Violent Britain

We have now been in Canada for almost a year but i have to admit we still pick up on the bits of news from back in UK. Only last week there have been fresh stab victims, apparently one in West Bromwich, not a stones throw from where i was bought up.

I know i live on the other side of the world now but it still does concern me, dont forget i've still got family over there, Claire & family, Colin & family, my mum & dad, my cousins and of course Jan's family.

The news and media does seem to dramatise the news but this is appalling.

What seems to be the problem ???

I think its a culmination of too many people on a small rock and a complete lack of tolerance.

Gangs of kids hanging around the Off Licence (Liquor Store) after dark, or rampaging up and down the Mall on a Saturday afternoon.

Little yobs (hoodies) terrorising shop owners and staff, abusing and stealing.

I never realised what a rough place Britain was till i left.

If you look back through recent history its pretty scary stuff, gangs of rockers, mods and skin heads fighting at holiday resorts, the punk era, attacks on seniors. Our Football Hooligans are internationally (in)famous, and not just at home..............

"Happy Slapping" where on earth did that come from, where in the civilised world would pre-teenage kids come up with the idea of beating up other children and filming it for entertainment on camera phones which cost their parents hundreds of pounds.

There is nothing Great about Britain anymore and there is definitely nothing United about the Kingdom.

Concrete Laid

Well looks like they're done for the day, looks a pretty good job to me........

as if i know anything about concrete.....................

Laying Concrete

Just looked out of the window and there is a cement truck reversing up our drive, here's an idea, if i could invent a cement truck that showed the company name the right side up on both sides, do you think i could get rich and retire.

Racing back to Raymond

Burnt McMuffin

Bighorn Sheep in Golden BC

(okay, okay,ive changed it, they are bighorn sheep not long

horn sheep.) they're horns were long though 8¬)

Look im a truck driver, i dont do sheep...

Now lets see if we get any comments about that statement !!!

Oops !

Crazy weather south of Calgary (in July !!!)

Preparing foundations for the garage

Okay we left off in sunny Kelowna, i was sat in the dust bowl waiting for my trailer to be loaded, i spun round to the plant and it looks like the product was still busily sitting in the warehouse. Looks like i will be driving thru the night back to Calgary.

On the way back to the dust bowl my tummy reminded me it was time to refuel again so i detoured to a little speciality bakery for a spot of tiffin. As i was trundling along the highway another H&R truck was going the other way with the driver waving vigerously, he spun round and we pulled up at the bakery together.

Apparently he was also on a "Search & Rescue" mission, search out food and rescue it ! Well the bakery was closed and he suggested a little Greek restaurant on the other side of town. That sounded good to me so i followed him round and there was even a bit of waste ground to park on, how very convenient.

The Greek restaurant was excellent, a little pricey for my tight wallet ($30 for a starter, main and coffee) but it was worth it just to eat in a civilised place. In fact the decor was unbelieveably Greek, they had knocked the 2 levels into one and there was a nice rickety stairway up on to the roof. It was a lovely day and nice to eat Al Fresco. The Dolmades were done to perfection, nicely flavored ground beef filling and just a hint of a vinegery tang on the grape leaf wrap. Main course had to be a Giros, last time i had Greek was when we went to Rhodes a couple of years ago, this restaurant would have fitted in perfectly in Lindos town center.

With a well stuffed belly, it was back to the dus bowl, parking in the secret spot where i know i can get internet, a 60 minute power nap then a couple of ours on the internet.

Just as it was dropping dark, a dust cloud formed in the middle of the yard and just as quickly it formed, it disapeared and there stood a city truck with my trailer on the back of it. The city driver had promised he would bring it round for me when it was done and give me a knock, true to is word he was there and with a big grin he handed me the paperwork.

Now the weird thing was, the load was less than 8,000 lbs, but hey, whos complaining, i should fly over Roger's Pass. After taking over the trailer i headed East, i drove for a few hours but to be quite honest i was tired, i think it was a culmination of a busy few days, a lazy afternoon and a belly full of Greek food.

I pulled into Revelstoke for a few hours nap, i had plenty of time on the load anyway so i stayed there till it was light then i was back on my merry way. The rest of the journey was uneventfull apart fron a diaster in Golden..................

