TVB op vakansie na Gough Eiland

[Tom van Brits]

 

[Tom van Brits]

 

[woody1]

I would love to have that old Fire Engine to fix up

[Tom van Brits]

I would love to have that old Fire Engine to fix up

Yes I could not believe when I saw that one, the tarp is already rotten that covered it. Probably been standing there for thr last 20+ years.
I would love to restore that Dodge bakkie as well!
Was on private property so I did not go closer to the fire engine.

[Tom van Brits]

Interesting weather, it has been warm for a couple of days and then this cold front came in late afternoon.
If only I could take pictures when the light is perfect, but still managed to get a fair shot of the grain shuttle! 
More and more farmers are announcing their last load, and it is almost sad to say good-bye but I trust I'll see these hardworking guys next year again!
We have started picking up ground piles, so the next couple of weeks should be busy but it's a good thing since we are looking fw now to come home! 

[ChrisL - DUSTRIDERS]

Interesting weather, it has been warm for a couple of days and then this cold front came in late afternoon.
If only I could take pictures when the light is perfect, but still managed to get a fair shot of the grain shuttle! 
More and more farmers are announcing their last load, and it is almost sad to say good-bye but I trust I'll see these hardworking guys next year again!
We have started picking up ground piles, so the next couple of weeks should be busy but it's a good thing since we are looking fw now to come home! 

Hoe lank is die sirkus daar by julle Tom?!!!

[Tom van Brits]

Interesting weather, it has been warm for a couple of days and then this cold front came in late afternoon.
If only I could take pictures when the light is perfect, but still managed to get a fair shot of the grain shuttle! 
More and more farmers are announcing their last load, and it is almost sad to say good-bye but I trust I'll see these hardworking guys next year again!
We have started picking up ground piles, so the next couple of weeks should be busy but it's a good thing since we are looking fw now to come home! 

Hoe lank is die sirkus daar by julle Tom?!!!

That million bushels 'circus tent' will stand proud till after the winter Chris 

[Sardine]

Interesting weather, it has been warm for a couple of days and then this cold front came in late afternoon.
If only I could take pictures when the light is perfect, but still managed to get a fair shot of the grain shuttle! 
More and more farmers are announcing their last load, and it is almost sad to say good-bye but I trust I'll see these hardworking guys next year again!
We have started picking up ground piles, so the next couple of weeks should be busy but it's a good thing since we are looking fw now to come home! 

Moody shot, I like it 

[Blou Zebu]

Interesting weather, it has been warm for a couple of days and then this cold front came in late afternoon.
If only I could take pictures when the light is perfect, but still managed to get a fair shot of the grain shuttle! 
More and more farmers are announcing their last load, and it is almost sad to say good-bye but I trust I'll see these hardworking guys next year again!
We have started picking up ground piles, so the next couple of weeks should be busy but it's a good thing since we are looking fw now to come home! 

Moody shot, I like it 

Yes. Grain silos are female. 

[Tom van Brits]

I have told you all previously that it is just very easy to find work in America, especially around here.
Well maybe because I am also in a labour hungry environment; agriculture and transport.
However; there are people that don't want or can't work in the agricultural sector, and apparently it is not easy or considered easy to many to get a CDL class A licence. You see in order to get one you need to have access to a truck and trailer to learn and exercise, and although there are scools like in SA they opperate completely different.
They do not take one person but a class, and it is VERY expensive. It is considered a qualification, and not just another licence like most of us South Africans opperate - to occationally drive a truck when or if need be.
I got many very surprised stares from local guys, also wanting to see my licence to believe and no one believes my story that I came over last year, never before has I driven a manual truck and never a Tractor with trailer and got my CDL within 30 days.
Recently one of the guys working occasionally with me and a bit older (local) got his CDL and he is just smiling every single day!

