I'm back!!! Haven't been able to write for a while but hope to get back into the swing of things again.
Now the holidaymakers and caravaners have gone our taxi business is quiet. One vehicle keeps fairly busy doing contract work, that's my husband and his minibus!! but I haven't a lot to do in the village now so I end up on the rank in the middle of town. The rank is outside Marks and Spencers and a 'greasy spoon', their cups of tea are not bad and they only charge taxi drivers 50p for them.
Patience is important when on the rank as sometimes it can take as long as an hour to reach the front of the queue and then you smile hopefully at everyone coming out of M&S. Some of the elderly ladies who come out of the shop are laden with bags or pushing a trolley but insist on looking for their favorite taxi driver by walking up and down the queue of taxis. I couldn't understand one lady yesterday who looked at my car and said to her friend 'We don't want that one!' I wonder what I had done to upset her!! The car had just been washed so it looked shiny and clean.
While I was sat their today a couple of policepeople (is that politically correct!!), Bobbies on the Beat!! came past, quite an unusual site but goodness they did look young particularly the lad!! he looked like a schoolboy, I must be getting old, even his helmet looked too big for him.
Did manage to do a few jobs particularly between 4 and 5 as the other taxi drivers must have gone home for tea by then!!

Been down to Southampton and back this weekend. Drove down yesterday afternoon after a college reunion in York. It was great to see old friends and to reminisce about our college days, it had been 40 years since we had all started college in Bradford. We had a good lunch and chatted for 4 hours. Hope we all meet up again one day!!
Trip down to Southampton wasn't too bad although was rather tired by the time I got there. Slept in a Premier Inn, why do all these type of hotels have a strange smell in their rooms? Can't make out what it is, a mixture of stale smoke and dampness!!!!
Had breakfast in a motorway service station, good plateful but cold!! Horrible places motorway service stations!!!!
Made my way to the docks which I found OK, couldn't get it on my sat nav but followed the signs and got there on time. The ship had docked early and my customers were waiting. Would have loved to have gone on board the ship, it looked very inviting. (My dream is to go on a cruise.)
Felt very envious on the way home as they told me all about their holiday cruising around the Med, in the sunshine, they said it didn't rain once. Unfortunately they both came home with colds and were sneezing and coughing all the way. Hope they haven't given it to me. That's the trouble with sitting in a confined space for hours on end, mind you I think I have a good immune system with working in hospitals for many years. Had a good trip back which took us just over 5 hours, nice to travel on a Sunday not too much traffic. I wish they would hurry up and finish the roadworks on the M1 near East Midlands Airport, 50 miles an hour for 17 miles is a real bore!!!

Time to write my Blog again and talk about my day in my taxi!!
Sunday had a trip up to Redcar, about a 4 hour round trip normally but this time it took me a nearly 6 hours. My passengers were from Japan, a young lady and older man ( Father and daughter possibly, I didn't ask.) Luckily she could speak some English so we could have a bit of a conversation. They had travelled from London, to Grimsby, to Bridlington, and now wanted to go to Whitby and Redcar. He was obviously a photographer as he had a fancy camera and the first stop was to be the lighthouse, 5 mins up the road. Then on to Whitby stopping occasionally to take photos, at one point he took photos of a pub called the Three Jolly Sailors! When we got to Whitby they wanted the fishing harbour and luckily we found the Information Centre to get directions. I parked up and off they went looking for fishing boats. So now I began to realise that they must have some interest in fishing!!! After 30 minutes we set off again, next stop being Redcar, the Zetland Fishing Museum ( I think that is what it was called.) That is where I left them, the place looked closed up so I hope they found someone there. They told me they were off to Newcastle from there but I didn't ask how. I felt a bit like a tour guide but unfortunately I wasn't able to tell them very much as that was the first time I had been to Whitby and Redcar, so I won't be changing my career yet!!!
Been down to Heathrow today, took a couple who were off to visit their son in San Fransisco. They had loads of luggage but I managed to squash it all in, our boot is a strange shape!! It was a fairly good trip although it was busy and it rained all the way there. I am glad they chatted as I find it quite tiring driving long distances especially when we have to leave really early, 5.30 this morning. Didn't sleep very well either as I suppose I was worried I wouldn't hear the alarm.
On the way back was listening to the radio, at one point there was a discussion about how in a certain town the council have put aside some money to help get drunk people home safely by allowing them to get a free taxi!!! Sounds absurd as to begin with taxi drivers do not like taking drunk people home and on the other hand who is going to pay for cleaning the taxi if someone throws up?? (This can cost between £50 and £100). And how drunk do they have to be to get a free taxi???
I think they said they have put aside £500 for this scheme so that won't last very long. They do come up with some strange ideas,

