Twenty eleven didn’t conclude quite the way I planned it… A change to my domestic arrangements saw me tooling around on Christmas Eve in a three tonne Pantech loaded with my chattels as I hurriedly established myself in my new domain. As we rolled into twenty twelve I was left with an empty dolly at the back of life’s road-train and if truckies had ‘my family’ stickers I’d be scratching one off, what better use for a razor blade is there, under the circumstances.
No time to dwell on it I climbed back into the truck to continue on into the future. Ironically, after trying to draw everyone’s attention to the potential for depression on the road, during Movember, I was now walking my own black dog, only a Chihuahua but the walk itself is still long. It’s become evident to me that a change is needed. Staring out this window all day, up and down these well worn tracks and facing the torment of useless city drivers at the end of each trip is going to turn me into a nutcase. Normally it’s not too bad, but just at the moment, I don’t care too much for the pee-wees in their tin-tops harassing this particular eagle.
Time for a change, time to head west! It’s time to get heavy, heavy haulage style. Come February the learning curve will steepen as I come to grips with an increased girth and a reduction of length. Who said size doesn’t matter?
I must say that I’m rather excited by the impending challenges, after all my collective knowledge of wide loads is sitting on the fog line as they toil the other way calling out their impressive widths over the two-way. it’s okay though Eammon, I learn quickly. Navigating back across the paddock the first time may also pose some issues as I’ve never visited Perth before and will arrive in an A300, can’t imagine they’ll let me sit up the front so I can see how we get there. Maybe I could come back with my own pilot, just to make it easier.
For now I’ve got two more weeks dragging doubles along the east coast, then onwards to the future… Bring it on!
Good luck with everyting Matt.
Thanks Shelley but luck alone doesn’t seal a destiny
Mat,all i can say is,Welcome to Perth.there is so much oversize work over here,you’ll always have work.As Shelly says good luck mate.
Thanks John, I’ll still be based in the east but I’ll be a frequent visitor.
Live, learn and grow Mat. Sorry things didn’t work out domestically but I hope it all works out for ya mate. Enjoy your new challenge.
bloody shame, mate… Thought it was in the wind, from the tone of your conversation… Got a rough idea how you feel… If you’re up this way and don’t want to bunk up with big Sis, let us know… (she’s probly gunna smack me for this…). Drop in for a coldie and a gasbag anyway… got 5 acres. so you might just be able to turn it around and point it out the gate…
Good luck Matt, I will look forward to continuing to read all about your adventures in WA. One door closes another opens. Travel safe.
Take heart Mat,It happened to me 4 times,there is a lite at the end of the tunnel.Boothie
I’m sure the change of challenge will give you great new stuff to write about for us, your avid readers.
Hi Matt love reading your blogs good luck in the west we will mIss you over here on the east coast. Grab every opertunity and make the best of it
Thanks John, you wont miss me though, I’ll still be based on the East Coast.
Good Luck Mat!!
Good luck with everything, Mat. I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through a rough patch. I’m glad that I finally caught up with you while you were over in Melbourne. All the best for 2012, I’m sure that it will be a good year and look forward to reading DOATD in the future.
Good Luck Mat- I look forward to reading how different (for better or worse) you find things over here in WA.
Sorry to hear about this major bump in the road Mat. There are some lovely truckies over Perth way, so you’ll be in good company. I’ve struck a gravel patch myself lately, thus late to contact you re: book stories, but will browse your website tomorrow to re-acquaint myself and get on the blower in the days that follow. Travel safe and Kia Kaha (“stay strong” in Kiwi-speak!)
G,Day Mat.
I’m new to your site and already you have taken me through so many emotions reading your posts. Its graet to hear such sensible chit chat from people in the same walk of life. As for the relationship woes mate treat it like those dusty unsealed roads, slow down a little, dodge the bumps as best you can but keep moving forward, it gets better further on. Stay safe and remember to keep left. Cheers Jase.