Following up some info I had asked for re double manning,attestation etc.,heres a few pics from my recent trip to Italy.No longer a habitual offender for European work,thanks for your advice,in the previous thread. [viewtopic.php?f=3&t=98814](http://www.trucknetuk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=98814) Up to the yard in Swords Dublin.(Coincidentally,the old Meadows freight yard where I used to work) Was bringing my nephew,who hadnt being out before,so,while hoping to get two Dutch/Belgian/handy Germans for each of us to go on,this wasn`t possible as any loads he had going together were haz loads,neither of us having the cards.So we doubled up to Italy.
Two drops around the Milan area.
DSC_2150 by whiplash50, on Flickr
One of the Daf beauties Dixon has,parked in the yard.
DSC_2151 by whiplash50, on Flickr
One of his Volvos.
DSC_2152 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Dublin port tunnel
DSC_2155 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Port tunnel is free for trucks,as it was built to take trucks from the city streets.Amazingly,it wont take the high cube/height trailers! [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8859278704/) [DSC_2156](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8859278704/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Stena ship in Dublin port. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858654697/) [DSC_2157](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858654697/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr This was to be our mode across the Irish sea.The Ulysses. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858592223/) [DSC_2163](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858592223/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Entering this colossal vessel. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8859134652/) [DSC_2166](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8859134652/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr This was our accomodation for the week.The Maggie,not the boat! [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858932568/) [DSC_2176](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858932568/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Amongst the many Dixons parked in Warwick,was this. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858309701/) [DSC_2177](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858309701/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr After the 9 off,a shower and brekkie,ready for the off. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858133551/) [DSC_2185](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8858133551/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Doh!
DSC_2208 by whiplash50, on Flickr
La port de Douvres.
DSC_2209 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Got to Dover about 5.30ish,expecting it to be chokka,but it was/is so empty.Is this reflective of trade in general,or,with digicards have hauliers/drivers changed their schedules so much?
DSC_2218 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Apart from everything else,you need a good camera for this job!
DSC_2222 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Dixon,just outside the port.
DSC_2225 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Veurne diesel.
DSC_2226 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Monday morning in Belgium,heading for Luxembourg and Switzerland.Nothing like a few sausages!
DSC_2227 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Not as much space as I would have hoped for in the big Maggie.
DSC_2231 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Belgian/Luxembourg customs.
DSC_2237 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Arty ■■■■■ shot.
DSC_2268 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Switzerland,after clearing customs at St.Louis.Despite all the rules and regulations,it is a seriously beautiful country.Doesnt the air even smell fresher! [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8856960364/) [DSC_2269](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8856960364/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Parked in the control,before the Gotthard.Brought off the road about 8.30pm if I recall.A tad early for my liking. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8856306609/) [DSC_2271](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8856306609/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Tick tock.Theres not a lot worse than waiting on the bloody clock to countdown.
DSC_2280 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Co pilot and head wrecker for the week,my nephew Matt.
DSC_2288 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Again,a seriously beautiful country.
DSC_2298 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Tree huggers wont like this one! [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8855915652/) [DSC_2318](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8855915652/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Bah.Those dreaded words.YOU MUST PAY. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8855389852/) [DSC_2339](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8855389852/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8854757705/) [DSC_2340](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8854757705/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Yes indeed.One beautiful country until you get to here!Chiasso. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8855309502/) [DSC_2344](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8855309502/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr First tip,three pallets pharmaceuticals. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8854654361/) [DSC_2346](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8854654361/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Next one 60 something pallets pharmaceuticals.Where we saw to Italian drivers having the most animated argument.On stage they should have been. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864770222/) [DSC_2360_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864770222/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Up to Bolzano/Bozen for the first collection,Weds a.m.,fridge to be set to -18. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864743490/) [DSC_2371_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864743490/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr[](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864130017/) [DSC_2373_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864130017/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Some history in those hills. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864715530/) [DSC_2381_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864715530/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Did you remember to get the milk when you were out honey? [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864106359/) [DSC_2382_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864106359/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr One of the very few British lorries I encountered whilst out. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8863885855/) [DSC_2455_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8863885855/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Parked ready for the a.m. collection.Dinner on the boil.Clouds on their way! [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8866565218/) [DSC_2500](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8866565218/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Bulhead down and ready for the second collection,near Vicenza,16 very bulky pallets of plastic furniture.Had to stagger the pallets ,long /wide to get them in.Happy days. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8866470648/) [DSC_2506](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8866470648/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Loading. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8865841819/) [DSC_2508](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8865841819/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr I dont do Mercs,but…
DSC_2514 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Is this trying to tell us that the Italian pork and beef industry is dead?
DSC_2525_edited-1 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Parking near Bergamo,for the 24 off.5pm ish Weds,until 5pm ish Thursday.
DSC_2548_edited-1 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Couldnt believe how much the roads have improved since the last time I was out.Aosta valley,and the old road.Only 1-2km before the pipe. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864873187/) [DSC_2553_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8864873187/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Waiting for ■■■■■■.Frigo. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8865221356/) [DSC_2566_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8865221356/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Parked at the BP Macon,after an 11hr.Still cant put down the maps!Rungis collection Fri pm,and Le Havre Sat am.
DSC_2653_edited-1 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Change of plans,head for his yard and warehouse in Belgium.
Will the road works around Liege ever finish?
DSC_2674_edited-1 by whiplash50, on Flickr
Sat am,trailer swap,as other trailer has to be in Sun am,and other driver will be taking 24 off.Scottish driver,George,who,you could tell by talking to him HAS seen it all,and HAS done it all.And I mean no disrespect by that.Pure gent.
DSC_2677_edited-1 by whiplash50, on Flickr
All set up and ready to go.
DSC_2680_edited-1 by whiplash50, on Flickr
All newish trucks,10/11/12/13s. [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8869136196/) [DSC_2701_edited-1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8869136196/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Antwerps Kennedytunnel [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8866461889/) [DSC_2759](http://www.flickr.com/photos/94408456@N05/8866461889/) by [whiplash50](http://www.flickr.com/people/94408456@N05/), on Flickr Swapped in Holyhead with the Maggies driver and took this yoke home. What a difference a few years has made. Where have all the British hauliers gone?Saw one or two whilst away,but nothing like I remembered. Why are the boats apparently so empty? Where are all the Eastern European lorries coming from(thats the first question answered so)
Enjoyed the trip,really did.Like I say, I do it once a year,to keep me (in)sane.While I wouldn`t give up my current job,if it ever gives me up,well…
Hope ye enjoyed it as much as I did.
Thanks for the advice to all,re double manning and attestations,digicards etc.Just need the mind put to rest sometimes.
