MONDAY
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Here it is, another Monday morning. I'm waiting to see what this week has to throw at us. In the office at 7am to organise the drivers' work for the day. The emptying of septic tanks may seem simple enough, but it's surprising how much organisation is behind every tanker. The drivers arrive at 7.20am in the office for their day's work and are sent off as happy as can be expected on a Monday morning. It seems the phone knows when I'm alone in the office—it hasn't stopped ringing since I arrived this morning, and as soon as I put it down it rings again. I suppose that cup of coffee will have to wait until Linda the secretary comes in...The rest of the day goes fairly smoothly, but I'm not out of the office until 7.30pm, as usual.
TUESDAY
The lorries went out without a hitch this morning—things are going well. Phone still going mad. I spoke too soon: one of the drivers has radioed rn to say the UJs on the driveshaft to the pump have snapped, so I've sent him into Commercial Repairs, the garage that does all our maintenance and repairs and that we have used for many years. I will meet him there with the replacement UJs. When I get to the garage I'm told the driveshaft to the pump has been smashed, so I have to dash about to get a new one. Eventually we get the lorry back on the road, having host only a couple of hours. I have to reorganise things a bit, but all tankers arrive home on time and the drivers go at 4 o'clock as usual.
WEDNESDAY
The tankers leave on time, with no problems to start the day. I'm looking forward to today: I'm being let out of the office. I have to go and see a local hotel which is being refurbished. They want me to assess the condition and efficiency of their septic tank and drainage system, which has been in place since time began. I think this should be interesting, and the sea air will do me the world of good. Watsons Fuels has just arrived with the diesel I ordered at the beginning of the week. They always deliver promptly, which is what you need in our business. I have a lot of telephoning to do when I get back and won't leave the office until late tonight.
THURSDAY
Routine sort of day today: no special jobs or locations, just our normal area of Torbay and South Dartmoor. It's nice to have a straightforward day for a change. The weather is lovely for the season, which makes the drivers' job almost enjoyable. Emptying septic tanks in the pouring rain is no fun at all. Also the narrow country lanes we travel get very mucky when it's wet. What with all the flooding of late we've been doing more work than usual for this time of year. Our busy time usually starts at the beginning of spring, when all hell is let loose.
FRIDAY
Dave from Initial arrives at 6.30am to collect our dirty overalls. He's such an early bird, but it kick-starts my day so I can get a bit of bookwork done before everyone arrives. Got two drivers going "abroad" today. We don't usually go as far south as Cornwall. but this job is for a firm we do a lot of work for, so in the long run it's worth the extra fuel and I'm sure Steve and Martin will enjoy their day out and the trip on the ferry. All the lorries are back early today. All greased, washed and cab interiors cleaned—ready for starting work next week...