Big news today, my husband became a British Citizen. After the performance of getting all the forms filled in, the correct papers sent off and the big thing, getting all the money together, his application was approved a couple of weeks ago and today he had a five minute ceremony, where he had to swear allegiance to the Queen and country. Then he was presented a certificate that says he is now naturalised as a British Citizen. I wasn't able to be there unfortunately as I had to work. So now he can get a British passport and claim benefits!!!
Went on the taxi rank in town today, strange I have been doing this for a while now but there are still only a couple of other taxi drivers who will greet me. Some of them look at me as if to say 'What are you doing here?' Doesn't worry me though as I am only doing my job like anyone else so I usually read a book until I get a pick up.
Wonder why pedestrians always think they can cross the road when the lights are green for cars. Obviously it would be the cars fault if someone was knocked down. Also have you heard the latest, bicycles have the right of way always!!! So if they come out of a side street and ride into the side of your car it is your fault!! Ridiculous isn't it??

Been a quiet week so far so haven't been very far until today. Had a trip to Manchester Airport with a couple going to their house in Southern Spain. They go there about four times a year for a month, lucky things. We had a good journey straight there and back which took just five hours, no hold ups and not too much traffic on the motorway.
Following on with the weather story the other day, I think I got it slightly wrong as we had some rain yesterday which I didn't think was forecast. Not to worry though as I think the gardeners will be pleased. It was cloudy with a bit of sunshine today, but definitely getting cooler. Have also noticed the leaves on the trees are changing colours, I do like seeing all the different colours of Autumn.
Picked up a young Mum today with her two children, got a little worried when she told her daughter to be careful with the fish. I then realised she was carrying tropical fish in a couple of bags. I was glad when they got out and there had been no mishaps. It would have been a bit difficult explaining to the next customers if there were fish flopping around the floor of the taxi!!!

Kept busy last night, for a change everyone wanted to go out and then as usual all wanted to go home at the same time. Ferried the Rotarians around from hotels to Spa and back again, glad they came to Bridlington this weekend as that boosted our takings.
Why is it everyone who gets into the taxi talks about the weather; It's too hot, too cold, too wet, too windy, too misty! What's the weather going to do tomorrow? Haven't we had a terrible summer or haven't we had a glorious summer. When is it going to rain again? Mind you we are rather obsessed with the weather here in England, but just to remind everyone, I am a taxi driver not a meteorologist. If you do want my opinion though, I think it has been a fair summer, lots more sunshine and definitely warmer than last year but with a few days of rain in July and August. Lovely weather now though which should carry on for a couple more weeks I believe (or so the weatherman says on TV!)
Another question which is asked by 99% of my passengers is; 'Have you been busy' my answer is always 'Fairly'. I don't really know if people are generally interested in our business or perhaps they are just being nosey! They also want to know what time I am finishing or when I started which I always think seems odd but maybe they just think they must start a conversation with something. My husband has made a notice which he sometimes puts up in the taxi which says, 'Yes I have been busy and yes I am on all night/day'

