Thursday, October 03, 2013

Don't Ask And You Won't Be Offended

Hi folks
Well, Dads send off couldn't have gone any better and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. I wrote the eulogy in the same style as I did the tribute on here, but felt I wouldn't be able to read it out so several of my neices and nephews took turns to read it.

We had the wake in a private room of the Beefeater in Kenton and there were over a hundred friends and family present. Me and Jane got absolutely wasted ( not planned ) , Dad would've approved ;)

The following day, nursing sore heads, we set off for Corfu in Greece. The island itself was very pretty and most people spoke English but the resort was a bit sub-standard and we really never enjoyed it at all.

The day after our return I took the 31 bus up to my garage to collect my cab. All the problems I mentioned in the last post had been, amazingly, fixed. New radiator, new differential on the axle, warning lights that kept coming on now stay off and a central locking issue has also been corrected. So that should keep me happy for a wee while.

I had to collect my mum and brother from Luton Airport yesterday and the journey back in was extremely juddery. The mechanic at my garage told me the shock absorbers have had it and they won't be getting changed until the overhal in December so I guess my passengers are in for a bumpy few months.

While I was there he changed a wheel which was bald on the inside and also did the tracking which should help the tyres last a bit longer. They also changed the ads for the umpteenth time so I'm now advertising The Aldo fashion brand.

A month on from that minor collision I reported in my last post and in true " litigious society" style it has now escalated out of all proportion. I had hoped that by not mentioning it it would go away but that was naive of me given the fact that it was mostly my fault. I had exchanged details with the driver concerned and he seemed totally ok after what was a non event of a collision but low and behold he's magicked up witnesses out of thin air and is also claiming he was injured. My guvnor has hit the roof because it's going to push up his premiums and he's also saying I'm going to be liable to pay a £300 excess of which hell will freeze over before I pay it so all of a sudden things have become strained at my garage where I've been a driver on and off for about fifteen years.

In all honesty its been time to move on for about a year so pending the outcome of the insurance claim my time there may well be up.

Todays shift was extremely pleasant and effortless. The first hundred came in about three hours ( not a regular occurence I can assure you) then as I was heading for the South Kensington taxi rank a guy hailed me opposite Christies auction rooms. He asked how much it would be to Heathrow Terminal 5 and could I get there in 30 minutes to which I replied "yes" and it would be about £60. He produced a fat wad of cash, peeled off £70 and told me to wait there. I put the meter on and waited about five minutes before a couple got in and asked for Paddington, a £10 ride from where I was. It was tempting but my inherent honesty kicked in and I informed them that the fare had been paid all the way to Terminal 5 which surprised them. Halfway there the guy asked me how much I'd been given: "enough" was my reply. I learned a long time ago never to discuss money with people who wern't paying the fare because if the fare goes less than what the payer has given they try and get the change off you. The guy never asked anymore questions and after depositing them safely at Terminal 5 I headed back to London with a £12 tip...sweet as a nut!!

I need another couple of good days to sort out a ton of bills that are about to descend on me over the next few days.

Oh while I remember, last Saturday I spent a pleasant day out with Jane and her son Jason and his partner. It was Jasons 29th birthday and he came in to London from Chelmsford to do some sightseeing and shopping. By the time we met up with them they had already visited the London Eye and taken a boat trip from Westminster Pier to Greenwich and back.
There is an old trunk of an oak tree which has over the last hundred years had elves, animals and lots of other curiosities carved and painted into it. It's called the Elfin Oak and it is a Grade II listed structure which resides in the cafe area outside the Princess Diana Playground in Kensington Gardens. I had wanted to see it for some time and was able to convince everyone it was worth a look. No one seemed impressed when we located it but I was glad to have " pointed it" so at least if I ever get asked about it by my passengers I can give them an honest answer.
From there we went to Whiteley's where we couldn't agree on a film to watch at the Odeon. We tried the bowling alley next door but it was fully booked for the next few hours so I drove us all in the cab to Covent Garden where we spent an hour browsing all the shops. Zizzi's on the Strand was where we ended up for a nice supper and fantastic value at £25 per head for 3 courses and 2 drinks each. From there I dropped the boys back at Liverpool Street Station for their return journey to Chelmsford while me and Jane went home and went straight to bed.

I'm getting too old for all this traipsing around.

Take care.

L.C
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

13 comments:

Blog Boy said...

Nice to read your blog as it provided me useful information. If anyone happen to be in Amritsar (city of Golden Temple in India), Jwala Tour and Travel agents will provide you cheap and best Taxi in Amritsar.

Unknown said...

Your information was very useful to us and your service was really good.
Maxi van

Unknown said...

"I learned a long time ago never to discuss money with people who wern't paying the fare because if the fare goes less than what the payer has given they try and get the change off you."

Thanks for this quote you gave. It's another pointer that I should remember on my duty. Great read!

Richmon VA Transportation

John said...

Sorry about your Dad,you are right to celebrate the joy of a life well lived with joy rather than to dwell on their death.
The insurance companies are useless,if claims were properly investigated and if they were found to be fraudulent and fined it would soon put an end to the claim culture.
Dash cams might help perhaps ?

Unknown said...

it so nice i like your blog Nottingham Taxi

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your dad. I was happy to read the 'he would have approved' bit. I will put him in my prayers in a moment. Gabriel

Unknown said...

It is really very interesting post about taxi , thanks for sharing such a nice stuff with us.

Unknown said...

Hello Everybody,
My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

Melbourne Airport Taxi said...

thanks for sharing information
Silver Taxi Melbourne

1313 Taxi said...

Visit Taxi Service in chandigarh

bookmaxicabmelbourne said...

we provide maxi taxi services in melbourne cbd, melbourne airport and avalon airport
https://www.bookmaxicabmelbourne.com.au/
+61456108581

bsnl said...

As the name suggests at Exoticar you will find the most luxurious and exotic range of cars for hire. Our area of expertise is providing wedding limousine hire.
-Limo Hire Melbourne
-Exoti Car Hire
-Wedding Car Hire
-Wedding Limousines
-Wedding Limo Hire
-Chrysler Limousine Hire
-Stretch Limo Hire
-Porsche Limo Hire

bsnl said...

Euro Taxi provide the best luxury chauffeur car services in and around Melbourne.
We pride in providing the services like:
-Premium Silver Service Taxi Melbourne
-Luxury hotel transfers Melbourne
- Luxury Airport Transfer Melbourne
-Ride share Melbourne
-Corporate airport cars Melbourne
-Corporate Taxi Melbourne
-Luxury Hotel Transfers
Call us at 1300 387 682 or visit Luxury Hotel Transfers