I have a tradition when driving to and from BC, i always stop in Golden, park up on the frontage road and have two sausage and egg Mcmuffins and a large coffee (double double). I was horrified when i saw that one of my Mc Muffins was horribly burned. I thought about taking it back and complaining but appetite got the better of me and before i could stop myself the evidence was gone, i just about got a photograph before it disapeared. Anyway the other McMuffin was warmed to perfection and the coffee was hot.

As i crossed the Provincial line into Alberta i got my pre-plan from Calgary to Lethbridge and the loaded time was about the same as my ETA so thanks to my dispatcher i should have a nice connection.

I got into Calgary, dropped the trailer and parked up, the trailer took about an hour to turn up and i headed south. As i left Calgary we had an almighty hailstorm, looks like the weather is all screwed up today.

Jan picked me up as usual and we went home, there was a big bowl of the chicken stew waiting for me which i made on my last home time, have you noticed, home made stew is always better when it has been cooked, frozen, then served later, wel i prefer it like that anyway.....

The Garage People (haha that sounds like a 70's gay pop group) turned up next day and started laying concrete so that little project is under way now. Last night had a Phone call off Ron, who has just moved into Raymond and his family came over for a barbeque and a few cold ones.

This morning we were woke up at 07:00 by the the Garage People and no they weren't singing "In The Navy" in our back garden, they just wanted me to move the car off the drive so they could start work.

Biodiesel - Not such a new concept

Current U.S. biodiesel production is primarily from oil from soybeans or from recycled restaurant cooking oil.

The concept of biofuels is surprisingly old. Rudolf Diesel, whose invention now bears his name, had envisioned vegetable oil as a fuel source for his engine. In fact, much of his early work revolved around the use of biofuel. In 1900, for example, at the World Exhibition in Paris, France, Diesel demonstrated his engine by running it on peanut oil. Similarly, Henry Ford expected his Model T to run on ethanol, a corn product. Eventually, in both Diesel's and Ford's cases, petroleum entered the picture and proved to be the most logical fuel source. This was based on supply, price and efficiency, among other things. Though it wasn't common practice, vegetable oils were also used for diesel fuel during the 1930s and 1940s.
It was in the 1970s and 1980s that the idea of using biofuels was revisited in the United States. One of the most important events occurred in 1970 with the passage of the Clean Air Act by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This allowed the EPA to more closely regulate emissions standards for pollutants like sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide, ozone and nitrogen oxides (NOx). This set the stage for developing cleaner-burning fuels. This also set standards for fuel additives.

Events overseas such as the 1973-1974 Arab oil embargo and the 1978-1979 Iranian Revolution, coupled with a decrease in domestic oil production, served to drive prices up. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration, U.S. crude oil imports were cut by 30% during the embargo, and "the world price of crude oil jumped from around $14 per barrel at the beginning of 1979 to more than $35 per barrel in January 1981 before stabilizing. Prices did not drop appreciably until 1983, when the world price stabilized between $28 and $29 per barrel."

With petroleum prices increasing, researchers began to look elsewhere. In August 1982, the first International Conference on Plant and Vegetable Oils was held in Fargo, N.D. This conference dealt with matters ranging from fuel cost and the effects of vegetable oil to fuel additives and extraction methods.

In 1990, the Clean Air Act was amended and included more stringent restrictions on vehicle emissions. The amendment introduced provisions for such things as increased oxygen content in gasoline (which lowers carbon monoxide emissions) and lower sulfur content in diesel fuels.

In 1992, the EPA passed the Energy Policy Act, or EPACT. This was aimed at increasing the amount of alternative fuel used by the U.S. government transportation fleets in order to reduce dependency on foreign oil. The 1998 EPACT amendment included using biodiesel fuel in existing government diesel vehicles as an acceptable alternative to purchasing alternative fuel vehicles, or AFVs, as stipulated in the original EPACT.

The Pros

Biodiesel has several key advantages:

1. Biodiesel is environmentally friendly.
2. It can help reduce dependency on foreign oil.
3. It helps to lubricate the engine itself, decreasing engine wear.
4, It can be used in almost any diesel with little or no engine modification.
5. It is safer than conventional diesel.

One of the major selling points of biodiesel is that it is environmentally friendly. Biodiesel has fewer emissions than standard diesel, is biodegradable, and is a renewable source of energy.
Emissions control is central to the biodiesel argument, especially in legislation matters. There are a few components of emissions that are especially harmful and cause concern among scientists, lawmakers, and consumers. Sulfur and its related compounds contribute to the formation of acid rain; carbon monoxide is a widely recognized toxin; and carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect. There are also some lesser known compounds that cause concern, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ring-shaped compounds that have been linked to the formation of certain types of cancer. Particulate matter (PM) has negative health effects, and unburned hydrocarbons contribute to the formation of smog and ozone.