Tonight I heard a young lady in her mid twenties telling someone else in the line at the grocery store that she is just so happy because she just got a very good and well paying job; a house keeper at a nursery home working 4.5 hours a day at $10 a hour!
So in a way I just wonder how she goes by with just short of $1500 a month - and I almost feel guilty for a moment earning as a seasonal worker a bit more than a local.

You don't see poverty on the streets here, nothing. No beggars, no homeless but you do see the 'hard lines and looks' on some people's faces. There is just so much work on the farms, at the Coops and in transport. The local ready mix business has advertised for weeks on the most popular radio station for a driver with a CLASS B CDL - Straight truck and finally got someone. I find some things hard to understand.... but do know that I am very fortunate.

One of the contracted grain haulers became a good friend, the picture attached is his truck that he has build up from scratch because he wanted to be a truck driver and he made his dream come true. The truck needs quite a bit of work but he is getting there, it is roadworthy and he is earning a living!

I respect people that somehow gather the courage to chase their dreams 
I am a bit nervous, need to go to another site in Nebraska tomorrow to operate a machine, don't have a clue what is awaiting me but I am also excited.

From medic to:
Class A CDL Driver
Operator of:
CAT 955 Pay-loader
Skid steer
Tele handler
Forklift
Very limited tractor/pto work
Grain-vac
A very good understanding and operator at old and ultra modern grain elevators
A bit of agronomy experience

Yes sometimes the hours is long, like yesterday loading a train after normal shift and so on, but I love what I do and I want to believe that I have made it!
Now that spine specialist in South Africa just need to sort me so I can continue 

[Welsh]

Mean looking truck Tom. 

[roxenz]

Awesome, awesome pic of that mad max looking truck, Tom!

[Wayne]

Damn fine picture Tom.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

[Tom van Brits]

When I got to the site at Nebraska the one area manager (that is a very senior position) was waiting on me and I was even early.
I don't like that, prefer being early and first but anyhow fot what we were about to do for the day.
Load a front loading lowbed....yes who of you know those lowbeds??? With a CAT 950 and secured the machine with chain and ratchets.
Man I wish I could take pictures of how the lowbed works and all the hydraulic's and so on but that was not going to happen.
So I drove this abnormal load with lights and banners all the way to another facility (quite far) and then we left even way more north into Nebraska to pick up another one and move to another location.
All of this to pick up ground piles of corn before the winter.
Man it was silly enjoyable to be in control of such a rig - long trailer.
All went well and I was back home at 2pm.
Tomorrow at noon we will be loading a train, but atleast I got some time off! 
A picture of the rig after I parked it.

[WheelieDog]

You are getting to play with some awesome toys!

[thabogrobler]

Nice!

Always good to do a sterling job under the watchful eye of someone seniior!

[woody1]

Kyk hulle trust jou met so n super load.

[Tom van Brits]

Kyk hulle trust jou met so n super load.

The company have no shortage of truck drivers,  yet I've been called for this job and some of the truck drivers were really staring at me as I pulled into different locations as the manager and I either loaded or unloaded.
Even had to back out once without breaking sweat and the bad thing is with the loader on the flat-bed, you cant see the trailers rear wheels in the mirrors.
I am fortunate, really 

[Pilchie]

Interesting weather, it has been warm for a couple of days and then this cold front came in late afternoon.
If only I could take pictures when the light is perfect, but still managed to get a fair shot of the grain shuttle! 
More and more farmers are announcing their last load, and it is almost sad to say good-bye but I trust I'll see these hardworking guys next year again!
We have started picking up ground piles, so the next couple of weeks should be busy but it's a good thing since we are looking fw now to come home! 
[/quotee]

Stunning pic

[Tom van Brits]

I have made a 'loopdeeg broodjie' and so lekker!!
No need to kneed the dough, make it a little softer by adding a bit more water and stir thoroughly, let it sit for an hour and stir again and pour into bread pan. Pre heat oven to 400 degrees farenheit and put into oven and bake for 45 minutes.
Delicious