Getting my car insurance under the £300 mark. Next stop under £200.

Some folks get it for nowt with these cashback sites and vouchers. Not sure how they wangle it like.

(31 Jan 2017, 7:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote Getting my car insurance under the £300 mark. Next stop under £200.

Some folks get it for nowt with these cashback sites and vouchers. Not sure how they wangle it like.

My next stop is under four figures, hopefully...

(31 Jan 2017, 7:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote Getting my car insurance under the £300 mark. Next stop under £200.

Some folks get it for nowt with these cashback sites and vouchers. Not sure how they wangle it like.

Lower than Husband's, but he drives a fairly big car (long wheelbase estate/tourer rather than gas guzzling 4WD)

New buss pass has come today


Sent from my iPhone 7+ using Tapatalk

http://www.thepoke.co.uk/2016/02/02/stor...hilarious/

In an era of 'fake news', I dont know whether or not this is fake. I just hope it isn't

I had a day out around Nottingham & Derby on Saturday and what struck me was just how happy and pleasant every driver was. I don't want to pretend Trent Barton are God's gift to the bus industry, but I do think their customer service focused stratagy has forced others to up their game in the region too. I rode with Trent, Arriva, Nottingham City & Nottingham Community Transport  all the drivers were cheery and friendly. Conversely, the old folk I encountered around there were mean spirited and had a nasty sense of entitlement. Maybe they're still sore about getting hoofed off the Red Arrow. 

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire seem to be doing quite well for bus services. Maybe it's down to the mix of operator style: large commercial (Welglade/Trent Barton), municipal (Nottingham City), independent (Your Bus), non-profit(Nottingham Community) & multi-national (Arriva). It seems competition works best when each operator has different goals. When, as per the NE, you really only have 3 massive corporations with shareholders to please - territories are divided up, monopolies are formed and competition is kept as low as possible.

Just seen the upcoming GNE changes and discovered that the 21 will run 10 minutes later than they currently do on journeys from Durham Bus Station on Sundays which is fantastic news for me as at present I have a 28 minute gap between the 7 arriving in Durham and the next 21 departing, this will now cut my waiting times down to just 8 minutes.

Also I very much enjoyed seeing Green Day at Manchester Arena last night, currently on the train back to Darlington now.

In fact, for about the last week I've actually been in a rather good mood for some reason, no idea why considering not much different has happened and a few things that would normally annoy me have occurred and it hasn't bothered me at all.

Finally have become reliably mediocre/good at night pictures.
(Go North East) NL63XBC,D / 5372,3 - Wright Streetlite by Jamie MP, on Flickr
(Go North East) NK11HDN / 8329 - Optare Versa by Jamie MP, on Flickr

Compared to just over a month ago:
(Go North East) YN04GJG / 6133 on service 21. by Jamie MP, on Flickr
20161227_210818 by Jamie MP, on Flickr

Hopefully the difference is clear. I'm certainly aware of it and I'm even proud of some of the work I've produced.

Have been told I will be on Work Experience to Heaton TMD in May for Engineering and other things, Just after I come back from holiday.

Looking forward to the coming weeks.

(13 Feb 2017, 4:26 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Have been told I will be on Work Experience to Heaton TMD in May for Engineering and other things, Just after I come back from holiday.

Looking forward to the coming weeks.

Nice, well done, first step in to the real world!, but it all goes down hill from the moment you leave school

(13 Feb 2017, 4:29 pm)Michael wrote Nice, well done, first step in to the real world!, but it all goes down hill from the moment you leave school

Thanks , Nice to stray away from school after all those years being in it. Downhill? I'm dying to leave school haha

(13 Feb 2017, 4:34 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Thanks , Nice to stray away from school after all those years being in it. Downhill? I'm dying to leave school haha

You'll be dying to go back after!

(13 Feb 2017, 4:34 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Thanks   , Nice to stray away from school after all those years being in it.  Downhill? I'm dying to leave school haha

Jamie's post is 100% true.

