Has it really been two years....

....since I last set foot in my blog? I had almost forgotten I had one until my brother-in-law Rob (of cotswoldgreen blog fame) mentioned that he had updated his.

There have been quite a few changes in my life since my last update, firstly I have changed my job, and I am now the Strategic ICT Manager at the newly formed Gloucester Academy. This means that I no longer repair computers, as all my time is taken up

with meetings and projects. The only down side is that the new academy is not within walking distance of home.

My role at Cotswold Green has changed as well, instead of fuelling the buses, I am now the Compliance Manager (part time). Different challenges, and an enjoyable change from my day job.

I still volunteer with St John Ambulance, but instead of managing the Stroud unit, I am now the Senior Operational Services Officer, and my responsibilities now include line-managing all of the adult units in the county!

We have also bought a camper van! A 28 year old Volkswagen T25 high top called Doris. This is to replace our caravan, and now I have had the additional seatbelts fitted in the back, and installed bunks in the front and in the roof, the whole family (including the dog) can fit in for holidays and weekends away. So far we have had a weekend in the Forest of Dean, and a few overnights in the local area. Pictures will follow as soon as I remember where I saved them!

I am also well on the way with my collection of brother-in-laws! Ange and Rob got married in March last year, then my sister Rebecca married Gareth in October, bringing my total to three! I hope I don't have any more new family members added, or I may have to let one of the three go!

Hopefully now I have remembered how to use the blog I will be back soon with more updates!

PCV Test

After a few months of bus lessons with Mike from Cotswold Green, the time had come for my 1 1/2 days of "official" training, followed by the test on the second afternoon.

I arrived at the training centre near Stroud at 8am and met my instructor, Will, who explained that unfortunately the coach was in Cirencester, so we had to drive over there to start with. We got there and found the coach we would be using, and found the next problem: no "L" plates ! A quick trip to the local garage sorted that out, and eventually we were ready to go.

Will explained the controls particular to this coach, and we set off towards Gloucester, where the majority of the training would take place. The lessons spent with Mike paid off, as I was fairly confident with using the gears, and also with the size of the vehicle, and we headed through Cirencester and out onto the A419 to Gloucester.

When we arrived in Gloucester, we started going round areas likely to be travelled on the test, with Will telling me how specific things had to be done in order to win the approval of the examiner. After about 2 1/2 hours, we stopped at a food wagon, and had a cup of tea and a break from driving, then it was off back to the training centre at Stroud, for maneuvering practice in the yard.

After reversing the coach around the yard between cones, and stopping in a small yellow box several times, we were back out for more normal road training around Gloucester. At the end of the day, we went back to Cirencester to drop the coach off, and then I went back to the Cotswold Green yard, but I was too tired to do any shunting, so I went home !

The next day started well, with a good drive from Cirencester to Gloucester, and then off around some more test routes. we then went back for more maneuvering practice, and a few tries at emergency stops. After lunch we headed over to the test centre, and as we got closer, I got more and more nervous! We met up with Mike at the centre, as he was very keen to see what happened at the final hurdle !

The examiner kept me waiting for about 5 minutes, but I thought it prudent not to complain ! When he arrived we went out to the coach and he explained how the test would go. First up was the "S" shaped reverse into a marked bay, which went fine until I drove into a shadow and lost sight of my marker on the wheel arch - luckily I managed to lean out the window and regain my bearings, and completed the task successfully.

Next up was the emergency stop, where I had to accelerate up to 20mph and then stop in one coach length. This went without incident and we then went out onto the road where we ended up behind several Gypsy caravans being pulled by horses. This held us up for about 10 minutes, but once we had got round them, the rest of the tent went very well, and I was incredibly relieved when we got back to the centre and the examiner told me that I had passed !

Mike and Will came over to join me, and after a quick chat with the examiner, the "L" plates were removed from the coach, and I drove back to Cirencester, with my two trainers as my first passengers I had carried as a qualified driver !

