Well, you will be pleased to hear I’am keeping it brief this week! This has to be the nicest spot that I have ever written my blog in I’am sitting next to the pool in Lanzarote, the sun is beating down and the wind that has cooled a little over the last couple of days has dropped and the temperature must be 25 or so – absolutely gorgeous! We are spending lazy days doing not much really and nights eating great food and drinking too much! We had a great night last night in Tropical bar, the nightlife is very quiet by our standards mainly because the vast majority of tourists here are families but last night being Saturday late on a whole load of local youngsters invaded the place and the dj cranked up a load of Spanish and latino house music which I much preferred to the mass market euro dance that seems to be everywhere here, in particularly Lady Gaga who is driving me gaga! The vibe from the great music and the lovely warm locals really made a great night and I’am afraid we were the only tourists left by 3.30 when we left. As you may gather I do really like Canarion people in general, I find a warmth an friendliness that is often so lacking from holidays – in some ways a bit like our other favourite spot – Thailand.
We left on Thursday and I must admit that today is the first time that I have not thought about business and started relaxing, I guess I may have switched off in time to switch on again for work on Friday and a tour on Saturday, we are actually making a last trip to England the week after then it really is back to the grind before starting our full tour programme on 25th April, then follows 26 weeks on relentless work, much a I enjoy my job I don’t even want to think about it so I shall sign off now and head to the bar for a livener – Cheers for now !!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Richards Blog – 28.03.09 – Holidays at last !
Those of you who regularly follow my blog will know that we had to cancel our annual holiday in Thailand this year due to Chris having to stay in England to look after her mum (who is due out of hospital on Monday). As our full tour programme starts on 25th April it was not looking much like we would get a break but I took the decision that we have to get some time off together and booked a week in Lanzarote leaving on Thursday – not Thailand but at least it should be warm! We will therefore not have our weekend tours next weekend and if you were thinking of booking - my apologies – we hope you understand!
It has been a crazy week at home trying to get the 1001 things that needed doing done including new brochures, getting our new coach finished and and …….! We have also been talking to some our accommodation providers and we have secured some great accommodation for this years package tours, there has never been a better time to book rooms inIreland, we have therefore managed to keep our prices at last years’ level – some feat in today’s business climate! We often think we are too cheap and we do get e.mails confirming what is included, I often feel people cannot believe our prices compared to other comparable tours. As you might realise we are so competitive because we operate our own vehicles and we never offer commission to third parties, look at our competitors and see how many travel sites and supposedly impartial review sites include their products, why do you think that is?
Anyhow despite the lack of holidays we are spoiling for a fight and now have the vehicles, itineraries and pricing to meet the big boys head on and believe me after 11 years we are still spoiling for a fight!
I don’t know if I mentioned this but I’am currently re reading a book called “Buses under fire” which tells stories of the people involved in operating the bus service in Ulster during the troubles and it makes fascinating if a little disturbing reading. One of the great characters was the Managing Director of Ulsterbus and later Belfast Citybus a gentleman called Werner Huebeck who as you may gather was German born, Mr Huebeck was an utterly formidable person and took many hard decisions during that difficult time and is probably best known in transport folklore for removing bombs and suspect packages from buses himself and largely refusing the assistance of the British Army, this sounds rather dramatic but reading between the lines I believe he was not a great maverick but a meticulously calculated risk taker and he knew precisely what he was doing! Also Werner had a unique way of doing business when dealing with both sides of the troubles he would never do deals or favours and because of this he has always said that he had the upper hand in any negotiations as he had what he terms the “moral superiority”.
I truly believe that our growth has been truly organic and built solely on the strength of our commitment and the quality of our product, we were never in this business or indeed this country before and so have never been able to call in favours and connections, indeed it could be said that we have a moral superiority that many of our competitors could never have – just a thought!
I’am even having a holiday from Blogging until I get back but be warned I may come back from my break with even more crazy thoughts in fact there is one burning in my head right now – if you think that I’am tour mad you could be right – watch this space!!! By the way, no Elbow quote this week – I think I have rambled on enough!
It has been a crazy week at home trying to get the 1001 things that needed doing done including new brochures, getting our new coach finished and and …….! We have also been talking to some our accommodation providers and we have secured some great accommodation for this years package tours, there has never been a better time to book rooms inIreland, we have therefore managed to keep our prices at last years’ level – some feat in today’s business climate! We often think we are too cheap and we do get e.mails confirming what is included, I often feel people cannot believe our prices compared to other comparable tours. As you might realise we are so competitive because we operate our own vehicles and we never offer commission to third parties, look at our competitors and see how many travel sites and supposedly impartial review sites include their products, why do you think that is?
