Well it's been a while hasn't it.
I'm actually running out of things to say so rather than discontinue this site i'll just use it as a place to vent my spleen every so often and if there's any news on the taxi front to report i'll do it.
The last few days have seen my body clock whiz round 12 hours and when I should be out working I start to nod off at the wheel and have to come home and jump straight into bed, not good for the bank balance!!
I've had a full 12 hours sleep now and hopefully I can go to work after Millwall beat Manchester United in the FA Cup Final 2-0 as I have some bills begging to be paid on Monday morning.
I'm getting all sorts of renewal letters in the post for things to do with my cab. Insurance £1600, meter £140, road tax £160...it might be easier to top myself.
I popped out yesterday to pay a few bills and ended up taking a fare to Enfield rather than turn down £50...every little helps.
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Nice job
If you're reading this Michelle.....Hi!!!!
As I told Michelle in my email I got a nice job out to Chafford Hundred this evening. Where's that I hear you asking? My sentiments exactly until I found out it was in Essex next to the Lakeside Shopping Centre. £73.40 is what it went on the meter and the best ride I've had for ages...no pun intended hehe!!
There was a do at the Grosvenor House Hotel on park Lane also and that provided us cabbies with plenty of work into the wee small hours.
I was so busy that I never got a chance to stop for any dinner so by the time I hit Tesco's to get my daughters packed lunch I almost bought the whole shop, well it seemed that way.
My brother was at my house when I got in and we watched the old Roger Daltrey film McVicar which has spawned many a catchphrase in our family over the years.
As I told Michelle in my email I got a nice job out to Chafford Hundred this evening. Where's that I hear you asking? My sentiments exactly until I found out it was in Essex next to the Lakeside Shopping Centre. £73.40 is what it went on the meter and the best ride I've had for ages...no pun intended hehe!!
There was a do at the Grosvenor House Hotel on park Lane also and that provided us cabbies with plenty of work into the wee small hours.
I was so busy that I never got a chance to stop for any dinner so by the time I hit Tesco's to get my daughters packed lunch I almost bought the whole shop, well it seemed that way.
My brother was at my house when I got in and we watched the old Roger Daltrey film McVicar which has spawned many a catchphrase in our family over the years.
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
On top of things
Well I've broke the back of my bills for this month. It's great to get the latest cab payment out of the way. A decent night was tonight. A couple of nice rides and a load of smaller ones. I accept credit cards and took a job from Canary Wharfe to Crystal Palace. I swiped the passengers card on the way and my terminal decided to seize up. There is no contingency for this kind of event so I decided to trust him and let him walk away while I sorted out the problem. (I kept his card details). I had to reset the machine and enter his details manually and eventually the job was accepted and I got my £31. I have to forward the printed receipt on to him by post.
I stopped off at Victoria and visited the Starbucks there and decided to try a Mocca Frappucino for the first time. I also got myself a tall latte just in case but the frappucino was really nice albeit a little cold on my teeth.
Once my teeth had got back to normal I put my cab on the rank there at Victoria Station and picked up a fare out to Woldingham Station in Surrey. It was a first for me and I hadn't even heard of it but a quick glance at the Master Atlas of Greater London told me exactly where to go. That was the nights best job at £50.
It is my son's 19th birthday today. On his 18th I said I would pay whatever it took for him to pass his driving test and he's still trying a year on, so I guess it saves me thinking of what to get him.
I stopped off at Victoria and visited the Starbucks there and decided to try a Mocca Frappucino for the first time. I also got myself a tall latte just in case but the frappucino was really nice albeit a little cold on my teeth.
Once my teeth had got back to normal I put my cab on the rank there at Victoria Station and picked up a fare out to Woldingham Station in Surrey. It was a first for me and I hadn't even heard of it but a quick glance at the Master Atlas of Greater London told me exactly where to go. That was the nights best job at £50.
It is my son's 19th birthday today. On his 18th I said I would pay whatever it took for him to pass his driving test and he's still trying a year on, so I guess it saves me thinking of what to get him.
Monday, May 10, 2004
£146 lighter
Well I'm a £146 lighter today as I just had to go and book my Taxi in to be examined in June. Only tax, insurance, meter and the garage fees to go I should be well brassic come the end of the month.
Just been driving around town, the traffic is bollocks and the heat is stifling, thank god for aircon.
Had a decent night last night. Only one nutter to report. Picked her and her mate up at the Dorchester side door, pissed as newts. Essex Girl gobs on them, effin and blindin and slagging off everyone from the government to their boyfriends. One got out at Tower Hill and the otherone went on to Bow Quarter in east London. She ended up falling asleep in the foetal position and I had to scream at her to get her to wake up and even then it took her a good few minutes to realise she was on planet Earth. She paid up OK in the end and it turned out to be the best job of the night...£25.
