Truckin on

Dust Storm.

2008-04-02T13:49:00.001-07:00

Ballarat in April, not typical weather, it rained mud for a couple of hours, so little rain with so much dust, what a mess.

My Birthday

2008-03-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

Big Koala

2008-02-21T15:53:00.000-08:00

If you travel on the Western Highway from Melbourne to Adelaide, you will come to Dadswells Bridge, if you want a lifestyle change, you could buy this little bear.

Me and the Mrs.

2008-01-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

Aww, Gee darlin, your not trying to get away are you, that's hurtful seeing as we are at an airport.

Christmas Eve

2007-12-24T03:06:00.000-08:00

Only one Prodigal at home for a quiet evening on our new floor.

Park where?

2007-10-08T05:49:00.001-07:00

Not here stupid, 400 meters down the road. Can you see the tracks?

I'm Excited

2007-10-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

Look at him, he's so excited about running on gas, lucky he's got sharp claws so he can hang on.
I thought I would just tell everyone what I added this time, I got in too much trouble with my last quiz.

Happy Birthday Mark

2007-09-23T15:20:00.001-07:00

September is a busy month in our family, on tuesday the 25th this outstanding cool dude, my second son Mark, is having a birthday. Sorry I can't be there Son, have a great day, enjoy dinner with your Mum, yes girls, he is single.

Dad's 80

2007-09-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

We are so blessed to have my Dad still with us at the grand age of 80. we had a small party which he seemed to enjoy greatly, he stood for nearly 15 minutes and gave this great speech about all the changes he has seen in his lifetime. He is as alert as ever with a great sense of humour. I am so greatful for all that he has taught me, I will always treasure the memories of my years spent on the farm with him after leaving school, his trust in God, his attitude that money will not make you happy, he is a great story teller, which is why to this day when ever we sit for a chat we always end up laughing. Bless you Dad, happy 80th.

30th Anniversary

2007-09-21T21:06:00.001-07:00

Thirty years and we havn't changed a bit, we managed to get some family and all the bridal party together except our two brothers, for a small celebration.

Flowers for Angela

2007-09-13T17:21:00.000-07:00

Just to celebrate the good news that you are coming to see us, I thought I would send you some flowers Angie, from our garden mind you. book your tickets soon though, we checked, they are nearly all sold.

Dream Car

2007-09-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

You have all seen the Mini, but I thought it was time I had a photo on my blog. Carlene and I went to Swan Hill for Mum's birthday and the Canola and fruit trees are all in flower, can you see the dreamy look in the eyes of the driver, it's not because she's looking at me.

Found a pup.

2007-08-10T05:05:00.000-07:00

Rohan came to Ballarat today to look at a truck for the farm, I knew the guy so I went for a look too. While there I caught up with the pup I sold him. Anyone recognize him. No, Rohan is'nt buying the DAF, Sparky gave me the photo.

Snow Again

2007-07-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

We received a light cover of snow yesterday and again this morning, this time it was heavier in Ballarat than it was here on the outskirts.

All gone now.

2007-07-06T16:45:00.001-07:00

Dad's little girl has grown up and left the box,,, er, nest, and he is missing her.

My Son the Hero

2007-06-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

What a buzz when we found this add in the paper, Dean is touring the country with 5 other actors in this show. Alas I cannot be proud of everything he is doing, the poor lad is having to drive an Iveco bus.

IKEA convert!

2007-06-16T17:57:00.001-07:00

I see what you mean Leigh, as soon as I sat in it it I couldn't believe how comfortable it was, had to have one. Yes Angela, IKEA is a great store, going back soon for a better look around.

KOOWE 4.

2007-06-16T16:46:00.001-07:00

The boss now owns 4 trucks, this is the latest addition to the fleet which is not mine but I took it to Brisbane last week, T904, pretty flash eh, he says I can have a drive of the other new vehicle soon too, a VESS Commodore. Sounds like I have to work more the next few weeks, the boss wants to drive his car all the time.

