Hello from England once again. As some of you may know, I’ve been trying for some time now to find work in Canada, so that my family and I can start a new life there. I’m pleased to say I’ve been offered (and accepted) a job on PEI, with the same company that Grumpy works for.

So this may well be my last post from the UK, and I’m focusing on what I’m expecting from trucking in Canada and the USA. One thing I know for sure is that it’s not an easy option! Long hours, extended periods from home and inter-stellar mileages are what my employers will expect from me, and it will take some time to adjust to that – I know I can do it, as I’ve done it before – and this time it will be different and (at first) exciting.

We in Britain think of 400 miles as a full days work, but over there that’s just a warm up. One of the things British drivers struggle with is the amount of un-paid sitting around you have to do, but I’ll just have to learn to keep focused on the big picture, and rack up the miles when I can.  I`m also wary of the challenges of driving your vehicles. The steering wheel is on the wrong side for a start! Long ago we abandoned the the constant-mesh (or “crash” as we call them) transmissions, so I don’t doubt I’ll be playing a few tunes on the gearbox.

Border crossing will be another challenge, as will stopping at every scale, and moving axles around. One thing I’m hoping for is a little respect and appreciation for what I do from the public. Hopefully, truck drivers are seen as a welcome service provider, whereas we are treated with contempt over here. The people that design shops,supermarkets, restaurants and municipal areas deliberately set out to discourage us from parking, and, where we can stop, we have to move on after 2 hours or pay a fee. Yet, as I understand it, you can pull into a Canadian Wal-mart and do a little shopping without worry.

Naturally, I’m looking forward to the wide open American highways, and the challenges of driving through the big cities, and seeing the sights. And, most of all, I’m looking forward to a new life for my wife and children. I will be coming alone initially, so that I can be sure I’ll be able to make the money I need to support them, and that will be tough. When they do arrive, I expect life to be a struggle, especially until my wife can get a work permit. She’ll have to stay at home and deal with all the trials and tribulations of daily life, whilst I’m off exploring in my truck. No doubt there will be tears and tantrums from the kids (ten and thirteen), because they’re still wrapped up in the excitement of it all, and haven’t quite grasped the enormity of what we’re doing. When they have to try new food, make new friends and join new schools, it may be something of a shock.

So, to put it in a nutshell, I expect 2 or 3 very tough years for us all, followed by a life time of contentment and happiness – and I can’t wait to get on with it As things stand at the moment, I’m waiting for my LMO, which should be here in a couple of weeks. With a bit of luck I’ll be in Canada a couple of weeks after that – I hope to see you there. My next post should be a progress report.