Hello and welcome to my Blog, my name is Chris, a bus driver for First Mendip based in Wells, Somerset. I am Chair and H&S rep for the depot branch of Unite the Union. Married to Fiona, we live in Midsomer Norton near Bath, with Boots the cat. My main hobby is Amateur Radio and I hold the call sign G4KVI. I am the repeater keeper for GB3UB and MB7UB. I have a fascination for the weather and all things to do with nature and science. As a Christian I worship, when shifts allow at St. Nicholas Church in Radstock. These are my observations on my life, both at work and at home.

30 Jul 2006

Back after New Wine

Back on Saturday after a week at New Wine. A Christian conference held at the Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet.
Busy on Saturday, had over 80 passengers so had a 'dupe' coach. Got into London OK, airport a bit busy went over to Battersea for Lunch and started back at 1400. Again a dupe. Just got to J13 m4 when the signs said congestion ahead a driver coming east signaled me to get off the m4 so we headed to Swindon via Hungerford. A very nice run!! Got back to Bath at 1730. Checked in with the boss and got the bus home arriving at 1830. Very tired!!

21 Jul 2006

A much better day

Wonderful day today. Ran on time to London and enjoyed a nice couple of hours sitting in the park!
Journey back good as well. Now enjoying a nice pint of black sheep.

Off to New Wine Saturday so a change of scenery.

19 Jul 2006

Chilling

Well a peacefull couple of days. Had a few beers last night as I have 24 hours to sober up!! Very hot today 34c at present. Off again to London tomorrow so hope it is not as hot as today. Poor dog & cat are finding it hard the pavements are so hot I am keeping the dog in. so no walkies until latter.

18 Jul 2006

What a day

Yesterday was a very interesting day. I was running very late into London so left 45 minutes late!! Just past J8?9 of the m4 I overtook a lorry and as I did so great clouds of smoke came from under the coach!!! We made a hasty stop on the hardshoulder (not a place I would reccomend) After a few phone calls we had all the passengers transferred and I was off to Bath in a breakdown truck!! Turns out a high pressure fuel hose had given way!! Finnally got home at 0500 6 hours late!!
Going to enjoy the sunshine for a couple of days.

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Entry for 15 July 2006
Well another day spent driving buses around Bath. I think most of the UK must have come today. There are coaches everywhere. So want can I moan about today?

Passengers. Why do they stand before the bus has stopped? Then complain they cannot stand!!

Crossings. Why has the green cross code gone? Stop! Look! Listen? Now it is walk!!! the fact a 20ton coach is three feet from the crossing doesn't matter. People seem to think vehicles HAVE to stop. They do when someone is on the crossing that does not mean walk out in front of them!!

Entry for 08 July 2006
Hi, driving on a Saturday is always bad news. All the weekend drivers come out. Here are some of the things that make my job of driving a coach less easy.
  • CLOGS (Centre Lane Owners Group) I am limited to 60mph and not allowed in the outside, lane 3. People sitting in the middle lane cause all sorts of problems.
  • WNULT (Will Not Use Lane Three) these people will not overtake if I am in the middle, lane 2. They sit right up close so I have trouble seeing them for miles. Why will they not use lane 3?
  • When I indicate to pull out to overtake some people, especially women see this as some signal to speed up or worse sit half down the coach. This is so dangerous as it means I can end up having to take avoiding action to avoid rear ending someone.
This is just my mutterings. I will try and add what goes on each day.

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