Happy New Year

This is going to be my last blog of 2010, I will be at a party on new years eve, so unable to get to the computer. Iam going to reflect on the year. yes I know I have done it already, but I have had a few days away from work so been able to reflect on things, as well as add to my photography collection, To see those have a look at my photography site, Calumbus's photographic adventures, its mainly pictures of buses and coaches, but it helps to tell a story.



There are lots of people I wish to thank, for many different reasons, The two I want to thank the most are Philippa Robinson and Simon Bramley, I know there have been times this year where you both felt like throttling me, when I have had my mad moments, but you have been there. Ohter people to thank are Faye Kelly, Dom Spencer, Annamarie Cope and countless others for being friends. All you guys in your own ways have helped the in the journey of life, and my life so far has been interesting.

This next bit is the first thing iam going to write for 2011, which is a new start for me, after the tubulent year of 2010, it has been a good year for some people, and a bad one for others. So what delights do we have to look, well not doubt we have more government cuts to look forward to, the fuel prices have are rising, and I can understand why people run their cars on dodgey fuel. VAT goes up pretty soon too, so it looks like being tight for lots of people.

Some people have likened the first few months of the coalition to the early years of Thatcher, the jury is still out on that one. I dont trust the coalition, but as long as they dont wreck my job or the industry i work in, I will be happy.

So at this very early of the year, I am look forward to the coming months with optimism, so here is to 2011. Lets hope it will be a good one

Boxing Day, The actual first part of Christmas is over

So I write this and the intial part of Christmas, IE christmas day and boxing day are over, it is now the few days in between before new year, and I can say good ridence to this year. So what have I got instore for the next few days? i'm not sure, prob just making plans for next year.

So what has been in the news for today, well our wonderful chancellor, the Rt hon, toffee nosed, public school educated tosser who has not lived a day in the real world, George Osbourne, announced that he was cutting funding to a reading programme, which is totally disgusting, although later there was a uturn. Come on George you dormatory knuckle shuffler, we have kids who's reading and literacy are so bad that when they move up to senior school the skills are those of a 5 year old, or is that the long term plan, dumb us all down, so we can all be controlled. as they say knowledge brings power, power is a threat to those who already pocess it. It just winds me up. There is no imagination, if you read a book, you are create the image in your mind, however on the tv, the image is already there, so in some ways the power of imagination is gone. I really hope this coalition fails then we can elect a proper government. For the record I dont really like politicians, but if someone comes to power who will run the country for the best intentions of the people, then he/she will have my full support.

Right I feel gorged on food and drink, my real celebrating is on friday night, when we we all say bye bye to 2010, doesnt seem 5 mins ago we were ringing in the new year. Anyway talk soon

Jingle Christmas and all that fuddle

I am writing this at around half 5 on Christmas day. Just having gauged myself on a load of food, with the family, well 2 other members, as My dad came out of hospital and cant really eat, my youngest brother being called out on an emergency job, and the other brother sleeping off the excesses of the previous night. The one Ronnie is on the telly, makes a change from only fools and horses.

So I am sat here and the night has set in, and yes I am thinking what the bloody hell was that about. We have had the Queens speach and Liz this year was banging on about sport, and some other thing but I wasnt really paying attention. Pope Benedict was going on about world peace, well he should have thought about that before joining the Hitler youth. He is still causing controversy, as people still feel bitter and offended other the Paedophile priest scandal. I dont subscribe to his particular brand of religion which is very hierarchical, and goes against the original teachings of Jesus Christ.

So there you have it. only another 365 days before the next christmas day, so we all better get back down the shops and get ready for the next one. As I write this we have the delights of the Doctor WHO christmas adventure, followed by East Enders, oh god no if there is one thing to put you in the wrong mood for christmas then it is this programme. Wonder who will die christmas, it beats me, how anyone can live on that square. They are very trusting as everyone is in everyone elses house. The all have each other numbers on the phones, and the blood line and family is more complicated than that of some interbread community in hicksville Alabama USA. The only differance is there are no pigs on Albert Square.

So on that note can I wish everyone a happy Christmas. Talk soon and take care.

Tuesday 21st December 2010

So, I am sat at home writng this, the temperature out side is freezing, and that is it being warm, it has been the shortest day in the year. This means the nights start drawing out and the days get longer. It was interesting driving to work this morning, yes the car is back on the road, but due for replacement in the new year, I saw the lunar eclispe. It was interesting to look at in the sky as the day was breaking.

So, the last bits of christmas shopping is currently being done, and the christmas drinks and parties are in full swing, So in a matter of days, those presents will be ripped open paper chucked all over the floor, the gift will be looked at then quickly forgotten Then comes boxing day the start of the sales, when everyone can buy those items they got for christmas, but for half the price.

So after all this when it is time to go back to work, everyone has put on pounds due to the food, everyone is hungover, then the credit card bills come in, and everyone thinks bollocks, i'm skint. So they will work hard to get the money back in the account. Then it is a few months off, where we work, go on a holiday, come back, maybe be take in a few weddings, evenings out, well you get my drift, then the evening draw back in and the leaves start falling, then it is the countdown to christmas again.

So I am counting down the days until the end of the year, looking forward to next year, and the adventures I'm going to have. Cool bring it on.

So anything been going on in the world well not really, apart from the country freezing, travel caos. So on that note I am going to get back to top gear talk soon

The end of the year is nigh

Ok, its another excuse for me to have a moan at life and society, more of that shortly. So I left you after doing a couple of late night jobs, I did a half day to get me back into working days. Heres one for you, how do you make a day for a load of primary school kids, turn up to do the job in a double decker. It was comical, I doubt whether most of them had been on a double decker before. Yes there are kids out there who havent even been on a bus. For me they were my main form of transport for many years. probably why I developed an interest in transport.

I have heard that the cuts axe is well and truely swinging, as some councils are amalgamating functions such as payroll, So the country is going to get in to more of a mess, as the government has to find benefit payments for all of those they are going to make unemployed. The days of the Nation spending money it didnt have are over. The defence of the country is to lose the Harrier's aircraft carriers are to be sold, and we are to share resources with France and the USA. yikes, so if they were to turn on us we are screwed, could happen, never say never. It means that there is an increasing hold. So what about the Bankers who caused the mess in the first place, well they are being left alone, but when half of them possibly went to the same public school as George OSbourne, our "wonderful Chancellor", then they will be left alone.

It is increasingly likely that government agencies such as VOSA could be put into the private sector for management, I did hear that the same could happen with the police, which to me would be madness, So they will all have targets to meet, so the inspectors and officers will be looking for a reason to prosecute. If you want to see the effects of privatising a police force, watch the film Robocop, when Detroits police for has been sold to weapons manufacturer OCP.

No It is ok to privatise some industry, but leave the agencies in the hands of the public. So after a very eventful 2010, and the drama's still continue, I'm not talking about them at the mo, save to say they involve family and friends, this is still being played out, I am looking forward to 2011, and I hope it is a positive year, we will have to see on that one. I am now working on my 5 year plan. More about that another time. Anyway Talk soon.

Wednesday 15th December 2010

It is only 10 days until Christmas, then it is a couple of days of forced festivities a few days off then it will be New years day, After that it will be getting used to the new year and settling down, with the nights gradually drawing out.

I am looking forward to having a few days off work, to have a much needed break, but alas my mind never stops, I am constantly taking things in. So lets see what next year will bring.

So what have I been up since I last blogged, well, I have been very busy indeed, I have been to Stratford upon Avon, whilst their I had a go at some evening photography, the results can be seen on the sister site, photographic adventures. I also did some shuttle work around the EMCC, in Nottingham. It made a change, even though I had very late finishes.

When I was driving back I heard something on the radio, which turned out to be an advert issued by the home office, basically saying if you see something suspicious then report it. I alarmed me, and is a very sad sign of the times we live. I tend to more associate this sort of thing with an East European Starsig culture from the cold war years, Something which people fought 2 world wars and many other conflicts, to stop. Welcome to 1984 the world according to Orson Wells. It interests me to see what will happen next, we will see.

So What would I like for next year, hmm I'm not sure, as quite alot has happened in the last 12 months, I know I worry too much at times, but we can all be guilty of that. So Lets think positive and I will leave you on that thought.

Now here this

A recent newspaper article got my attention, it involved a 12 year old boy, the prime minister and the anti terrorist laws.

I would read the article, your self, which is on the daily Mirror website, but I found it disturbing, and over the top. It left me thinking what the hell is going on, are we having our freedom of speech taken away in the name of the laws there to protect us. Now The constituency where this event just happened to be that of that educated two faced twit, David Cameron. This kid is too young to vote, but I hope that by the time he is 18, which is roughly when the next election is, unless the coalition fails fingers crossed, he does the right thing and votes against him.

Clearly the threat of arrest was over the top and designed to scare the kid. No wonder people are taking to the streets to voice their concern. I look at it this way these people are our future, and I dont condone violence, but I can see their point. This kid and the students are our future. Other news is that some right wing extremist pastor, from some part of the USA where they probably marry their cousins has been invted by the EDL to talk about Islam extremism. They are on about not allowing the guy in the country, mind you threatening to burn the Koran had some thing to do with it.