I can jump puddles

2007-04-27T14:09:00.000-07:00

Some mornings I get a view like this from my front door, which I think is a great way to start the day.
Today I got something even better when I went out the back door into the paddock [field], see that right there, thats a ,,,, puddle, you know like when rain falls from the sky and you get enough of it to form puddles, in this case 23mm [92pts] its been a long time, lets pray its the start to a turn around to this drought.

Easter in the Mallee

2007-04-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hey you Canadian's, this is a "UTE", look what model it is Leigh.

Dean is back in Australia now, so we travelled back to the mallee to meet up with Mark and watch the boys play with their tractors, maybe for the sake of the ozone layer the Terminator should be terminated, sorry Uncle John.

Circled the Country.

2007-02-18T18:56:00.000-08:00

After a call for help from my friend Dave Noblet who works with YWAM in Perth, I flew to Townsville to help drive these AB Triple road trains to Perth.

Considering the number of wheels we had on the ground we did well not to have this happen often. It was a tough job but someone had to take the photo. I loved the trip around the top where I had not been before, it was so different to anything else in Aus.

Matt Reagan who owns the trucks, stage, sound system and all the gear we transported. We travelled to Mt Isa on the Barkley H'wy to the Sturt H'wy, to Katherine, Kununurra, Halls Creek, Pt Hedland, Newman and into Perth. 4 of us shared the driving, 6000k in 4 days.

Dave in Kings Park in Perth where we spent some time relaxing with his family after I arrived. I flew home via Avalon Airport. Around Australia in 7 days.

He can still Ski

2007-01-31T02:35:00.000-08:00

Last week during a week off work we managed to get a few days back in sunny Swan Hill for a ski, guess what, the old bloke can still steer a plank around the water. Photo's courtesy of Sarah and her new OlympusFE- 170.

Presents from Japan.

2007-01-23T01:47:00.000-08:00

We are so blessed, we get presents from all over the world. Carl and I got a tea set, tea tastes so much better in it, and chop sticks, an egg timer, not sure if we have the canned coffee hot or cold, help Dean. Sarah got that box with cats on, she ate some thinking they were lollies, but they are treats for the cats,,,, just kidding they are lollies. Oh, and a calender and doilies for the tea cups.

Stressfull Job

2007-01-06T02:37:00.000-08:00

I really have to find another job that is less stressfull, I mean a guy has to have some time to relax, all this rush rush, time slots and demanding customers, I can't take it anymore.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

We held our work Christmas party here this year, had a BBQ and as you can see a game of Bocce was a highlight for all ages. My boss Allan and his good mate Homer would like to wish you all compliments of the season.

Brisbane here I come.

2006-12-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

I will be away for a few days so thought i better post something. the rig is now 2.4 tonne lighter due to having a new chassis, after I return from Brisbane I am going to Newcastle where I will leave the truck for a few days and fly home, it is getting a gas kit fitted, it then runs 20% gas in with the diesel, more economy and more power, rrr rrr, rrr.

Protector of the Rabbit

2006-12-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

You know how they have dog's that live with the sheep to protect them, Ned protects Neo our rabbit.

Ski-ing anyone.

2006-11-23T19:48:00.000-08:00

You know how I've been saying for years that I would paint those ski's, finally, here they are.

Snow in Ballarat

2006-11-23T03:13:00.000-08:00

November 15 is supposed to be late spring here, but down came the snow. As you can see Sarah and Penne had a lot of fun.

Tea for Penne

2006-11-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

Since Penne moved in with us we have to make sure the home cooked meals are top shelf. Large Tasmanian potatoe.

Muck Up Day

2006-10-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

It's muck up day for year 12, so the butterflies have flown off to school this morning. Carlene said there was a lot of stress and a few tears putting the outfits together, Sarah and Danielle and a few helpers made the wings. End result, two beautiful butterflies.

Quiz Result

2006-10-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Ok,its official, Ariana is an eagle eye legend,I was washing the truck and duh, it hit me, the red light you were talking about on the silver thing is a Kenworth sticker that I also forgot was not on there in the first photo, the silver thing is an air vent. This deserves a better prize, I will try to get Matt on the phone again.

Giddyup and don't wake me

2006-10-12T00:58:00.000-07:00

Don't we all just love these animal posts, hello, hello Glenna are you there, hello.