Once you get in to work and those long days happen, you'll want to go back.... although i do love my job...

(13 Feb 2017, 4:35 pm)Jamie M wrote You'll be dying to go back after!

Haha, My Mam and Dad were saying the same! Still looking forward to doing something different.

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(13 Feb 2017, 4:38 pm)Michael wrote Jamie's post is 100% true.

Once you get in to work and those long days happen, you'll want to go back.... although i do love my job...

The shift ill be on is apparently 7am-3pm, And that involves a Metro and a 22 to get there... I'm thinking I might have to catch the first metro of the morning at 6:01 every day, Which is going to be torture...

(13 Feb 2017, 4:38 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Haha, My Mam and Dad were saying the same!  Still looking forward to doing something different.

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The shift ill be on is apparently 7am-3pm, And that involves a Metro and a 22 to get there... I'm thinking I might have to catch the first metro of the morning at 6:01 every day, Which is going to be torture...

Only down fall to working, i get the 6:25am bus when i start 7:30am, means i'm up at 5:15am-5:30am, i have to get the bus because i can't afford to learn to drive at the minute.


It's defiantly different, we get a lot of work experience where i work and they don't realise how much work we actually do, however work experience/students can't do much in the area i work, due to safeguarding etc but it'll be the same for everyone in some sort....

(13 Feb 2017, 4:38 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Haha, My Mam and Dad were saying the same! Still looking forward to doing something different.

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The shift ill be on is apparently 7am-3pm, And that involves a Metro and a 22 to get there... I'm thinking I might have to catch the first metro of the morning at 6:01 every day, Which is going to be torture...

Are you still on Nexus CATs? I wouldn't dare pay for either metro or stagecoach haha, rather cycle. More comfy, too!
I never bothered with Network 1 tickets, either. They're pricey and the zones are random.

(13 Feb 2017, 4:46 pm)Michael wrote Only down fall to working, i get the 6:25am bus when i start 7:30am, means i'm up at 5:15am-5:30am, i have to get the bus because i can't afford to learn to drive at the minute.


It's defiantly different, we get a lot of work experience where i work and they don't realise how much work we actually do, however work experience/students can't do much in the area i work, due to safeguarding etc but it'll be the same for everyone in some sort....

Ill probably have to get up around 4:45, As I like to take my time getting ready on a morning rather than rushing.

Using the first metro of the morning daily will be strange, Ive used it a few times on outings on a Saturday but not daily, Half of the passengers are fast asleep too! Definitely different to getting it during the day.

(13 Feb 2017, 4:46 pm)Jamie M wrote Are you still on Nexus CATs? I wouldn't dare pay for either metro or stagecoach haha, rather cycle. More comfy, too!
I never bothered with Network 1 tickets, either. They're pricey and the zones are random.

Aye I am, Still £1.10 for a CAT Day ticket.

I normally use my bike to School and back each day, Which is around 6 miles altogether but to Heaton and back from Brockely Whins is a no go haha.

(13 Feb 2017, 4:38 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Haha, My Mam and Dad were saying the same!  Still looking forward to doing something different.

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The shift ill be on is apparently 7am-3pm, And that involves a Metro and a 22 to get there... I'm thinking I might have to catch the first metro of the morning at 6:01 every day, Which is going to be torture...

Well done! Will be a good and interesting experience especially as it's something you like, annoying we didn't get any work experience in our school.

You could get the metro to Chillingham Road if it's easier and the 11 which goes the same route as the 22 -  the 22 will make you late guaranteed! Hope you like it

(13 Feb 2017, 4:58 pm)Tom wrote Well done! Will be a good and interesting experience especially as it's something you like, annoying we didn't get any work experience in our school.

You could get the metro to Chillingham Road if it's easier and the 11 which goes the same route as the 22 -  the 22 will make you late guaranteed! Hope you like it

Cheers Tom, Looking forward to it a lot.