So My conclusion the world is going mad, but at least X factor has finished, so I dont have to read about someone who is forced upon us just because Simon Cowell says so.

Well not long til the end of the year now, and I cant wait. So on that note I'm off. talk soon

The December gloom

The long shelved novel I was writing is set around this time of year, I suppose I could go out and observe it.

I originally got the idea for the novel back in my college days, circa 1997. I originally set it during the aftermath of a wild party, with everyone recovering from hang overs, waking up in the mess, well you get the idea, I'm sure plenty of us have been to wild parties in our time, where we wake up and find a stranger asleep in the bath, beer cans everywhere, the bed would have several notches on it. and so on. The story was written in the aftermath of the groundbreaking TV serise This Life, which was about a bunch of 20 somethings living together
.
My up dated version was resurrected during 2007, well just a brainwave, but I added lots to it, I based the main character on myself, a then happy go lucky chap who got done down in lots of things but always ended up smiling. I started writting again in 2008, as a way of coping with a relationship break up. The opening scene was set during a Christmas get together, with work colleagues, but the main character didnt really want to be their as he felt like a fish out of water. He just wanted a special person back in his life. However he gets a phone call which sends a shiver down his spine, and has an emotional effect. The story then goes back to 6 months previous to explain the events up to this Christmas gathering. I might get back to writing this next year. I have lots of other things to do first.

The other book I am working on is my life story, which I have mentioned in these blogs before. So plenty to be getting on with. I might take the camera out and record the night life, just to give me some ideas.

The website is coming on, and hopefully with the resurrection of the car, I will be mobile again. So there you go

more crazyness,

Now I have heard it all, Health and safety going totally over the top, Apparently christmas crackers have been redesignated lowgrade fireworks, so if they are sold to under 16 year olds then the sales assistant could be liable for prosecution. What utter bollocks, what next, baning cap guns that kids play with. getting rid of bubble wrap, banning walking on icey pavements because someone could slip and fall over. There is a lack of common sense in this world, due to another American import, the compensation culture.



Other things, well not alot has happened really, got up, went to work came home. The road conditions have been horrible, as all of the road salt deposits itself on the paint work of the traffic, roll on the spring, or even better the summer. WOnder where I will be in life in 6 months time. Who knows, but I will be enjoying things. so there you go, short and sweet for tonight, night all

Wikileaks and all that

Well the talking point, is the Wikileak scandal, as well as the 50th anniversary of Coronation Street, but more of that later, even though I didnt see it.

So wikileaks, the whistle blowing web exposing secret documents and other info. Now I absolutely love this sort of thing, I personally do not like politics in any form, as you all know, and the day someone comes to power to Govern the country, for the people, instead of lining the pockets for their mates with peerage and knighthoods, gets my vote.

So what has Wikileaks exposed, well a load of incompetance, as normal and huge wastes of tax payers money. The other things exposed are conversations between leaders and spindoctors slagging other countires off, and calling one another behind each others backs, just like a load of school boys in the palyground arguing over who has the biggest todger. Obviously America has to have the biggest, well everything else they have are bigger, ego's wasteliners cars etc.

So the founder has been arrested over allogations of rape in Sweden, funny how its all come up since the site came to the attention of the media. It is funny also that the Swiss bank account of the founder has been frozen, where all the other accounts belonging to dodgey politicians, gangsters, actors and other corrupt tosspots, remain open. It is the establishment and the power mad, megomaniac control freaks trying to shut the site up. Well I tried logging on the other day, but some bastard had took it down, so what about my right for knowledge, I know lets dumb it down. Lets watch X factor.

Talking about TV programmes, who watched Coronation Street, well I didnt, but I heard abit about the plot, basically a big row starts, and ends with a bolserwood tram falling on the Kabin, It was the 50th anniversary episode, and I suspect this was written in to the story line, to out do East Enders, which celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier in the year. Apparently there were power surges at 9pm, when 14 million kettles were clicked on to make a cuppa.

It was very cold this morning, to the point of being semi painful with the windchill, I soon thawed out though. I do miss the car though, but that problem will be sorted soon hopefully. anyway enough of this bollocks, I'm going to watch telly now, night. TTFN

Monday 6th December 2010

So it is 18 daysish, before christmas, the shops christmas sales campaign, is in full force, go in to any town centre and you will see decorations, a tree, lots of flashing lights. You will no doubt see the float from the Rotary club, and the brass band of the salvation army playing "we three kings" with the elderly women rattling the donation tins. Certainly the town centres are busy at the moment, and the local economy is being boosted.

So, What have I been up to I here you ask? well not alot really, just got up, got ready and went to work, by taxi, as no buses run at half 5 in the morning. Coming across the meadow just outside Loughborough it was down to -11, bloody cold indeed, it was cold moving buses round to get mine out for the morning school run.

Coming home, it was foggy, and I arrived home about 8ish, I have a later start tomorrow, so I can go in on the bus. In some ways I am looking forward to having some time off during christmas, not because it is christmas, nope, I need to recharge batteries, regroup, and start off afresh. To be honest people ask me, " what do I want for christmas?" I usually dont know, I dont really want anything materialistic, Christmas is supposed to be a happy time, but, to me it is a time for reflection, a time to remember those who have departed. A couple of people left my everyday life during Christmas, and one special person came back in to my life during christmas, which was one of the best presents someone could get.

I know I keep talking about awakening the giant with, becoming aware of the world them. I do believe that we are all individual, unique, special, we all have something to contribute to life, Thats why, I disagree with lots of things that go on in life, be it politics, consumerism etc. Now we can all go on about these things until we are blue in the place, there is one very important thing and that is freedom, which does exist to a degree, although we are all slaves to money, as without this we can not survive. How many of us can actually say that we are free in our mind and spirit, the answer is not alot. People call me a fence sitter, as I dont jump onto bandwagons, and I dont care for being part of the clique. I like to earn my respect by my own merits. I like to look at both points of view. If you look at news reports of the conflict in Afganistan, some reporters are pro american, and some are pro afgan, I like to get both sides and make my mind up from there. As Robbie and Gary say in their song, " there are 3 versions to this story, mine and yours and the truth". again I leave you on that one. TTFN

sunday 5th December 2010

Well I have made a final decision about my car, I am going to get rid I think, If I repair the fault, then something else is likely to go wrong. The timing is brilliant, I was hoping that if I kept it going for to the end of the year and maybe trade it in. I was quoted a stupidly high price to replace the igntion barrel, I might actually try one other place and if it is high then it is time to get shut, I must admit the car has served me well, but anyway. It is amazing that when you are temporarily without a car, your freedom and ability to travel diminishes. Not for long I hope.

Work on the website is progressing, trying to get a professional look to it, so I can make it attractive to visitors. I have been talking lots about awakening the giant within, yes we can all achieve great things. Just a case of opening our minds and believe in ourselves. Something I need to learn to do.

So I wonder what the week has in store for me, well I know I have a couple of busy days ahead for me. The snow has thawed out a little, but this will bring another selection of hazzrds in the form of black ice, The icey spell looks like it is going to continue for the foreseeable future. So, we enter the final few weeks of 2010, the shops are going to be very busy indeed for the next couple of weeks, with people rushing round trying to fit in the christmas shopping. It is funny we spend all this time rushing round, have a day off, then it is the sales where shops that have over ordered certain products are left with stock left over, which they need to shift quickly, so the sales start. More money is spent as people think that dishwasher is half price I better get it. The greed factor kicks in yet again.

One final note is the Wikileaks scandal, which is basically telling people what they already suspected. The founder of the site finds himself on the run, is he a journalist or is he a criminal, I dont know, but sometimes I do feel the establishment does need challenging, no that I am condoning wikileaks, but challenging things, and questioning things does change life for the better. Just look at the way children question things, as they grow up they push boundaries, as they find their feet in this world. This world will be theirs very soon as each generation moves aside for the next one. I will leave you with that thought

The final month at long last

We enter the last month of 2010, It has been an interesting sort of year, which has had many highs and lows, I will begin with January, The interview with vosa, which had me attend, I was then backed in to a corner by the interviewer, who had made assumption of me, before I had even entered the room, my crime, was doing my job, and lets just say some of the things the interogator was accusing me of were damning. It was for paperwork issues at my former employer. I held my ground, whilst he was trying to crack me. It was the typical tactics used by a man who thought he was still in the police force. Now a piece of advice I will give to anyone who is interviewed under caution, is never say ANYTHING, whilst that tape is not rolling, You could accidently say something innocently which will be turned on you. I came out of that interview feeling physically sick. He I come into this industry to be treated like that, no I hadnt. I had a long drive home that night. After the interview followed months of waiting and worry, when the court is involved it is amazing how much stress is involved, and I tried to hide my feelings from friends and members of my family. The Vosa scenario was the talking point round the yard for weeks, the affect it had on me was catastrophic, I lost confidence in myself and my capabilities, I just wanted to vanish, and felt maybe things would be better that way.