Navigator Bear

2006-10-07T03:25:00.000-07:00

I was trying to get a photo of the traffic jam when my navigator got in on the act, he said he was having trouble seeing and that I should clean the windscreen. do you all know our company motto, sometimes it's hard to live up to, had a few breakdowns lately, but the upside is we have a new ECM on the Auto, so it changes gears much better now, we also have a new Turbo Charger, hey I actually overtook some trucks this week, she's really going well.

Quiz Time

2006-10-03T00:08:00.000-07:00

OK folks, spot the difference in this photo to the one posted on the 25th, I may find a prize for whoever spots the most changes, Clarkes may enter but have a home ground advantage so don't expect a car for a prize, nor should anyone else for that matter.

Does your dog bite.

2006-09-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

Hey Ariana, here's that photo of Ned you wanted, sorry Glenna.

Jack Frost came to visit

2006-09-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

It was a chilly one this morning, it's not snow but it was just as white

SNAG Trucker

2006-09-27T02:53:00.000-07:00

OK girls, you asked for it. Last week when my girls were away, I had a week off also, I did lots of housework, washed the sheets and made their beds, no thankyou from them on their return mind you, no kiss me boot or nothin. I sprayed the broadleaf weeds in the lawn, yes , sorry I used chemicals, I also grew some flowers, heres a photo of them, they are ros no dais no tulips, dats wat da is Tulips.

All Lit Up

2006-08-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here it is folks, what a great thing LED lights are, not overdone like some trucks if I do say so myself, just enough to stand out in the crowd. As you can see in the two photo's LED lights are much brighter when you stand directly in front of them, another good reason not to get in my way, hehehe.

New Trailers

2006-08-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

Here you go Trish, about time the other boss knew what the new trailers look like. Now I have to get a night photo of the new lights in the bumper, been a bit busy this week.

Dream Car or Nightmare Debt

2006-08-20T03:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Leigh, I always thought I would get the yellow Monaro, but I think I quite like this gold one, I can get a demo one for around 65k, what do you think.

Passing is Fun!!!!!!

2006-08-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

Fastrack V8 Day

2006-08-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

The weather was great, the track was fast, so the old bloke gave it a thrashing, got told off for trying to overtake two cars at a time, objective achieved. I think the instuctor looks scared before we even start, someone must have made a phonecall. I thought they were a bit cheap not providing chicky babes for a photo shoot, no matter I took my own, she is better looking by far. Still waiting on a call to join the race team.

Koowe it's me

2006-08-11T01:03:00.000-07:00

Alright people, there hav'nt been any truck photo's lately on this blog, this one isn't much, I have got new trailers but havn't got a good photo yet. The big news will be the race car photo's in a day or so, watch this space.

kick it to Me.

2006-07-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

Just for Leigh who misses everyone in Oz, and of course we all know how Glenna loves animal photo's.

Crow Rider

2006-07-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

I dunno, it's creepy, I keep thinking someone's watching me.

The winner is.

2006-07-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

Always on the lookout for souvenirs, I reckon our Chinese makers of them have been listening to Juan Antonio Samaru...... what you call him.

See ya Later Dad

2006-07-10T04:12:00.000-07:00

Just another happy snap of Sarah showing off her licence and what she would like to think is her car.

Sarah is on the Road

2006-07-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

A father's life is filled with many events and emotion's where his children are concerned. As an interstate driver, there are many day's you wish you could be home, today is one and I was home to greet my Sarah as she rushed into the shed and jumped all over me screaming that she now had her driver's licence. So it was with joy and some trepedation as I waved to her as she drove out the drive on her own for the first time. Carlene and I are both proud of her abilities behind the wheel, she should be capable considering how many miles she has driven already, even if her mother didn't always agree with my methods, she has been a top little interstate B Double driver for, well, lets just say a while. Go Sarah.

Breakfast Recipe

2006-06-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

In the winter, I love my oatmeal porridge, I add a sprinkle of cinnamin for flavour which is also good for you and until recently I would sweeten this with a spoonful of honey, one morning I was out of honey so I thought what the heck, I will try Canadian Maple Syrup. Now you Canadians, one question, if you say you already know about this idea, why wasn't I told?, it's the BEST.