Anyhow despite the lack of holidays we are spoiling for a fight and now have the vehicles, itineraries and pricing to meet the big boys head on and believe me after 11 years we are still spoiling for a fight!
I don’t know if I mentioned this but I’am currently re reading a book called “Buses under fire” which tells stories of the people involved in operating the bus service in Ulster during the troubles and it makes fascinating if a little disturbing reading. One of the great characters was the Managing Director of Ulsterbus and later Belfast Citybus a gentleman called Werner Huebeck who as you may gather was German born, Mr Huebeck was an utterly formidable person and took many hard decisions during that difficult time and is probably best known in transport folklore for removing bombs and suspect packages from buses himself and largely refusing the assistance of the British Army, this sounds rather dramatic but reading between the lines I believe he was not a great maverick but a meticulously calculated risk taker and he knew precisely what he was doing! Also Werner had a unique way of doing business when dealing with both sides of the troubles he would never do deals or favours and because of this he has always said that he had the upper hand in any negotiations as he had what he terms the “moral superiority”.
I truly believe that our growth has been truly organic and built solely on the strength of our commitment and the quality of our product, we were never in this business or indeed this country before and so have never been able to call in favours and connections, indeed it could be said that we have a moral superiority that many of our competitors could never have – just a thought!
I’am even having a holiday from Blogging until I get back but be warned I may come back from my break with even more crazy thoughts in fact there is one burning in my head right now – if you think that I’am tour mad you could be right – watch this space!!! By the way, no Elbow quote this week – I think I have rambled on enough!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Richards Blog – 21.03.09 – Asleep in the back !
I’am enjoying this Elbow lyrics idea, I have managed to use an album title as my blog subject this week, I had a tour the other day with a very nice group other than the fact that they spent most of the time we were traveling sleeping! I’am a poor traveller on a coach as I fall asleep very quickly (if I trust the driver!) and I’am never sure whether to take sleeping passengers as a compliment or an insult! I suppose it’s a compliment in that they are relaxed and comfortable with my driving but they are clearly not gripped by my commentary!
I got thinking about this on Thursday night when me and Chris went out for a meal and a few drinks in Limerick, the meal was at The Texas Steakout and was as good as ever by the way. We then retired to Smyths bar for refreshment where there was a local band playing called the Lollygaggers, when we arrived there was about 10 people in the bar who were largely indifferent to the band despite us applauding particularly when they did a great Bell x1 cover and I really felt for them trying to whip up a reluctant crowd – they had the same problem as me the other day!
When the bar filled up a bit the atmosphere changed and a lively night ensued and the you could tell the band relaxed and enjoyed themselves and I will guarantee everyone else in the audience felt the same. This is often how I find my job goes one day you seem to be talking to yourself then another you have a laugh and interact with the passengers and I feel my best comes through on those occasions but if I get no feedback no matter how hard I try not to I find myself simply “going through the motions” I’am sure you have guessed which days I prefer, on the days when we have a bit of fun time seems to fly!
Now I know a lot of people are shy and just because they aren’t cracking jokes doesn’t mean they aren’t enjoying themselves if fact I have been amazed on occasions when someone I have hardly interacted with all day leaves the tour at night and tells me they had a great day and gives me a generous tip - that’s a great feeling, they have taken what they wanted from the experience and enjoyed themselves in their own way.
So if you are taking a tour, try to have a chat with your driver if you like what he or she is doing and you might find you get even more from the tour but then again if you are the loner type sit back and enjoy but if you do enjoy your day make a point of telling your driver – you might be surprised how much a small bit of encouragement means to them.
We are going to pick the winner of our “Name a coach” competition next week I think we both like the same one but we are still open to suggestions so drop me a line if you have one. We also have some news next week about a new micro website which will be much more interactive and lively with a forum and maybe an alternative blog which might appeal to those of you who follow my blog. By the way if you do have any thoughts or comments about this blog or anything else why not e.mail me or are you “Asleep in the Back?”
I got thinking about this on Thursday night when me and Chris went out for a meal and a few drinks in Limerick, the meal was at The Texas Steakout and was as good as ever by the way. We then retired to Smyths bar for refreshment where there was a local band playing called the Lollygaggers, when we arrived there was about 10 people in the bar who were largely indifferent to the band despite us applauding particularly when they did a great Bell x1 cover and I really felt for them trying to whip up a reluctant crowd – they had the same problem as me the other day!