After 3 months, the court papers arrived, and for some reason a copy of my statement was ommitted, so in effect I could not prepare myself, one of my colleagues had copies of invoices. We all found a solicitor to represent. A date was set, And when we attended the hearing it was delayed, and postponed to another date, much to our disgust, all nine of us just wanted to get it over and done with, afterwards, we got drunk in the pub, 2 weeks later the second date was set, we all attended, and received the fine. And that was it done and dusted, Vosa admitted to us that employer was the real target, and the had to prosecute us, to strengthen their case against him. I knew I had to move on at this time, for my sake. So apart from costing me financially, what other damage was caused?, well it broke up a team of people, who had shown commitment, it destroyed the relationship between that team and the employer. There is also family strains that are brought in to the equation. For me personally, It made me go right back into me shell, It affected 2 of my closest friendships.

I found new employment in August 2010, and so far I am enjoying the job, however, I work away from Nottingham, so I dont get to see my friends as often as I wish, This sometimes gets me down. I know 2011, has got to be a better year, and in future I refuse to put my employer before anything else.

One last thing before I go, Before all of this shit exploded, I was in the process of putting together a business plan, to set up a coach business, I was getting somewhere with it all, I had got useful information from the banks, as to getting funding, I was getting contact details with the new enterprise people, about gaining grants, The whole incident destroyed that too. I know I could be a giant if I allowed myself to be. I just need to find the spark, that will start the awakening. We can all achieve things and be what we want to be, we just need to have the balls to do it. So there you go. Lets do it, lets prove some people wrong.

December let it snow let it snow let it snow!!!!!!!

So we are now in December, Much of the east Midlands is blanketed with snow, driving has been interesting, my car decided to throw a wobbly, by deciding not to switch off when I arrived at work on Monday morning. The problem is the ignition barrel, I would have sorted it out but you cant exactly bump start in the snow, tried to locate the location of the starter motor so I could short it and get it started.



Work has helped with the loan of a truck for a couple of days, I have the weekend off, so hopefully I can sort the problem out, and it is decision time for the saxo, at the mo, I am thinking of trading it in for another car in the early year, a real part of a new year a new start approach to things, If it lasts until the end of the year I will be happy.

In some ways I hope the snow remains until the weekend, so I can get some nice pictures, I'm not even attempting to go to the bus this weekend, it will be very cold in the building, my main priority is to mend the car and start my move back to Long Eaton, long story.

before I go, driving in the snow reminds me of an incident that happened earlier in the year, when I was doing a school run, through the villages of Hickling, and Kinoulton. The road was very icey indeed, but as long as you kept the speed down, you didnt have any problems. I picked up the first 2 kids from Hickling and proceeded to Kinoulton. The gears on the coach went floppy, but you could put the coach in to gear, I was trying to limp the coach to school, then sort it out. Anyway, I picked up the second lot of kids, including an older kid who was very snotty, and basically got on all of our nerves, I pulled away, and I was proceeding along the road when the car infront decided to suddenly stop, I stopped the coach without sliding, but the coach would not engage gear. There was no way the coach was moving, plus I was on a corner, and nothing bigger than a land Rover discovery could get through.
I alerted the office, or atempted to alert them, but no mobile signal. I found a payphone but it only took cards, ( it is a sad sign of todays society, as most phone boxes get broke in to by theiving pikey twats or other scumbags who ruin things for everyone else), I rang reverse charges and the company would not accept the call, so I tried again, and they did on this occasion, one slight problem, the fitters were attending to another brake down. ETA at least 1 hour. Just as I walked back, well more slid back to the bus, another coach approached from the opposite direction. I warned the driver not to come down to the coach as he would not pass. and low and behold he got stuck on the ice. We both had a good laugh about it, and he did me a coffee while we waited for the fitters and someone with rock salt. I was brought a replacement coach, and got on with the rest of the route to see if there were any kids waiting. I got them to school at 10AM so only a couple of hours late. Shit happens

Anyway TTFN

Time to awaken the Giant within

This is a blog I wrote last night, which I spent ages writing, pressed the publish button, then I lost it all, by which time it was getting late, and didnt fancy the prospect of typing it all out again.



So here is the new improved version.



2010, has been a very stressful year, not just for myself, but several of my former colleagues, some friends and family. It has been one of the sorts of years where one thing has come after the other.



The year started off with a investigation in to my Former employer, this created lots of worry not only for myself, but most of my other colleagues, we were at the time a fairly close knit team, I actually regarded them as part of my extended family, but alas as the year progressed the more the worry was there at the back of our minds.



So the investigation destroyed that team, as the investigators turned everyone against the employer, and upon each other, not directly though. It was a case of divide and conquer on there part. Now in my opinion we were used like pawns in a chess match. As the months progressed the work place lots the atmosphere, I lost confidence in myself. It is a sad state of affairs when that happens.



All I can say is the whole affair cost me a relationship and several friendships, the damage has been done, and all I can do is work hard to heal the wounds and make 2011 a better year for all of us



I can remember just before the schools broke up back in July, driving that last school run, and thinking that this would be the last day I work with some of these people, some of whom I had worked with for the last 8 years. I was looking at the situation and thinking I need a change of direction, so in August I left.



I can remember standing in the yard after parking up my coach on my very last day, the night was a cool late august night, and I stood there look in to the sky, and it was still, for a brief second the noise of passers by and the traffic outside seemed to vanish, I was having a couple of flashbacks, as everywhere I turned in that yard brought a memory to my mind. Yes I will admitt that I was quite emotional, but I knew I had to make the move, start the next chapter in my life. After every end comes a new begining.

So I think about what I want out of life, and there is so much I want to do and see. The last year has put alot of things in to perspective, and I must not let the grass grow under my feet, the world is my oyster, or so they so. I am a unique person, who can make a valied contribution to society. I need to stop worrying about things, because life happens and things happen, it is a case of learning and improving everyday.

So on this note it is a case of watch this space, and I do know one thing, when I go I want to have lived a full life, we all have one life and we make our own personal Hell and heaven. We all go through tough times, when we think that we cant cope, but most of us get through it. It is part of building our own character.

One life, so lets live it, exorcise those demons, and most importantly of all lets exercise our freedom. anyway ttfn

Winter is well and truely here

Well it had to happen, subzero temperatures on friday, and we woke up to a covering of snow on Saturday morning, I was due to drive a coach trip for a sports fixture, but the job had been cancelled the previous day. I did have the bingo run to do though, which I do quite often on a saturday evening.

On my way to work I wisely decided to drive the route, and work out any problem areas, so I could have a word with my boss to work out an alternative if need be. In the end there was only 2 parts of the route which was iced up. I was down on numbers too, they had decided that it was probably unwise to leave the warm of their homes.

I have been listening to the news today and several parts of the country have experienced record temperatures, with Powys in Wales being the lowest at -18. The real test will be tomorrow when we all return to work after the weekend, and looking at the sky tonight as I write it looks like more of the dreaded white stuff is on its way.

Apart from working, I have been busy with lots of non bus issues this weekend, I am looking to make jan the 1st a completely fresh start for me, and hopefully will end a period of worry and stress that has been 2010, Hopefully my website will be launched on this day, there is a facebook page dedicated to the website, this will be revamped to coincide with the launch.

There are other promising things on the horizon, more of which later. till then ttfn

Another visit to Birmingham and cold weather sets in

As I write this piece Very cold weather is setting in and causing the temperatures to plummet. Some parts of the uk have seen snow, lets hope the councils have enough stock of roadsalt, we dont want a repeat of earlier in the year.

My journeys took me to Birmingham yesterday, where I had a photo session, quite an interesting variety ply the streets of the capital of the midlands, well Lots of Denns Darts, and Travel West Midlands buses, consisting of Dennis Tridents with Plaxton president and Alexander ALX 400, complete with etched windows, wonder why buses in big cities have etched windows, must be the urban inner city culutre.

In Nottingham the bus war continues, with the Red 4 service introduced by Premiere, wonder where they will go to next. Your bus keep adding to their fleet, with more Super pointer Darts entering the fleet, wonder if they will be purchasing some brand new buses in the near future. If they do will they be MCV bodied buses?? who knows, but I await the future of Yourbus with interest. So things are hotting up in Nottingham.

My own projects are ticking over, and I will be having a very busy weekend coming up, more of which later. I did have a job, for tomorrow which has now been cancelled, so I might catch up with the latest round of the competition, thats if I am allowed to, by the authorities,(thats a differant story),. I want to start building up a portfolio of non bus pictures, for reason that I shall reveal later. Anyway TTFN

24th November 2010

What a day, It was a day that saw me going down the motorway, only to turn round and come back, Why I hear you ask, Well it was a problem on the Motorway between J14 and J12. The problem was a combination of a break down and several accidents, mixed in with a large section of motorway having roadworks.
So it was a complete none productive day. Oh well. I'm off to Birmingham tomorrow, and again on saturday

The news of today has been marked with a hint of sadness, A second explosion has happened in the mine in New Zealand, unforunate news is that there is little hope of survivors, my thoughts go out to the relatives and loved ones during this distressing time.

