Another trip completed and this one a little over 3800 miles leaving last Sunday and getting back home today.

Here is a brief account of this trip, you can follow it on the map above. Leaving on Sunday, loaded down to Atlanta, Georgia. Delivered Wednesday morning then ran empty to Louisville, Kentucky to switch trailers with the loaded one going to Windsor, Ontario. Got to Windsor Thursday afternoon and again switched trailers with this load going to Ligonier, Indiana. Unloaded Friday morning and ran empty to Troy, Ohio, dropped the empty and bob tailed to Russia, Ohio where there was a loaded one ready for me Saturday morning which I was to take back to Winnipeg and arrived there Sunday afternoon, dropped the trailer and bob tailed home.

I have added a couple more photos of Mackinac Bridge and the metal mesh lane!!!

I delivered in Pennsylvania and got my message to head empty to Brampton, Ontario. I was still making my way there when I got my reload message, load in London, Ontario Wednesday and deliver in Winnipeg Friday, but the best part was I was going "in transit" through USA, saving a lot of time and hard driving through northern Ontario. This was only the second time I had crossed "The Mackinac Bridge" into the northern peninsula, it's a beautiful part of the country with breathtaking views across the great lakes.The bridge itself is quite spectacular, driving right at the edge with only a small barrier between you and a large dive into the cold waters. The left lane is not asphalt but metal mesh that you can see through, and all this at only 20mph speed limit for loaded trucks.

I made my delivery on Friday morning, back to the yard empty dropped my trailer and bob tailed to Penner Performance where they are doing a 3 axle alignment ready for me to leave again Sunday.

Back to work again and left on my first trip on Saturday morning with an empty to switch in Dryden, Ontario then take the loaded one to tip in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania Tuesday 1pm.

Had been suffering with man flu since we got back and after the last couple of days I have diagnosed it as "P & O Roadtanks Fever". It causes me to park up after only 8 hours driving or 480km and then not start again until 6am, well my card goes in at 6am lol.

Seriously, I have had plenty of time to get here and arrived at 1.30 yesterday and still cant deliver till 1pm today but with the man flu and jet lag I have been glad of all the extra time on this trip.

The flights went well, until we got to Minneapolis that is. We knew we didn't have any time to waste between flights here, 1hr 45 min in which to get through American customs, security checks, collect our luggage, check on the next flight and get to the gate. Arrived in Minneapolis about 15 min late so with our 2.15 flight 1.5 hours away timing was going to be very tight. Took about 30 minutes to get through customs and security and as we approached baggage reclaim there was our case, off we run. Turns out we didn't need to rush, flight had been cancelled due to bad weather. Next flight at 7.45pm already fully booked and the one after not till 9.15 am next day. "OK nothing we can do can we have a hotel room please?" "Sorry sir but you are not entitled to one as the flight was cancelled due to weather and was out of our control but I can put you on standby for the 7.45 flight". "Ggrrrr"

This was going to be a long, uncomfortable night. We went to the gate nice and early to find out what was happening, tired and frustrated after travelling for 21 hours we were told that we stood very little chance of getting on this flight but would we like a hotel room for the night. YOU BET WE WOULD.

So we were given a courtesy amenity pack each, sent to the shuttle bus and off to the hotel we went.

Up next morning at 6.00 back onto the shuttle bus, checked in once more and got our final flight back to Winnipeg where Gary and Craig were both waiting to take us home.

Our visit to England is over and we had a great time with family and friends. My family even held a new years party for us. In the past we always went to Linda and Derek's house for new year but as we had missed it the last two years it was decided to have new year in October. Mad? Probably. There was the usual home made soup, hot pot, trifle and even a cake for us.

We all had a great night, even done "Auld Lang Syne" with the usual tears. My sisters were getting texts from friends wishing them a happy new year!!!!

Seem to be spending all our time visiting family and friends, eating and drinking. Another Chinese meal last night and then went to visit Nigel, Pam, Jack and Amy that we used to live next door to. They are hoping to come and visit us next year so hope to see them again soon.

There have been quite a few changes in Liverpool since I was last there, a whole new shopping centre, Liverpool One, has been built. It was nice to visit Liverpool as a tourist and not for work or shopping, you see things in a different light.

We went on the train with my Mum and Dad, had lunch and then a walk around Mathew St and "The Cavern" where The Beatles first became popular.

Been back in UK a few days now and enjoying time with our families and friends. As you can see we are sticking to our usual healthy diets and loving the typical British food.