What a load of Bull

2006-06-19T00:54:00.000-07:00

Thats no way to transport cattle, look out he's getting away.

Mark to the rescue

2006-06-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

After carrying Zephania to the top of Boronia Peak Karelle needed a helping hand to get down again, here she is strapping him in while Mark admires his new friend.

Moon Setting

2006-06-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying my long weekend holiday. I rose early this morning to watch the moon set, then it was off to Halls Gap for a surprise visit on Mark and some of our old friends from Swan Hill who are there for church camp.

Dean

2006-06-10T01:39:00.000-07:00

Third in line to the Oliver Throne is Dean, he recently completed a Batchelor of Musical Theatre and Performance at Ballarat Uni. Dean is currently working as a Tour guide at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat. In September he leaves to work at Disney in Tokyo Japan. He is pictured here in the Gold Mine Tours booking office, highly recomended when you are in town.

Gone Fishing

2006-06-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

He did'nt catch any fish, but the good news is he lived to tell the story.

Holbrook

2006-06-09T01:59:00.000-07:00

On the way to Sydney is the township of Holbrook, where captain Noah ran his submarine aground,long way to the ocean from here.

Fav Place

2006-06-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

Another thing I really like about KOOWE I is the comfortable bed, as you can see I'm a tidy trucker too.

Sarah and Mardi

2006-05-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

Two beautiful creatures, one of them is for sale, NO, not the blonde one.

Sarah and Buckshot

2006-05-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

This is my georgous daughter Sarah with her horse, Buckshot.

Police Drug Bust

2006-05-25T04:59:00.000-07:00

I will have the test result in a minute boss, he looks like an Ouzo drinker to me. No worries, while we are waiting I'll write him a ticket for parking in a Bus Zone.

My friend Mel.

2006-05-25T04:53:00.000-07:00

Yep its Ouzo, write him up boss. Ross says " you would think with that name she would let me off."

Are we there yet.

2006-05-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

The sun is going down, can I shut the T604 down yet. After unloading in Sydney, Penrith actually, home of the Panthers for those who understand that game, I returned to Beechworth, reloaded and delivered this one to Spotswood in Melbourne. Returned again to B/W loaded again and turned home for Ballarat to give this one to my offsider, Noel, to take to Adelaide. Don't worry, I had all the required rest breaks in all this.

Sydney Trip

2006-05-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

One of the places I load is near Beechworth in the mountains on the way to some of our Victorian ski slopes. The product I load is called Feldspar, it is crushed up from rock and looks like sand, it is used to make glass bottles. You can't see me in this photo, I am in the shed with a shovel loading 43 Tonne onto the elevator, or I push the button and it flows into the trailer, you choose a likely story.

Sydney Trip

2006-05-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Every day should start with a silver lining. Yes I know I have a bit of a one track mind, so I got some counselling, less truck in this photo.

Last Easter

2006-05-18T01:55:00.000-07:00

I did'nt mention in my profile that we have 2 rabbits, you seem to get more eggs when you own your own rabbits.

sunrise

2006-05-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

Still bragging about my early starts. Seriously though, we seem to live in an age where night life is the go, late nights and late mornings. Sunrise is a great time of day at this time of year, even better if it's partly cloudy. Check em out.

Early start.

2006-05-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

You have to start early on the big jobs, sunrise near Piangil, enroute from Beechworth to Adelaide. Going to Sydney this weekend to mix it with all the big jammers, how unlucky am I.

Hi im Ross

2006-05-13T18:07:00.000-07:00

hi Im Ross, I live in Ballarat, Vic Australia. Im 50, married with 4 grown children, 17 to 24 yrs old.
I am a truck driver, I work for a subbie for Kalari, he owns 3 trucks, I drive a Kenworth T604 on
B Double Pneumatic Tankers. My usual trip is Ballarat, Melbourne, Beechworth, Adelaide to Ballarat, 2 of us share the truck, it runs 7 days a week, so I work 4-5 days a week.
I live on the outskirts of Ballarat on a 3 acre property, we have 2 horses, 2 cats a dog and a pet sheep.