Biodiesel does reduce hazardous emissions. Of the current biofuels, biodiesel is the only one to have successfully completed emissions testing in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

In addition, B100 can reduce CO2 emissions by 78% and lower the carcinogenic properties of diesel fuel by 94% (National Biodiesel Board, U.S. DOE Office of Transportation Technologies).

Another feature of biodiesel is that it is biodegradable, meaning that it can decompose as the result of natural agents such as bacteria. According to the EPA, biodiesel degrades at a rate four times faster than conventional diesel fuel. This way, in the event of a spill, the cleanup would be easier and the aftermath would not be as frightening. This would also hold true for biodiesel blends.

Biodiesel could also lower U.S. dependence on imported oil and increase our energy security. Most biodiesel in the U.S. is made from soybean oil, which is a major domestic crop. With U.S. petroleum demands increasing and world supply decreasing, a renewable fuel such as biodiesel, if properly implemented, could alleviate some of the U.S. energy demands.

Biodiesel also contributes to an engine's lubricity, or its ease of movement. Biodiesel acts as a solvent, which helps to loosen deposits and other gunk from the insides of an engine that could potentially cause clogs. Since pure biodiesel leaves no deposits of its own, this results in increased engine life. It is estimated that a biodiesel blend of just 1% could increase fuel lubricity by as much as 65% (U.S. DOE Office of Transportation Technology).

Biodiesel is also safer. It is non-toxic (about 10 times less toxic than table salt) and has a higher flashpoint than conventional diesel. Because it burns at a higher temperature, it is less likely to accidentally combust. This makes movement and storage regulations easier to accommodate. Next, we'll look at the cons and the future of biodiesel.

The Cons

Of course, nothing is without penalty, and biodiesel does have its drawbacks. Some have to do with the fuel itself, and many have to do with the bigger picture.
One of the problems with the fuel itself is the increase in NOx in biodiesel emissions. Often, in diesel fuel manufacturing, when you decrease the amount of particulate matter in the emissions, there is a corresponding increase in nitrogen oxides, which contribute to smog formation. Though some of this can be addressed by adjusting the engine itself, that's not always feasible. There are technologies being researched to reduce NOx amounts in biodiesel emissions.

Another problem is biodiesel's behavior as a solvent. Though this property is helpful, it's kind of a double-edged sword. Some older diesel vehicles (such as cars made before 1992) may experience clogging with higher concentrations of biodiesel. Because of its ability to loosen deposits built up in the engine (which may be there from old diesel fuel), biodiesel can cause the fuel filter to become jammed with the newly freed deposits. Biodiesel manufacturers suggest changing the fuel pump shortly after switching to high-concentration biodiesel blends. Components within these older fuel systems may also become degraded. In addition to deposits within the fuel system, biodiesel also breaks down rubber components. Some parts in the older systems, such as fuel lines and fuel pump seals, may become broken down due to their rubber or rubber-like composition. This is usually remedied by replacing such components. Though many manufacturers have included biodiesel in their warranties, potential for problems could still exist. For more information on biodiesel and vehicle warranties, check out The Biodiesel Standard.

Also, in some engines, there can be slight decrease in fuel economy and power. On average, there is about a 10% reduction in power. In other words, it takes about 1.1 gallons of biodiesel to equal 1 gallon of standard diesel.

The major drawbacks to biodiesel are connected to the bigger picture, namely the market and associated logistics. Of these, the most important is cost. According to the EPA, pure biodiesel (B100) can cost anywhere from $1.95 to $3.00 per gallon, while B20 blends average about 30 to 40 cents more per gallon than standard diesel. This all depends on variables such as the feedstock used and market conditions.

The other, perhaps more important issue is that of amount and availability. Though biodiesel isn't necessarily produced in all 50 states, it can be made available in all of them. There are three major ways to get biodiesel, with each particular method better suited for certain types of customers. Biodiesel can be purchased directly from the supplier, from a petroleum distributor, or from public pumps. There are currently 19 NBB-members producing and marketing biodiesel in the United States. To find out how to get biodiesel, contact the National Biodiesel Board. Also, the Alternative Fuels Data Center has a search feature that allows you to locate refueling stations by city or state.

