Busy Day. And laws

Very busy today. had dupe on both up and back. Interesting to see with the law on mobile phones changing the number of people still using hand held phones. Why do they do it???
The other thing is the number of vehicles with lights outs. One of my passengers commented last week she had counted 100 vehicles with held lights out. She had too much time on her hands!!! But had a point.

Pain in the leg

Got in at 0515 only to find my shifts had been changed to 0900 but no one told me. Not happy but these things happen so back to bed.

Good day though and even with the new congestion charge arrived on time. So lunch and then a sleep for a couple of hours.

Been having pains in my foot thought it may be gout!! Visit to doctors confirmed this and she also told me that the pain killers I was taking with aspirin were making it worse!!! So ibuprofen tablets and drinking plenty of water. Feel much better now. 1600 today.

A little blood

Had a bit of a problem yesterday. Passenger with luggage came to the back of the coach with their luggage. As always told them to mind their head on the lockers. next thing lots of blood they had run their head along the edge of the locker!!! Lucky for them we were still in Bath so took them in the office and called the First Aider. One look and the ambulance was called. Things got a bit stressed their family were all going to see Sound of Music in London. Any way I said I would not go until things were sorted. In the end after the ambulance look at them and confirmed they had not hit their head and were not concussed etc, they put butterfly stitches in the wound. After that we left about 20mins late but in the end arrived in London on time. The passenger was happy and even shook my hand.
With all the stick the NHS gets I would like it put on record how impressed I was with the ambulance crew. They were helpful caring and fully aware of the situation and put everyone at ease even had the passenger smiling. Well done to them.

Frome Back

As I said had Bath to London and then London to Frome. Not a bad run up bit wet and had the big chief on board from Heathrow. He said my driving was good, he must have had his eyes closed!! Very wet coming back and the traffic lights at J8/9 on th M4 were playing up so took 40 mins to go 5 miles. Still arrived in Frome on time passengers happy and I got home at 2230.
Two days off now and valentines day tomorrow.

Two days of 402's

Should have said before. I drive on the National Express 403 and 402 services.

Had two 402 Sunday and Today. I like this one a lot.

It starts in Frome on to Trowbridge which is the county town on Wiltshire. Then on to Melksham this stop has been a bit of a pain due to cars parking and blocking the stop. Next is Devizes always lots of people at this stop. Next is the best bit over the downs and past Avebury and Silbury Hill this area is reported to be a UFO hot spot. I have not seen any myself but at night it can look a bit mysterious.

Next stop is Marlborough usually have time for a 10min break to give passengers and the driver time to stretch their legs and get a paper etc.

After that it's off along the A4 to Hungerford this town was the scene of one of the worst random killings in the UK, if you wish you can read more here.

OK after that its off to Newbury.

That is the last of the A4. now up the A34 and on the junction 13 of the M4. On to Heathrow airport and then into London Victoria Coach Station.

There all none now 1 hour 30mins for lunch and a lie down.

Tomorrow have it in reverse!!!!

Day off

Day off today. Just had to take the car for it's MOT test. PASSED, but the brake pads are a bit low so will have to get them fixed. had a good walk with Harvey and after a bit of lunch will be out to help Fiona with a leaflet and Avon run.

Snow. What snow?

Well the weather people said we would have snow Thursday. alarm went off at 0500 15mins early so I would be ready. Had my boots, extra coffee, soup all ready to go and... NO SNOW!!!

Set off from home at about 0540 and it started to snow. By the time I got to Bath it was heavy with snow on the ground. Checked the coach over and left for the bus station. Was still snowing and very cold.

Set off along the A4 and it all went white VERY white and the thought of 'i do not think we are getting up this hill!!' Anyway after a bit of sliding we made it up and in to Chippenham for another pick up. Then up to the M4 and things got better. Road conditions better than I expected and not many cars on the road. In fact less than a Sunday morning. The rest of the journey was good max speed of 50mph to be safe and finally arrived in London 40mins early!!!

had a coach change so had to wait for the other driver to come in. Went over to Nine Elms, Battersea for lunch. Journey back was very good, light traffic and good road conditions.

Early starts

Few days of early starts. Thought we were going to have a problem on the M4. Someone had hit the barriers between J1 & 2. Signs said long delays etc. Got prepared, and after all the hype arrived in London 20mins early!!!!
Was very cold and foggy start today. Washers froze solid and did not free up until Reading.

Still day off tomorrow so a few bottles tonight!!!