you must have led a sheltered life spardo . I’m the same age as you but my first job out of school was apprentice at a local quarry garage and one of our jobs was starting the old fodens up with a rope . it got the blood flowing on a cold morning but all the lorries were garaged and trying to find your way out though the smoke wasn’t easy . this was in 1959/60 and a couple of the lorries were recabbed pre war dg models . if you never had to do it you didn’t miss much . cheers , dave
rigsby:
you must have led a sheltered life spardo . I’m the same age as you but my first job out of school was apprentice at a local quarry garage and one of our jobs was starting the old fodens up with a rope . it got the blood flowing on a cold morning but all the lorries were garaged and trying to find your way out though the smoke wasn’t easy . this was in 1959/60 and a couple of the lorries were recabbed pre war dg models . if you never had to do it you didn’t miss much . cheers , dave
I passed my test in 1959 and started straight away on small Commers, then after a spell in the Merchant Navy got stuck into the big stuff a year or so later. Looks like my timing was impeccable. 
rigsby:
you must have led a sheltered life spardo . I’m the same age as you but my first job out of school was apprentice at a local quarry garage and one of our jobs was starting the old fodens up with a rope . it got the blood flowing on a cold morning but all the lorries were garaged and trying to find your way out though the smoke wasn’t easy . this was in 1959/60 and a couple of the lorries were recabbed pre war dg models . if you never had to do it you didn’t miss much . cheers , dave
I just got a whiff of smoke as I sit at the computer!
My first job on leaving school was as trainee mechanic at Bristol buses’ Gloucester depot. The whole yard was tarmacc’d and covered-in, so when all those Gardners fired up on a cold morning the buses could be seen emerging through an impenetrable cloud onto London Road with headlights on. It was so bad that my lungs persuaded me to leave for a healthier job after a year or so.
Would the lads who owned Checkley be called Brash by any chance?
I stayed in the digs a few times in the early 70’s.
Anybody remember the other cafe on the cross roads nearer Derby, the names gone from my weary old head.
One bed to avoid was the Moss near Carlisle, I was kicked out bed at 6am one day to let a night man get in. Sheets never changed, At least they didn’t let him get in with me, then again I might have enjoyed it, I will never know and don’t wish to find out.
Tankerman:
Would the lads who owned Checkley be called Brash by any chance?
I stayed in the digs a few times in the early 70’s.
They certainly would - Barry Brash was the man. He owned an Octopus and trailer that now belongs to H E Payne, a former X-Ray Beaver that is now with Ken Batsford (formerly of Standard Motor Transport in Kidderminster) and a Steer which he never restored, but which I think is the one now restored in Hancocks’ Brewery colours.
Any of you lads remember the three cafes on the a5 between dunstable and j9 of the m1. Coming from dunstable the first one was the ranch. This was the cafe that was the original greasy spoon what a dump,if you went in the digs it was cubicles freezing cold in winter the walls running with damp.The next one down was the best the three sisters.It stood were the motel is now at markyate.nice and warm friendly great food. T he last one is still going strong watling st. cafe Hope this rouses a few memories for some of you more mature drivers.
Regards Dave
I was fortunate enough not to have to go South of Thelwall for the last 18 years of my working life (finished 97) but Watling Street used to have wooden sheds out the back with cubicles for bedrooms, just as cold and damp as The Ranch. One 3 inch water pipe ran through them all fed with luke warm water from a little boiler and that was the heating. I stayed in there a few times in the 70’s and never had a warm wash or shave. you could smell the bogs from the north circular (no M25) About 3 am there were drivers clumping along the wooden floorboads shouting to their mates " are ye ready Jimmy" and that was the end of a restless night, One blanket and a grey sheet was all you get . Oh happy days, no chance. Best digs were those private houses about 5 minutes walk from the lorry park, at least you wasn’t kept awake with fridges and early starters.
There was a real greasy spoon quite close to Brands Hatch.I stopped there more than once,though more to stave off starvation than to enjoy the unremarkable quality of the food.
Thinking about it the food wasn’t bad,certainly better than school slop, it was the worn out fixtures and general filth that was the turn off,and margerine.
Don’t remember the name,if it had one.
Longwayround:
There was a real greasy spoon quite close to Brands Hatch.I stopped there more than once,though more to stave off starvation than to enjoy the unremarkable quality of the food.Thinking about it the food wasn’t bad,certainly better than school slop, it was the worn out fixtures and general filth that was the turn off,and margerine.
Don’t remember the name,if it had one.
Do you mean Oakdene Cafe at Wrotham?
Just reread this thread and cruising in battersea park seems to have a different meaning nowadays BP 
A great cafe that has closed in the last few years was the London House Hotel @ Kirkpatrick Fleming near Gretna.
They did a braising steak dinner to die for the steak just melted in your mouth and in the summer they did fantastic salads like the warm chicken salad with their own dressing.
And their breakfasts all freshly made and not an ounce of grease heaven, admittedly you paid a little more but at least afterwards it didn’t take all day for the allday breakfast to digest.
Great memories good food, quiet parking and good company.