Other news is that another protest has taken place in the captial, the cossers were ready and waitng for them, All I know is that the students are not happy, and feel sold down the river, to be honest the real people they want to vent the anger at is the big banks and venture capitalists who borrowed the country in to a mess in the first place. So students next time, go and smash the Lloyds building up. I was once told put a begger in the saddle and they will ride all the way to hell, very true for the new government. and I am sure quite a few Lib-Dem MP's feel like they sold their souls to Satan.

Anyway I am now off to bed now TTFN

23rd November

It is hard to think that with a week, it will be december and the run up to Christmas will be well and truely with us, Already the shops and shopping centres are covered in decorations, the Bavarian themed christmas market is under construction in Nottingham Market square, The TV adverts have developed a more christmassy theme, I suppose the Coca Cola ads with the convoy of trucks being driven by Santa Clause will be soon forced upon us. For the coach companies the Turkey and Tinsel themed holidays are well and truely underway.

The main news event is the forthcoming engagement of william and whats her face, with the wedding day set to 29th of April next year. A public holiday has been announced for the day and I suppose it is an extra day to have off work, and get rat-arsed in the pub. The jokes have already started as has speculation to when Charlie and that horse faced Sow, will take to the throne, I prefer the jokes to be honest.

The final few weeks of the year are set to be fairly busy for me, The website is taking shape, the bus is being progressed, and plans made for next year. It is going to be a better year, I know that for sure. My first outing of the year will be the King Alfred running day in Winchester. I have made the trip on a couple of other occasions, and found the event very enjoyable, My resolution for the new year will be to see more of my friends. It has been such a hectic year and I have not seen so much of everyone.

So there you have it. TTFN

My weekend Late November 2010

Well the weekend started off with Children in need night, which is basically a charity marathon, done to a variety show layout, presented by Terry Wogan, I didnt watch it, no cant stand those sort of programmes, so I watched UK gold, with some old episodes of Allo allo, Well I always find these a good laugh, and in true Calum sense of humour, no one escapes mocking, even the British have the piss took out of them. Cant believe they stopped making the programme about 20 years ago.

Saturday I was busy again, with picking my mum up from shooping, then popping to see Philippa, getting invited out for a coffee with her parents, then I had to get ready for work, which involved driving a 29 seater on some little jobs finsihing about half 11.

Sunday came, and I popped to the Leopard to do some work, I was supposed to be doing several other jobs, but you know how it is, nothing ever really goes to plan. didnt even get chance to photo anything. Still things are progressing, The bus will be back on the road one day. so there you have it.

It is hard to imagine that in a months time we will be getting ready to say goodbye to 2010, and see what 2011 brings.

This has been an interesting week, with talk of the Royal engagement, with calls for skipping Charlie to replace the Queen, and make William the next monarch, I dont really care to be honest, as I refuse to swear alliegence to the Royals, I am my own subject, I think that the only good thing they do is help the economy by encouraging Fat American tourists to book touring Holidays over here, to tour round London and Windsor on a Globus Gateway coach, in the hope they will see the Queen or one of her Corgi's. With out the Royals, the sales of tea towels and postcards with the Union Jack would plummet.

Tomorrow looks to be another busy day, but I will tell you all about it tomorrow. Till then take care.

Thursday 18th November 2010

Well as the dreaded C word looms, the advertisement become more intense, ready for the kids to start pestering their parents for those popular gifts which will probably run out of stock pretty quickly.

I was driving home and decided to have a listen to Air's Talkie walkie album, It is nice to have a variety of CD's, even though my good friend Philippa, thinks it is depressing. Well I have examples from the 90's britpop era, several Divine Comedy albums, and various other random stuff, Lady Gaga, Beyonce and that other tart who tried to have a yardie sound, Rihanna I think, have no place in my CD collection, nor does anything that has been marketed by Simon Cowell or any other of the X factor tosspots.

I rather enjoyed giving it a listen, however I then decided to have a listen to Zero seven's Simple things album. Now I still think it is their best album, and certainly one of the must have albums of the last 10 years, You can listen to it at home, or in the car and it is totally relaxing to listen to. It is what lazy sunday afternoons was designed for. The other 3 albums were good, but this one comes out on top, Cant really say it rocks, as it is not that sort of music.

Sometimes I find I will buy an album, listen to it once then leave it on the shelf for 6 months then have another listen, then really enjoy it. Like fine wines, sometimes music needs to mature. Then an album you bought years ago, will all of a sudden make sense, and reflect how your life is going, I found that a couple of years ago with The Divine Comedy's Regeneration Album.

The strangest album experience I went through was a couple of years ago, with Portisheads Third Album, which, describes how I felt, whilst I was going through a very difficult relationship break up, I sometimes listen to that album now and sometimes find it painful to listen to. The strange thing is it came out 2 weeks after my break.

Going back to DC's Regeneration album, I find it as one written by a guy how had lots of questions about life, society. One of the tracks questions religion, whilst the last track has a go at the control of peoples emotions and thoughts through the medium of glossy magazines. My particular favourite off the album, is Dumb it down. Which is making a comment of thought control by society, and the fact that if you think differant will brand you as a freak. As I keep saying, we are all differant, and we dont all have to follow the crowd and read the sun.

Thought I would share those thoughts with you, now I must get back to Reggie Perrin.

Wednesday 17th November 2010

Why is it, when you get to wednesday, you get the impression that it is a non-descript day. Well Monday goes quickly as you are busy getting in to the swing of the week, tuesday tends to go slow, as you are still getting used to the week. Thursday you begin to make plans for the weekend, Friday well you just want 5pm to come along, so you can let your hair down to enjoy yourself. Saturday you do your shopping or go out to buy clothes, and Sunday is for relaxing. The sort of day to put on a chill-out album, Zero seven, Stereolab, and so on in my case, shut out the world outside and just unwind, ready for Monday to come along again.

So we have wednesday, which is used by most universities as the sports day, which we dont know what to do with, even the tv networks dont know what to do with a wednesday, they put the crap programmes on. There was a time when the viewing was good, but not anymore.

I suppose years ago when I used to volunteer at the Heritage Centre, wednesday was the transport departments working evening, we met up, had a chat and got on with a bit of bus and coach restoration, or maybe chuck in a lorry or a car. Didnt matter what time of year it was, we all met up to have a working evening, Times change, work patterns change and we have to sometimes move on and get on with the things that are the priority.

So what else is going on in life today? well not alot really, the media is full of HRH Williams engagement to whats her face, well I'm not really bothered to be honest, I wish them all the happiness, but why should all the gutter press devote pages and pages of pointless toss to them. Maybe this country needs a royal wedding to lift spirits, to stop the peasants revolting? Who knows. I'm not really interested in what her former class mate thinks, nor will I pledge my alliegence to a family who's distant ancesstors took the country by force, and ruled the country under a tyranny for centuries afterwards, but while we have the Royals, we will have coach loads of american tourists travelling to Buck house in the hope that they might glimpse one of the queens corgi's. Still it brings money in the economy, so I suppose they have their uses.

More good news is that the Samalian pirates have released the British couple who had been held hostage, very good news indeed.

Well i'm just on local work for the rest of the week, then not sure what i'm doing at the weekend yet, Maybe more work on the Leopard, I also intend to move some stuff into the house at Long Eaton. anyway TTFN

Tuesday 16th November 2010

Well what can I say, this week has taken me to Birmingham, I had a wander it to the city centre, and headed for the Ian Allan shop, to see if there was any new releases, and to see if there had a copy of the new Buses Magazine, however the new copy was not out so I will have to wait till friday, oh well. At least it will be something to read, if I'm sent out on a job this weekend.

I saw a good selection of buses and coaches, on service in the city, but it was soon time to return my party back to Loughborough. Today I was Loughborough based workwise. More good news is that the Saxo is now back on the road, and I have sadly had to say goodbye to the truck I had borrowed. Still undecided about what I am going to do with the car, trouble is as I have said before, I have been through so much with the car. We will see what happens

I am making plans for the future, as I said 2011 is going to be better, not just for me, but for my friends, as it has been a year of worry in many ways, and just when the corner was turning for something postive to happen along would come the next spanner for the works. I feel lots of hard decisions will have to be made very soon.

The advertisements for the dreaded c word are well and truely underway. I sit and say to my self, "oh god" I am not the biggest fan of christmas, there are lots of reasons.

So there you have it, till next time then. One last thing before I go and that is to wish my good friend Simon a happy birthday, Have a few beers for me.

Sunday 14th November 2010

Well, I gather people have probably read my earlier posting, and I hope it was thought provoking, I noticed a couple of people on facebook had liked it, So it is working. This time of year is very reflective, the dark evenings are well and truely with us, and in just over a months time we will be celebrating Christmas, and going through that ritual. The followed by new years eve, then we start planning for the next year.