When the bar filled up a bit the atmosphere changed and a lively night ensued and the you could tell the band relaxed and enjoyed themselves and I will guarantee everyone else in the audience felt the same. This is often how I find my job goes one day you seem to be talking to yourself then another you have a laugh and interact with the passengers and I feel my best comes through on those occasions but if I get no feedback no matter how hard I try not to I find myself simply “going through the motions” I’am sure you have guessed which days I prefer, on the days when we have a bit of fun time seems to fly!
Now I know a lot of people are shy and just because they aren’t cracking jokes doesn’t mean they aren’t enjoying themselves if fact I have been amazed on occasions when someone I have hardly interacted with all day leaves the tour at night and tells me they had a great day and gives me a generous tip - that’s a great feeling, they have taken what they wanted from the experience and enjoyed themselves in their own way.
So if you are taking a tour, try to have a chat with your driver if you like what he or she is doing and you might find you get even more from the tour but then again if you are the loner type sit back and enjoy but if you do enjoy your day make a point of telling your driver – you might be surprised how much a small bit of encouragement means to them.
We are going to pick the winner of our “Name a coach” competition next week I think we both like the same one but we are still open to suggestions so drop me a line if you have one. We also have some news next week about a new micro website which will be much more interactive and lively with a forum and maybe an alternative blog which might appeal to those of you who follow my blog. By the way if you do have any thoughts or comments about this blog or anything else why not e.mail me or are you “Asleep in the Back?”
Richards Blog – 18.03.09 – Throw those curtains wide !
Well we are back to it, I write this at Caherconnoll on our Paddys week special Cliffs tour, we actually started last Saturday so breaking in gently! It is an absolutely beautiful day today and it truly is a pleasure to be back behind the wheel after a slightly disjointed winter!
The great news is that Chris is finally back home and her mum is well on the mend, we actually arrived back on the old faithful P&O ferry last week after some great fun over the last 2 weeks. First of all it was the sad anniversary of Chris’ brother micheal passing away but we chose to remember it in a way that I’am sure he would have been proud of on a pub crawl around the West end of London to some of his favourite haunts with his friends then a superb drunken Malaysian meal – a great night! Also a good day inLondon was had (for me anyway!) as our visit coincided with the London transport Museum annex open day at Acton. There was some great stuff to see for a bus and train bore like me and the highlight was a ride round the local area on RM1 – the first Routemaster bus built in 1958 – they don’t make them like that anymore!
The other big event was Chris being 40 (again !!) on 11th March, we celebrated on our way back to Ireland in Liverpool and had a great night in some great pubs and a superb meal in a great Indian restaurant called The Masterchef – so nice to get a real un pretentious Indian meal and you can bring your own wine – great for the recession that we all talking ourselves into at the moment! On the subject of Liverpool if you like a magnificent traditional pub go to The Philharmonic – it is truly stunning and a great pint as well!
The other big event was Chris being 40 (again !!) on 11th March, we celebrated on our way back to Ireland in Liverpool and had a great night in some great pubs and a superb meal in a great Indian restaurant called The Masterchef – so nice to get a real un pretentious Indian meal and you can bring your own wine – great for the recession that we all talking ourselves into at the moment! On the subject of Liverpool if you like a magnificent traditional pub go to The Philharmonic – it is truly stunning and a great pint as well!
Well, back to work, we are now operating our Cliffs most Saturdays and Cork and Blarney on Sundays until 25th April when our full programme starts, our new coach is nearly finished and I will be announcing our winning name soon but if you have a suggestion send it to me and I might just like it better – you never know!
Music – As I think I mentioned we went to see Elbow in Newcastle a couple of weeks ago and I can honestly say it was the most impressive and enjoyable gig I have ever been to, those guys have serious talent and I love the wordy lyrical songs that really make you think, if you like a truly deep and insightful song check out “Switching Off” from their first album, I’am so impressed with Elbow that I’am going to start giving you an appropriate Elbow quote to sum up my week so this week is predictable – “Throw those curtains wide, one day like this a year would see me right”
Us let loose in Soho!
Me and a proper bus!
Richards Blog – 28.02.09 – Still home alone!
Well Chris is still in England but it has been a really busy week with vehicles coming in and out of the garage for various repairs and jobs. A long term job has been on our new coach which is really looking lovely now, as it has had a full re-trim the interior is literally as new but that showed up some lovely wood work which was looking a bit faded and tired so it has been taken out, sanded and varnished and stained – not a big job on the face of it but very time consuming and extremely boring! In fact the kitchen has become a bit of a production line with timber lying everywhere – good job I’am on my own! As well as that I have been steadily working my way through servicing, a few repairs and a couple of oil leaks – so a busy week.