Our flights all fell into place nicely and we arrived in Liverpool at 9.30 am Wednesday. Having a great time with the family, it has been really good to see them all.

I can now confirm that it is the driver recruitment manager who is no longer with Big Freight Systems Inc.

Well it's less than a week since Big Freight withdrew the appeal they made against the order to repay money deducted from my wages and as I said previously this was down to the Driver Recruiter, this job was advertised online yesterday.
I know two that are still employed in that department so that leaves one, the manager, I wonder lol

My 150 mile trip to Grand Forks turned into a 600 mile round trip with a delivery in Grand Forks and one in Fargo then across to Perham, Mn to do a trailer swap and back to Steinbach.
A nice way to finish work till the end of the month.

Got a short trip leaving tomorrow, going all the way to Grand Forks ND, 150 mile away lol.

Such a long trip requires a bit of relaxation before I leave so a nice soak in the hot tub with a head massage, nice.

A quick trip this time, left on Sunday afternoon and back home Thursday morning making it a nice 14500 mile month.

This trip seen me up north in Manitoba to a place called "The Pas". I had never been this far north in Manitoba and to get there from Saskatoon meant a journey of about 30 mile on gravel roads in the middle pic.

Sue picked my cheque up and there was an extra envelope this week and inside was a thank you card and a sizable bonus from Andy and Donna to thank me for the hard work over the last couple of months and to wish us all the best on our holiday. Very nice and so thoughtful, it was totally unexpected, thank you.

I need to be back home again by Monday so I have asked for a short trip leaving again tomorrow if there is any.

Another great trip this week, went to Sterling, Ma unloaded and ran empty to Brampton, On.
I got to Brampton at 11.30pm on Tuesday but couldn't pick up my loaded trailer until 06.00am Thursday morning so got 1 day layover. From there it was straight back to Steinbach, got home Friday night 8.00 pm.
Hope to leave again Sunday as I need to be home Monday 5th and flights to Liverpool are booked for the 6th. See you soon!!!
I also had some great news about money from Big Freight Systems, see column on right.

Trying to catch up with the blog, been really busy last few days. Got back home on Thursday after going to Iowa, switching for Brampton, Ontario and then bringing the pre-loaded Yanke trailer back to Steinbach. The highway was closed for about 8 hours because of the wreck in the photos but it actually only held me up for about 30 minutes as I caught the tail end of the queue.

Gary bought some skeets and we done some clay pigeon shooting, great when you can do it in your own garden!!

I am already on my next trip, I left first thing this morning and I deliver in Sterling, Massachusetts on Tuesday morning and still have a couple of full days to do just to get there

Got some more firewood cut today and tomorrow I will be back on the road again. Heading to Spirit Lake, Ia this time.

I seen the British registered BMW R 1150 GS near Canmore, Ab and yes it had longway round stickers and sponsorship all over it. I would love to have got the chance to talk to the guy but he was going too slow and I had 2 collections to do that day and then 4 drops on the way back home.

I brought the truck home to give it a clean inside, well for Sue to give it a clean inside while I tidied and cleaned out the side lockers.

On my way home once again after a nice little 3870 mile trip in a week. I left on Saturday with 3 drops, Greenwood, In, Tallmadge, Oh and Lebanon Pa. Those were all done by Tuesday morning. I called my last delivery to let him know when I would be there and he offered to come and unload me Monday night but as I didn't have my reload it wasn't worth it so he asked if I would like coffee in the morning. Next morning he arrived with coffee, opened the doors and was about to start unloading and I told him I still didn't have my reload so not to rush. He asked if I would like breakfast then locked the warehouse up, took me in his pick up to a restaurant where we had breakfast then went back and unloaded by which time I had my reload. I was sent to Hazleton to switch trailers for Brampton, On. Got to Brampton Tuesday night and next morning picked up an empty to take to Napanee, On to switch and then back down into Dekalb Il where I swapped once again to take a loaded back to Steinbach. I am in Fargo, ND tonight on the last leg of this trip and hope to leave home again on Monday.

Got a chance to speak to Mike Nash this week and had a good chat about the farcical goings on at H&R, see Mikes blog, http://www.mikesjollyincanada.blogspot.com/. Peoples lives are being ruined by this company and there is even more that I really would love to tell you but it is confidential.