I intend to actually take some proper time off work and maybe have a proper holiday. The last time I properly went away was to France back in 1999, which seems so far away now, I stayed with my friend Malcolm in the little village of Raye Sur Authe, near the small industial town of Hesdin. I have temporarily lost touch with Malcolm, but I intend to get back in touch. It was a very nice time we had, and the month I spent out there went far too quickly. I went out there to escape the dole system, as I was sick to the back teeth of not being able to find work. It is comical but within a month of coming back from France I found work at Dunn-Line, and so began my adventures in the bus and coach industry.

My other plans are ticking over, the website will be in development before it goes live on January the first. Aswell as being a platform to show my bus and coach pictures, and chart my activities with the Barton Leopard, I also intend to have some forums where coach drivers can share information. As well as forums for enthusiasts. Exciting times and some of the ideas are being thought out. I will publish details on this page very soon.

2010 has been the year of lots of crap, not just for me but lots of friends, the economy of the country. probably all linked. This time last year involved lots of worry not just for me, but my work colleagues, and I am convinced to this day that the agency involved was used as part of a personal campaign against my former employer. Myself and my former work colleagues were used like pawns in a chess match. But that story is really for another time. At the mo I am waiting for the dust to settle first.

rememberance sunday

Hello again, today my adventures took me to Bedford yesterday, after which I did the Bingo run to Clifton, It has been kinda nice to use my left leg to drive.

As it is rememberance sunday, I am going to reflect on a coach trip I drove a few years ago for the VJ rememberance ceremony, this was held at Peterborough back in 2005, I volunteered for the job, and it was in the wheelchair coach, as we were carrying some vets who were wheelchair bound. The weather was nice and sunny, and I went fo a wander round Peterborough, doing things like photographing the local buses. I digress,

Anyway, I also watched the parade and realised that when it came round to the next VJ day, in 2015, most of the vets who took part would no longer be with us, quite a moving thought, We are all getting no younger, and some of the people on the bus had been POW's under the Japanese regime, and were thus mistreated in horrible ways.

No war is a pleasant thing to go through, but sometimes we need to fight to stop a tyranny in its tracks. All ready a dangerous situation is unfolding, there is the war on terror against Alquaeda, there is also the conflict in Gaza, with the Palastinians and Isreal, whos war crimes record is far from clean. The sad fact is while there is humanity there will be conflict. The quest for world peace will always be there too, and in an ideal world it would be nice, but this is a far from ideal world.

So please pay your respects today, today is for the fallen, the average citizens who took up arms to defend the country, the world infact from a tyranny whose ideas were based on the distorted views of one man, helped by other men who were happy to exterminate a race, because they deemed them as inferior. Many atrocities were committed during both wars. There are maybe lots more we dont even know about, and perhaps never will do.

Rememberance day

On the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918, a peace treaty was signed, bringing an end to the great war, which had seen many lives lost across europe, and the rest of the world. It was the first war that introduced new technology to warfare in the shape of tanks and aircraft, it was the first to use mustard gas. Many lives lost, then 21 years later war is again declared on Germany, this time under a fascist tyranny.

The story of both wars has been told many times over, but what about the people, the average person, the real unsung heroes of the war were the volunteers who signed up, the men and women who worked in the factories to keep things ticking over, then would do duties in the night such as firefighting, medics, making sure that the streets were blacked out. The farmers who fed the nation, the landgirls, the list goes on and on.

There are very few famlies who have not been affected by both conflicts, both directly and indirectly, there are now no veterans of world war 1, the last vet died only a few years ago, and the veterans of world war 2 are rapidly dwindling.

Out of my grandparents, all in their 80's, My granny was a Wren, my other Grandmother was a nurse, and my Canadian granddad was in the airforce, serving on Lancaster Bombers. My other Grandad, was a farmer, although a young lad at the time.

So I hope you all showed your respect today, and remembered the fallen.

Here is a very interesting fact, there is only one year year since the end of world war 2 when a serving solder has not died in conflict, and that is 1968. It is mind boggling if you think about it. Many lives have been lost on peace keeping missions.

I personally do not agree with the war in the Gulf, and I know that lots of people share my opinion, but you cant help but to respect the solders serving in these volatile countries.

Other things in life now, still not heard about the car today, but I intend to be mobile again by the weekend, working saturday, which will stop me going out and spending my money.

The government are proposing to cut the benefits of the longterm out of work, as with all of these ideas the wrong people will be targeted, whilst the sub human scum, who know how to play the system will get away with it. There were demonstrations in London yesterday, which turned in to anarchy, involving damage and forced entry to the tory party headquarters. Just a shame Cameron and George Osbourne were not in there, the pair of silver spoon wankers, I would love to see the anarchists get their mits on them, it would make great TV.

So there you have it, my be giving the bus a miss this week, well not going to have the time to spend on it this week. Right off to look at Ebay now talk soon

9th November 2010

So the radio station, Heart Fm was full of the usual celeb gossip crap, this time involving that self opinionated tosser Simon Cowell flirting with Cheryl Cole, Oh please I'm sure not every one wants to know, and I must admit I am proud that I have not seen X factor or any of those types of programmes, I know they are popular with lots of people, but watching one of those ghastly programmes is TV hell to me. besides I have better things to do, like go to work.



No news on the car front, but should be sorted for saturday, I am starting to look round for a replacement, as I have been through so much with the Saxo, so it will be difficult to say bye bye to the car. It is difficult to think that I bought it by accident, several years ago I owned a Mini for about a year, which turned out to be a mistake, it spent more time off the road than on, and although I loved it to bits the work required to keep it up to scratch and on the road was too much. I got a big long list of things that needed attention, and It sadly went for scrap. So I was looking round for a replacement, and I spotted the Saxo on the car lot. I thought it was out of my price range and well four years and 60,000 miles later I still have it. It was a shame I had to scrap the mini in retrospect, had I had a lock I think it could have been saved, but we live and learn.

There are no bus rallies for the near future, although my next one maybe the Ensign running day if it runs, but otherwise it will be the King Alfred running day, which is held in Winchester on jan 2nd, So I will be able to recover from Doms new year party, going to try and persuade Philippa to come along this year, as it was very good, and a good time was had by all, I remember the game of Wii bowling going on in to the early hours.

Well I am looking forward to the new year in lots of other ways, Several websites are due to merge under one umbrella, hopefully opening alsorts of avenues, including a spot of Journalism, It is my intention to attend bus and coach live, and hopefully Showbus will be dry. so heres to next year. roll on 2011

Monday 8th November

Well my Saxo is still off the road, hopefully some is looking at it in the next days or so, the timing of the car developing the problem is as usual bad, but that is how it works. It seems the problem is the spark plugs, but reading through some forum sites the sparkplugs are a bit of a bugger to get to, as they are at an angle towards the back of the engine.

I think it maybe time to start looking for a replacement, well I have owned it for nearly 4 years travelled lots of miles, it spent a couple of years going up and down the M5 to Bath to go and see Philippa, to be honest, apart from servicing and MOT's the car has not really stopped. So big decisions I think, Just wish it was 6 months down the line. 2010 has been a bit of a crap year really, but there have been some positive outcomes too. I am going to making damn sure 2011 is going to be differant,

So there we are, I am hoping that the car can be sorted quickly but we will see.

On a differant note I see the Queen has now joined the ranks of Facebookers. There must be few people around who havent got a facebook page, wonder if she will join Farmville, or be a regular on bejewelled. I have set up a facebook page for my website, which I will try out ideas, before launching them on to the site. Trying to pull all my sites together too so exciting times on that front.

Zen and the art of bus rallies and running a car

What a bloody disaster, i got up, got ready, got in the to pick Mr Bramley up, as I was approaching his house My car lost power, and sounded like a cross between a Volkswagon Beetle and a Subaru, mixed in with a tank and a 1950's motorbike. I pulled up and well, I knew the car could not proceed to Lincoln. We caught the bus to Nottingham Midland station after checking on the internet that there was a train at half 10, we proceeded to the railway station , to be told that the first train to Lincoln was at half 4 which was no good, enquires were made at National Express and the next bus to Newark was at 11:51, which if we were lucky to make the connection at Lincoln, would have got us there for half one. No good. So we reluctantly thought bollocks to this and adjourned to the pub, for a breakfast and a cuppa.

It turns out that a spark plug may be at fault, annoying as I was looking forward to the day. what was even more depressing was the fact we saw some exhibits going across Clifton Bridge. So there you have, I did not go to the ball.

Saturday turned out to be prductive, some seats were removed on the Leopard, the winter project is having a go at sorting the interior, but this might take longer than expected after sorting the car. I start work on the website very soon too, got lots of ideas and I hope that the launch date is 1st Jan, My first event of 2011 will be the King Alfred running day in Winchester which will be on the 2nd of Jan.

