The Leaning Tower of Powys

I had a busy day today, It started at 4.30 am. I managed to get a packed lunch sorted and drove to the yard. I was in the truck by 5.30 and set off just before 6 am.
I had to deliver a massive 2.5 ton weight to a company in Ross on Wye. It took a little two hour's I arrived just as they were opening the shutters. The last time I was here I was here for 7 and had to wait so I was pleased I had took my time a little.
The next Delivery was Welshpool. I looked up the directions and couldn't find a decent route on the sat nav so I got my map out and planned what looked like the best way. There was a lot of cross country driving on small a roads and it was going to take 2 hours to travel 77 miles !!.
The journey was made a little longer by these two. The Tractor is in front of "The Leaning Haystack."


I would like to thank the driver of this lorry though because he gave me the funniest hour of the year today. I had lost the reception on the radio and was really bored, the winding roads had been keeping me busy but I was restless.
"The Leaning Tower of Powys" lurched out in front of me and we overtook the tractor on a steep hill together. I was going to over take the haystack as well but decided against it. I'm glad I did because the next fourty or so miles gave me such joke I was oohing and arrh ing as he lurched and swayed across the winding roads in front of me, all the way into Powys Wales.

The haystack was leaning over so far when he turned that he was hitting buildings and brushing against hedges as he went passed. I was nervous as he rattled downhill on the tiny lanes and struggled up the steep hills. The camber on the roads made it lean over so far at times I was sure it was going to go. It was a 7.5 tone flat bed and it had 6 of these bales on. It didn't look secure but he seemed to get away with it.
It was entertaining though. My heart was in mouth on more than one occasion and I was only behind him.

After Welshpool I had to take a break in the company car park because I had driven right up to my four and a half hours. I usually have a break while I'm tipping but I have started to get a mode switch misuse warning on my Tachograph chart analysis. Its a new thing the company that looks after our charts has to mention to us.

My Tacho defaults on rest when you start driving so I have to remember to switch it off and on from now on. Another switch to press, which made me think of a post I read on the Truck net forum about your favourite or most essential piece of kit the thing you could least do without.
I still remember the feeling of dread, when I was on an agency job for the first time and my Tom Tom Tom failed! I had absolutely no idea where I was.

I really didn't know what part of the country I was in and what roads were near to me even. It taught me a valuable lesson, .................
Always carry a spare TOM TOM.

Not really, (although I have got a spare) It taught me to plan where I am going on my map as well and find out where I am heading to, and what towns I am going through.
Anyway I thought Id show you some of the things I use every day (some of) yes there is more ,


MDT this is my offices way of ruining my day .(I mean getting in touch with me)


The most important thing expect the cigarette lighter socket !!!
and the remote also very important.

The Driver hour Guard also very Important

The DAB Pure Highway This baby is brilliant but I had to get an external magnetic Ariel to go with it to guarantee reception everywhere ( I lost the signal today and found out the Ariel had been knocked over on the roof behind the wind breaker)






I use this to countdown my hours as well as the driver guard and to count breaks as well.,



I think the tom tom would be my most essential item but I carry an ipod as well and a PSP, and a DVD player and an E book and this laptop ( mini Dell on Vodafone) and I buy the newspaper , and yeah I sometimes even get time to drive as well. Ha ha

I finished my break and had the envious job of collecting a lot of cartons from a private address in Wolverhampton. It was down a tiny street with houses either side and looked like students lived there. I was knocking on the door and trust me it was a hole, the house and the area, It was next to the Wolves stadium and although it looked tidy enough there were a few scrotes walking around, chavs in vests and walking rottweilers and drinking strongbow. I was loading as fast as I could , I had a date with colesill for 2.30 !! .
It was a dead end and I was at the wrong end , A four hundred yard reverse later (with a line of cars in front of me and more behind getting out of my way and blocking up the main road) and I was on route to Hamshall in Coleshill.
That drop was pretty standard and I was off home.
I have a full load for tomorrow and Ill tell that story maybe on Monday. I'm shattered and have to post in Truck net after this. I promised !!