Its a shame not all schools offer it, As I guess it learns you the basics of the job before you leave school.

Aye I could, Ill look into it a bit more to see which ones easiest, Is there any 11's at that time?

(13 Feb 2017, 5:01 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Cheers Tom, Looking forward to it a lot.

Its a shame not all schools offer it, As I guess it learns you the basics of the job before you leave school.

Aye I could, Ill look into it a bit more to see which ones easiest, Is there any 11's at that time?

There is from Wallsend to Whitley, just not beyond Wallsend Interchange.

(13 Feb 2017, 5:01 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Cheers Tom, Looking forward to it a lot.

Its a shame not all schools offer it, As I guess it learns you the basics of the job before you leave school.

Aye I could, Ill look into it a bit more to see which ones easiest, Is there any 11's at that time?

Yeah Jamie is right I forgot they run as 11X to Cobalt at that time.

And yeah schools now only care about what grades you get annoyingly, not about preparing you for after school or college.

If you are going to Heaton TMD, you are better off getting Stagecoach number 1 to the TA centre at Rothbury Terrace as the access road to the depot is just past the nearby railway bridge.

Done my work experience 12 years ago now. I learned more in those two weeks than an entire term at school. As a result I kept working in the same industry and now run a company doing a similar  thing - so it's a shame to hear work ex is dying out! 

 Conversely, I enjoyed school at the time but would rather lick wasps than go back for a day.

(13 Feb 2017, 11:00 pm)James101 wrote Done my work experience 12 years ago now. I learned more in those two weeks than an entire term at school. As a result I kept working in the same industry and now run a company doing a similar  thing - so it's a shame to hear work ex is dying out! 

 Conversely, I enjoyed school at the time but would rather lick wasps than go back for a day.

I do work ex for things that sometimes don't interest me. I just keep adding things to a CV. Most people disregard things that aren't relevant to a job field, but literally anything you do in a working atmosphere can give you the edge. Not only does it open more doors, it provides you with that edge in question. I highly disagree with anyone who says it is not important or in any way diminishing. In an age where there are more people than ever applying for jobs, it's ever more important and relevant to have an edge - even if it's in a job field that has nothing to do with the job you're applying for.

(13 Feb 2017, 11:00 pm)James101 wrote Done my work experience 12 years ago now. I learned more in those two weeks than an entire term at school. As a result I kept working in the same industry and now run a company doing a similar  thing - so it's a shame to hear work ex is dying out! 

 Conversely, I enjoyed school at the time but would rather lick wasps than go back for a day.

 I still have too many years to go, being year 8

(13 Feb 2017, 11:00 pm)James101 wrote Done my work experience 12 years ago now. I learned more in those two weeks than an entire term at school. As a result I kept working in the same industry and now run a company doing a similar  thing - so it's a shame to hear work ex is dying out! 

 Conversely, I enjoyed school at the time but would rather lick wasps than go back for a day.

My work experience was great. Worn out at the end, but learned all sorts. Desperately wanted to work in that specific field, but despite trying to enter it for a number of years, didn't quite get in.

What was interesting, was that a normal service bus was more or less turned in to a scholars service for the week (we only had a week work experience). Everyone who normally got a specific scholars bus to school from one residential area, got work experience (unknowingly) in the same general direction. 

(13 Feb 2017, 11:08 pm)Jamie M wrote I do work ex for things that sometimes don't interest me. I just keep adding things to a CV. Most people disregard things that aren't relevant to a job field, but literally anything you do in a working atmosphere can give you the edge. Not only does it open more doors, it provides  you with that edge in question. I highly disagree with anyone who says it is not important or in any way diminishing. In an age where there are more people than ever applying for jobs, it's ever more important and relevant to have an edge - even if it's in a job field that has nothing to do with the job you're applying for.

Just ensure you keep your CV to two pages and make everything you write on it, relevant to the job you're applying for.
Don't just add to the CV for the sake of it.

