Welcome back to a new trucking diary.
Unfortunately, work called me back from Slovakia. I didn’t even manage to get to stay in Germany.
I was called to Rotterdam in the Netherlands to drive a new cargo to Zürich in Switzerland. I checked the trailer when I arrived. A whole cargo full of empty pallets. I’m not sure whether they are going to burn them or use them.
Anyways, we’re going to get some transit through various countries. All right, we’ll run through Belgium, Luxembourg, and then probably France.
I depart late at around 8:00 PM. Hopefully that should mean that a traffic amount is lower and I get less traffic jams. I’m not the most keen on driving at night, though this time it seems like a solution for more finances.
Considering the state of the company lately, it could benefit us. Especially after the repairs needed on my truck.
I pass by two cars who have apparently collided with each other. No injuries, just some minor damage to the cars. Though there is one major thing that is starting to annoy me later on in Belgium.
A truck has apparently decided to go on the left lane. Which would be no problem if he’s passing someone. But there is nobody on the right lane.
He moves back to the right lane and everything seems fine, so I started to make my move. Then this driver goes onto the left lane again. I flash my big lights twice but no solution. Car drivers behind him start to get anxious.
And finally, he pulls back into the right lane. Where he should be and where he should stay for the procedural future.
We make a way to a Belgium cruise into Luxembourg and then head into France. The France throws something else at me. I dislike cloverleafs. There’s a specific reason, it’s because I can’t navigate them. I’m always too late aside and I have to veer right off.
So in this case, I’ll just go straight out and hope the navigation doesn’t throw me in seven different directions. Luckily, it does give me another road to follow, the one I’m on.
The only thing is that it’s going to take an hour longer before I reach Zürich.
And then there’s that other thing I hate on French and other roads. The péage booths. Also known in other languages like English as tollbooths. I dislike them and I’m happy I’ve got the automated pass.
€17 poorer by the end of the short toll route I drive onto the land roads. Usually less patrolled by police than the main roads. This is where I can make up some time I lost due to my poor skills.
But I’m noticing I’m starting to get weary and tired. So when I get off the lamp roads and go back into another main route, the A35, I take the turn a bit too narrow. I skirt the trailer amongst the barrier. It’s just a minor scratch, probably nobody will notice.
Then we head off the motorway again, and this time it’s for the last big stretch.
No fancy occurrences here, no adventures written here either.
The tachograph though is telling me I have to stop. I can’t go around that because otherwise it will result in major fines for me and the company. Of course I don’t want to bring them in more trouble than they are already in. I’ve been with the company for years now. Possibly 10, maybe 15.
It’s been so long I can’t even remember. I’ve been all over Europe. I’ve even been sent to America. The mainland Europe still feels like home. I love the Nordic countries most. They are efficient, plus it’s not so hot out there. Most of all, they welcome other people.
But let’s not dwell off too much. It’s time for a little bit of sleep.
The night has been kind and I wake up in a good mood. I stopped at the food corner at the gas station and take something quickly. Quick energy bar and let’s go!
I check the clock and I know that it’s going to be just right on time. You can’t always be that fast.
I’m one of the fastest drivers when it comes to our company. That might be because I take less breaks than the others. I enjoy being on the road properly. The amount of freedom that it gives you is enormous.
You’ve got a task at hand, but still are free to go. There’s an ideal fastest route or a scenic route. A route with no traffic and a route full of traffic. It’s always up to you to decide what to do.
I’m starting to daydream again, aren’t I? Let’s get this engine running and go.
Where the traffic goes on ahead, I see that trucks have to take a right here. Then I look at the navigation. We’re already at the border between France and Switzerland. Anyone can guess what’s waiting to happen then. It’s time for a mandatory customs check. Life of the party it is.
Though I think that the Swiss are very efficient, so I trust that his doesn’t take too much time. Just hand over the documents, chill out and wait. That’s all I can do really. Nothing out of the ordinary in this cargo. I don’t know what else you could do with empty pallets. I know that I’ve checked them thoroughly. That goes for any truck driver. Thoroughly check your cargo. You never know if something funny’s up. In this day and age you can never be too certain.
Very swift proceedings here at the Swiss border. Checks were done in no time.
After a mere 40 kilometres, we arrive in the city of Zürich. I always presume this was a big city. For the industrial part of it, it just feels like that. As always, I first drive through the city. Just for a bit to explore it. Some parts still feel like a village. Kind of nice.
Now back to finally deliver this cargo. I unhook the cargo and sign off with the person in charge.
Fancy little drive this one. It’s time to head back to Cologne in Germany. The place that is my trucking home for now.
Though I aspire for more. My own company. My own trucks, trailers and drivers.
Maybe across the span of all of Europe.
Please keep following my trucking diary and following my adventures.
Hopefully those dreams will soon come true.
I'm Amethyst, 31, and from the Netherlands. I've always had a passion for adventure in roleplaying games. Being able to immerse myself into these universes allowed me to escape the trauma's of my youth. Now I want to share my gaming passion with all of you!
