After finishing work at six and picking up the wife, it’s a quick dash home to get ready to go out on the blood bike. I find it easier to go down on my own motorbike and leave it in the garage whist I am on call.

On arrival at the garage, I follow a standard routine:

· Check the duty phone, their may have been a call from the hospital already

· Check the whiteboard, its really annoying to get a bike ready only to find there is a fault with it and its written on the board

· Choose the bike and follow the checks on the daily sheet.  If its ok , sign for the bike and the satnav system.

· Put on the Freewheeler vest/jacket

· Lock up the garage and start up the blood bike.

Its only a 2 minute ride round to the hospital reception. I always call in just to let them know I am available. Tonight, there are 2 parcels, one to a local nursing home in Yeovil and the other is to a private address in Castle Cary.

I deliver the first parcel 5 minutes later, quick signature to say it been delivered and its back to the bike. Five minutes later and I am on my way through Mudford heading for Sparkford. I take it easy going up past the motor museum, I discovered really bad potholes the previous week and they still have not been repaired.

I find the street really easy, park up and start looking for the address. I really wish they would not paint the house number when they paint the doors. A knock on the door and the customer comes and opens up. I am always aware that it must be quite frightening a stranger coming to the door, but the lady is really surprised and pleased to get her medicine. Another signature, make sure she locks her door and its back to the bike and home for some tea.

The rest of the evening is spent in front of the telly, listening for the phone. Nothing, bed time, almost forgot to take the phone upstairs.

01:30 in the morning, Hello Freewheeler, its Yeovil Hospital, could you take a sample to Musgrove Hospital, Taunton.  It needs to be there tonight. Its not a Cat 1, but its still urgent.

The cat looks at me as if I am stupid as I put on my helmet. I get the bike out of my garage and try not to wake up the neighbours. Five minutes later I am at the hospital, another five and I am heading for the Cartgate link road and the A303.

South Petherton roundabout and it starts to rain. Ilminster and now its getting heavy.

Its stopped by the time I reach Taunton. Going through the town centre, its quite surprising the number of people out and about. I get to Musgrove hospital, no answer from the lab, but the Porter gets them on the phone. Another signature, back on the bike and head for home and bed.

Its three o clock, the cat still thinks I’m stupid. Decide not to snuggle into the missus, I might be stupid, but I am not suicidal.

Back up at six and take the bike back. Fill up at the Volvo garage and back to the freewheeler garage. Return all the kit and sign the bike back in for the next rider.

 

 

A Typical Evening