(14 Feb 2017, 9:36 am)Andreos1 wrote My work experience was great. Worn out at the end, but learned all sorts. Desperately wanted to work in that specific field, but despite trying to enter it for a number of years, didn't quite get in.

What was interesting, was that a normal service bus was more or less turned in to a scholars service for the week (we only had a week work experience). Everyone who normally got a specific scholars bus to school from one residential area, got work experience (unknowingly) in the same general direction. 


Just ensure you keep your CV to two pages and make everything you write on it, relevant to the job you're applying for.
Don't just add to the CV for the sake of it.

If you're without many 'real' jobs, the more experience, the merrier, regardless of how relevant.

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(14 Feb 2017, 9:36 am)Andreos1 wrote My work experience was great. Worn out at the end, but learned all sorts. Desperately wanted to work in that specific field, but despite trying to enter it for a number of years, didn't quite get in.

What was interesting, was that a normal service bus was more or less turned in to a scholars service for the week (we only had a week work experience). Everyone who normally got a specific scholars bus to school from one residential area, got work experience (unknowingly) in the same general direction. 


Just ensure you keep your CV to two pages and make everything you write on it, relevant to the job you're applying for.
Don't just add to the CV for the sake of it.

If you're without many 'real' jobs, the more experience, the merrier, regardless of how relevant.

(14 Feb 2017, 11:06 am)Jamie M wrote If you're without many 'real' jobs, the more experience, the merrier, regardless of how relevant.

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If you're without many 'real' jobs, the more experience, the merrier, regardless of how relevant.

It's making the content on your CV relevant though

Volunteering in a charity shop may not seem relevant to driving a train, but by including the transferable skills on to your CV along with examples - it can be.

They could be: following instruction, being able to problem solve, using own initiative, being flexible with regard to working patterns, taking part in regular training sessions... The list is endless.
Being potentially short on space on a CV, it's only natural you would cover those areas, over cash-handling, manual handling, stock checking etc.

Obviously this is an extreme example, but shows how it can be done.

As an example. My work experience when at school, was followed up with voluntary work experience at a similar organisation during six weeks holidays. I then went in to retail work part time whilst at college.
I finished my BTEC's and A-levels and ended up doing a job totally different to the jobs I had done previously (including my paper round).
Needless to say, I have developed a career around my first full-time job and have developed skills and qualifications in that sector, whilst developing knowledge of industries I have been seconded in to or worked within.
My CV was tweaked to make my college courses and other jobs (paid and unpaid) relevant when applying for that first full-time job and has been ever since.

(14 Feb 2017, 12:43 pm)Andreos1 wrote It's making the content on your CV relevant though

Volunteering in a charity shop may not seem relevant to driving a train, but by including the transferable skills on to your CV along with examples - it can be.

They could be: following instruction, being able to problem solve, using own initiative, being flexible with regard to working patterns, taking part in regular training sessions... The list is endless.
Being potentially short on space on a CV, it's only natural you would cover those areas, over cash-handling, manual handling, stock checking etc.

Obviously this is an extreme example, but shows how it can be done.

As an example. My work experience when at school, was followed up with voluntary work experience at a similar organisation during six weeks holidays. I then went in to retail work part time whilst at college.
I finished my BTEC's and A-levels and ended up doing a job totally different to the jobs I had done previously (including my paper round).
Needless to say, I have developed a career around my first full-time job and have developed skills and qualifications in that sector, whilst developing knowledge of industries I have been seconded in to or worked within.
My CV was tweaked to make my college courses and other jobs (paid and unpaid) relevant when applying for that first full-time job and has been ever since.

Anything can be made 'relevant' with the right words! There is nothing that can't be twisted to mean something to impress an employer!

(14 Feb 2017, 2:25 pm)Jamie M wrote Anything can be made 'relevant' with the right words! There is nothing that can't be twisted to mean something to impress an employer!

You would be surprised how many CV's aren't relevant...