Met Lyndon & Jan

I rang Lyndon to have a chat about the mentor trip on Tuesday, he invited me to his house for a Sunday lunch (after 21/2 weeks of burgers and fries how could I say no lol). Lyndon and his lovely wife Jan picked me up from the Sandman hotel and took me for a drive around Raymond. It's a small town but very nice and no yobs on the corners of the streets. They showed me around their house which has 5 bedrooms & I met Luke their son. We sat down to a roast dinner and spent the rest of the night chatting about their move to Canada and how much they love it over here. We also chatted about ways of saving money when you're out and about in a truck & where to get the free showers and coffees when you fill up with fuel. I stayed the night in their guest room, I have been finding it hard to sleep since I've been here & I fell alseep as soon as my head hit the pillow. In the morning I had a very bad headache and I didn't feel too well, Lyndon and Jan got within 200 feet of H&R to drop me into work then they had to stop and let me out where I was sick!! They dropped me back to the hotel & it seems there is a nasty bug going around. I spent the rest of the day on the bed asleep. I woke up at about 7pm. Later on I had a shower & I have made a number of complaints as one minute the waters boiling & the next freezing. I had just covered myself in soap when it turn burning hot I moved out of the way pretty sharpish but I lost my footing and fell backwards through the shower curtain I hit my bad arm and head on the side where the sink is and landed on my back on the floor if it wasn't for the shower curtain slowing my fall down I could of been really hurt but as it is it's only my arm that hurts a bit (yeah ok you can stop laughin now)!!

couple of pics of me driving look how empty the roads are

Saturday

I asked if there was any work to be done & I was offered a run up to Calgary with a new Freightliner Cascadia now how could I say no to that! It was great, at long last I was out in a truck driving in Canada. I had to pick up my ol' mate Eddie from a hotel in Highriver and take him to Calgary so he could pick up a truck. Then we both bobtailed to High river to pick up 2 trailers heading for California. The laws in California are a bit different than the rest of America so we had to set our axles and weigh the trailers. Then off to Lethbridge where we dropped the trailers in the yard and picked up 2 others to go to a place called Brooks. We didnt know where we were going but we did have a sat nav yeah great (not)!! The poxy thing took us into the town to a post box in the post office! (I bet you cant guess what I said next lol). If you think that was bad it gets worse, I went round a tight bend at nr Jackknife Point & the springs that hold the air lines up stretched too far and the lines dropped between the wheels! Then after near hitting my my nose on the windscreen in the middle of the road the truck stopped at the lights, I got out & saw the lines wrapped between the wheels (I bet you can't guess what I was thinking lol) yep you're right (you lot know me too well)! I made a call to H&R and waited for someone to come and help . This guy turned up within 15 minutes & within 30 minutes I was in his work shop with the truck fitting new hoses... now thats what you call service. All the time Eddie was sat behind me because I had no lights. After the guy fixed the truck he told me he saw us driving in the town he said he was going to stop us and tell us we are in the wrong place but he said he was in a rush to get home. I said if you had stopped us and told us you would be in bed now and not fixing a bloody truck late at night! which we both laughed at. We stayed at his yard for the night which was next door to where we wanted to be so in a roundabout way he did show us where to go lol. Next day we did the trailer swap with couple of other H&R drivers. But it was a great chance to get behind the wheel. Take out all the hold ups (Ed lol) I had a good time and enjoyed myself, as for driving in Canada it was one of the best things I have ever done no traffic and beautiful sights, I'm happy :-)

A big thank you to everyone for the nice comments

Thank you for the nice comments. I am sat in my hotel room now waiting on a possible trip over the mountains to British Columbia. If the trip comes off I will be going tomorrow and should be back Monday. I will be going out for 2 weeks with Lyndon (so I can get him to show me how to do all the fancy bits on here lol) and while I am with him he can show me all the other bits like what to do at the border and paper work etc. Don't know where they will be sending us, I would love it to be New York because that is one place I would like someone at my side plus I just love New York. Its got very hot and sunny again it seems to be chilly in the morning and too hot in the afternoon (no I'm not moaning). I can't wait to get my truck. I have already brought some things but I know I have loads more to buy but i'll wait to cross into Montana (no tax to pay lol) Gotta get the big things like a fridge microwave CB etc. I brought my 10.5 inch digital tv from england with me and it works over here so I won't be spending money on that. The last 2-3 days I have spent all my spare time transfering my music from my laptop to my new ipod (and no I didn't use that rubbish itunes software to do it), been a nightmare but I got there in the end, well it's the first time I've had an ipod so had to learn how to do it, it's taken up some time though because once the driving lessons stop and everything is sorted it can get pretty boring. I have to go to the launderette soon and that'll be the highlight of my day, how sad is that. Can't wait to get out on the road!