I didn't get to write last night as for a change our Friday night was busier than usual. We had a few minibus loads of people going to the Spa from their hotels and back again. There is a Rotary Convention on so we could be busy most of the weekend, have already taken a couple of bus loads this morning and some more booked for tonight.
Had a trip to Manchester Airport yesterday, good journey for a change, roads were busy but no hold-ups. Took a really nice lady who was off to visit her son in Canada, she told me she goes every 18 months but said she didn't know how much longer she would be able to go as she finds it very tiring. She chatted most of the way, about her life in Scotland and then in Lancashire and now Yorkshire. She was very interested to hear about my husband playing the bagpipes!!
Motorway driving can be such a bore so it is great when someone chats.
Why is it when people get on the motorway they think they will get there quicker if they hog the middle or outside lane. I think all motorways should be 4 lanes, 2 for lorries and 2 for cars, invariably when you get to a 4 lane part there are 3 lanes of lorries. Usually the first lane only has one very slow vehicle in it every now and then, very annoying. Another thing why is it when you get to a hold-up you always seem to be in the wrong lane!!!! The other lanes always seem to move faster!!!
Wonder what the rest of today will bring!!

What a beautiful morning, sun shining and very few clouds so up fairly early and a good walk with Pippa before starting work. Great this time of year as there aren't many other people about.
Number of jobs this morning running people to work and into town, to the hospital and to the doctors. Found out what one young girl has bought for her baby already and she still has two months to go. She said her Mum told her not to take the labels off the baby clothes particularly the one's people give her then she can take them back to the shop and exchange them if she doesn't like them or they are the wrong size!!!
They say Yorkshire people are tight. Well I had someone admit that today. I picked up a man and his elderly mother, he said she was in a wheelchair but she could get out and the chair could go in the boot. She did manage in and out of the car but with great difficulty so while on our journey into town he asked about our other vehicle for wheelchairs, I explained how this worked and that it would cost a bit more with it being the minibus. When he phoned to go home again I mentioned that the minibus was available but he said the car would do as although he now lived in New Zealand (for the last 45 years) he was still a tight Yorkshire man and his mother could manage in the car. You would think that he would spoil his Mother while he was here considering he only sees her every five years!!
This evening I have taken the usual lot to the Club to play their weekly game of Bingo. One of them is really tight as well as she will only go if the others are going so she doesn't have to pay full fare. One lady was telling us how she would be away for a while as she was going to Norfork for a few days and then off to France for a fortnight. Then a chap in the car said 'You are always going away, you are like horse muck, spreading yourself all over the place' (said in a strong west Yorkshire accent) I thought is was a really strange thing to say.
Well thats all for today, my husband can do the late jobs and I can get my beauty sleep ready for Manchester Airport tomorrow.

Another day over but today nothing much happened.
Didn't get the job with the crab but maybe something more interesting will come in tomorrow.
The other day an elderly man got into my taxi a little bit worse for wear, and started chatting away. I battled to understand him for a while what with an Irish accent and a few slurred words!!! At one point he asked me if I was married and on replying yes he then wanted to know if I was happily married. I again answered yes and he said 'Pity I could do with a good woman to have at home!' I did feel a little sorry for him as he then proceeded to tell me all his family had abandoned him because of the 'demon drink' however I was quite pleased to deliver him home. He did take a card though as he said he likes to have a woman driving him around!!!
Wonder who will get in my taxi tomorrow.

What to start with on my very first blog! Perhaps to answer the question why am I doing this? Well I have always wanted to write so what better place to start then on my very own blog.
Why am I called Grandmapippie, well you will have to ask my grandson that, but it is probably because my springer spaniel is called Pippa!!
My day started early with the phone ringing cancelling the 6 o'clock pick up, it was only 5 o'clock but I suppose they thought they were being helpful. ( We run a small taxi business which is not 24 hours!!!)
Today being Monday starts off with banking and admin, in between answering the phone and sending my husband out on jobs. As the day progressed I also had to go out and spent some time on the taxi rank.
I enjoy driving which is a good thing and I also enjoy chatting to the clients.
This evening I ended up giving my life history in a matter of 10 minutes just because someone asked me where I came from. People find it hard to trace my accent because I have literally lived all over the place. (In London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and South Africa.)
We have some strange requests occasionally.
I had a query today as to whether we could transport a crab to someones home about 20 miles away, I presume it will be a dead one and in a box. Will find out tomorrow if we get the job.
Sometimes we are asked to do some shopping, booze and cigarettes are common as well as pizzas and chinese meals.
After a busy day it has been great to relax and watch a bit of TV catching up on the weekends viewing.
I am now going to publish this and see hiow it looks.