Thanks to Skills for Logistics, Exeter College and the Young Driver Scheme I've now got another driver, and employed at a very reasonable rate too. OK, as it's my 18-year-old daughter maybe it's a new definition of the word reasonable! But seriously I'm pleased for her: she's produced some good coursework, and passed the theory and the practical test first time ! And the best part was I didn't have to fund it!!

Although she's working at home, she works more with the livery yard (the real reason she wanted a HGV licence) than the livestock  transport, but I'm sure with a bit of "persuasion", she will help out!
 
So, going back to a subject I mentioned in an earlier blog, maybe this is the time to give a second lorry a go! I've been told about a tidy 12-tonne lorry, with a nice livestock box fitted,  for sale at a reasonable price ( I hope the vendor isn't reading this ). A 12-tonner has access advantages in a area like Exmoor where the roads were built for a pony and trap, and haven't changed much since! It would complement the bigger one I drive, even if just for local markets and movements it would free up time so I could do the bigger, longer distance jobs.

With my daughter able to help out on occasions and a couple of friends with HGV licences able to help as well, this could be the time to give it a try - so I might have to actually go and have a look this weekend

Keep watching this space!

Denis Fuller is a owner-operator based in the South West, running a single truck on livestock and agricultural haulage.