20th May 25. Coalville, Lincoln and Oxford. Eventually.

Another Peugeot delivery to a retail customer from the prep centre in Leighton Buzzard. Then to Coalville north west of Leicester. To collect a car bought by a dealer in Oxford.

The bus from Aylesbury to Leighton Buzzard now goes a different way and stops directly opposite the prep centre. So the 7.02 bus now gets me there around 7.40am. this gives me a great time advantage as I now arrive earlier than the other drivers, so no waiting too long for the car to be handed over.

I was given the keys and location, this time, with someone to follow me and help, should the car be blocked in

Which it was. The young man was very helpful and moved two cars and helped to get the car free. Rather him, than me, hitting another car.

Yesterday I explained the importance of digital appraisal tools. This first job today is for a job portal that has their own digital appraisal on the app. It's activated when you open and start the job.

It's very very comprehensive, and demands images of everything from the engine bay to the chassis no. The roof and even a selfie too . Because, they then know that it's actually you doing the job. It takes a little longer. But I'm happy to do it. It shows the way this business is going. A lot more professional than grumpy old scruffy, moaning, habitually high viz wearing men. Who don't care about anything other than their time to get home.

So from Leighton Buzzard to Coalville takes around an hour and a half and I get off at around 8.20. which is earlier than expected.

Leighton Buzzard to Coalville

These deliveries are strange. The customers are never really, 'new car excited " I wondered why. So I asked. Turns out, These are actually lease cars. Although I see a local Peugeot dealer name for the collection. They are actually leased by Select Leasing. To customers who already have a lease car which has either gone back to the disposal company or about to.

So I suppose it's just like a rental car to them.

Having found the address and let the customer know half an hour before arrival. He still took about ten minutes to answer the door.

I love the difference in people that I encounter doing this. Some people are really happy with the car, chatty, friendly and helpful. Understand my job and occasionally are happy to give me a lift to the station or wherever I'm going locally. Offering the use of a toilet or offering a drink.

But some, and this man is a classic example of the kind. Is a miserable sod. One word answers. No interest in the car or my possible needs. Not that I expect it. But he just wanted me gone and signed without looking at the car. So I didn't offer my usual explanation of the car and controls. And handed him the keys and left him to go back to internet chat he was obviously having with someone while his wife was at work. Hence the 10 minutes wait for him to answer the door.

God. I'm Horrible and presumptuous. He could be a lovely person.

Anyway the Uber arrived and took me to Leicester station for the train to Lincoln, or to be exact, Hykeham.

Leicester to Hykeham

Which, as you can see, is a direct service taking around an hour and a half.

This is to collect a Kia Sportage for my customer in Oxford. The sales manager there is someone I gave a job to a few years ago as a transaction manager and is another contact in the vehicle retail business who appreciates how I work.

He has bought this Kia Sportage from a wholesale supplier in Hykeham nr Lincoln.

It's a 23 minutes walk from the station and yet again the weather makes the walk a preference. Sunny and warm again. How much longer can we expect this weather?

The walk is actually very important to me. After driving where the concentration is 100% for a few hours and the train where you sit more often than not, uncomfortably. Stretching the legs and exercising is important. Since starting this work I don't have time for the gym. And at my age I need the exercise. Would you believe I walk on average about 40 miles each month. And I feel better for it.

Arriving at the small wholesalers building, he comes out and shows me the car. A light green Kia Sportage

The car had obviously been sitting a while as the battery was flat. It was also blocked in. Yes he knew I was coming.

Whilst doing the appraisal the car was paid for and I set up the car for the drive to Oxford.

Found the nearest fuel station and off on the three plus hours drive back.

Hykeham to Oxford

Looking at the time of arrival at Oxford. And having planned a day at home working tomorrow. I made the decision to drive straight home and deliver the car early tomorrow morning. A call to my ex colleague confirmed this was ok and I relaxed and drove home to Aylesbury. Taking the same 3 hours so no difference. On the way I passed this on the A1 southbound . Luckily I had my camera and took a quick shot on auto. Don't try this at home please. No real idea what it is yet?

I carried on and put an audio book on , a third listen of Zero Zero Zero by Roberto Saviano. The author of the book Gomorrah. Which turned into a movie and one of the best TV series I've seen.

This book is really a scary look at the worlds cocaine market, how big it is and the people involved. It's one of the scariest books I've read about how this planet is organised and who runs it.

Home quickly as the book made the time fly.

I'll worry about this delivery tomorrow.