Back to the Cotswold Green depot then, to pass on the good news to Rob and the others. After a coffee and a chat, I headed for home, where my lovely wife had baked me a celebratory cake !

School Bus !

From Monday to Wednesday this week, one of the Cotswold Green buses has been turned into a classroom for nine employees to study towards an NVQ. This is all to do with the Government insisting that all bus drivers (as well as taxi, lorry and coach drivers) have to now hold a CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence).

The first day got off to a bad start, as the training company had made a mistake and did not turn up at the depot! After a few cups of coffee and several phone calls, the training was abandoned, so we went home early, with instructions to be back at 9 in the morning.

We reconvened the next morning, and straight away found the next stumbling block: the internet was not working, so some of the essential testing material could not be downloaded. Luckily I had my mobile internet dongle in my car, so we managed to get online, and I earned myself the promise of a cake!

Then came the paperwork ! Form after form after form to fill in, sign, initial, read, and file into the portfolio, and this was just the induction for the NVQ. For the rest of the afternoon, and the following day we talked about customer service and diversity, and took it in turns to take an online exam, which was one of the modules towards the CPC.

All of us passed our exams, so Rob was pleased with the progress made. I have another appointment to see the NVQ assessor on Monday, when I have to take along my homework- a copy of my CV, and a learner statement about when I have provided good customer service.

This evening I have been left in charge of the children, as Liz has gone on a girls night out to watch the new Harry Pottter film, so I have taken the opportunity to work on some more fare charts for the new Cotswold Green website which will be launched in August.

Bus Driving around Cirencester

I had another bus driving lesson today, my third so far, this time in the biggest vehicle in the fleet, a Scania N113CRB (about 38 foot long).

After arriving at Cotswold Green HQ, I set off on an observation exercise with Mike, to do a school run. After putting on my new official Cotswold Green uniform polo shirt, we went and picked up the students from the school in Stroud, and went on a route through Minchinhampton and out to Tetbury, with Mike teaching me tips about driving on a school run. As soon as the last students left the bus, we stuck the "L" plates on, and set off again with me behind the wheel.

This bus was very different to the Dennis Darts I had driven on my previous lessons, it was longer, and much more powerful. We went into Cirencester and around the very narrow and winding one way system, and as I mounted the pavement twice, we went round again - this time I corrected my errors, and Mike almost looked pleased !

When we got to Stroud, we did the traditional trip around the one way system, and I managed to get round the tight corner, for the first time without running over George Holloway's toes !

I drove for about 2 1/2 hours this time, and when we got back to the depot, Mike got me to do a reverse into a gateway, and then get the bus into the right space in the yard. It was just gone 7pm so it was time to get across to Stroud, ready for the weekly St John meeting.

Bus Driving

Today was the day ! I had been keeping on non-stop to Rob for the last few months, and after having obtained my provisional license, I was allowed out for my first bus driving lesson!

I went to Cotswold Green's depot at 12.30pm to meet Rob (who was late) and met my driving instructor, Mike. He showed me around the Bus I would be driving( N464 TPR, a Dennis Dart with East Lancs. body) and explained the location of all of the controls.

Rob arrived with the Sellotape, and we bodged some "L" plates onto the front and back of the bus (a little too much Sellotape in my opinion, but Rob seemed to be happy!)

Mike drove us out of the depot and onto the main road, then pulled into a layby, we swapped seats, and then off we went, with me driving for the first time! The first challenge was a left hand corner, which I achieved without incident, so after a few more left and right corners, Mike decided it was time to try some roundabouts!

We went from Nailsworth to Tetbury, Cirencester, Coates, Aston Down, Stroud, Cainscross, Forest Green, and then back to Nailsworth, and I was driving for about 3 hours in total.

I hit two kerbs with the back wheels, one in Cainscross, and the other in Stroud centre. Both times were due to me not looking in the mirror properly as I went round the corner, and not allowing enough room for the back to swing round. Mike made me go around and do the same two corners again, so I would learn my lesson!

I really enjoyed my first lesson, and am looking forward to the next one!