9th February 26. Kent Again.

I like an early start as you know. But after the weekend off I felt ready for the job again. I had booked an early collection slot at BCA Rochester. Or Kingsnorth to call it right. So the early train to London, getting off at Harrow on the Hill onto the Metropolitan line to St Pancras international for the train to Ramsgate.

St Pancras international

I can get off at either Strood or Rochester station as they are the same distance from the BCA site. Which is right on the Thames estuary and the power station there.

Arriving at the site. It's one of the easiest to navigate. Walk up to the security gate and office and give your registration number and release code. Then a short wait and the vehicle is brought out to you.

Today was a 2023 Renault Trafic. It was as usual going to my customer in Aylesbury.

2023 Renault Trafic

Having driven a lot of Ford Transit vans recently. And having worked for Renault and driven a lot of them before. I was surprised by the drop of in the quality and driving experience. I had always liked the Renault vans. This was a basic Trafic Business edition, so I knew it wasn't going to have a lot a equipment. Neither does the base Transit models. But the driving position was terrible. The seats don't go back far enough for me and I was cramped a little. And the quality of the materials in the cab were no match for the Transit.

This particular van was a little worn out so it didn't drive well..it obviously hasn't been looked after well either. Pulling horribly to the right and crashing over bumps made it worse. Needs some TLC. Which I know the dealer will give it. When I was used car manager there. I always complained about the cost of the prep. But on the customer side, that's a good thing.

So out the M2 to the M25 and anti clockwise through the Dartford tunnel and round to the A41 I went and actually arrived back at 11.30.

I had one small job this afternoon from Hemel Hempstead to Aylesbury. So a few hours relaxation doing paperwork at home to come.

Once I got the ok to collect the car this afternoon. I had already looked at the bus times to get to Hemel Hempstead.

The X500 from Vale Park. Which is a five minute walk from home. Got me there for 15.30. then I had a 20 minutes walk to the address for the collection of a Peugeot 3008. This was a collection for the boss.. getting a car back from an employee who had left. Apparently head to wait for his daughter to get home and give me the key.

While waiting I spotted the car and did my appraisal and photos. Finally got the key and the drive home was now rush hour busy. But no rush and got to the after five. Dropped off the car and made my way home. Today finishes.