Last Saturday the 8^th of November I went to my neighbour Dave and Elaine’s  fire work display, they have one every year, they invited all of their friends and family, in total about 50 people, they laid on a buffet and booze. I arrived around seven, early enough to catch the start of the fireworks going off. Nearly every one there bought something with them either fireworks or beer, two of their friends bought two boxes of rockets, 50 in total. Four hours and 8 cans of lager later and a really good night, I decided I’ve had enough.

 

Thank god, we have got rid of that unnecessary mid term safety inspection, it finished, on the 6^th of November 08. At long last, we’ve now got a few extra quid in our pockets, thanks to Boris and we don’t have to replace parts of our cabs that don’t need changing because they are partly worn.Unlike my friend and colleague Errol, who went and bought four new tyres, which would normally have lasted a few more months.

 

I went to fill up at my usual garage in Epping new rd, the guy held up a notice in the window saying “Pay first before filling” I thought to myself there is no way that I’m going to pay first, he can see that I’m driving a Taxi.

I’m not a miniscab that’s pulled onto the forecourt; I will not be insulted in this manner. So I drove off without filling up.Anyway it did me a favour, the next day on my way to the Kings x rank, I went into the B.P garage in Goods way just around the corner to Kings x stn, 111.9 pence per litre, the Shell garage in Epping new rd was selling diesel at 117.9. Wherever I go B.P is still cheaper then Shell.  As far as I’m concerned it’s still not cheap enough.

 

A few weeks have passed since I first started writing, as you can probably tell from the price of diesel. I’m back and fourth between Shell and B.P, I’m paying 106.9 pence per litre at a Shell garage in Old ford in Bow.

 

While driving down Buckingham Palace rd, I turned right into Semley pl and right again into Ebury st,the old bill pulled me over, I asked what the problem was, the lady driver said to me that I just jumped a red light, I said it must have been at Semley pl, she said yes, I said sorry, she said just be careful and drove off.I was lucky.

I wondered why she followed me into Ebury st, because the police station is in Buckingham Palace rd, and they normally park out side the nick, in the middle of the road.

I had someone in the back of my cab at the time, chatting away, totally oblivious to things going on around me. Don’t let it worry you, i’m really not that bad a driver,

 

I have also stopped texting while driving, I only use Bluetooth to answer my phone,unlike a lot of cab drivers still holding their phones in their hands,I know there is a resession going on but it only costs a few bob to buy a Bluetooth hands free ear piece.I think I paid £19.95 for mine, it dosen’t have to be expensive to work well, I haven’t got the best of hearing and it works well for me.

 

I thought I’ve got to make a comment about  Del’s last blog concerning Harry Redknapp, personally I’ve always liked Harry, even when he was Manager of West ham, I’ve always thought of him as being honest and sincere, especially with his players, probably why he got the results he did. “Not every spurs fan hates him”.

“Just a reminder what Derek said in his last blog “(I don’t think I have ever heard any Spurs fan say anything good about him) Well Dell I might not know a lot about football but I know a good man when I see one. “And I’m not gay I’m happily married”. Maybe West Ham should have given him more money when they had their chance, joking apart it probably wasn’t that simple. In the meantime I hope spurs keep hold of him and get us out of the rut we’re in, then stay for many more years. Maybe one day del you will have your wish and get him back again, I think West Ham will have to dig deeper into there pockets for that to happen, don’t hold your breath though.

While driving up Leighton rd nw5, at which point is one way, this car recovery vehicle starts driving towards me, so I started flashing my lights and tooting my horn, thank god he saw me in time. (Unlike the time someone drove into me in Gloucester rd a few years ago, head on.)This driver must have picked up in Brecknock rd round the corner, which is also a one way street, which he drove the wrong way down, then he turned left into Leighton rd the wrong way again, towards me, lucky for me this time he stopped when he relised his mistake

 

Doesn’t  it annoy you when someone flags you down, they step out on.to the road as you approach them, you try and pass them  so you can park near the kerb, they think you don’t want to stop, so they come out even further and you end up ten foot past where they where standing. In this particular case one of his friends told him of, and he apologized to me, well at least he realized his mistake. This sort of thing happens a lot, while driving around London.

 

I was driving down Chalk farm rd in Camden, this guy decides to turn right, as he did he starts pulling over to the left, just as I’m over taking, he forces me on to the pavement, I shouted at him but he didn’t seem to think there was a problem, probably because he does it all the time, no doubt.You can understand why Derek and myself Blog about these things all the time, because they go on daily. What we have to put up with the P.C.O, bad drivers, doggy pedestrians and bad road conditions, no wonder there are a few grumpy Taxi drivers out there. Thats all for now folks, I’ll be back soon.

Be lucky, Steve.