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Winter Convoy of Humanitarian Aid 2008
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Sunday 12th October 2008
HGV's
The HGV's on Saturday spent about 6 1/2 hours crossing into Serbia from Hungary then over-nighted near Subottica. Between Subottica and the hotel, NIBSY had a rear inner blowout which took about 45 minutes to fix - many hands make light work. They then made an early start this morning driving at first in thick fog and arrived at the Serbian / Kosovo border at 1415 and through the border post in 3 hours (we think it is a record). The customs officials at both borders were very helpful!
These crews are now settling into the hotel in Pristina and tomorrow will start unloading.
7.5 tonners
C-dog truck would not start this morning! It was checked by Antony, who thought the ignition switch was causing the problem as everything else appeared fine. The truck was started with the aid of a tow. Brunch (a traditional fry-up) was served by Chas and Bev, and was enjoyed by the crews. While the convoy was stopped in a lay-by, the motorway police arrived to ensure that all vehicles had paid the compulsory motorway toll tax. All trucks had the required equipment called a "go-box" but they had not been activated. This was sorted out amicably with the authorities!
This evening this part of the convoy have stopped just south of Budapest, Hungary, for a much needed rest after a long day.
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Saturday 11th October 2008
HGVs
The HGV part of the convoy were very pleased with their progress from Vlissingen to Assotthalom, which is about 40km from the Serbian border. Their driving time was 25 hours in total. Today, they were hoping to get through the Serbian border as swiftly.
7.5 tonners
This part of the convoy reunited last night and made an early start at 07.45, getting into Germany a few hours later. The truck named Oliver Cromwell again had problems, this time with brakes sticking. At lunchtime, further problems arose with the same truck, when the steering failed. Bernie and Charles went to a nearby village and managed to get some hydraulic fluid, and the gallant knight in shinning armour, Anthony with his knowledge and skills, was able to get the truck back on the road again. All are well. This evening the crews have stopped overnight in Germany, between Wurtzberg and Nurnberg at a truck stop.
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Congratulations to Tom and his family on the early arrival of his first grandchild, a girl, born at lunchtime today to Nikki, 5lbs 3.5ozs! She obviously couldn't wait till Granddad got home!! In celebration, Tom has bought the entire crew in the 7.5 convoy a drink.
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Friday 10th October 2008
HGV's
Last night the HGV section of the convoy stopped at Haag am Hausruck in Austria. All is going well and they plan to stay at Assotthalom, in Hungary, a regular stop for them. Already they are a day ahead of their usual schedule, and looking forward to some goulash and a beer!
7.5 tonne trucks.
The convoy of 7.5 tonne trucks has been divided and there is now an advanced crew and three trucks following. This was because one of the trucks from Cambridgeshire, "Oliver Cromwell", had a clutch problem needing it to be replaced.
The advanced crew caught the 3.20pm ferry from Dover to Calais and have now stopped at Jabbeke, Belguim for the night. They are all refuelled and ready to set off promptly in the morning. Oliver Cromwell has been fitted with a new clutch, so the three following trucks caught a later ferry and will meet up with the advanced crew later this evening. When at the port of Dover, an ex-bank manger on the convoy, delayed the convoy by 40 minutes whilst trying to collect currency for the trip. It appears that Bank Managers do not have a good credit rating at the moment!!
There has been good publicity about the convoy on local radio stations, with many listeners wishing the convoy well.
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Thursday 9th October 2008
Three heavy goods vehicles left as planned on the Winter 2008 convoy to Kosovo. After a smooth overnight crossing from Dagenham to Vlissingen in Holland, they arrived on Thursday morning planning to drive across Europe with their load of food and humanitarian aid. All going well so far.
Meanwhile the remaining nine 7.5 tonne trucks finished their loading and are prepared to set off on Friday. These crews are based in Berkshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, and Surrey and will meet up in Kent with the Maidstone Radio Club to install radio communication systems.
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So, it's the week before convoy, what's happened??
Well firstly the 'big rigs' in the 1st wave all got off OK on Wednesday, and at 20h20 this evening (Thursday) had just parked up for the night in Austria for a beer or two. 'Mr Flibble's' (40 ton artic) radio isn't working (yet again!), but apart from that, all running smoothly, and they hope to reach the border of Kosovo on Saturday.
Hannah Lane (who is new to the convoy) has done a fantastic job on the media front with many of the teams around the country appearing on local radio, TV, and in their local newspapers, and media websites - thanks Hannah, your hard work on this is much appreciated and its great to get Kosovo back in the news. Last Sunday Chas 'Robin Hood' (including co-driver Bev!) featured on BBC Essex and will have a live broadcast from Kosovo in two weeks time at 8am in the morning (UK time). Simon 'Brother Bear' is also feeding back regular updates to BBC Cambridge Radio and will also do a live interview. The same for Hannah, and many others in the team. Other Convoy starlets that we know about include Coxy, Dawn Veal and Donna Leach.
Going back on some of this week's notable events:
Saturday - a special journey by Bill to Hullavington near Chippenham at the weekend to off-load more of his goods on to the 40 tonners.
Tuesday saw the loads of 'Robin Hood' and Bill Nelson's 'Nibsy' being re-jigged to adjust and balance truck weights, and accommodate all the extra wonderful items we have received this time around (thanks to everyone who continues and newly supports us in Essex). The Green Cards that been expected didn't however arrive.
On Wednesday at 09h30 the duplicate insurance Green Cards had still not arrived, despite the fact that Chas had once again 'requested' (rather more forcefully) that they be sent by 'guaranteed delivery before 9am. (the insurance company had gone to great pains to get them to us by paying for special service delivery). Chas eventually tracked down the package and was told by the local sorting office that it was on it's way being delivered by a postman who was short and balding, and in a red transit van, who we could find in one of seven streets in Wickford! … and so Nibsy did!....
This week also saw the acquisition of spare wheels for four of the trucks, and snow-socks, (yes don't laugh, they are the latest technological advance from snow chains) to cope with any snow en-route. (we learnt our lesson at Easter) These have now arrived and are all packed and ready to be distributed tomorrow at Maidstone services, along with the convoy clothing goods from Johnie 'One Taff' Evans - thanks Johnie. Lorry stickers from PKM - thanks Alan for your ongoing support and of course the most important item is loaded on Robin Hood - ingredients for a big 'greasy spoon' breakfast a la Chas!
Thursday - While all crews have no doubt been loading and sorting out last minute packing, Chas has been pounding away at the computer and on the phone to finish off and print the miles of paper that is needed to get through all the border and customs bureaucracy inside and outside the EU. Insurance arrangements have been re-negotiated and agreed (very reluctantly), driver packs have been completed, last minute errands done………..
……………and now, off to get some sleep…………….zzzzz… ….. well in a few hours!!!
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