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Tuesday 6th October 2009. We're underway!
I'd hoped to send this email at the weekend, before the first truck departed, but alas…………….too much to do and parents Diamond Wedding anniversary.
William and Helen (radio name Hello Kitty) departed today in the first of the HGV 40 tonners, via Dover P & O - they have both come back from living and working in China to drive the truck that they are fully financing, so we are massively grateful and wish them a safe journey - William is single-man driving. They had a two hour wait at Dover while Customs had to get clearance from Manchester…….why, we don't yet know, but I'm on the case.
The other two artics and Bill's 18 tonner are away tomorrow via Ford at Dagenham - LEZ dealt with - hopefully a smooth departure with Paul on the morning sailing, and the other two on the evening sailing - Roddy is flying to meet them in Vlissingen. Safe trip all! See you in Kosovo
Preparations during the past few weeks have been as challenging as ever (no such thing as a problem!) but magnified with the extra effort of filling the third artic - a really great team effort with logistical support from Paul, our new Logistics 'Director'!!! - among other things, the postal strike threatened our receipt of Green Cards and insurance cover notes, but we managed to overcome that problem. The UK Customs changed their computerised export processing system again, and threw in a few challenges that I think we've overcome, but we won't actually know for sure until the HGV's exit Hungary……fingers firmly crossed.
Graham Crame very unfortunately can't now come with us, because of a medical problem. He's fine and back at home after a few days in hospital last week, and pretty gutted that he had no choice but to drop out at the last minute………..but hopefully we'll get him back again next Easter. Graham, is instead going to be our UK back up man, although hopefully we won't need to call him!!
Some of you will remember John (Wobbly) Williams who has stepped into the breach and will be taking Grahams place to look after and give his undivided attention instead to co-driver Tricia!
The rest of the convoy of 9 x 7.5 ton trucks are departing on Friday - As Alan said in a previous email, we'd like everyone at the M20 Services Junction 8, no later than 11am please, but if you can get there for 10 am all the better. Ian (Maidstone Radio) and the radio guys will be there to meet you, and will immediately set about your truck to install and check radio equipment. Please if you are going to be late, will you ring Alan or me to advise us?
You'll have seen the emails about 2 hour parking restriction at the Services - I've been there today and the Manager has told me that if we need a little bit more than 2 hours that's not a problem - the cameras and the charges have always been there, so presumably we've not had to stay longer than 2 hours before or we would have heard - however, please will you try not to arrive much before 10am because I've promised that we will still try to stay within the two hour limit - our backstop may be to move completed trucks down to Dover, but going together gives us a chance to practise convoy routines and radios. Alan (ably assisted by Vanessa) will be the journey leader to get us to Kosovo safely and on time, but more of that, and other responsibilities on Friday.
Steve has got the airborne crews in shape - Dave LR is flying out on Friday, Alan Eldred on Sunday, everyone else except Anna and Miranda on Monday, and they arrive next Wednesday. Roger and Chrisna Wilson are driving direct from Montenegro and arrive this coming Saturday.
All I need to do now is finish work, catch up with weeks of emails and post, finish the paperwork and insurance, get Robin Hood ready, and …………………deal with the next challenges! (Bev currently has her feet up!)
Any problems with anyone, please feel free to call or email - otherwise, we'll see all the drivers on Friday, and all the airborne crews in Kosova, as and when you arrive.
Safe journeys
Chas
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