I must admit I am looking forward to the new year, as this year turned out to be a disaster in lots of ways, I must admit I've had quite a few sleepless nights during the year, and it has proved very taxing for some of my friendships with people, it has also hit me hard financially too. but where there is a will there is a way, I am working out a 2 year plan, and looking at lots of opportunites. I need to prove some people wrong too in the process but where there is a will there is a way, I will get there, I am determined. so watch this space. I am hoping to go to Ensigns running day in early December as my next event. so its a case of getting the car up and running. All I can say is shit happens.

Bon fire night

As I sit and write this I am being treated to the delights of a light show and lots of bangs, probably more at home in a warzone, It is a very sobering thought that, 400 or so years ago, a man decided that he was going to try and bring down a government and failed basically, He suffered a horrible death for high treason in the process, nowadays they just make them serve a sentance in Belmarsh. It is Ironic that that horrible evil preacher of racial hatred Abu Hamser,(probably spelt his name wrong, but who cares because he is a tosser), has won his appeal against being deported after his sentance. He would be stateless, well I have a solution, give him a new home, 900 miles out to sea, he would have to learn how to swim first.

Well on a lighter note, i'm off to Lincoln on sunday and I am hoping the weather will be good, I am going with my good friend Mr Bramley. So it should be a good a laugh.

In Leicester it is the Diwali festival, I would like to go and experience for myself one day, will have to wait til next year.

So tomorrow will be a busy day for the best part of it, but hopefully productive, might try and fit in a bit of photography, thats if it hasnt all of a sudden been made illegal. I would like to try and catch the recently purchased Gills travel bus. There is lots to see.

Right I look forward to giving you a report of sundays event, plus what every other adventures I get up to this weekend, as it is my last planned bus rally of the season, I can get on with my other projects, anyway TTFN

The week in retrospect

I have had a busy week so far, well no visit from the police regarding my photography in a public, so the said security guard was talking out of his backside, Just annoys me that my interest might be slightly differant, oh well I better conform, I better start watching X factor, come dancing, I might even start reading the daily mail and take every word as gospel. but then I think nah, why conform.

It has been the bus and coach exhibtion at the NEC this week, and as normal due to my own bad timing, I have been unable to attend, however my employer did, so they went armed with my little digital camera, Well they and the camera have been several times so I am yet to see the results, and I am rather looking forward to them. Harks back to the days of when I used to take the flims for processing and had to wait several days. I used to find the wait exciting, I know i'm a sad bastard, but I dont care.

Things are still quiet on the guy fawkes thing, it will be tomorrow night and the weekend that it will sound like a warzone.

So I'm going to sign off and get back to Reggie Perrin, I know exactly where he is coming from, We all get fed up with Normality every now and then. But why should we all conform with things, we are ourselves, we are all divine and spiritual people, we all have thought, and the power to change things anyway talk soon

well well well. 2nd of November

So it is the run up to the Guy fawkes, the man who set out to blow up Parliament, sometimes I think shame he never succeeded, considering the bunch of hooray heneries who are in power, today, mind you I didnt have a high opinion of the bunch before, anyway i'm digressing. One thing I have notice is the lack of bangs in the night in the weeks of the run up. I'm not complaining, just makes the place sound like a warzone.

One of the nicest sights I saw was one saturday evening driving back off a rag raid, and I was coming down the M1 from Sheffield or Leeds, and had the delight of continuous light show, well my passengers did, my eyes were on the road.

Well I have had more bother from busybodies who seemed offended that I was taking photos of vehicles, this time I was photographing buses and some security guard came out of the yard he was supposedly watching, and decided he was going to tackle me, anyway the jobsworth told me I was breaking the law, and the usual made up bollocks told by tossers who try and big them selves to make themselves look important, when all along they are failed policemen themselves. He also took my registration number and told me he was going to notify the police, well all I can say is I am waiting you wanker, they havent been yet. Fact of the matter is I was not breaking the law, and I am not following the masses by watching come dancing or X factor, nor am I going to drink myself to death then go for a fight in town. My middle right hand digit is firmly raised on this one. Some people.

Anyway on a lighter subject I will be going to Lincoln on sunday, to me it is more of a social event, but I enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing progress on the Bristol RELH coach, My good friend Simon Bramley will be coming with me, Philippa joined me last year, I think she enjoyed it, but I know it is not really her scene. Anyway I'm signing off for tonight, had my rant for now .

The need to question everything

Have you have been sat with a child or watched one and noticed that they are full of questions, full of wonder at the world around them, They ask questions that older people may find difficult to answer, and it is not out of spite that they do this, no it is out of curiosity, the need to find out about things.



A child goes to school to learn about things, such as basic English, Maths, Geography, basic woodwork skills, and many many more. That child is constantly seeking things to learn and taking things in. However At the end of the learning process alot of people stop questioning things, they just get on with life, go to work, get drunk at the weekend, watch the tv at night, and basically dumb it down. We are told how to live our lives, what to buy, what to eat and drink. We are even told that we need to go out and buy an even bigger plasma screen tv, most obey with out questions, providing they have funds. We are all told we are too fat, by the glossy magazines, and lad mags tell the boys that they need to be loud, and obsessed with sex, football, cars and lager.

Not alot of people question this, We dont say "hang on minute lets live life for our selfs", we dont question things that we dont agree with. No we follow things lemming like. So the next time we see an advert trying to sell us shit that we dont actually, just ask your self " Do I actually need or want this?" I am full of questions as are many others, but how many have the bollocks to ask these questions?

Right this has been a differant week, as the Leicestershire schools have been back, so I have been learning some new school routes, I am still enjoying things, and looking forward to where things will take me this week.

The clocks have now changed, so it will be darker evening, so it is now time for winter projects, I intend to have the website up and running in time for the new year, the reason for the delay is to iron out any problems, eventually this blog page, my fotopic page and several other things will be incorporated in to the main website, exciting times. Other projects will be the life story project, which is taking shape, covered my first 16 years so far, but I am looking up world events and popular tv programmes, so things can be put in to perspective. It still amazes me to look back at all the changes that have happened over the years.

My long term project will be the Leopard coach, which will progress, at the moment I am letting it dry out first, as it spent the last 9 years out in the open, it looks like the interior floor will be tackled first. so watch this space. My friend Simon is busy with his new project, which is a small railway layout, based on some run down sidings, in an urban setting. I am looking forward to seeing this progress too.

28th October

So it is now dark by 6pm, the nights are setting, it is only a few days before Halloween, which means once this is over then the shops are ready to promote the dreaded C word. Stars and snowmen will dangle from the ceilings of the shops, and the music will take on a christmassy theme. Shops will start to stay open later, the adverts have already begun to promote it, with the buy this buy that, the count down is on, and I absolutely hate it. The consumerists have really taken over this event.

I suppose you have 10 weeks of build up, then you get to Christmas Day, and by 5pm, when it has got dark, you are watching the highly repeated christmas special of Only fools and horses, for the umpteenth time, and you think, what the bloody hell was all this about. You crack open another can of beer, because face it the pubs are shut, and there is nothing else to do and you settle down to Harry Hills you've been Framed christmas accidents and cockups special, with the video of a christmas tree falling on a toddler, and the cat electrocuting itself on the christmas lights.

This time of year can be quite cosy, but it means that the long summer days of open road motoring are over. At this time of year I dont really want to wander too far away, so I am more than happy to do local work. Well with the Leopard now being undercover means I can get on with a bit of work on the bus, although Most work will be carried out in the spring,when the weather brightens up. My other winter projects for this year, will be to sort some photos for copying, which I can sell on and make some money for the bus, I also want to get on with writing more of my life story, maybe research some members of the family. This blog is on going project, oh yes there is the website too, which will be up and running by the end of the year, I promise.

So I have a busy winter ahead of me. It is a case of watch this space.

yes another blog, Got lots on my mind tonight

This is a continuation of my last blog, I have just been watching some youtube videos, one vid I came across was a protest held in 2009, by some people. It was about the police having powers to stop people and even arrest them for taking photographs, if they suspect them photographing buildings, vehicles, and policemen. And yes it is all in the name of the fight of terrorism, privacy, data protection, and what any other reason they can think up.

Ok, lets look at a scenario, someone who is going to launch a terror attack is not necessarily going to carry an SLR camera, they are going to use something like a camera phone, something which nearly everybody owns, I've had several over the years, but I dont really use it. I take photos because I enjoy the hobby, My camera accompanies me on most of my trips out, you have seen some of the results on here, and my photographic adventures site which I have run for the last couple of years. I am more than happy for people to see my work, and I know i am no David Bailey or Lord Lichfield, but that is not why I do it. I suppose I am getting fed up with lots of things that have happened over the last decade or so. But one thing is for sure I am not giving up.

So there we have it. I am going to leave my story about my experiences of 2010 for until the 2nd of November, It is the anniversary of something, that became very stressful for alot of people, broke up a good team of people by trying to pitch them against each other by a member of an agency that is paid for by the tax payer, No I am not going to say any more. I dont want a lible case on my hands. I am not scared to speak out either. Yes this year has been stressful and costly. I am pleased that I moved on in the end, and yes I am counting down the days until 2010 turns into 2011. I am now going to mention some very special people to me, who have been there through thick and thin, I appreciate everything they have done for me, it is unfair to name names, They all know who they are, all I can say is thank you for being there, through my moments of self doubt, the times I felt like giving up.