I stopped there last year whilst driving my car down to Preston and sad ly it was closed down, all the good cafe’s have now gone.
Tankerman:
I was fortunate enough not to have to go South of Thelwall for the last 18 years of my working life (finished 97) but Watling Street used to have wooden sheds out the back with cubicles for bedrooms, just as cold and damp as The Ranch. One 3 inch water pipe ran through them all fed with luke warm water from a little boiler and that was the heating. I stayed in there a few times in the 70’s and never had a warm wash or shave. you could smell the bogs from the north circular (no M25) About 3 am there were drivers clumping along the wooden floorboads shouting to their mates " are ye ready Jimmy" and that was the end of a restless night, One blanket and a grey sheet was all you get . Oh happy days, no chance. Best digs were those private houses about 5 minutes walk from the lorry park, at least you wasn’t kept awake with fridges and early starters.
dafdave
Aye you bring back a few memories there.The scotch lads in their clogs up and down the wooden floored cubicles.Heres one for you, do you remember jimmy who was part of the furniture behind the counter. He used to open up in the mornings but would only serve toast from 5/7 o clock.He lived in two of the cubicles knocked together. He wore a long off white coat and had two jugs of milk one had no sugar the other had sugar mixed in.He was also hard to understand as he had no roof in the pallett of his mouth.
Regards Dave
dafdave:
Tankerman:
I was fortunate enough not to have to go South of Thelwall for the last 18 years of my working life (finished 97) but Watling Street used to have wooden sheds out the back with cubicles for bedrooms, just as cold and damp as The Ranch. One 3 inch water pipe ran through them all fed with luke warm water from a little boiler and that was the heating. I stayed in there a few times in the 70’s and never had a warm wash or shave. you could smell the bogs from the north circular (no M25) About 3 am there were drivers clumping along the wooden floorboads shouting to their mates " are ye ready Jimmy" and that was the end of a restless night, One blanket and a grey sheet was all you get . Oh happy days, no chance. Best digs were those private houses about 5 minutes walk from the lorry park, at least you wasn’t kept awake with fridges and early starters.dafdave
Aye you bring back a few memories there.The scotch lads in their clogs up and down the wooden floored cubicles.Heres one for you, do you remember jimmy who was part of the furniture behind the counter. He used to open up in the mornings but would only serve toast from 5/7 o clock.He lived in two of the cubicles knocked together. He wore a long off white coat and had two jugs of milk one had no sugar the other had sugar mixed in.He was also hard to understand as he had no roof in the pallett of his mouth.
Regards Dave
Ok Dave. Yes I remember Jimmy but had forgot his name until you mentioned it. Can you remember the name of the pub up the road we used to walk to for a pint or 5. They sold better food as well. does anybody know what is on the site of the old Watling street cafe, it would have made a great truck stop. right next to the M1 and not too far up from the smoke.
Keep smiling,
Russell.
airhorn98:
A great cafe that has closed in the last few years was the London House Hotel @ Kirkpatrick Fleming near Gretna.
They did a braising steak dinner to die for the steak just melted in your mouth and in the summer they did fantastic salads like the warm chicken salad with their own dressing.
And their breakfasts all freshly made and not an ounce of grease heaven, admittedly you paid a little more but at least afterwards it didn’t take all day for the allday breakfast to digest.Great memories good food, quiet parking and good company.
I stopped there last year whilst driving my car down to Preston and sad ly it was closed down, all the good cafe’s have now gone.
I don’t know if you remember a Gilbraith Tanker driver called Jimmy Hutchinson, he wouldn’t pass London House after 4 pm. Many’s the night he was too drunk to get into his bunk and slept in the second mans seat. I passed one morning after leaving Accrington at 6 AM and Jimmy was still there snoring like a pig. Even if he ran to Dumfies from Runcorn he would pop up to Kirkpatrick Fleming.
Sadly he passed away before he made 50. (No comments please, he was a great bloke and would help any driver in lumber).
Russell
what about the greasy spoon in Dover East docks. If memory serves it was really called the greasy spoon a school dinner hall type building with full length widows down one side always steamed up, the food was rubbish but you had nothing else to do while you waited for the boat you were booked on. I used to spend hours in there the trouble was you had to give yourself loads of extra time because the queue on “the stairs” could be 3 or 4 hours especially on sunday night. They knocked it down in the 80s and replaced it with The Wheelhouse . Is that still there?
KW I can remember the A12 when Bert’s was there on the bend before Brentwood on the old road. Len used to run it and lived in the bungalow next door. He sold the plot for building land.