Oh by the way Mike, these ip address trackers are very good, Lyndon keeps flicking between your blog and mine lol, he used yours and then the link to get to mine, quite a number of hits from Lethbridge too, haha

Why is it that my home time always goes much faster than any other time? Sue, Craig, Jacey and I all went to the stock car racing last night and, although it was very dust with the breeze blowing the dust directly at us, we had a great night.

Thinking of cutting more wood today. I am cutting the wood from around our own land right now, taking away some dead and damaged trees before we move into the provincial forests and start cutting the trees there.

Will call work later to see if anything is planned for tomorrow.

I am going to be pretty busy when I get home so thought I would get everything up to date now.

This week there was a dead bear on the highway at the end of our drive, looks like it had been hit by a vehicle. The next day the dogs were in the bush barking and going mad, they came back and sat on the porch and it was then that Sue saw why, they had found another bear, this time alive, and obviously scared it had climbed a tree to get away from them. Once everything had quietened down again the bear sloped off into the bush. Craig also seen a deer in our drive one morning when leaving for work.

Sue also got me a permit today to allow me to cut down trees for firewood, so I got the permit, got the chainsaw, got the axe, got the checked shirt just got to get the rest of the gear (watch the video).

No back seat drivers here.

Back up in Ontario tonight and will drop my loaded trailer tomorrow and pick up an empty. That will be loading Monday morning in Brantford, On and will deliver in Winnipeg Thursday so on my way home again!!!

Had a nice relaxing couple of days at home and left again on Wednesday morning bound for Memphis, Tn. Tonight I am parked in the Flying J in West Memphis, Ar and will make my delivery tomorrow morning.

Once empty I am reloading back up to Bramalea, On.

Good miles again.

Been getting some decent miles since starting at Penners and really hope that I am not speaking too soon but things have been going pretty good.
Left last Sunday to run an empty up to Pine Falls Mb, switch for a loaded one and deliver Brampton, On Wednesday at 4.00am. I then loaded that one in Scarborough for a delivery in South Dakota on Monday which would mean 3 days layover so they got me to drop that in our Brampton terminal pick up an empty and go load that in Listowel for delivery to Hazleton, Pa the next day. I again switched trailers there and took the loaded one back to Brampton and on Friday morning switched again with a trailer loaded with two deliveries in Winnipeg on Sunday.
All completed and back home Sunday lunch time, 7400 miles this month and it`s only the 16th.
Maybe I should be looking for a load south if it doesn`t warm up here. It has been so wet that everything was starting to feel damp so we lit the fire for a bit!!

Left you on Sunday in New Jersey and since then I have delivered and run empty to Ontario where I loaded Tuesday ran to Minneapolis, Mn where I then delivered, reloaded, delivered Winnipeg, Mb and got home 9.30am Friday morning after meeting up with Bryn on Thursday night.

We have seen quite a few snakes around the yard since moving out into the country but this common garter snake is the first we have managed to photograph, they usually don't hang around long enough. They are non poisonous but can bite if cornered or threatened.

Had a great run down to New Jersey and I am parked up just across the state line in Bloomsbury ready for the mad dash in the morning. Will probably start about 4.30 in the morning to make a 7.00am delivery 53km away just to miss the New York traffic.
Once I am empty I have to make my way to Brampton, Ontario empty, another nice 480 miles on top of the 1640 miles already done to get to my delivery.
Not sure whats happening once I get there.

Been very busy at work the last couple of weeks. Started this trip with a delivery in Edmonton, done a bit running to Saskatoon back to Calgary, Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Wakaw, Saskatoon and finally back to Steinbach. Another nice 3900 miles with 7 collections/deliveries.

Met Gid (Wolfman) in The Flying J at Calgary on Friday too. Nice to meet you mate. Unfortunately I had just missed Lyndon he had been there too, it would have been nice to meet him there are a few things we still need to chat about.

It has been manic the last couple of weeks trying to fit everything in, get settled in the new house and still get out and do things when I am home.

Will try and quickly bring you up to date. Went to the Manitoba Stampede again this year. Had some great weather for the whole weekend so got the boat out and went fishing on Red River with Jason & Jenn. The fishing was very quiet so went for a cruise downstream from Lockport to Selkirk. Got too much sun and suffered for a couple of days after.

I would like to thank this motel for the use of their internet connection while I have been sitting waiting today it has been much appreciated. This very large chain of Motels rarely have a secure network and are usually conveniently situated often with truck parking too although this time I am parked in a Husky with the motel at the back of the parking lot.

