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.