I'll be out there again tonight looking for "a bottle", work that one out.
Just been driving around town, the traffic is bollocks and the heat is stifling, thank god for aircon.
Had a decent night last night. Only one nutter to report. Picked her and her mate up at the Dorchester side door, pissed as newts. Essex Girl gobs on them, effin and blindin and slagging off everyone from the government to their boyfriends. One got out at Tower Hill and the otherone went on to Bow Quarter in east London. She ended up falling asleep in the foetal position and I had to scream at her to get her to wake up and even then it took her a good few minutes to realise she was on planet Earth. She paid up OK in the end and it turned out to be the best job of the night...£25.
I'll be out there again tonight looking for "a bottle", work that one out.
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Mundane existence
Back again. I haven't been arsed lately as it's a pretty mundane existence that I lead. It's all bills bills bills, work work work and practically no play. I did actually play a game of darts this week in a league that I'm in and our team beat the Truscott Arms team 7-5 with me playing a small part. The guvnor of that pub is a mad Geordie called Dave and he was doing his nut as Newcastle United had just been knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Marseille.
I did a bit tonight but came over all "ill" and decided to call it a night early. Just had a nice hot bath and am off to my pit for a kip. I'm listening to Dido's latest album Life for Rent and it's pretty soothing. Ain't the news mad at the moment? Everyone seems to be going into one about the mistreatment of the Iraqis, but it's alright for them to do it to everyone else isn't it.
Oh well.......nighty night.
I did a bit tonight but came over all "ill" and decided to call it a night early. Just had a nice hot bath and am off to my pit for a kip. I'm listening to Dido's latest album Life for Rent and it's pretty soothing. Ain't the news mad at the moment? Everyone seems to be going into one about the mistreatment of the Iraqis, but it's alright for them to do it to everyone else isn't it.
Oh well.......nighty night.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Our House
Took my daughter and her cousin to the cinema at Staples Corner to see "Our House" with Ben Stiller and Drew barrymore. Pretty funny with a good ending. 3 medium popcorns a couple of small cokes and a bag of smallgeezers...£16. What a flipping rip off. They'd probably sell a lot more if they lowered their prices.
Dropped my neice off at her home in South London and spent a couple of hours their configuring my sister-in-laws computer to drag and drop files onto the CD writer icon so that she could make a few MP3 cd's to play in her car.
I thought it would be busy tonight with the return to work tomorrow but it was pretty thin on the ground.
Best job tonight was Paddington Station to Leytonstone High Road....£31 Legal (no tip)!!!! I love the drive home from North East London. A406 North Circular all the way with the music blaring....fantastic.
Dropped my neice off at her home in South London and spent a couple of hours their configuring my sister-in-laws computer to drag and drop files onto the CD writer icon so that she could make a few MP3 cd's to play in her car.
I thought it would be busy tonight with the return to work tomorrow but it was pretty thin on the ground.
Best job tonight was Paddington Station to Leytonstone High Road....£31 Legal (no tip)!!!! I love the drive home from North East London. A406 North Circular all the way with the music blaring....fantastic.
Monday, May 03, 2004
Leeds Relegated
I have to start on a sad note. My football team, Leeds United, today lost their battle to stay in the Premiership. I watched it on TV and at the end most of the players and the supporters were in tears. I can't believe how we went from playing in a Champions League Semi-final to relegation in just a few years. I can only hope we'll jump straight back up next season but a rich investor has to be found before that can happen.
Back to work. Extremely busy the last 2 nights. I was here there and everywhere tonight. Hounslow, Isle of Dogs, Ealing, Wood green and many more. As tomorrow (or later on today) is a bank Holiday in the UK people were taking advantage of not having to work the next day. Best job went £40 that was the one to Hounslow.
At the end of this month my cab goes for it's first annual overhaul and all the other things needed to make the cab workable become due also so it's safe to say i'll be living in the cab over the coming weeks.
Does any one know how I add a comment button to this page?
Back to work. Extremely busy the last 2 nights. I was here there and everywhere tonight. Hounslow, Isle of Dogs, Ealing, Wood green and many more. As tomorrow (or later on today) is a bank Holiday in the UK people were taking advantage of not having to work the next day. Best job went £40 that was the one to Hounslow.
At the end of this month my cab goes for it's first annual overhaul and all the other things needed to make the cab workable become due also so it's safe to say i'll be living in the cab over the coming weeks.
Does any one know how I add a comment button to this page?
Saturday, May 01, 2004
Happy Birthday Di
First of all if you're reading this Dianne, Happy Birthday!!
