24th September 2007

Went to Adrian's and Carla's fire on Saturday night (next door but one). This happens on a regular basis here, neighbours decide to have a fire in their fire pit and invite everyone. Its a great way to get to know your neighbours. Went back to their house on Sunday for a bbq, great cooking by Adrian.

Rang Chad this morning and he said he would phone me if anything came in for today but it could possibly be tomorrow.

Sue painted Craig's room grey and cream, beats the pink and lime green it was painted.

Thunder storm last night that left us without electricity for 3 hours, that's when Adrian decided to light another fire. When the electric goes off we are also left without water because the pump that draws the water from the well is electric but at least we have a gas fire if it happens in winter.

19th September 2007

Got tipped nice and early Wednesday morning and the satellite message said to head to Fargo ND while they try and sort a reload. Got to Fargo for 11.30 and was sent another message to just run home empty, no loads. Got back to Steinbach for 16.00 and off now till Monday.

18th September 2007

Got tipped in Nisku, Ab at 07.30 Monday and loaded at Blue Ridge, Ab (above) by 13.00 and started heading back towards Saskatchewan. Made Saskatoon by Monday night and Moose Jaw for breakfast on Tuesday. The second photo is Hwy 2 between Chamberlain and Moose Jaw, Sk.
We had crossed the border by 14.00 Tuesday and this was Gary's first time in the States so had to get his visa.
We will be tipping first thing Wednesday morning and will then speak to Chad for a reload back to Mb and a few days off.

15th September 2007

Got loaded, left Houston at 12.00 Wednesday and arrived back at BFS at 10.30 Friday morning, a journey of 2800km. Still loaded for Nisku Ab so will be leaving again Saturday afternoon but I already have my reload assigned, lumber from Ab to Edgeley, North Dakota. Gary is coming with me on this trip and I will be having a couple of days off when I get back.

Hopefully I should be able to get some decent photos to post now that I have a passenger to take them.

Temperatures have started to drop in Mb now, came home from Texas where I was melting in the heat to find it was only 6 degrees during the day and -3 at night, time for the fire. Also got wireless in the house now.

11th September 2007

Got tipped Monday morning in a torrential downpour, the pic was taken only two minutes after the rain started. I was then sent down to Houston to reload Tuesday morning for Nisku, Ab via home for a couple of days but things not going my way. Arrived at the shippers 0730 Tuesday but it is a bonded load (something to do with customs clearance) and paperwork will not be ready till Wednesday morning so back to The Flying J for another day chilling out.
The other pic was taken driving on I35 going through Dallas.

8th September 2007

A nice journey down to Dallas, Texas. Arrived Saturday 16.30 and by 20.00 had showered, done my laundry and had my tea. I have covered 8734km since leaving on Wednesday 29th August and that is with a couple of days off, day off again tomorrow, cant tip till Monday morning so just chilling out and hoping to speak to my family again as I have internet access.

The pic is I15 in Montana.

5th September 2007

Thought I would post again today before I hit the road tomorrow, not sure when I will be able to make the next posting.
Today was a good day, managed to get an internet connection and caught up with my emails and updated this blog twice in one day, spoke to most of my family either on skype or msn which was great. Sue and the boys are settling in really well, when they are at home that is!!! The neighbours have been fantastic and have helped us settle right in. We have an internet connection at home now too so Sue and the boys will be able to catch up with their friends back home.
The pics above are Sue on skype (oh oh I am in trouble for that one) and the load of lumber going south with me tomorrow.

5th September 2007

The scenery passing through Montanna on the way back to Alberta Canada was breathtaking, proper cowboy country. Got to Calgary at 09.30 on Monday after passing through 3 time zones from Indiana. Now time to get laundry done and chill out till Tuesday.

Tipped at 08.00 and got a reload from Crossfield AB, about 45 minutes away. 46000lbs of lumber (timber to you and me) to go to Plano, Texas for Monday 10th September.

Loaded without any problem and faxed all the paperwork to the customs broker. Crossed the border again at 19.30 and parked in Great Falls MT at 21.00 Tuesday night. That's me now till Thursday morning, need to take 36 hours off to reset the clock then its off to Texas, should be there Saturday night.

