Expeditions Abroad
In May 2005 a typical delivery schedule evolved and was executed by the staff at Kynaston Relocations. The best way to describe what we have been up to is to illustrate one of our trips.
Two vehicles left Guilsfield early one Wednesday morning. The small truck had a pig ark fro a Northampton delivery and a full second set of furniture for a Spanish relocation. The big truck was empty but scheduled to collect two consignments on the way to the ferry. Both trundled down the M1 at some unearthly hour to arrive at the first drop at 08-00 h. Just in time to catch the recipient at breakfast before departure to work. One pig ark for a domestic environment. It matched the sheep pen already in situ.
At the M10 the vehicles split, the large one to collect a very posh German kitchen from North London for delivery to the owners new house in Provence-Alpes-Cotes D'Azur. The other pressed on to scout out the land at the next collection point at Herne Bay, Kent. With this load safely packed around the kitchen they set off to catch the evening ferry. Our clients do not always understand the logistics of removals and deliveries. There is a commonly held belief that what you can do in a car is perfectly achievable in a 12 t truck. Vis-à-vis 13 h non stop through the night to the South of France. Sad to say its not quite like that. Transport is regulated by International Law which lays down the maximum driving times, minimum rest periods and daily and weekly rest away from the job. When you employ a correctly licensed company who follow the rules things take a little longer. The objective being that we arrive safely and intact with your goods.
Our first day in France gets us just south of Lyon. An interesting skirting of Paris on route and masses of beautiful country side. Although all by Autoroute, better that Britain's motorways, they run through areas of significant views and architecture. The route of the TGV is littered with vast bridges spanning valleys and rivers. One point that is patently obvious is that they have as many graffiti artists as the UK and the message is the same? Vive la difference! Day two and we arrive at a theme park just off RN8. Here we drop off the last few possessions of a father moving in with his daughter's family. From just around the corner a collection of a circus attraction for return to Nottingham.
As the weekend arrives we hunker down for a rest and recharge. Lorries are prohibited from moving on a Sunday so we took the opportunity to sample the way of life in a provincial market town. Monday morning and we were off again. A run in the country to deliver our kitchen. As the roads got narrower and entrances steeper we knew we were in the right place. The Brits abroad always find somewhere remote and believe that the removals men will always get in? A very tight squeeze and chassis marks in the tarmac but we did get in. Turning around was achievable, just. The house was magnificent and the views to die for. During the journey we had pondered, German kitchen, North London kitchen company, Southern France delivery, its funny how circumstances conspire to produce an unusual outcome. The photograph below is John with the kitchen fitter who had flown in from the UK the night before. Yes they are drinking tea after unloading. After some banter about accents it drops out in conversation that he comes from Pont Robert, not 10 km from the where we had set off from. His mate was definitely North London and didn't know where Wales was let alone the outer reaches.
Off again and this time towards the Spanish border. Along the way the large lorry was consigned to a secure pound for collection on the return leg.
Last time we were down near Alicante we moved a British family to a new life in the sun. On this trip we had another load of their furniture to deliver. While we were with them a trip to the local storage facility extracted the last of their first consignment and delivered it to their new home.
Ever onward down to Almeria. A returner to the UK. Wife, kids and furniture had been collected on previous forays. This time it was the car and workshop tools prior to a tenant taking up residence.
The van is at the back, with the circus attraction at the front on upper and
lower levels. You are correct in thinking that counter is suspended from the
roof and not resting on the windscreen of the vehicle below. The boxes are the
crew's wine purchases while in Spain and France. Although the customers goods
have some importance, so do staff perks. When you pass through such prolific
areas and past headline wine producing names, it is very difficult just to pass
by without a peek.
After thinking France was big, the bottom end of Spain seems endless. Past well known places like Benidorm and Barcelona. The next step was to retrieve the big truck and pop up to Toulouse for an internal move.
A retired couple with a long French association. After working on Concorde this couple have retired to the South of France. After 18 months in rented accommodation they had tracked down their ideal house. The rental was smart and the new house was idyllic. Two days were spend with both vehicles moving from one to the other. A few surprises in store for us, a complete kitchen door set and a safe that you could live in. We will move most things, especially when prepared for them but one common theme with removals is that everybody thinks what they have is normal and not out of the ordinary.
Nearly finished. Another Sunday to cool our heals in mid France while the large truck was prepared to accept a load of French Oak destined for the timber yards of mid Wales. Perhaps to end up as flooring or a specialised kitchen? A photograph was considered but wasn't very impressive. It is difficult to put over the aroma of of Bordeaux Oak. Even after delivery you know it has been there just by the glorious after smell. After late afternoon ferry crossing, driving hours determined a suitable rest at the coat before an early morning run home. Fourteen days away from home with a variety of loads and peoples aspirations. Yes this is the art of removals. Not just household furniture but tools of a trade, a car, amusements, French oak for British Craftsmen to work upon, just to name but a few.
Perhaps its just what you imagined but on the other hand maybe a little bit different? Lots of stories like this.