The last couple of days have been messed up to say the least. It all started on Thursday when I went to change the headlight bulb on my TXII taxi and found it was a really awkward job. During all the fumblings of me and my son the bulb actually fell into the headlight unit and we had to go and borrow one of those magnetic telescopic thingys from someone to retrieve the bulb. By the time we'd fixed the retaining clip to the bulb it was too late to go out and I had to seek solace in a pot of Pralines and cream Haagen Daz ice cream. I went out to work on Friday morning to make up for Thursday and managed to take a respectable amount. All smallish jobs during the day but plenty of them. Best one probably went about £15. Went to my local carboot fair earlier and spent about £20 on a keyboard for my Dad's computer, a Hitachi CD walkman that does'nt work and a few tools. I should be out tonight as usual and have a few things to say tomorrow.
The last couple of days have been messed up to say the least. It all started on Thursday when I went to change the headlight bulb on my TXII taxi and found it was a really awkward job. During all the fumblings of me and my son the bulb actually fell into the headlight unit and we had to go and borrow one of those magnetic telescopic thingys from someone to retrieve the bulb. By the time we'd fixed the retaining clip to the bulb it was too late to go out and I had to seek solace in a pot of Pralines and cream Haagen Daz ice cream. I went out to work on Friday morning to make up for Thursday and managed to take a respectable amount. All smallish jobs during the day but plenty of them. Best one probably went about £15. Went to my local carboot fair earlier and spent about £20 on a keyboard for my Dad's computer, a Hitachi CD walkman that does'nt work and a few tools. I should be out tonight as usual and have a few things to say tomorrow.
Thursday, April 29, 2004
The Syrian
Well yesterday was my day off. You need one every so often to stay sane.
Tonight (wednesday) started off slow. I picked up a guy at Victoria station and he couldn't speak a word of English. He had a sim card on him and wanted to put it in my phone to get an address off it. I thought he wanted to run off with my phone (the fact that he had 2 cases never swayed my thoughts). The chip never worked in my phone so in the end he used my phone to ring someone. He handed me the phone and another poor Enghlish speaker gave me an address in Southall, West London. Once on the way my passenger was eager to practice his English on me and amongst other things I established that he was from Syria and had gotten out of that country as the situation there is deteriorating by the day. He kept saying "Syria, very bad" over and over. Then he asks me if he can use my phone again and I agreed, thinking I'll be reimbursed at the end of the trip. He dialed four or fiver numbers and spoke to each of them for a good while. When we arrived at his destination the meter clicked over to £40. I thought to myself "it's got to be at least £50 he's gonna give me". He promptly produced 2 crisp £20 notes and disappeared into the house leaving me despairing about the cheek of some people. That turned out to be the best ride of the night but there were one or two other decent rides.
On my nightly visit to Tesco to get my daughters packed lunch there was a guy pleading with the shop asisstant to be let off a few pennies as he was short but the asisstant was having none of it. Cue my good deed for the day. I often help out people less fortunate than me as it makes me feel good about myself.
Tonight (wednesday) started off slow. I picked up a guy at Victoria station and he couldn't speak a word of English. He had a sim card on him and wanted to put it in my phone to get an address off it. I thought he wanted to run off with my phone (the fact that he had 2 cases never swayed my thoughts). The chip never worked in my phone so in the end he used my phone to ring someone. He handed me the phone and another poor Enghlish speaker gave me an address in Southall, West London. Once on the way my passenger was eager to practice his English on me and amongst other things I established that he was from Syria and had gotten out of that country as the situation there is deteriorating by the day. He kept saying "Syria, very bad" over and over. Then he asks me if he can use my phone again and I agreed, thinking I'll be reimbursed at the end of the trip. He dialed four or fiver numbers and spoke to each of them for a good while. When we arrived at his destination the meter clicked over to £40. I thought to myself "it's got to be at least £50 he's gonna give me". He promptly produced 2 crisp £20 notes and disappeared into the house leaving me despairing about the cheek of some people. That turned out to be the best ride of the night but there were one or two other decent rides.
On my nightly visit to Tesco to get my daughters packed lunch there was a guy pleading with the shop asisstant to be let off a few pennies as he was short but the asisstant was having none of it. Cue my good deed for the day. I often help out people less fortunate than me as it makes me feel good about myself.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Murder down the Kings Road
A typical Monday night out there on the mean streets of London, hard work!!
Part of Kings Road was sealed off after a 20 year old guy was shot dead after he got in to an argument with 2 younger guys, resulting in the traffic being lead up a dead end by the police and everyone having to turn around in a very confined space. I picked up a couple from Bam Bou in Percy Street and took them to Queens Park. All the way there they were arguing and she was calling him the biggest wanker she'd ever known etc. and he was taking it pretty well considering it was giving me the hump. Stopped at Marylebone Station for a coffee and brownie then pulled off the rank after it never moved one space for 20 minutes. Got rid of an old £20 note after i'd inadvertently accepted it from someone else, always a great feeling. Got chatted up by an old Irish bag lady in the BP garage in Clipstone Street but gracefully declined her advances. No decent jobs tonight. Best one was probably about £23 from Paddington to Avenue Road in Highgate, N6.