Tankerman:
dafdave:
Tankerman:
I was fortunate enough not to have to go South of Thelwall for the last 18 years of my working life (finished 97) but Watling Street used to have wooden sheds out the back with cubicles for bedrooms, just as cold and damp as The Ranch. One 3 inch water pipe ran through them all fed with luke warm water from a little boiler and that was the heating. I stayed in there a few times in the 70’s and never had a warm wash or shave. you could smell the bogs from the north circular (no M25) About 3 am there were drivers clumping along the wooden floorboads shouting to their mates " are ye ready Jimmy" and that was the end of a restless night, One blanket and a grey sheet was all you get . Oh happy days, no chance. Best digs were those private houses about 5 minutes walk from the lorry park, at least you wasn’t kept awake with fridges and early starters.dafdave
Aye you bring back a few memories there.The scotch lads in their clogs up and down the wooden floored cubicles.Heres one for you, do you remember jimmy who was part of the furniture behind the counter. He used to open up in the mornings but would only serve toast from 5/7 o clock.He lived in two of the cubicles knocked together. He wore a long off white coat and had two jugs of milk one had no sugar the other had sugar mixed in.He was also hard to understand as he had no roof in the pallett of his mouth.
Regards Dave
Ok Dave. Yes I remember Jimmy but had forgot his name until you mentioned it. Can you remember the name of the pub up the road we used to walk to for a pint or 5. They sold better food as well. does anybody know what is on the site of the old Watling street cafe, it would have made a great truck stop. right next to the M1 and not too far up from the smoke.
Keep smiling,
Russell.
dafdave
Russell is the watling st. cafe shut? it was open when i came off the road 6yrs, ago.
Dave
dafdave:
Tankerman:
dafdave:
Tankerman:
I was fortunate enough not to have to go South of Thelwall for the last 18 years of my working life (finished 97) but Watling Street used to have wooden sheds out the back with cubicles for bedrooms, just as cold and damp as The Ranch. One 3 inch water pipe ran through them all fed with luke warm water from a little boiler and that was the heating. I stayed in there a few times in the 70’s and never had a warm wash or shave. you could smell the bogs from the north circular (no M25) About 3 am there were drivers clumping along the wooden floorboads shouting to their mates " are ye ready Jimmy" and that was the end of a restless night, One blanket and a grey sheet was all you get . Oh happy days, no chance. Best digs were those private houses about 5 minutes walk from the lorry park, at least you wasn’t kept awake with fridges and early starters.dafdave
Aye you bring back a few memories there.The scotch lads in their clogs up and down the wooden floored cubicles.Heres one for you, do you remember jimmy who was part of the furniture behind the counter. He used to open up in the mornings but would only serve toast from 5/7 o clock.He lived in two of the cubicles knocked together. He wore a long off white coat and had two jugs of milk one had no sugar the other had sugar mixed in.He was also hard to understand as he had no roof in the pallett of his mouth.
Regards Dave
Ok Dave. Yes I remember Jimmy but had forgot his name until you mentioned it. Can you remember the name of the pub up the road we used to walk to for a pint or 5. They sold better food as well. does anybody know what is on the site of the old Watling street cafe, it would have made a great truck stop. right next to the M1 and not too far up from the smoke.
Keep smiling,
Russell.dafdave
Russell is the watling st. cafe shut? it was open when i came off the road 6yrs, ago.
Dave
I was asking the same question Dave. I havn’t been south since 1987 (praise the Lord), anybody else got fond(?) memories of the same dossery who may know if it still exsists. Probably sold out to Barretts ( houses, not the hauliers from Tittensor).
Russell.
harry:
KW I can remember the A12 when Bert’s was there on the bend before Brentwood on the old road. Len used to run it and lived in the bungalow next door. He sold the plot for building land.
I remember the cafe,but it was before my time.
Another one on the A12 was The Bungalow at Marks Tey,which as of last year was still there,as I called in for a dinner.
What was the one called as you came from Chelmsford towards Brentwood on the old A12?
They had a huge breakfast which I think was called the Truckers,it was double everything,with a steak & kidney pie and chips on top of it.The sign said that if you can finish the lot,then you got your money back.
Don’t know if anyone ever did.
And what was the name of the one on the old A45 from Cambridge to St Neots?Just off a roundabout.The Comfort? Or was The Comfort on the A11?
Memory is getting bad. 
Deputy Dog’s at Barham,again on the old A45,used to be a good cafe when Tony Doggett opened it up.
Had a few good nights out there when he had the,ahem,exotic dancers on.
Those girls could have been magicians the way they made those pool balls disappear 
Never forget the day when the ministry men,as well as the customs,were having there dinner in Deputy Dog’s (the weighbridge was 500yds down the road) and a Dutchman came strolling in with a couple of carrier bags of baccy which Tony used to buy off him to sell in the cafe.
Red faces all around. 
I used Dogs a couple of years ago. Gone really downhill. I used to pull in there at midday & cook myself a good meal in the cab rather than go in. The boss was real ignorant git. He used to open up late in the morning and close early. & the service was really slow.Shame really because its in a good location.
Back in the days before the motorway network was established we used to run south around Brum on the Chester road, Now i am a bit vague and clutching straws but there used to be a Cafe at the top of a hill with haulage yard owned by Mckelvies the Scottish haulier and their lads used to change over there. I think we went down past Sutton Colefield and came out by the big flats at Castle Bromwich… It was an alternative to using the A5 and picked the M45 up and then M1 There was another good cafe before the M45 at Dunsmore, .
Any names spring to mind regarding the location or name of the cafe.
Russell.