What a good day

Wow I passed my class 1 driving test today. Hopefully from now on I don't have to change any more gears lol. The examiner was a really nice guy he made you feel at ease through the whole test. Most of the time we were chatting about camper trailers. On the vehicle inspection I forgot to put in the red button, I knew I had forgot but couldn't remember, I looked at him and said this is where I push in the red button and he said yes, other examiners would of said nothing! The rest of the inspection was good and he was happy with that. Forgot to look in my right mirror as I was reversing so he gave me 10 points for that (and no, points don't make prizes over here lol). After that had a good drive, gear change was good with no muck ups. I have just been down to see the women at the licence office to change from a class 5 to a class 1. Just rang Steve at H&R now I am going to take a nice slow walk up to H&R so they can get a photo copy of my licence. Well happy.

Some pics of some of the houses behind the hotel

Wednesday

Another great drive today everything was good to day no muck ups. My instructor said I am ready for my test but tomorrow looks fully booked up so I might have to have another day driving then do my test Friday. I am back at my hotel now so I am going to spend the next few hours sorting out my music then once that is done I will just add the lot to my ipod that should be fun. Not alot else to say really the weather has turned a bit cooler I had to have the heater on in my room this morning. Some people I have chatted to are saying the snow will be here by the end of the month.

Tuesday

Sorry forgot about Tuesday. My driving instructor was off ill today so I had to go out with the boss man. He could see where I was going wrong with my gear change so he showed me his way which was a very good way after that everything went well, I had a great drive. Ed had left the Hotel so I just sat in my hotel looking on the web for a pick up truck, the cars over here are so cheap compared to the UK then I just went and got something to eat, boring really.

My mother in laws foster son

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEKO

Some more reasons to move to Canada

You don't see this in Southampton

Baby bear

Monday

Had a nice weekend off and chilled out a bit. Got a call from Steve from the driver training school asking if I could have an early lesson so my lessons are at 10am now. I had a very good drive today felt much better had a good laugh with the trainer much better than Fridays drive I should be ready for my test on Wednesday or Thursday. I done my reversing today which Bruce was very happy with (after 20 years I should hope so lol). Then I went shopping with Ian Ali and Mia which was nice. I am just updating my blog then I am going to get something to eat.

FORGOT to mention I met Lyndon

How could I forget Lyndon lol I have spent the last 7 months reading Lyndons blog and chatting to the guy on the net. Hans took us to H&R last week & while we were waiting in the drivers room Lyndon walked in. I didn't recognize him at first (because he had no hat on lol). We had a quick chat and then he told me I missed out on a barbeque because I never checked my e-mails in time (that'll teach me). Nice guy & good to meet him after all this time.

Weekend with a hire car

Me and Ed hired a car for the weekend. We just had a drive over to a place called Foremost to look at a 2 bed house for $15,000. I'd seen it on the net before coming out here. needs some work but a good deal if you can do the work yourself. Then we just drove around I took some pics of normal houses. We went to a place called Head Smashed in buffalo jump. Back to Lethbridge to walk around Wal-Mart lol. Doesn't seem to be a lot to do here. Didn't get to the Rockies as it's a 3 hour drive away. Wanted to take some pics of the modular homes to show the wife but they were closed!!

CAR HIRE for new drivers

If you are a new driver coming over to work for H&R. H&R have a deal with National car hire (tell them you work for H&R) you don't need a credit card to hire a car you just have to give them $200 deposit but you don't get that back for 30 days because if you get any tickets then they can pay them from the deposit, and its $35 a day.

Friday

Wow what a rubbish drive today, cocked up the gears most of the lesson & got told off for getting mad and ramming it in gear. I think my problem is for the last 6-7 years I have been driving hi-tech trucks, I have been driving to many Mercs and if you get the wrong gear in one of those the computer selects the gear for you. Oh well, got the weekend off now so I will hire a car and chill out abit. Its still very hot here got to go and get my washing done now so that should be a laugh! lol.