Happily I can say I am getting my fight back, one reason I am writing this, none of us can give up on things we feel passionate about, I dont even mind if after reading my blogs you come to the conclusion that you do not agree with me, it is your opinon, your right to independant thought. We have enough attempts at control by mass media, and companies trying to sell us shit we dont really want or need. I can remember one golden rule that drives people when doing deals and that is the greed factor, we can all be guilty of that. Anyway enough for tonight, stay tuned for my next blog, lets hope someone upsets me or a news story, fires me up to write something.

27th October 2010

I had an interesting conversation, today with some drivers, and the topic got on to an old operator, who had set up with the best intentions, then bought a coach, which didnt suit the business, and it bankrupted the business. This is a common mistake made by many operators, who do things with the best intentions.

I suppose I sit and listen to these sort of conversations, it fascinates me. I suppose the best way to start is by buying a couple of motors, get enough work for them, and gradually grow from there. Many tend to expand too quickly aswell, say start with a couple of motors and within 6 months they have grown to 5 coaches. Alot of operators tend to chase the same sort of work, such as a big contract with a university. Now I know is some ways the coach industry is contracting, but, there is work out there, its just a case of finding a niche. Yes Schools and contract work is going to be the bread and butter of of most operators, the only problem is when you get an operator, who pays cash in hand wages, does the job for ridiculously low prices, runs old bangers, which should not be on the road in the first place.

The problem is alot of councils are cash strapped, so rather than look for a quality operator, who are reliable, and provide a good service. Nope the cowboys say they will do it alot cheaper, provide poor service with poor vehicles and the council wonders why they get so many complaints.

If you remember a few weeks ago, I touched on the differance between coach drivers and bus drivers. Well talk to an old coach driver about coaches he/she drove over the years, and they will happily tell you all about those vehicles. Even get misty eyed, as if those vehicles were their own. Yes alot of coach drivers do take pride in those coaches they drive, and why not if you are going to spend alot of time with that vehicle.

A Question?????

For tonights post I am going to keep it short and sweet, it is not one of my antisystem rants that call the government a bunch of useless tossers, thats for another time,.

SO here goes, how many of us can say we are truely happy? lets look at it this way, you can have a nice car, several thousand pound in the bank, live in a big house, have all the latest gadgets and so on and so on. Does all this make you happy? As a race we all want more, that latest gadget, the newest shiny car and so on.

Ok look at the small child who is content with the box to play in, the cat playing with a bit of fluff it has found on the carpet. They seem content. I know people who look down their nose at me, I work as a coach driver, drive an old car, I dont have a lot of money, well not the thousands stashed away, but I have my friends I have my health. I really enjoy my job, what more do I want?

I think humans are jealous lot, they are a greedy lot too, always wanting more, and yes I am guilty of this. So I drive either my old car, or my coach I look at the miserable driver of the Merc or the BMW and I actually say I am richer than you.

So go on when you stop reading this, sit down and ask your self that question, before getting back to watching the telly, or filling in the lottery form.

So go on ask yourself, Iam I truely happy?

the answer is within you.

Reflections and the loneliness of a coach driver

I spend lots of time behind the wheel, It makes you think when you drive many miles on a motorway, it beats counting the white lines, and the things you see whilst out on the road, the responsiblity of the safe carriage of the passengers. The hours can be sometimes long and you dont get much of a home life, you dont see your friends often. But I wouldnt change it for the world. Where else do you get to travel and get paid for it. My only gripe is the low wages in comparison to other industries, but most enjoyable jobs are low pay. Just think if the wages in the coach industry were better then it would be the best job in the world.

Those who read my outburst of yesterday maybe wondering what was goin through my head, but I am going to make one thing clear, I am not making any apologies, my opinions, if you dissagree then good, that is your right to. I suppose, I am getting fed up of a lot of things in life, like the large number of shows like X factor, that come dancing thingy, soap opera's. Some comedy shows, I just feel they are forcing alot of us to dumb it down. After all what happened in life before this shit, that is broadcast on a Saturday night. No wonder I dont mind working saturdays, or choose to go to the pub. What happened to the art of conversation? it was lost many years ago.

Last week I briefly wrote about my generation, as we all move towards our mid 30's, not young but not grumpy old people yet, just the 30 somethings, maybe best name is the starwars generation. I was watching a programme tonight about Alan Sillitoe, and his highly popular, book, Saturday night, sunday morning. The programme showed scenes of the demolition of old Radford, I must admit I was born at the backend of the regeneration of parts of Nottingham, such as St Anns, Radford, the Meadows, Basford, etc. I missed the sights of the squalied living accomodation that was swept away, for then modern living accomodation. I can just remember the Balloon Wood flats before they were demolished. I might actually read the book one day, as it provides a snap shot of working class life, where people worked hard all week, and the highlight of the week was to go out on the saturday night, to get drunk and shagged.

One of my many projects I have on the go is my life story, now some people say I am not famous enough, bollocks, we all have a story to tell. Most people dont have the guts to write down their experiences, the things they have seen in life. I also have a long term project which is the story of failed love, what happens when you have it all, then for some reason you drift apart, until the day when both people move on and find new love, even though the flame is still burning inside. Again semi autobiographical, I do find this one very difficult to write, so it is shelved at the moment, besides, I have a website to set up, a bus to restore and many many other things I want to do, before I do become a winging old bastard, whose highlight of the day is going to the cafe or the day centre, perrish the thought.

Anyway on the that bombshell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012 the NWO, plus anything else I want to rant about

Going through some website, watching the media, even some songs have 2012 on their minds, along with The global conspiracy theories involving freemasons and the illunminati. The real reason for the attacks by Bin Laden et al, So here are my thoughts on the subject.

As a society we are under constant surveillance, be it to watch out for terror activity, keep crime off the streets, control the masses, Sometimes it does not matter which way we all turn there will be a camera watching us. So the people having a crafty fag outside, eating a sandwich, or the young couple showing a public display of affection, you are all being watched. Who watches the watcher? I know I work hard and pay my taxes for a man in a control room to watch what we are all up to. We when my car was broken in to some time ago, where was you then?, probably gone for a piss or to make a cuppa.

I touched on Traffic Wardens being given a new title as Civil Enforcement Officers, Now this really does sound like something out of George Orwells 1984 novel. The word "Enforce" has totalitarian overtones.

Talk to any religious person, or anyone who believes in the Illuminati/NWO, they will say big things are going to happen in 2012, why does it have to happen in this particular year. It will only happen if society lets it. That is how all regimes come to power, because people let it happen, through complacency. Adolf Hitler only really rose to power because the economy of Germany was in ruins, the rule of the Kaiser was in tatters, they wanted someone who was going to lead them and make the nation great again, Hitler sold them his dream and they lapped it up. It is differant in Britain, because there is a centre point which allows them to gain power. Thats why The BNP would never get in, they would have to move that far to the centre to make them electable that their ideals would lose there meaning.

Some people are greedy, and it amuses me that in the 1980s, the Americans and British to a degrees funded a Guerilla Militia lead by a man called Osama Bin Laden, to fight Communist Russia in Afganistan, because it suited them, the fight was against communism. Like wise we helped Iraq during the 1980's by providing them with weapons. Iraq invaded Kuwait, which had a large amount of oil fields so Bush and Thatcher had to intervene, By coincidence the Bush family seem to have shares in lots of oil companies, hmmmmmmm.

So Bin Laden turns on the Americans once the russian threat was over, which lead to the attack on the world trade centre,( there have been claims that this was an inside job, but the jury is still out as far as i'm concerned), and the pentagon. These were true attrocities, lots of lives lost all in the name of a distorted idealology. The knock on effect was the invasion of Iraq, by Bush junior, and guess what, he and half of his cronies were shareholders in lots of oil companies. Both conflicts have cost lots of lives, with war crimes on both sides, some have been exposed on a whistle blower site.

Again things have happen because we have let them happen, been duped into it by a war monger. As far as I am concerned the four biggest causes of conflict in the world are Religion, Money, politics and power. well all four have been involved so far. I do have alot of wealth, I am not religious, I detest politicians, and as an individual I have little power, but do you know what I am free with my ideas and thoughts, I like people disagreeing with me, and arguing their point, after all this is what many individuals have been sent to theirs deaths to fight for, I dont want that jeopardising, I pay my taxes, I work hard, so if I want to call the government a bunch of wankers then I am within my rights to do so.