I made it home Friday and we went to the rodeo in Selkirk on Saturday. We went to see a singer that I know and have come to like his music, Mike Blair.
I made myself available to leave again on Sunday not really believing that they would have a load for me at such short notice but it backfired on me and I got a load to deliver Edmonton, Ab Tuesday 5.00am.
After that was delivered I picked up a loaded trailer and dropped that in Calgary, which is where I am now.
We still have not got internet at home and not too happy with the service we have received from xplornet. If it is not connected by the end of this week we will look elsewhere.

What a trip this is turning out to be. I have already covered 13 states/provinces. I got delivered early Sunday and thought I would try my luck at getting loaded early at the shippers. My luck was in and by 12.00 I was heading back to Canada. I would now be 36 hours early for delivery so a message to dispatch had me doing a trailer swap Tuesday evening in Brampton, On and on my way with 2 deliveries. 1st in Thunder Bay, On and 2nd in Brandon, Mb.

Getting very short on hours but if all goes well I should be able to make it home Friday afternoon having covered 4500 miles since leaving Thursday evening.

British Truckers Wanting to Emigrate To Canada BEWARE!!!

For any truck driver planning on emigrating to Canada then please take note, H&R (Hit & Run as they are commonly referred to) are actively recruiting yet again in the UK.

Do your research very, very carefully, check out the BTA forum here http://www.britishtruckersabroad.com/viewforum.php?f=53 or look at what ex drivers have to say here http://cathincanada.blogspot.com/, be sure to read all the comments on that blog and if you check out the forum all the abuse is coming from their recruiter!!!! Even check out the comment on my blog left on the previous posting. I cannot confirm or deny the statement left by the poster but it shows the emotions stirred up when Hit & Run are mentioned.

They will not discuss driver turnover or retention and not even discuss how much the fleet has increased by to accommodate the new recruits, which incidentally are being recruited on 2nd generation wage agreements, see here for new wage agreement http://www.britishtruckersabroad.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1119

Think twice, Canada is a superb place to live but that is not the way to get here.

Made it to Dallas by 2.30 Saturday afternoon, time for some R&R in temperatures of 44c phew!! It is so hot the air con only blows warm air.

Delivery is only 29km away and can be made any time tomorrow. I have my reload which is only 49km away from my delivery but can't be loaded till 8.00pm tomorrow so nice lazy day tomorrow.

This is good miles on this trip, my reload is going to Brampton, Ontario for delivery Thursday morning. Even if they load me straight back to Steinbach from Brampton I will have covered about 4177 miles in 9 1/2 days + all the loads and unloads.

I am back at work now and on my way to Texas following our move to the new house. The move went really well and we want to thank a couple of friends for the help they gave us. Thanks must go to Majka, Lowri, Neal, Jacey, Jason & Jenn and of course to Sue, Gary & Craig. It would have taken us much longer without you all.

What a wonderful stress reliever the hot tub turned out to be after all the effort that was put in over a couple of days, very relaxing.

We still don't have internet at home but we are trying to get that installed asap.

We are absolutely delighted with the house and it is all we could have hoped for and more.

So back to the grindstone again. I have a delivery in Waxahachie, Tx on Sunday will try and keep you posted soon.

Got back home again last night after another quick turn around. Left for Milwaukee, Wi Saturday tea time and delivered Monday morning.
I got my reload before I was empty which was in Arcadia, Wi.
Loaded Monday afternoon and dropped the trailer at the receivers in Winnipeg Tuesday afternoon - 1750 miles.

Sorry I don't have any photos this week, the re-chargeable batteries for the camera decided to fail.
Left on Sunday bound for Shelby, Oh for delivery Tuesday 7.00am. When I got into the yard to pick up my trailer to go the paperwork said to drop trailer at Shelby. Arrived there 6.30 Tuesday, dropped trailer and picked up empty one to take to Mount Hope, Oh and load back to Winnipeg arriving back there at 2.30 Thursday afternoon. Another nice little trip of 2490 miles.
Ready to go again Saturday to get me home before the end of next week to move house.
The only slightly unusual thing about this trip was the amount of Amish people around the Mount Hope area, all scooting around in their horse pulled buggies. Will get some photos next time.

Had a really great trip, almost 3300 miles in 5 1/2 days. Delivered in Delta, just outside Vancouver Monday morning and reloaded just the other side of the river in New Westminster to deliver Quesnel in the middle of BC. Got to Quesnel Monday night and they were still open so unloaded and reloaded me with a load I was to take back to Steinbach.

