Now we all know Christmas is a busy time of year but surely that's no excuse for not updating this.
It isn't however i will expand on a few excuses as to why I have been busy:
The weather:
OK this is a biggy really. Since the 17Th of December we have had freezing temperatures and snow on and off. Fun for most people, alas not me. Unfortunately i was the Highways Technician 'On Call' that night. I started getting calls at around 8:30 pm and finally got back into bed and asleep around 4 am!! Tired doesn't scratch the surface!! So since then on and off the snow has made my working life quite manic and stressful.
Everyone seems to think it is their right to have their footpath or side road gritted.
Question: Did Bexley come anywhere near to running out of salt?
Answer: No. Unlike other boroughs and councils we prioritised early on and committed to doing the main roads and hotspots like Doctors/High Streets/Stations.
Why is it that a sprinkling of white powder causes the majority of drivers to panic. How hard is it too drive on snow a few yards till you hit a main road? Driving standards appear to be plummeting even in the 9 years i have been on the road!
The problem I have now that the snow is gone is potholes (well if you discount the flooding from the snow thawing!). Once again like a nasty rash they have cropped up with avengence!
Most of my time the past two weeks has been spent filling (well supervising it) and raising repairs on potholes. This pattern looks set to continue till spring hits and we get some respite from rain/snow/freezing temps.
Excuse 2:
Cars; Well it wouldn't be me without this being an excuse.
Shocking as it is (i.e. not at all) I have added yet ANOTHER car to the fleet.
Yes shockingly I joined the ageing hoards of Volvo Estate drivers pootling around!
OK the situation is not quite that dire, this is no standard pensioner spec Volvo.
Some figures for you:
- Volvo 850 T5 Auto
- N reg 1996
- 219,000 miles
- Lowered, 18" alloys, tinted windows
- 225bhp
- 2.3 litre 5 cylinder turbo
- £300
So another addition to the ever growing fleet has distracted my attention from this blog.
What can I do I'm a sucker for a bargain!
Final is excuse is that life is just too busy!!
Honestly in between trying to maintain the roads of Bexley, and buying more cars there is far too much to squeeze in!
And it isn't going to get any easier either. In between now and the end of April the following things need to be attended to:
- Organising stag do/attending stag do for young brother
- Attending wedding of aforementioned brother
- Finding a new residence to live in
- Rebuilding the Ax GTi Turbo in time for Track Day at the end of April
- Selling off half the fleet
- Family things (non wedding related)*
*that's a highlight really because it means i get to look after my gorgeous 4 month old niece Poppy! Absolutely adorable little thing :)
So don't be surprised if this isn't added to for a bit!
Tim