2nd September 2007

Made it down to Madison, Indiana by Thursday night and tipped first thing Friday, up to Bloomington, Indiana and loaded the two blocks of stone in the picture to tip Calgary, Alberta Tuesday morning. Another trip of just over 2000 miles, should be there on Monday morning but it is a holiday on Monday in North America, gives me a chance to do some laundry.
The top picture is a truckstop in Seymour, Indiana. The yellow pipes going into the truck window is called Idleair, http://www.idleair.com/includes/images/sm_expanded_view.jpg;jsessionid=1BD603A607BE8CFD43A4505327A11768
it supplies air con or heating to the truck and cable tv and internet, beats running your engine all night as most here do and all for $10 and no parking fees in North America.

28th August 2007

The family have been here a week now and in that week we have almost completely furnished the house, only one night on the airbeds. The picture above is a humming bird feeding on the feeder hanging outside our back door.
Going back to work on Wednesday, got a load down to Madison, Indiana (about 1200 miles) to tip Friday.

18th August 2007

Had a hectic day yesterday getting things ready for Sue and the boys. Arranged all the utility accounts, phone gets connected on Tuesday bought basic stuff for kitchen, air beds and blankets. Had the chance to go to Grunthal last night where there was the annual AG Fair which included a rodeo.

16th August 2007

Went down empty to Thief River Falls, Minesota to collect 28 Arctic Cat snow mobiles. Got loaded by 11.45 and ran back to the yard and dropped the trailer.

Collected the keys for our new house from the realtor and went round to check things out, everything looking good.
Sue and the boys arrive on Monday and I am off now till 27th.

15th August 2007

Had all my deliveries off by 12.30 Monday and sent satellite to Chad but no reload till Tuesday morning.
Seen this hawk at my last delivery, it was obviously in some distress and no it wasn't me that hit it.
Tuesday morning loaded 15 pallets of shingles (Canadian equivalent of roof tiles) for delivery Wednesday morning at Glenella Mb. Tipped Wednesday and down to Brandon to reload back to Steinbach. Going to Thief River Falls Mn, USA tomorrow.

12th August 2007

Done 2 collections on Friday afternoon, 13 pallets of steel forgings and 4 pallets of monumental granite giving me 3 deliveries in Edmonton on Monday. Decided to leave Steinbach first thing Saturday morning, nothing to stay around for until next week. Made Edmonton Sunday afternoon and got a good internet connection. Caught up with my emails and was able to speak to Sue and the boys and got to talk to my Mum and Dad (get those flights booked and stay as long as you want). Should be an interesting day tomorrow, both deliveries of granite are going to memorial gardens.

9th August 2007

Set out on my first trip on Sunday. Up to Brandon, Mb and pick up a loaded trailer, strap and tarp it and on my way. It took 2 of us 5 hours to sort out my load above, then off we went both heading for Edmonton, Ab to deliver Tuesday morning. A fairly uneventful trip, a couple of close calls with deer but none hit. Tipped Tuesday morning and got satellite message for next load. A full load of lumber to be collected at Iron River, Ab, 3 hours away. Got loaded Tuesday afternoon for Selkirk, Mb to deliver Thursday morning. All done and then back to the yard. Went to see the lawyer and sign for the house. No loads leaving till tomorrow, see Chad at 0900 tomorrow.

2nd August 2007

Finished orientation today and got signed onto my truck. Also got issued with all the equipment needed to pull most loads on a flat deck, even got issued with air fresheners and polish for inside the cab which they will replace when used. Going back in tomorrow morning to see Chad (my dispatcher) and hopefully will be leaving on my first trip in the afternoon. No idea where I will be going yet but BFS cover the area in the map above. I will probably be kept in Canada for the first couple of loads then head of into the states.

28th July 2007

Eventually bought my car yesterday (above) and then bumped into "Bob The Dog", another Brit that works for BFS. He invited Mark and I to a barbeque at his house, Mark arrived in Canada the week after me.
So we went to the bbq and had a great night. Mal & Bev (my current landlords) have invited friends round tonight and asked me to stay, there will be a few BFS drivers and wives coming so should be a good night.
Signed more papers for the house today and everything is on schedule for 15th August posession.

26th July 2007

Been to Brandon, Mb for a couple of days and went over the road training with Gilbert. We managed to get through 15 deliveries in 2 days in south Manitoba (Mb). Used the tractor and trailer above. A lot of the deliveries are just made at the side of the road like the one above in St. Claude opposite the big pipe. Off now till I start orientation on Monday. still need to buy a car.