Tuesday morning it was "eastbound and down, loaded up and trucking" and I made it home by Wednesday night.

Lots of wildlife on this trip and some beautiful scenery on some roads I hadn't travelled before. It was nice to cross the Rockies in some decent weather, last time I crossed over them and into Golden it snowed all the way but it was in January 2008.

GET WELL SOON DAD

My Dad has been in hospital the last couple of days and may have to undergo surgery. Just to let you know that we are all thinking of you Dad, get well soon. Won't be long till we see you!!

Today was a strange day with the weather, it is 6th June and I had snow in Saskatchewan and Alberta. It did brighten up once I got into the mountains though.

Managed to get a photo of a black bear, I have seen quite a few now but never had the camera ready or been quick enough.

Tomorrow should see me close to Vancouver by mid afternoon with my delivery at 7.00am Monday.

Went to Red River Speedway last night to watch stock car racing, with Craig and Gremmie,
http://gremmie08.blogspot.com/. Watching this on tv really does not give you a true impression of the noise, speed and skill of these drivers on an oval, dirt circuit.

What good value entertainment and takes place every Thursday so will try and make it again when the weather is better.

Orientation completed for Penner International but still no passport so stuck in Canada, that's been almost three weeks now.
Andy, my boss, got his wife Donna to come to the house this week just to drop off my pay cheque (or check depending on where you are from) which I thought was great considering my pay is not due till tomorrow.
I double checked everything and discovered I was $10 short paid in my out of pocket expenses, a scale ticket. No worries wait till next pay period maybe he only pays it once a month so I will not even mention it.
I was sitting on the decking today in the sun when Andy came to the door to apologise for short paying me and handed me a $10 bill, you could have blown me down, I knew he was a nice guy but to go out of his way to pay me the $10 was something I didn't expect.
He also apologised that the truck was not left as clean as when I left it lol, looked ok to me when I put my gear back in it this morning.
Things seem to be working out ok here but can't really tell till I get my passport back and can start running full tilt.
Leaving tomorrow with a delivery in Medicine Hat Ab Monday morning, all you ex army will probably know where that is!!

Facebook is sorted again so back online!!

FACEBOOK

Sorry people I have had to close my facebook account. It was sending messages and posting links on my wall that contained a virus and it had nothing to do with me. I contacted Facebook who have not even responded or done anything about it so I was left with no choice but to close the account.

I apologise to anyone who has had their pc infected but it was not my doing.

We got to our first professional ball game today, Kansas City T-Bones at Winnipeg Gold Eyes and The Gold Eyes won 6-5 in the 10th innings.

Understand the game a lot more now having seen it played properly. The atmosphere was good, free entertainment outside the stadium before the game and the weather was fantastic again. We have come home looking a little pink and tender from the sun.

The weather turned out to be fantastic yesterday and we got the boat out for the first time this year. Craig and I had a full day at Falcon Lake, the fishing was very poor but the scenery and weather was great.

There were eight of us in three boats all fishing and only Jason caught one.

Did I tell you about the one that got away????

I am back home now till at least the 3oth May as I have a full week of orientation next week. I have to make a quick trip to Winnipeg tomorrow to deliver the load I have brought back from Ontario then that's me done.

Orientation starts on Monday so getting the boat out and doing some fishing on Saturday and going to a Winnipeg Gold Eyes baseball game on Sunday.

I left on Saturday afternoon to take an empty trailer to Pine Falls Mb, switch trailers and deliver the loaded one to Brampton Ontario Tuesday morning. A nice steady drive in great spring weather saw me in Mississauga Ontario Monday evening only 9km from my delivery.

Delivery was made at 9.00am this morning and now at our Brampton Terminal waiting with 4 others for reloads.

Dogs are growing at an incredible rate. Sue and Mark's kids came and took them for a walk and these were the pictures taken while they were out. This is them at only 13 weeks old.

Had a lovely drive through Crowsnest Pass on the way to Elkford even although it did rain and then snow on the way.

I got to the mine where the delivery had to be made Tuesday afternoon and was told to head to Calgary empty, that's where I am now waiting for my reload.

I found out why they called the town Elkford and that whole area is called Elk Valley, they were everywhere and not as nervous as deer are.

Deer will flee as soon as you stop but the elk just carried on grazing and only left as I got out of the truck.