GRIZZ’s Chevy S10 - Random Rambling NEXT ROADTRIP 27/10/23

Having driven wagons in the UK and Europe, The difference in how you were treated is huge.

A regular collection near Le Mans was my favourite, full use of the canteen and showers whilst my lorry was loaded for me. Paperwork brought to my table. Strangely, John Lewis in Stevenage was the same. Not many other UK places were though.

Cross-channel ferries were brilliant. You were loaded first, parked up, the drivers restaurant was already fully open, eat before the ferry cast off, get some kip and ready to roll on the other side.

Having said that, I've never baulked at unloading, commercial or domestic, I guess that's just me. But it's seen me hand-balling all sorts of stuff, to all sorts of places. I guess being mainly multi-drop in the UK, the quicker I unloaded, the quicker I'd be back in the yard and then home.

Going back to the Christmas tree thing, my folks would order a couple of thousand, to be delivered at home. Every time we knew a drop was coming, there'd be ten of us waiting to unload and Mum would have food for the driver on the go!

I once worked at a place that brought in bulk shipments, from Spain mainly, that were then broken down and stuck on my truck for delivery. Getting into the old mill premises that we worked out from was a pain, so I'd meet the driver, send him to the local cafe for a free meal, reverse his artic, unload it and then park it where he could get a good night's kip.

It's a funny old game is haulage.

This is very true, I do it - if you want something but are rude, you are getting sorted last

Nice looking sheets, who did you get them from?

If this trip of yours includes a visit to Virginia do let me know! I would be more than happy to entertain!

I guess it is up to all of us to just be nicer to each other, and respect each other, regardless.

I saw a pic recently of Tom Hardy shaking a hotel staff members hand when leaving, that to me sums it up.

Respect.

So the roofing.

After many weeks of waiting, arrived, and then today the weather was challenging, but we just carried on.

Mickey was around to help as soon as I let him know.

So the first 5.5 meter sheet was a bit of fun, getting our rhythm



Then it went a lot easier and faster.

Unfortunately the self tapping screws (report on them in a bit) do not like to self tap through the 0.7mm sheet steel of the roofing sheets.

But we carried on.



With the wind, and the length of these sheets, getting them upright, and then onto the roof was to say the least, interesting.





Progress



Mickey, as he weighs as much as a packet of matches, was bouncing around on top.

Last sheet I used was a 3.0 meter sheet in stead of the 2.7 meter ordered. As they sent two cover sheets to protect the actual order.

But it needed cutting back a bit in order to avoid damaging the roofing felt on the woodwork shed.

Grinder on.



And then, suddenly the heavens opened, soaking us both to the skin up the ladders.

You can see how it cut under the front of the roof, wind driving it in from the Essex side, not our usual wind nd rain direction.





Once we stopped, and waited for the rain to finish, I took a look from Mickey side.



And absolutely pleased with the outcome so far.



Well deserved rest, with a mug of tea and a smoke.



Called it a day for the top of the roof, more screwings and doings tomorrow when I have about 150 pilot holes to drill and screws to fit.

Nice. I would really like something similar over the Austin. Not until it’s drivable though. I have enough things to do without adding something like that to the list.

That looks superb - dodgy self-tappers aside you must be very pleased with how well it's gone up and how good it looks

Must be really handy having a tame gnome next door

Well done to both of you looks great ...