Life on the road

摘要

In the spring of 1996, my wife Jo and I began double manning for Portsmouth-based continental hauliers Freight Transfer. They ran general haulage, mainly to Spain, Portugal and Italy. Set up in the early 80s by Paul 'Foggy' Fogden, with just a single truck, it now boasted more than 25 tractors and 60-odd trailers. After a couple of runs to Spain in a Daf 95, we were given a new lveco Eurostar. Other drivers slagged it off, saying it was Italian and really just a plastic Fiat. But they were usually guys that had never driven one. It was a top motor, especially for double manning. Loads of space and storage, and you could take your trousers off standing up. The true measure of a good cab. The bunks were some of the best we'd slept in and the top bunk even had its own window. And with 420 horses, she didn't hang about. Great motor to drive as well, a ZF gearbox, very comfortable seats and good vision all round.