What a fantastic day ! My instructor (Gary) and 2nd driver are really nice guys. Gary has one of those real laid back natures that you warm to very quickly, but at the same time is very sharp and perceptive ! As you would expect from your instructor ! The truck is marvellous. Its a 3 year old MAN, 18 ton with a 4 over 4 splitter. The damn thing even has cruise control, air con and a LCD screen with reversing camera ! Its also got an intelligent gearbox such that if you attempt a crazy downward gearchange; the management system will actually decide which gear you are going to get !
Had a great drive out from Burnley toward Blackburn, Preston, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Blackpool and back to Burnley. Bob (other trainee) and I both had a great day. Didnt clip any kerbs (yet !), lamposts, pedestrians etc
Was struggling with the gearbox on the first run, but quickly got the hang of it. Getting in the switch change straight away after getting rolling makes such a differrence. One less thing when you come to change up ! Mirrors are awesome ! Really amazed at how easy it is to drive to be honest. When you lose the initial anxiety over the size its actually nicer to drive than my car !!!
Didnt get any pics of the truck (do that tomorrow) but got one of the ferry laying on its side on Blackpool beach.
Had a great drive out from Burnley toward Blackburn, Preston, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Blackpool and back to Burnley. Bob (other trainee) and I both had a great day. Didnt clip any kerbs (yet !), lamposts, pedestrians etc
Was struggling with the gearbox on the first run, but quickly got the hang of it. Getting in the switch change straight away after getting rolling makes such a differrence. One less thing when you come to change up ! Mirrors are awesome ! Really amazed at how easy it is to drive to be honest. When you lose the initial anxiety over the size its actually nicer to drive than my car !!!
Didnt get any pics of the truck (do that tomorrow) but got one of the ferry laying on its side on Blackpool beach.