Out and about this weekend

I have booked a car for this weekend I am going to have a nice long drive over to the Rockies. I will be taking my camera with me so if there's anything you'd like to see in particular let me know and i'll do my best. I will also be looking around at houses, there are a few companies around Lethbridge that sell modula homes so I will be having a look at them. For those out there that don't know what a modula home is its a home that's built in a factory and then all the units are brought to your land where a builder has already built the basement. A crane lifts all the units in to place and they put the house together on site. From what I have read on the web sites it takes about 10 weeks to build in the factory and then about 2 weeks to set it up on your land. The best thing about it is when its in the factory they finish it to how you want with all the flooring done all you do is move your furniture in. Another driver who is over here with me doing the training went up to see some last week with his wife they could not believe what you get for your money the top of the range home up there was $190,000 (£97,000) and land here is cheap. I'll try and take a couple of photo's of those coz I know Dee will want to see them. So I'm really looking forward to this weekend, hopefully see some spectacular veiws.

Thursday

I got up this morning feeling good. After a shower and shave I got dressed and had a slow walk down to do my theory test. On the way down every time it came to crossing the road the cars just stopped for you (not like the UK). Everytime I walked past someone they said 'good morning', the people in Canada are just so nice. I walked in to the test centre (ouch lol) and the lady who exchanged my licence the other day recognised me and asked how I was doing. After a nice chat she showed me how to do the test on the computer and left me to it. I got 1 question wrong so all I had to do was answer 26 questions. The ladies are really friendly down at that office. On the way back to the hotel it felt great, I couldn't stop smiling. I stopped to get a coke at burger king when I saw the kenworth I am driving pull up beside me, I flashed the pass ticket at my instructor he said well done and took it off me. Then I just came back to my hotel room then rang everyone (like you do) lol. Weather still hot, having a bit of a heatwave which apparently is unusual for this time of year.

2 of the trucks you train in

Wednesday

Another good day driving a Kenworth lol. Not done much today was going to do my theory test today but I thought I would read a bit more from the books and get it right the first time. Hope you like the pics, if you want any other pics done let me know. Going for a swim then out to get something to eat then back to my hotel room to study some more. Its so hot here I have the aircon on its in the high 20s here. My driving instructor said I should be ready for my test the early part of next week.

A couple of pics of my hotel room

Some more pics just outside of the hotel

View from my room

Sandman hotel

The Kenworth I am driving

Tuesday

I passed my medical in the morning and then I had my first drive in a Kenworth. It was amazing driving around Lethbridge don't think the cars behind me were happy lol. Living my childhood dream! I will be driving every day at 1.30pm until I am ready for my test. Tomorrow I am going to take a walk down to the test centre and do my theory lets hope that goes well.

Monday

We met Hans at 8.45 and went for our drug test (pee in the cup) then we went and exchanged our UK licence for an Alberta class 5 licence. Got my national insurance number then Hans dropped us at the hotel until 13.45 then we have to go and open up a bank account. Going to take a drive around to H&R office to meet everyone over there, looking forward to that.

Sunday no work or test

I thought Sunday would be boring as we could not hire a car. But I met up with George an H&R driver. We had a nice long chat about everything and anything. I asked him what the trucks were like inside, he said if I wanted we could walk around to the yard and have a look in his truck it was only a 20 minute walk so I jumped at the chance, it would help the day go by. We meet up with Eddie he came with us but just as we were going one of the dutch lads said he would give us a lift great only had to walk back lol. It was nice to see the trucks I have spent months just looking at the pics but it feels good siting in one. We went and had lunch then me and Ed jumped on the bus and asked to go to Wal-Mart the bus driver said it would be a long bus ride as we got on the bus on the wrong side of the road but hey we had plenty of time so what the hell. It was actually better than hiring a car because you saw more of Lethbridge. Spent the rest of the day looking around shops and walking to get something to eat got a great deal on an ipod, much cheaper than in the UK. True what they say, if you didn't know you were in Canada you'd think you were in America. Can't get over how clean the place is, it's lovely.

