Hi There
I hope everyone is managing to keep their wheels turning
through this current fuel crisis. Today we managed to fill one of our cars with
petrol where yesterday we couldn’t and that should be enough to get me to work
and back this coming week. It seems like the crisis is almost over and the
government is going to start using the army to drive the tankers from this week
so all should be back to normal soon.
My six-month driving ban ended on the 13th of
September but alas I’m still not able to drive. Once a ban ends you must
re-apply for your driving licence which would have been cancelled at the time
of the ban. The DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority) unbeknownst to
me have been in the midst of industrial action for many months and everything
paper-related (not online) is running about four months behind. Had I known this
I would have sent my application off four months ago instead of 2 months ago.
The result is that three weeks after the end of my punishment I’m still being
punished by not being able to resume my job as a delivery driver and worse
still unable to drive my own car which means I’m heavily dependant on my wife
to drive me here there and everywhere. It is a serious pain in the arse and is
currently being suffered by many thousands of people up and down the country. A
DVLA update page is available to access to see where they’re at currently and
according to it I’m due for their attentions this week so hopefully by my next
post it will have all been resolved.
So, since last post I have had many weeks off on furlough as
the new driver I mentioned they had taken on meant the regular warehouse guy
was able to resume his duties there which left me without anything to do. I can
tell you that 11 weeks at home is not as great as it sounds. Living in a one-bedroom
flat with no garden was a serious test to our mental health but we got through
it and due to illness with another driver I have been back in to do warehouse
work while hoping and praying my licence is issued anytime soon. Also, this
week saw the end of furlough. I have worried and wondered what would happen to
me once it finished. I need a full wage as part time work would be no good for
me. I had a chat with my boss who agreed that my licence shouldn’t take much
longer so he would keep me on full-time. On the days where there wasn’t enough
to do in the warehouse I would have to do “maintenance work” which after
speaking to one of my work mates can only mean something menial like litter
picking or gutter cleaning but hey, its better than no job.
I have to say I’ve really enjoyed working in the warehouse.
I have learnt to skilfully drive the forklift after a few disasters which saw
full pallets fall off, saw me ground it in the mud outside to the point where
it wouldn’t budge and we had to call in the services of a neighbouring company
to free it with their heavy lift fork truck. I’ve shared much banter with the
various courier drivers and lorry drivers that have brought goods to us. I’ve
also got to know the employees in my company much better than I would being out
in the van all day and there really is some characters working there.
So, on this Sunday night 3.10.21, I prepare for my days work
tomorrow. I’ve just today bought a new pair of steel toe cap shoes, the wife
has ironed my trousers and tee shirt, I’ve showered and shaved and I’m raring
to go be it warehouse work or “maintenance work”. Life’s not too bad.
Take Care out there
TM
