would push him over the top he might even leap off the northampton lighthouse, but he’d survive if he landed on his wallet.
thanks harry long retired.
hiya,
keith you’ve got yourself a trailer boy albeit a bit rickety, but only for I O M trips because there’s going to be free beer chris i take it the offer of the booze extends to the trailer boy, the only trouble is i’ll get trampled underfoot with old norm now that he’s seen the offer of something for nothing but i once did a bit of holiday relief driving for wynns when they were busy with the transformers only lasted six or so weeks, but all that experience might swing it in my favour.
thanks harry long retired.
harry_gill:
hiya,
keith you’ve got yourself a trailer boy albeit a bit rickety, but only for I O M trips because there’s going to be free beer chris i take it the offer of the booze extends to the trailer boy
Trailer boys included,look forward to seeing you all
A mate of mine says trailer boys had to sleep in the attic when in digs and use the chimney to get out,is that right?
And here’s a bus for Norman.
hiya,
yes chris the trailer boys i had did most of their sleeping when i was driving, i don’t know how they slept at night, i often wish i’d had chance to do a bit of second manning before i became a driver, one kid i had with me for a while used to moan because i asked him to check the oil and kick the tyres in a morning before setting out, sharp peddled him, have done a bit of middle distance work myself todayi finihed up only a stones throw from norm’s lighthouse a pal of mine had to leave his motor on the westgate industrial estate along the weedon road northhampton went down at three this morning got there just after eight and straight back he drove down and i brought his car back must admit i wasn’t as quick as him and had to have a kip coming home, i wonder was it old norm i saw with a minature yorkshire terrier and smoking a woodbine nearly asked him but afraid he might set the dog on me.
thanks harry long retired.
harry_gill:
i wonder was it old norm i saw with a minature yorkshire terrier and smoking a woodbine nearly asked him but afraid he might set the dog on me.
thanks harry long retired.
Eyup Harry,was it the dog smoking the Woodbine,'cos if so Norman would be on Cocktail Sobranies or Dunhill with all that Overland to Iran fiddle
I reckon he lives in that lift tower and works for the Ministry silent checking wagons on the M1,a pair of good night glasses is all he’d need.
So you still do a bit on the road then pal? A kip between Northants and Co.Durham,nowt wrong with that.
McPhees from City Road Newcastle used to do Newcastle - Wolverhampton and back on nights so I was told,and that was in the 60s/70s,no M18/M1in them days,A1 then A614 and through Nottingham/Derby, so how many kips for you on that trunk
Getting diesel fumes again,off for a pint.
Hi boys
Chris thanks for the offer of a beer might take you up on that someday. thats if I can get a ferry over as their all going to be full up with ex red and rust men looking for a freebee. your going to need that bus to pick them all up from the docks.
The photo of that bus brought back some memeries as I went to school in one of them many moons ago.
Harry diden’t know you were back on the road next time I need relief I’ll give you a bell, are you still alright for nights out ?
By the way Norm your not allowed to smoke in a public place any more not even your truck… another rule 
you’ll have to give it up before it affects you health.
Regards Keith.
dessert driver:
Hi boys
Chris thanks for the offer of a beer might take you up on that someday. thats if I can get a ferry over as their all going to be full up with ex red and rust men looking for a freebee.
Regards Keith.
No problem Keith,I can see the ferry coming into Douglas from our front room window so if there are any unruly red and rusties on it I can slive off before they land.
“Bring back the Birch”
You will always be able to get a seat Keith,all the posh folk come here via Heysham,plenty of room.
Them with nowt come via Liverpool,always full.
Them with less than nowt stowaway at Glasson Dock and slip ashore in Ramsey.
hiya,
no chris don’t do anything now if i can help it, just a favour for my pals son his dad would normally have run him back to his motor but he had an hospital appointment funnily the lads dad a good pal of mine for donkeys years was a mcphees driver till they shut shop then he took over from his dad as an o/d, the lad i went with had a go when my pal chucked it due to ill health but didn’t like all the paperwork so went working for a boss instead, that took some sorting out chris i’m wondering if i can understand it myself,so if anybody wants anything ferried about forget it, the old caravan down to york once in a while does me.
thanks harry long retired.
HI boys
I don’t now how you lot do it, It takes me all night to wright a reply you lot are so quick I can’t keep up. Harry I’m disapointed now I thought I’d found a cheep, reliable, experianced relif driver,never mind …
Got to go to bed now all this typing has tied me out…
Regards Keith
hiya,
chris used to have a static caravan at glasson dock until all the treatment i was needing for the “c” thingy made owning it impractical costing a fortune and not getting used, but when i was getting down there regularly i used to drink with a laddie who was the engineer on a boat plying between glasson and the I O M it was called the silver something or other used to see it being loaded with a lot of building materials,i never took him up but was offered a trip there and back any time i fancied it, glad i didn’t take him up you would have classed me as a stowaway and that would mean no free beer and possibly a good taste of the birch.
thanks harry long retired.
Keith I do not smoke, I have never had ■■■ that fast, and Chris I think I have rode on that bus, harry if you been to westgate, you must have poor eyesight, if you didn’t see the tower from there. Got a bit of bother, just found out, a train driver strike has stopped my train on Friday, from Wellingborough to St. Pancras. Got to find another way to catch the Eurostar to Paris, b*^%"+!, I just swore, catch you lads later, when I have sorted this mess out. Sandman Norman
hiya,
Norm getting to st pancras for a man of your ingenuity should be no problem, dig out an old log book get the family and yourself on the M 1 sliproad and one of your old mates driving a marathon will get you there in quick time, but if you want to be sure of getting there only flag down guys driving octopus’s or bristols because if you get picked up in the marathon you’ll need to take your toolbox as well, oh and get the binoculars out look at the top of the lighthouse and you’ll see HARRY WAS HERE, written in three foot letters no eyetest needed to see that norm, quite impressive didn’t go right up to it but it’s only a ■■■■ stride from MAN trucks yard that’s where i went too to pick my mates lorry up, quite enjoyed the run out but i was tired last night out of practice i guess or just too old, no wish to return to lorry driving, but i passed some nice looking motors en- route on the return trip was a bit too early on the outgoing journey to see much although loads of drivers kipping in layby’s, rather them than me, anyway my old mate get youself there and enjoy your holiday, you may decide to have another go at me before you go, have a go yes, defeat me never.
thanks harry long retired.