Hello again fae sunny Killin.
So as the roads busy up wae day trippers, holiday makers, caravaners, motorcyclists (or suicide jockeys as I call some of them) and Motorhomers, our job gets a bit more difficult. Timing pick ups becomes a bit of an art form, judging travel times gets really difficult and to maximise our earnings this is vitally important, it’s a short season for us. So other drivers have a massive effect us. Probably the single biggest issue we have is with caravaners and motorhomers, now before ye get angry I’ve owned a motorhome in the past and am fully aware of the pleasures to be had from travelling around in yer own self contained mobile home from home.
But! Here’s the thing with both of the above modes of transport, they are normally a little slower than the average car, and can be as wide as an artic or bus, which on many country roads leads to them holding up traffic, they are also difficult to overtake due to driving down the centre of the road, in a wee world of their own. So this is just a little advice from folks who live and work in rural Scotland and are dependent on getting from A to B with minimum fuss and in good time.
USE YOUR MIRRORS!
Dont allow huge tailbacks of frustrated motorists to build up behind you, this leads to accidents as folks try to overtake you. Just pull over for a couple of minutes at a layby and allow folks to get on, you’re on holiday and have all the time in the day to get to your chosen destination and switch on the TV. (you don’t want tae miss out on the latest episode of Coronation Street )
The other piece of advice is, try to stay on your own side of the road. On our narrow country roads as you barrel along remember oncoming vehicles sometimes cant get out of your way. This I found to my cost the other evening while traveling to Kenmore along the North side of Loch Tay. I could see the Moho coming towards me straddling the white line oblivious of other road users, (probably worried about missing that nights episode of Corrie) from about 400mts away, I knew this was going to be close, I started to slow and kept as tight to the verge and steep bank on my side of the road as I could, and really expected him to slow down to insure a clean pass.
Noooooooo, not a chance as he got closer I could see his big read face and stealy eyed look of “I’m not moving over, those hedge branches might scratch my shiny steal box.
BANG!
I nearly shat ma breeks. I slowed to a stop expecting said idiot to be doing same, but no, he hurteld off into the distance to insure he didn’t miss the latest occurance in the Rovers Return. I meanwhile got out to inspect my smashed wing mirror, and picked up the debri to insure nobody would be getting a puncture. Don’t be inconsiderate folks, life is a two way street. Excuse the pun.
Rant over.
Now I know you’re all on a knife edge as to what’s happening with my stalker. Well, the fraudulent clicking continues on a daily basis, anywhere from 30 to 70 clicks at a time, several times a day. How does this person (using that term loosely) have the patience. The police are currently monitoring the situation. More to follow I’m sure.
So getting back to work, it’s been an excellent week, carrying holiday makers to and from the village, its great having them back, all smiling and enjoying this beautiful area. A few cyclist rescues, mainly due to punctures, pack more inner tubes. (you know who you are) Walkers with sore feet, overdoing it and needing rescued, and Airport runs. Its been hectic, but we’re delighted to be busy.
This coming week I will be mostly Salmon fishing. I shall update on any catches next week.
Thank you to everyone who has used our services over the last week it’s very much appreciated.
Bring it on.