Popped into Tesco's at Sutherland Avenue to get my daughter's packed lunch for school and treated myself to a ham and cheese sandwich to which I added some cheese and onion crisps...luverleeee!!!
Part of Kings Road was sealed off after a 20 year old guy was shot dead after he got in to an argument with 2 younger guys, resulting in the traffic being lead up a dead end by the police and everyone having to turn around in a very confined space. I picked up a couple from Bam Bou in Percy Street and took them to Queens Park. All the way there they were arguing and she was calling him the biggest wanker she'd ever known etc. and he was taking it pretty well considering it was giving me the hump. Stopped at Marylebone Station for a coffee and brownie then pulled off the rank after it never moved one space for 20 minutes. Got rid of an old £20 note after i'd inadvertently accepted it from someone else, always a great feeling. Got chatted up by an old Irish bag lady in the BP garage in Clipstone Street but gracefully declined her advances. No decent jobs tonight. Best one was probably about £23 from Paddington to Avenue Road in Highgate, N6.
Popped into Tesco's at Sutherland Avenue to get my daughter's packed lunch for school and treated myself to a ham and cheese sandwich to which I added some cheese and onion crisps...luverleeee!!!
Monday, April 26, 2004
Who still uses DOS
It's 3am on Monday morning and I have just got in. Nearly never went out at all as I'd been up my dads all day (he's 73) trying to show him how to use Word 2000. He still works at his age and uses a Word Perfect program in DOS but nobody else does so he's been told he has to use Word. I bought him a book from PC World and spent a few hours sittting with him explaining stuff but he was none the wiser when I left him. The saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" springs to mind.
Working on Sundays you tend to just hit the nearest mainline stations. Paddington is the best as the Heathrow Express brings a constant stream of passengers in to town until 11 or 12 at night. Victoria, Euston, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street and Waterloo are also extremely busy on a Sunday night. No nutcases out tonight just people wanting to get home after the weekend. Best job of the night: Victoria Station to Gants Hill. £37.20 Legal. Best tip £5 from a Gooner...I wonder why???
Working on Sundays you tend to just hit the nearest mainline stations. Paddington is the best as the Heathrow Express brings a constant stream of passengers in to town until 11 or 12 at night. Victoria, Euston, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street and Waterloo are also extremely busy on a Sunday night. No nutcases out tonight just people wanting to get home after the weekend. Best job of the night: Victoria Station to Gants Hill. £37.20 Legal. Best tip £5 from a Gooner...I wonder why???
Sunday, April 25, 2004
Another decent night
Another decent night after a bad start. Couldn't get into the rythmn of it until I'd stopped for a cuppa with my cabby mate Chris. Had a latte and a plaited donut type thing, very nice indeed. Then got down to the business of earning money. Kensington to Wapping, Tower Bridge to Hammersmith, Fulham to the West End, decent folks, losers, drunk kids. Saturdays are always this varied. Highlight of the night:Job goes £18, guy gives me a twenty and a ten (possibly a mistake?) and says keep the change!! "Thank you very much" says me and speed off incase he realises. Well I do have kids to feed. Best job of the night: Southwark to Ashford in Middlesex on a radio account. £57.80. Takings for the night...........I don't think you need to know that but lets just say pretty good.
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Gay Week
All in all it's been a pretty "gay" week.
I've been told I was a good looking guy by an gay american passenger, then I had this gay Irish guy in the back trying to convert me telling me I'd love it and then tonight I had to endure these four gay guys openly comparing notes on who'd given who a blow job and who'd swallowed etc. Not really my cup of tea but as long as they don't shove it up my "Khyber" then they can say what they like. Best job of the night: Central London to Egham in Surrey. £67.60 Legal (that means no tip) Still a nice job to finish up.
I've been told I was a good looking guy by an gay american passenger, then I had this gay Irish guy in the back trying to convert me telling me I'd love it and then tonight I had to endure these four gay guys openly comparing notes on who'd given who a blow job and who'd swallowed etc. Not really my cup of tea but as long as they don't shove it up my "Khyber" then they can say what they like. Best job of the night: Central London to Egham in Surrey. £67.60 Legal (that means no tip) Still a nice job to finish up.
Friday, April 23, 2004
How it works
I work most evenings unless there's something to have a night off for and I cover most of Greater london with the occasional "roader" into the Home Counties. I'll pick up anyone and everyone as long as they look like they can afford it. How can I tell? Just a look or a gut instinct is usually enough but occasionally one slips through the net and the night is ruined.
1st post
Hi all.
I drive a cab around London and thought you may (or may not) be interested to read what sort of things go on in and out of the cab. Watch this space...
I drive a cab around London and thought you may (or may not) be interested to read what sort of things go on in and out of the cab. Watch this space...
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