Life From 15 Feet Up part two

A couple of interesting days this week out and about. This day started at 7pm Thursday in Banbury with an empty truck to take to Hoddeston in Hertfordshire and bring another empty truck back. All to do with MOTs I think. 95 miles to Hoddeston, so not too bad a trip really as I am paid for 8 hours however many I work if less than 8.
Reality has, however, a way of coming round and biting you in the rear, particularly when you contract your labour to a certain food distribution company in Banbury.

I arrived in Hoddeston to a virtually empty yard, parked up, collected my stuff and went to the transport office. While there, there was a shortage of drivers so I volunteered as it seemed fair. Only 9 drops in London, so quite easy really.
Got into the lorry and left the yard, two drivers. Less than half a mile from the yard, the truck was unable to pull its trailer over a railway bridge so back to the yard to change tractor units, the clutch was worn out. Tractors exchanged, off we go, two drivers and it’s now midnight Thursday evening/Friday morning.

The first 4 drops are in Canada Square, Canary Wharf from their underground bays. Manoeuvring onto the bay, the front nearside tyre punctures (not me driving!) Still no problem, there were 4 deliveries (8 pallets) in Canada Square, 2 more in Jubilee Place and one more drop in the complex. Tyre changed and 7 hours later, the last 2 drops were made in Fleet Street, London. We have off-loaded 19 pallets via tail lift and pump truck, and it’s time to head back to Hoddeston, 22 miles away to drop the lorry. It is now 9am Friday

22 miles from central London to Hertfordshire in an artic is nearly 2 hours. Arriving back in Hoddeston, it’s now 11.15am and I have been ‘at work’ for over 16 hours.

Unable to work any longer (I’d not be safe to drive anyway) because of European Working Time Directives, I wait for a trunker driver to take me back to Banbury. Arrived back in Banbury at 1pm Friday. The last time I had slept was until 7am Thursday, and I’d now been awake for over 30 hours.

Thank goodness for tachographs and driving regulations and for Costa Coffee.

Nick