Moved

Well, moved house. Now completely knackered. Boxes everywhere. Only on dialup at present so only short post.

Moving house

day has arrived and we on the move. We are all organised with everything boxed up and ready to go. Yea, right, the place looks like a bomb went off!!

2960 Take 2

Well I thought Friday would have been OK, and all started out OK and we were just about on time when we left Swindon. However the traffic was just slow and by the time we got to J4 we were 20mins down and the traffic into London was back to j4 as well. We crawled through the tunnel into Central Bus station to find several coaches out of hours. A quick chat and discovered that travelling to Victoria were more than 11/2 hours. So that was me out. So it was Friday all over again.
Today went in to do one trip on the 178/778 to Bristol. Quiet going but VERY busy coming back as the pubs cleared out and people made their way to the clubs/pubs in Bath.

Out of hours

last couple of days I have been on duty 60. This leaves Bath at 1545 and should arrive in London at 1920. However, this timing puts us in every rush hour in every town along the way. Sunday was bad and I only just made in to Victoria within the 4 1/2 hours. Then I had to take my 45 min break which meant rather that than 2030 we did not leave until 2100. Passengers were a bit upset, but the law is the law. However little did they know but on this duty you can make a far bit of time up and we did get back to Bath on time.
Yesterday was different. Normal situation out of Bath and we were already 20mins late into Swindon. I had heard that there was at RTA at J8 but it had been cleared. The traffic was heavy as soon as we joined at J15 and by the time we got to J12 were 30mins down. Then we stopped. By the time we got to J8/9 it was 1910, so 50 mins of driving time left. Rang control to tell them the bad news and they said to ring when we got to the airport. Finally arrived at Heathrow at 1945!!! That was that, only 30mins to get to VCS and running times are around 40mins, on a good day. Managed to get the London passengers transferred to a London bound coach and parked up.
Due to leave Heathrow at 2115 so got on the stand at 2100 to be told my connecting passengers would not arrive until 2200!! 2215 arrived at the 501 arrived with my passengers. Not much I could do to make up time and we finally got to Bath at 0040 and home at 0110.
Today.... THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!

Moving house

Well finally taken the plunge and decided to move house. The rent here is getting a bit steep and the council tax is band c , so we are off to a two bed in band a. So far made four trips to the dump with more tomorrow. Not to busy at work at present. Someone made a cock up and we have ended up with nearly half the drivers on holiday at the same time so there is begging for people to work. I think it is going to cost them. I have two weeks coming up but this is the time we are moving so will have to see. Off tomorrow so preparing stuff to take and dump.
And, nearly forgot the car passed the MOT at a cost of £140, not too bad.

Road signs and roadworks

Been off for three days and have sorted out a lot of stuff from the loft. Put the car in for repair and MOT so hopefully back on the road at the weekend.

Driving about I have noticed a couple of things at roadworks.

1. Road narrow signs are wrong. ie the signs say road narrows on the left and the roadworks are on the right.
2. The roadwork signs are as much of a hazard as the roadworks. They stick out in to the road/pavement. Fall over and leave sharp edges sticking out into the road.
3. Small roadworks on the pavement involve traffic lights. Why?
4. A hole is dug, and....
5. Signs are left out long after the works have finished.

These are only my observations. Back to work tomorrow.

A big thank you to the lady in the blue fiesta

I would like to thank the lady who was so helpful and courteous on the M4 yesterday.

As I and four other National Express coaches joined the M4 at Reading the traffic was flowing at about 50mph due to the roadworks. We all merged in nicely and then came up on slow (40mph) traffic. I indicated in good time, and checking my mirror and saw I had enough room to move to lane 2. Just as I started to move I mirror checked again and a blue Fiesta was accelerating fast behind me! so fast in fact that I had to take avoiding action. As they passed I noticed it was the usual young dumb blonde!!! This is normally only a passing annoyance and I wish them a pleasant journey!! This one I discovered was not only the dumb blonde who does not like the coach to get in front of them but was also the chairman of the local CLOG's She spent the time form J12 to J11 driving at 40mph!!
So I would like to thank that lady and hope that if she does a trick like again with a coach or lorry it has brake failure!!!!! problem is it will be the poor driver of the lorry who gets fined for driving too close!!!!
I am off now for a few days and have to pick up a rear axle for the Peogeot and start preparing for our house move.

Lots going on

Had a busy few days. Not just at work but at home.

The car looks like it can be repaired and it will not cost a fortune. We are going to move house, not as nice but much cheaper rent and Council Tax. Also nearer to work but still close enough to carry on with the Avon etc.

Recovering from all the earlies but have a few comments on cyclists, road signs and people with mobile phones. I will post about these when my brain is functioning again!!!