For information on locating biodiesel stations outside the U.S., contact your local biofuels agency.

So how much do we make? Given the number of different producers (i.e., federal, private, industrial) and crop sources, it's hard to attach a neat figure. Right now, the U.S. produces approximately 75 million gallons of biodiesel per year (National Biodiesel Board). This production is flexible and can be increased or decreased as needed.

Whether or not it grabs the spotlight occupied by flashier technologies, biodiesel will certainly be a constant work in progress.

Currently, the largest biodiesel market is fleet vehicles. According to the National Biodiesel Board, there are over 100 such fleets using biodiesel in the United States. These include federal and public organizations such as the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, Duke Energy, and Florida Power & Light. Many public transportation services are also looking to biodiesel in order to complement petroleum usage. City buses such as Cincinnati Metro are also using biodiesel. Potential future targets include areas such as marine and agricultural applications and home heating.

As public awareness grows, biodiesel and biofuels in general could easily find their way into dinner conversations. Political support is also on the rise and, in the wake of legislation such as the 1998 EPACT amendment, alternative fuel sources will be a necessity in the not-so-distant future.

Bloody burgers again

I am sat in the dust bowl that is commonly known as H&R yard Kelowna. I got in at about 04:00 this morning, had an early morning alarm call this morning (thank you Gremmie, I'll get you back for that, i know where you are and what time zone you are in !!!) but how did i get here?

Well as you know, thanks to the prompt response of the tire fitter, yours truly had to do the delivery himself, still its $30 in the old "sky rocket" although i did manage to get internet while i was there.

So i made the delivery, went back to the Delta yard (via Burger King) had my brunch, coffee and cinemmon rolls then had a nap. On the way met up with some other H&R drivers (outside Burger King).

Go woke up by the computer telling me to go round and collect a loaded trailer and take it to Kamloops, then go onwards to Kelowna. Well i got my trailer, scaled off and headed towards the mountains. My plan was to refuel in Chilliwack, grab a shower and check out the traditional fish and chip shop over the road. Well got the diesel, got the shower but missed the chip shop by 15 minutes, oh how i laughed.

So with a full fuel tank and an empty tummy i set off up the mountain and a couple of hours later i was backed onto a door in Kamloops being unloaded. Half an hour later was trundling back down the hill to Kelowna, i pulled in, dropped the trailer and pulled the curtains.

This morning thanks to Mr Parks i was up nice and early s i got chatting to another H&R driver and we went off in search of the ellusive breakfast. We went to a little bakery, deli type place and a couldnt get breakfast but i could get a mozzi burger. This was eagerly recomended by the waitress so mozzi burger it was.

Now i think its time for another little nap, my load will e ready at 17:00 and that will get me to Calgary by tomorrow morning so i just need one more little connection to get me to the 'Bridge and i can enjoy another few days off.

Blowout On the highway

Well as you know i had a blow out just west of Spokane and it was a good one, the trailer actually jumped as the tire fragmented and we gave birth to our own darling little asphalt alligator, who sat in road making everyone swerve round him.

After i swung onto the shoulder and grabbed the triangles, i took a trot back up the highway, placed the aforementioned triangles, waited for the traffic to clear and recovered little Ali the Alligator. i then gave im his freedom by slinging him into the bushes.

After getting back to 2148 i popped the hood and sqhelched the CB to just pick up trucks as they went passed me so i could say thanks to them for asking if i needed help. I then made the necessary calls to get a new tire fitted.

Considering they were only 10 miles away, it took them 6 hours to get out to me, that was ridiculous, remember i was on the shoulder of a major highway. H&R tried to get them to move, i phoned them loads of times, apparently i couldnt have been a priority. i tell you now, if i was an owner operator or it was my money that was paying for that repair, i would be striaght on the phone to the area manager this morning and if they ever wanted my business again they could swivel on my middle digit for it (my own personal opinion of course)

Oh by the way i want to send out a huge thanks to Phil (Montedarlo) Henderson for pulling over and stopping to chat for a while and all the cans of (ice cold) Mountain Dew he gave me, now that is what Brotherhood of the Highway is all about.

Anyway i crossed at Blaine last night and got into Delta, this morning i am sa on the door being unloaded, ive already got a load to get me back to Kelowna so all i need is something to get me back to Alberta then its time to crack on with the garden again.........................