Rant over, time to get back to X factor, and other programmes we watch because there is nothing better to do. I prefer to meet my friends and go to the pub. One last thing though, I do feel the people who go on some sites to spread the message of conspiracy theories are only helping to spread the hysteria, so David Icke, Alex Jones et al, you may be helping those you want to expose indirectly. We should all live life and stop worrying about the after life, When I die and find out heaven may not exist then I will have been happy that I lived my life for me, not neccessarily doing the right things but the experiance will be there. Talk soon

More travels for me, a bit more mileage on the clock

Well today, I have been to Bicester Village, which is basically a posh open air shopping arcade full of posh sound designer boutiques sell over priced goods for the Porsche Cayenne driving OK YA brigade. Well to buy half the goods you have to re-mortgage the house, anyway, I thought bollocks to this and caught the bus in to Oxford.

Well took lots of pictures which will appear on my fotopic site indue cause, As I write this I am sat watching Micheal Mcintyre and thinking what a twat. Well he is ok in small doses, but I think the Ego is way up there in the clouds, narrowly missing a spy plane and the mir space station. Still people like him and the masses count. I suppose as I keep saying I am not a Lemming.

Walking round the Shopping village today reminded me of the Zombie movie which is set in a shopping centre. Well all the people wandering round aimlessly from one shop to the next could well have been zombies. Slaves to consumerism, dont get me started. To get some food involved queuing up for ages in Pret a Manger or Starbucks to pay a fiver for a sandwich and a cup of coffee,(well I had a coach drivers voucher so didnt have to pay), and in the process I had people pushing in front, I stood there thinking what is the rush, when is the rapture happening, why is there a panic. Anyway the Scania behaved again, which is good.

So I have busy day tomorrow lets see what that brings. anyway talk soon.

21st and 22nd October 2010

Well She moved today, and very hope in her new home, the move went very smooth. Who am I on about? you may wonder. I'm on about the Leopard. The interior has been swept out, and the seats treated with Febreeze, Carribean Paradise, so it smells like coconut. It now lives in a shed with 8 other buses, with another Barton classic parked in front. Thanks to Simon, Phil, Dougie and Ian for their help.

So bus matters to one side, what else has happened in my rather strange little world I hear you ask? Well not alot really, The schools have been off in Leicestershire so no school runs, although I did a Nottinghamshire school that crosses the border in to Leicestershire, and I found it a pleasant change. Next week I am learning some more runs, so all good. I'm off to Bicester tomorrow in the Scania, so what I am thinking is once parked up, I will catch a bus in to Oxford and do a bit of photography. Not sure what I'm doing sunday, but might have a day off buses.

Well the problems are still occuring in France, well they know how to have a riot, and the country is just getting to grips with the cuts, some people have dubbed it Thatcher Mk2, one thing is for sure, I dont think things will improve, but that what you get, when the governments since WW2 are living beyond their means. For the record I dont support any political party and I hold them all with the same level of contempt, as they are all good at buggering things up

One interesting bit of news I picked up on radio 4, was that Califonia is having a voted on the legal cultivation of marijuana, now this is interesting, and got me thinking it was legalised then lots of problems would be solved. I dont smoke at all, so I would not affect me, but it does seem peacefully yet illegal, Alcohol, is perfectly legal, but has negative affects when used to excess. Alot of the night time violence is usually alcohol related so draw your own conclusions. anyway nuff said. See you all soon.

Wednesday August the 20th

Captains log, Start date....... Sorry been watching a bit too much Startrek recently. Well the motion picture, which is about the same age as me, As is Halloween and Alien. Well I have decided to go and watch Saw 3D, the idea of images of chainsaws and powertools coming at you rather amuses me. It also amuses me that shops are really taking to the Halloween marketing. Cadburys have joined in by reworking the Creme egg, by having the middle snot green, and calling them screme eggs.

Anyway, I have a short day at work tomorrow, followed by a visit to see Philippa. Friday will involve the Leopard moving inside to dry out, before work commences in ernest. The prospect of working outside on the vehicle, lost its appeal sometime ago, and this coincided with the fact work became very busy, to the point that on my days off, I just wanted to chill out and meet my mates, I also didnt want to see a bus on days off. A few issues have come to light, such as it leaks like a cullinder, but show me a Plaxton Elite that doesnt.

Off to the other, great University city this week, as I will be going to Oxford, well Bicester, but I think I will be catching the bus in to Oxford, My companion,(ie the camera), will be going with me. Its been a while since I last paid a visit. Well there are some buses and liveries on my shopping list. namely Thames travel.

Well the weather today has been chilly, and has matched the feeling of the mini budget, I'm sure George Osbourne has been busy sharpening his axe. Well I suppose it will all be out in the wash tomorrow. As long as they dont interfere with my job. We will see. so there we have it, another day over. Bye for now.

Today, as in 19th October 2010

It has been an interesting day today, I did a bit to the Leopard in preparation for its move inside. the inside was cleared off and the fitting and seat cushions were put into the container. I've had a few days off work, due to The Grammer school having half term and the Leicestershire schools being off school. I got news today that the bus war between, Wellglade is going to get tasty, its a case of watch this space.

Well it is D-day for lots of government departments and council workers, as the axe is likely to swing, meaning more out of work. It looks like lots of things are catching up with the Nation. We cant blame the previous administration for the problems. No we blame all administrations going back to world war 2. Although in the late 1940's alot of the industries were Nationalised, and probably done for the right reasons. However industries such as the railways, or in particular the infrastructure suffered underinvestment for many years. This resulted in some terrible rail disasters, such as Hemel Hempstead, and Ladbrooke Grove. As a result Network rail had to ugrade lots of miles track.

On a last note I got news today that my former employer had been to court and received a large fine. As is expected I received lots of messages on facebook, plus several telephone calls. I think it is time to move on. It might be time to write my blog I have been going to do for a while. I am letting the dust settle first. I want to find out more info first. So hopefully ends a bad year. with any luck positive things will happen. It is hard to think it is nearly a year since I was driving the school swim run on the fateful day that Bellamys was swooped, it has been a rollercoaster since.

The thoughts of a Generation.

Ok, lets consider a particular generation of people, born in the late 1970's. We are not necessarily the Starwars generation, but it did have a huge influence on our lives.

So what have we seen in that time? Lets look at me, just for a second, I was born in September 1977, in the aftermath of Elvis Pressley's death, infact his very last song was at number, the best selling cars of the time were the Ford Cortina. Technology wise a computer, filled a room and had lots of tape reels to record the information. Ipods the internet and Facebook were not even thought of. Infact the Internet probably did exist, but it was for military computers to communicate.

So what did we see over the years, well the down fall of a government, and a new one coming in. Thatcher came to power during this time, and Britain was getting over action by the unions, The winter of discontent. The country was in a mess, not necessarily caused by the previous government, but they were on the receiving end of a lot of the unrest.

During these early days, Computer games have come a long way, from 2 sticks playing tennis, to the Hitech games of today.

Music has really developed during this period, and our generation has seen many differant genres, from the Disco of the late 70's through to new wave and cheese from the 1980's, which came out of Stock Aitken and Waterman factory of music.

We started off with 3 tv channels in the late 1970's, now we have literally hundreads to choose from. I can remember Channel 4's start up, with the introduction to the world of the Tube and Brookside. Feel free to comment, our generation was born in the 1970's, went to school in the 1980's and entered the real world in the 1990's. Many of our generation have had children who are well in to their schooling, We are not exactly young, but we are not old. we are the 30 somethings, Maybe we are the Britpop generation, the children of Thatcher. We are the ones who will pay for the babyboomers to play. Who knows.

All I can say on the matter is The changes I have seen in my lifetime so far have been amazing. To witness the collaspe of commuinsm, the reunification of Germany, the Liberation of east Europe from Soviet rule. The end of the cold war, which had the threat of mutually assured destruction. This has been a time for joy and a time for tears, as we have had the 1990's wars in the Balkans where atrocities were committed. Just hope future generations will learn the lessons.

We have seen atrocities committed in our own country, where several individuals blew them selfs up all in the name of a distorted idealology, which started off by the destruction of the world trade centre in New York.

in this period the world has shrunk, with Globalisation of commerce. so lets see what will happen in the next 30plus years, and just think we will all be nearing retirement, then we can moan and cause havoc. Heres to the future.

The Nottingham Bus War

Pictured here are the three buses involved, There is Trent-Barton who run the green buses, the Optare Solo is in the Premiere Travel fleet, who is competing along the corridor with the Red 2 service, and Finally The red Dennis Dart, belongs to Wellglade subsiduary Midland General, and runs under the Bargain bus branding, run at 50p a ride. The cheapest this corridor has been in atleast 20 years I think.

So the story is Trent Barton had served the route for many years providing a quality service.

Enter Premiere travel who was established in 2002 as a Small contract operator. in 2007 they entered the local service market under the localbus branding, gaining lots of shopper routes previously served by Wellglade company Notts and Derby. Within a year they were competing with Wellglade on the Nottingham -Bingham corridor.

In October 2010, they launched the Cotgrave route again competing with Wellglade, and are due to launch the Red 4 in November 2010, again competing with Wellglade on the Nottingham Sandiacre corridor. So there you have it. Things are hotting up and getting very tasty indeed, dont know who the real winners of the war will be, but there will be some casualties.