24th March 2024 Late Note/the Sick Note.

Goodaye all, have you ever heard “The Sick Note, Why Paddy is not at work today”? Look it up for a laugh and no, my fortnight was not that bad, just too few hours in it and without my Hubfleet EWD to check, I am struggling to remember while I run around getting ready. Yes, more Swift Grow on the lawn as the growing season is near the end and I wanted to get it all covered, but it seems need more work on the rock hard soil in places, beaten down by the dogs.

So last week-end was a short week-end trying to fit too much in, then off to work Sunday to be in Melbourne with a plan to blog from there before bed. But I got away late trying to squeeze stuff in, got there and went to bed to be kept up and then woken by what I found to be the business next door, not the one I wanted, only to go back to bed to be woken again by my bloke, who had come in way much earlier than we had planned.

Eventually finished my break up the road and then rushed to get to load later in the day with two pick ups and a plan to go to Moree, then told will be unloading in Dubbo and reloading for Adelaide. Been a while since I have been there, but was pretty much on time getting there, only to find the second drop (after entering as a b-double) don’t allow b-doubles and I should have booked a day before, but the fellow there was good and we got unloaded and I even picked up some nice chrome bits from my mate at TRUCKBLING who brought them over to me there.

Adelaide back to Melbourne and reload for Dubbo plus, back in early Friday morn, A service for all the bits, bolt fixed on an air bag, mods done to my mezz floor cups, two gates welded, fit the shiny bits, fit my water tank and home to drill a couple more holes and tidy it up. Still minor mods to see it perfect, but went and got a tap this morning and getting it finally done.

Had one idiot try to possibly kill themselves and others and I would then have been involved, overtaking a yes, slightly slow truck and dog on a blind corner over double lines. A truck came the other way, but he was in the left of the two lanes in the opposite direction, but had there been a car there, old mate would have seen it about 2 seconds before hitting it at 200k closing speed and I would have worn him.

I am sure you have all seen the same, far too often and it seems, people are getting even more impatient and happy to risk not only their lives, but those of others to gain seconds. What the hell do we do? At this stage planning to be at TRUCKFEST in Sydney for the three days, 3^rd to 5^th May and looking forward to saying Goodaye to any who visit. More details closer to the event. Till then, Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.

11th March 2024

Goodaye all, well after such a start last week and then being told I had some runs to do out of Melbourne, thought I would end up a short and slow week. But first drop Monday left a mark after parking in the only green reflector bay on the Midland Highway for the night, though had there been time once I got up, there were a couple more spots worthy of marking. Let’s just say the signage for receivals is not that outstanding and when I found a door open and went and sought someone to unload me, that raised more than an eyebrow then and got me a call later to explain, such is life.

So into Melbourne and thought would be stuck overnight but, “If you can make it back out to the loading point by 3PM, they will load you” so running to unload, hook in and got there 2.59 and one of our ex drivers now running the show said, “Goodaye Rod” and I said “Thanks for waiting back”. Loaded full load IBCs and back to the yard for paperwork and wait a bit for the traffic to disperse, out at 6 and off to Corowa.

Stopped at Avenal and I still remember when I first started going there it was $5 for a meal. Yes everything has and continues to go up and even when it got to $22 a while ago was still good value, but $32 is getting hard to justify, even though you still get your three courses, so grabbed some scallops with vinegar instead.

Pulled up off the road, walked round to check out where to unload and thought, don’t like the look of that driveway. Caught up on some stuff including a couple of calls to mates I needed to make, started the last blog, then to bed to get some split rest before “Nightshift” radio and back to bed.

They opened a bit later than some so all good, but drove in and bent chassis plate and tore mounting bracket clean out. I asked, “Do you get many complaints about your driveway?” and he said yes, so I said, now you have another. Bugger, then another drop and back into Melbourne, loaded a bit earlier, but then stuck in traffic on way out and having looked at Google for where I was going, it said there was a truckstop, so headed out with a plan for a shower and feed etc and got there to find just a bowser and I had gone through town and wasn’t going back, so went to bed after tea from the truck frig.

Unloaded OK, back for second drop and into Melbourne to find third load already gone, so load for Moree but told I would be unloaded in Dubbo Thursday morning, to load later that night. That changed, yes unloaded but hurry up, new plans and you are already late to load. Done and back into Melbourne to do a small tranship, then double split to deliver and go and reload, back out Friday afternoon for possible delivery Saturday. Rang, do you want this Saturday, yes please so through to Gilgandra in the early hours, then up and ring with a delivery time, got there and in and out in under an hour and they had come in specially to unload me, so thanks very much and ended up quite a week, 5,500 k and 18 load and unloads.

Home to catch up on gardening and stuff Saturday afternoon and went to the theatre with my youngest son for something different. Now about to Swift grow the lawn and off for a late load tonight. Till next time, Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.

On the 10th for the 5th Canberra Bound.

Goodaye all late note included as below. Yes well got to my DC slot a few minutes to midnight, so in time for 7 hour break and they let me sleep inside after I rang and checked, but I had tried on the way and could not update my induction. Up early next morn and another driver getting somewhat frustrated getting inducted, then me too and in the end, take this form and go. Once in, all good, then off for second drop, load and away up Sesame Street to Sydney town for Tuesday morning.

Nightshift Radio from the depot and where was I going? Double split in the morning to deliver, back down to Banksmeadow to load, held up for a couple of hours, but out eventually with load of packaged DG and to Wagga Wagga. Had a lovely smiling young lady unload me Wednesday morning after breakfast at Gumly Gumly with mate Grant Luhrs from Rig Radio days, but again, 4 truck bays in a BP truckstop on the Sturt Highway, not enough so had to park outside overnight.

Off to Melbourne load and back to the truckwash in Albury, a few qued and had to get to Coona to unload so I could get home and drive to Canberra, so off with a still dirty truck. Made it to Forbes, Caltex closed so no loo or shower, to bed. But off again Thursday morning, into Coona just before noon, hooked in with the sun and the heat and back to Dubbo to arrange list and service for following day, get a lift home, jump in daughters car and head to Canberra. In 9.30 pm, a chat, a feed got for me to be there on arrival, (thanks Craig) and a shower and in bed by midnight, but as often happens, strange bed and not a good sleep.

HVRASC meeting all day from 8 till 5, then tea and a few beers, bed after midnight, up and had planned to do some filming with young Stephen if he got home, but still on the way and I was late for a special event or two at home that happened Friday, so go and be there bit a day late.

Try to make up for Friday Sunday morning, then home and call loading point. Can I load earlier than my slot of 5PM? Yes you are booked at 1.30, sorry,  not on my plan. Well that’s earlier, what more do you want? Sorry. still in Dubbo will hookin and rush. Got there at 3.05, only to have three qued in front, another truck had been two hours late and not let them know and it was well after 6  by the time I got loaded and out, not the best way to start the week, but such is life.

I had two starts on this and simply did not get time to complete or put up, a fun week, not but OK. Will catch up later today I hope. Cheers Rod.