Air brake test

Did my air brake course and test today and I passed. The course took about 8 hours then you have to answer 25 questions I got 2 questions wrong so not bad for someone falling a sleep while reading the book lol. After we had done the course we went back to the hotel and I chatted to my wife Dee on Skype with my web cam. (Anyone coming over here and leaving family behind Skype is a great way to keep in touch I have paid a fee of £54 a year and I can ring any landline in the world for free). Don't know how anyone managed without all this technology, it must have been hard. After chatting with Dee, me and Ed went for a walk and we met up with Ian (another new H&R driver) and his wife and daughter we all went and got something to eat. We all wanted to hire a car for Sunday but you have to have a credit card to hire one so we will have to jump on the bus tomorrow. This is a real pain as I don't believe in having credit cards but it would have been useful just for the car hire. It looks lovely here from the little I've seen in Lethbridge. Just wish we could hire a car then we could have a really good explore.
Any drivers coming over to do the training don't need to worry about the courses they are easy enough and the guy who is training you Steve is a nice guy and will help you in any way he can.
As for the hotel it's great, nothing posh or over the top but its really clean and the staff are really friendly, oh and i've got a 6ft bed all to myself, heaven!

In lethbridge at last

I have been in Lethbridge 2 days now and its great. The plane was 4.5 hours late taking off from Gatwick so Thursday was a very long day. I had to be up at 6am to go on a course (Friday) the taxi picked us up at 7.15am. The course took about 6-7 hours. After the course I went back to the hotel and met an Irish guy by the name of Eddie (who will also be driving for H&R after he has done the training) we both went for a walk to have a look around and get something to eat. Looks beautiful here and its in the 80's, hot! I went to my room laid on my bed reading my book about air brakes I was supposed to meet Eddie an hour later but I woke up at 3am (sorry Ed) lol. I was so tired from jet lag i fell asleep fully clothed!

Pic of dongle

T-mobile dongle

The T-mobile dongle I have works in the same way as a mobile, you just plug it into your laptop and if there is a signal (just like the signal you get with a mobile) you can pick up the internet. After I signed a 2 year deal with T-mobile I found out about H&R. I was just going to leave it in the drawer and forget about it but I rang T-mobile and told them I was going to be driving around America and Canada. They told me I could take it but it would cost me (now there's a surprise)! I pay £20 a month for 3 gig so I will still be paying the £20 but I will have to pay for every gigabite I use at a cost of £1.50 a gig. If you are lost now so am I lol! In the UK you get 3 gig for £20 a month but abroad you get nothing for £20 but it will cost you £1.50 a gig. I have used it since December 2007 in the UK to go on line to chat and to look at websites. I don't down load music or videos and since I have had it I have not used 1 gig. Now you get to use 3 gig every month so it looks like it will only cost me an extra £1.50 a month. DO NOT USE 3 OR ANY OTHER DONGLE because you use up your allowance by just looking at web pages just ask in Carphone warehouse they will explain more. Another thing, if you are new to computers down load Skype I have paid for a years subscription of unlimited calls to landlines and I have just brought a USB phone. When I am over the pond I can plug the phone into my laptop and ring any landline in the world for free. (It works I have tried it lol)

2 days to go

I've had 3 days off from work, I thought I would take it easy haha not with my wife, she worked me like a dog to get all the small jobs in and around the house done before I fly off for my jolly in Canada. Well its Tuesday now and when I have got dressed we will be going to get my dollars both American and Canadian. My wife and daughters were going to take me to Gatwick but we both know everyone would be too upset when it came to say goodbye and the last thing I needed was to walk through the airport upset so I am going to catch the coach to Heathrow and then on to Gatwick (I never said leaving my family would be easy)! Its going to be a very long day on Thursday but it'll be worth it. On the plane I will be reading a book on airbrakes (Thanks Ian from Smarts) ready for my test on Saturday morning. I am so happy I am going this week to work for H&R and make a new life in Canada ready for when my family will join me. We both know its the best way to do it and we will be in touch everyday by phone or the internet. I have a T-mobile dongle which lets me pick up the internet anywhere in the country and I have been on to the company and they have sorted it out for me so I can take it with me and all it will cost me is an extra £1.50 a gig, I have been using it since Christmas time and I have not even used a gig yet. We have just joined Skype and set out web cams up on there and wow its great and I can ring my house from my computer anywhere in the world for free as I have paid for unlimited calls to land line. I have brought my wife a mobile that has Skpe on the phone all I need is to buy one myself in America then we can ring each other using Skype all for free.