23rd July 2007

There has been a change of plan and I will only be doing orientation next week. They are going to send me to Brandon for a couple of days shunting trailers back to Steinbach. Got allocated my truck today (above), put all my bedding in and bought a cb ready to hit the road now.

20th July 2007

Things didn't quite go my way on Thursday and I failed my class 1 driven test but I did pass the air brake so that was something less to worry about next time. Test dates were few and far between next one being 31st July. Went looking at more houses and have found one that we all like (above). Went into the yard Friday morning to see if we could get any test cancellations, we did, 2.00 in the afternoon at Portage La Prairie 2 hours away. So up to Portage with Jason, my trainer, and came back with my class 1 licence. I was so happy. Next week it's orientation.

Also met with Wes, my realtor, and put in a formal offer on the house. Just got to wait and see if its accepted and if so then its ours, as easy as that.

UPDATE: Put the offer in at 19.30 and we knew by 20.10 the house was ours subject to mortgage approval. Date of possession is 15th August.

18th July 2007

Thought it was about time I updated this while I have a little time. My head is going round in circles and my feet still haven't touched the floor since I arrived last week. Training ready for my Class 1 test, house hunting, seeing realtor's, mortgage advisers, banks, I don't know whether I am coming or going. Plenty of houses on the market but it's finding one that is suitable. The one in the pic is one I seen on Tuesday but the basement isn't completely finished so still needs working on.

Sale of our house in England was completed on Tuesday and money in the bank, now I can buy a car and house hunt in earnest. They reckon when I find a house you can move in within 3 or 4 weeks.

What I wasn't prepared for was how much I would miss Sue and the boys. It was a big decision to leave all our families and I miss them all but I have only been gone 1 1/2 weeks and finding it tough without them. The sooner I find somewhere for us to live the sooner I can get them over with me. Gary has been a star and helped his mum with everything, even taking time off work to do it. They are now staying at Sue's dads in a 2 bedroom flat with the dog.

Driving test tomorrow and I think I am about ready so, here goes!!!!

13 July 2007

Wow, what a hectic week. Just about getting over the jet lag now. Arrived on Monday night about 1 1/2 hours late. Eric was waiting for me once I had been through immigration and got my work permit. By Thursday I had already passed my air brake and class 1 written tests and started practical training. The air brake practical is a bit confusing to start with but is making a bit more sense now.
Renting a room in the basement of a british couples house till I can find somewhere to buy. Also had to hire a car for a week. House sale should be completed by next week.

The truck in the pic is the one I am currently using for training.

8th July 2007

Last night was a family "BBQ" to say goodbye and wish us well. BBQ never even made it out of the shed because of the rain the last few days. The Chinese meal that got delivered was just as good. Relatives even came over from York (thanks Auntie Liz & Uncle Rob, sorry you weren't there Caz but we understand.), they will love me for that. Had a great time but also one of the saddest I have ever had to go through. There were PowerPoint slide shows, poems that took 3 people to read in floods of tears (not a good pic but can send you copy by email if you let me know), videos going back 11 years, specially compiled music cd's, champagne cake, banners, balloons, the whole works.

SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR THE FAMILY

I am not going to say this again but none of you are getting invited to come and see us in Canada. Is that clear enough? You never needed an invite to see us before so why would you need one now. You tell us when you are coming and how long for, no invites.

7th July 2007

A couple of friends that I used to work with at P&O came over last night and we had a few jars in the local pub. Its not the ones in the photo but it was the only photo from P&O that I could find. Thanks for coming over it was great to see you.

6th July 2007

A very emotional night last night at my last meeting as WM of LOL66. An unexpected visit from a close friend with some moving speeches and then presented with my PM Jewel by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England Bro. Bather. Hope you all have a great 12th July.

Went to the soilcitors and signed contracts for the house, aiming for completion on 18th July

5th July 2007

Got the final quotes back for the shipping of the dog to Canada, aaarrrggghhh, its costing more for him than it is for the tickets for the rest of the family.

4th July 2007

Almost sorted now, shipping company is collecting our wordly possessions on 18th July, not a lot to show for 44 years. Such a wasteful time, we have sold, given away and binned most of our stuff.

30th June 2007

Got a good send off from some very special friends. Not going to start naming them all but they know who they are, thanks guys it wont be the last you see of me and every one of you are welcome to come and visit. No surrender. OZO