Hello and welcome to my Blog, my name is Chris, a bus driver for First Mendip based in Wells, Somerset. I am Chair and H&S rep for the depot branch of Unite the Union. Married to Fiona, we live in Midsomer Norton near Bath, with Boots the cat. My main hobby is Amateur Radio and I hold the call sign G4KVI. I am the repeater keeper for GB3UB and MB7UB. I have a fascination for the weather and all things to do with nature and science. As a Christian I worship, when shifts allow at St. Nicholas Church in Radstock. These are my observations on my life, both at work and at home.

17 Mar 2011

The wrong number

I wonder how many of you ever ring your own home? I very rarely ring the home number, always ringing Fiona's mobile. However, just by chance last week after getting some odd messages, I rang the home number. I was surprised to get a man answer. After several calls and a bit of detective work we discovered our phone number had changed! A phone call to Sky reviled that several people had the same problem and that it was in a 100 pair cable. I had a text today saying the problem had been resolved. Well it had, but we now have yet another number! So another call made. Hopefully it will not take long to resolve.

One year on

Today is the 17th March. This marks an important milestone for me. It is one year since I had my motorcycle accident which left me with a badly broken ankle. The last year has been a roller-coaster. This time last year I was told that I may not walk for six months and work for twelve. However I was back driving within three, maybe  the staff didn't wish to raise my hopes, or perhaps thought it would make me more determined to get well. Whichever it was the result was the same. So how is the ankle now? Not too bad but still aches in the morning and I still get days of pain, but these are minor when you consider I can now walk and drive without any problems. I now have the option of having the metal work removed. However, I think 'if it is not broken' rule applies perfectly here.

15 Mar 2011

Reversing

One of the most dangerous manoeuvres you can do with a bus is to reverse. To avoid this we are trained to try a stop getting in to a difficult situation in the first place. This is not always easy and I have only had to reverse on the road on only a few occasions. All of these filled me with dread. This highlights how things can go disastrously wrong.

http://swns.com/child-killed-in-bus-tragedy-141653.html

11 Mar 2011

So I should do what?

Good week this week. All 'country' work out to Cribbs and Frome, the pretty way. Car and the bike passed their mot so well pleased all round. Strange one today, one of the things we have drummed in to us is not to run early. the company has in fact been fined for this and the penalty for leaving a timing point before time is loss of job. I was 'waiting my time' on a stop today when a lady starting shouting at me. She suggested that I was in the way and that I should move as she could not get to her bus and that she would report me for blacking the stop up! So the next time I approach a stop and see the lady waiting I will drive past. When she complains I will say that I did not want to block the stop. I don't think the company would see it that way.

6 Mar 2011

Bath Half Marathon

Out with Raynet today covering the Bath Half Marathon. Nice day but a bit cold especially as we were standing around most of the time. However the various banana's and a camel but for a fun day. Thankfully no major incidents. Only 'excitement' was when a couple of Ambulances had to make their way against the runner flow. One was on a 'non life threatening' run and ran without escort, the other however, was not and ran with Police escort. It was amazing to be involved with such an operation. Everyone had a role to play and it was amazing to see a convoy make it's way through a sea of runners without incident. This was a incident that showed the value of Radio against mobile phones,in it that messages could be sent to several people at the same time enabling barriers and runners to be moved and warned.

Update on the MOT. After a lot of messing about getting the windscreen replaced and having the ball joint replaced the car now has a new MOT. Only thing now is to get a couple of front tyres. Next week is the bikes turn for it's first MOT.

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