I should also re count the exciting journey bringing the new coach home back last month. We collected the vehicle from our normal coachbuilders – Gardiners at Spennymoor in County Durham and started on the journey across to Liverpool where we were booked on the night P& O sailing to Dublin, we left about 2.00 to give plenty of time as the weather was not great – freezing cold with snow flurries. We headed across the famous A66 over Bowes Moor and Staindrop the weather was glorious with sun and a blanket of snow, the road was fine though Chris had a turn at driving over that stretch and I took over for the next section towards Tebay then onto the M6 motorway as I was heading towards Kirby Stephen I realised all was not well, the engine wasn’t pulling well and we had an awful lot of black smoke, I immediately recognised the problem from my Renault Truck sales days – the exhaust brake had stuck on. We stopped and I managed to get underneath (in deep snow – lovely!) and I was right, we needed some wire to tie the exhaust brake, we found a friendly car garage who helped us out – all for £7.00 – not bad. We then headed to Liverpool a little behind time but with time in hand. I then reversed into the lower vehicle deck on the P & O Ferry Norbank – this was fairly awkward and done entirely on mirrors with inches to spare – Chris didn’t volunteer to drive at that point!
We then retired to the bar for a couple of well earned drinks and a very good dinner before turning for the night in a very nice cabin. Sweet dreams were shattered when we were woken at 4.30 just off Dublin, we arrived in Dublin Port at 5.30 and headed down to start the coach, I turned the key and nothing! Flat batteries now, I must now point out that the batteries were entirely my fault, I had the heated mirrors on when reversing and forgot to turn them off! Anyway P & O were really helpful and provided jump leads and we got a jump start from one of their vehicles, we then headed home and arrived about 9.30 – what a journey!
Just one aside to that I remember bring my last coach Perry over on the same ferry in 2001 and that wouldn’t start so maybe it’s a good omen!
I will post some pics of the journey next week as Chris has them in UK, I’am hopefully heading over by ferry and car next week and even better hopefully bringing Chris back – news next week!
Now for a bit of Music – I have recently re discovered the band Elbow, I heard some of their early stuff and liked it although somehow I never caught up with them until on my last trip to England when I bought their latest album “The Seldom Seen Kid” and I have to say I’am bowled over by it, so much so that I’am going to see them in Newcastle on Thursday night, I will let you know what I think!
I should also re count the exciting journey bringing the new coach home back last month. We collected the vehicle from our normal coachbuilders – Gardiners at Spennymoor in County Durham and started on the journey across to Liverpool where we were booked on the night P& O sailing to Dublin, we left about 2.00 to give plenty of time as the weather was not great – freezing cold with snow flurries. We headed across the famous A66 over Bowes Moor and Staindrop the weather was glorious with sun and a blanket of snow, the road was fine though Chris had a turn at driving over that stretch and I took over for the next section towards Tebay then onto the M6 motorway as I was heading towards Kirby Stephen I realised all was not well, the engine wasn’t pulling well and we had an awful lot of black smoke, I immediately recognised the problem from my Renault Truck sales days – the exhaust brake had stuck on. We stopped and I managed to get underneath (in deep snow – lovely!) and I was right, we needed some wire to tie the exhaust brake, we found a friendly car garage who helped us out – all for £7.00 – not bad. We then headed to Liverpool a little behind time but with time in hand. I then reversed into the lower vehicle deck on the P & O Ferry Norbank – this was fairly awkward and done entirely on mirrors with inches to spare – Chris didn’t volunteer to drive at that point!
We then retired to the bar for a couple of well earned drinks and a very good dinner before turning for the night in a very nice cabin. Sweet dreams were shattered when we were woken at 4.30 just off Dublin, we arrived in Dublin Port at 5.30 and headed down to start the coach, I turned the key and nothing! Flat batteries now, I must now point out that the batteries were entirely my fault, I had the heated mirrors on when reversing and forgot to turn them off! Anyway P & O were really helpful and provided jump leads and we got a jump start from one of their vehicles, we then headed home and arrived about 9.30 – what a journey!
Just one aside to that I remember bring my last coach Perry over on the same ferry in 2001 and that wouldn’t start so maybe it’s a good omen!
I will post some pics of the journey next week as Chris has them in UK, I’am hopefully heading over by ferry and car next week and even better hopefully bringing Chris back – news next week!
Now for a bit of Music – I have recently re discovered the band Elbow, I heard some of their early stuff and liked it although somehow I never caught up with them until on my last trip to England when I bought their latest album “The Seldom Seen Kid” and I have to say I’am bowled over by it, so much so that I’am going to see them in Newcastle on Thursday night, I will let you know what I think!
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