Lost!

Have you ever lost a significant and expensive item?

Well, this week’s blog is about the time when I was collecting some clients from Heathrow Terminal 5. 

All was going so well and following my SMS to my clients they ordered from me their preferred coffee choice, I queued up at the Cafe Nero in Arrivals and sent another SMS to them saying I was in the coffee queue.

Although my back was turned, I was unaware that they had just come through Arrivals and as I turned, there they were - they had no difficulty finding me as once again, I was the only one wearing a chauffeurs cap.

They were pleased to see me and I was able to present them with their coffees.

We proceeded towards the lifts and after I paid for the parking, we walked the short distance to the car, with me pushing one luggage trolly and they had the other one. All going so well.

I opened the doors for them, and then loaded the luggage into the car. We were soon on the way back.

They were getting comfortable in the back of my car, and I progressed through the terminal and safely negotiated the airport traffic - this can be quite a challenge for those not used to it.

Onto the M4 we went and then, it struck me……………….

My iPad. Oh no, I left it on the luggage trolley. It was then that I felt really uncomfortable, as I already knew my clients needed to be back at their place for a meeting that afternoon, and besides that, I was never going to let them know what I had just done - the level of service and our branding is after all, stress free for our clients. All I wanted to do, was get off the M4 on the next junction and go back and pick my iPad up - after all I knew exactly where I left it. All I could do was pray like mad that it was safe.

We continued on the M4 for the 90 mile journey until my clients were safely delivered to their home, totally unaware of what was going on in my mind.

Next stop for me was LHR T5, again!

Keeping to the speed limits, I got there in good time and managed to park in exactly the same place as I was earlier, but there was no iPad to be seen. Not happy!

Next stop, Lost Property. Their response was to record the details on a form and face the reality that it was most probably stolen. 

I went back home with what it felt like, my tail between my legs. That was Thursday.

Saturday morning, I still had heard nothing from Heathrow, and I said to my family, that I am going to get another iPad and cut my losses. It was then that my daughter Hannah, suggested I call Heathrow, so I did, expecting the worse.

To my utter astonishment, they were asking questions like, ‘what picture is on the front?’ When I said my silver Jaguar, they then asked the model number and after I told them, they then confirmed that they had my iPad!

The relief and surprise was tangible. Overjoyed and I went back to Heathrow that afternoon.

After negotiating my way to Lost Property, I was reunited with my iPad and I can honestly say thank God, and the Heathrow staff who found it and went through their procedures to log it correctly.

Lesson learnt - or I just hope I have!

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside!

Occasionally, I receive a job that takes me to the coast. A chance to breathe in the wonderfully clean fresh air.

Few weeks ago, that happened again and it was the return journey from Heathrow to Brighton. The plane landed at 06:40 and my clients came through into the Arrivals lounge an hour or so afterwards, and were greeted by coffees which seemed to go down well.

That morning for me started at 04:15 when I left our base and started towards Heathrow, arriving about 06:15. I checked the landing board and the plane was just going to be a few minutes late, so not much different from what I discovered earlier before I left Royal Wootton Bassett. Time enough for me to clean the car with the detailing wax spray.

We were soon on our way out of the airport complex and onto the M25. The usual heavy traffic faced us and we eventually continued down South passing Gatwick on the way.

After being up a long time before, as indeed my clients had, I have to say, I was looking forward to a rest by the sea, before heading back to our base.

I managed to deliver the client to his home by 10am, so I headed off to a place for a coffee and sea view. I found one and was just taking in the fresh air and then the phone rang. 

I received some instructions to get back to our base for the next job, so, no extended rest break before heading back. It is a good job I enjoy my job and have a superbly comfortable big cat to do the journeys in. 

When I do not have a client on board, it is also very nice to spoil myself and listen to some music and the DAB radio. It is also, a time for my own space and I value the times of quiet and silence as I can focus and plan the way the family business is growing.

These times of solitude are so important and I find it helps to clear my head.

It makes me thankful for all the blessings we have in life, very aware of others who are not so blessed.

Day in the Life of a Chauffeur

Being a professional chauffeur means that most days are completely different. This keeps an excitement to the role and also keeps me on my toes, as I have the opportunity to meet many different people.

I thought I would write a short blog on the typical (or is there one?) day of a chauffeur.

Today started at 00:30, yes half past midnight. That is when my alarm went off and after getting ready I was out of the door at 01:45 on my way to the Grange City Hotel to pick up my clients, who needed transport to London Heathrow. I was required to collect them at 06:00, so why, do I hear you ask did I leave so early?

To answer, let me say what happened. On the journey I stopped at the last services before London, Heston, on the M4 to have a much needed coffee and short break before I arrived in Central London.

The services were empty except for one other customer in Costa and the barista. It was good to relax and once again, check the flight number and see that it was still on schedule. This is the first piece of information I give my client after I greet them.

I then set off again and made my way to a carpark near the clients hotel, where I arrived at around 04:30. This, is to wipe the car down with waterless wax detailing spray - the same product that I have described in earlier blogs when talking about detailing.

This means the whole exterior of the car is cleaned and waxed, including the wheels and inside the doors. It is important that my clients receive an immaculate vehicle as I give every client the VIP treatment, every time.

Then, time for a short walk and to catch a few night time photographs around the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and The Shard.

Time came for me to arrive at the hotel, when I parked just outside at around 05:30. There were other drivers waiting their clients. I am getting used to being the only chauffeur who wears a 3 piece suit and the chauffeurs cap - it is quite interesting some of the responses I get, especially in Arrivals at airports - subject to another blog some time. I believe it adds to the occasion for my clients and treats them with the respect they deserve.

My client came outside and I was able to greet them on time. Arriving in the area early makes sure that any hold ups like traffic or otherwise, can be adjusted for making sure I arrive on time.

After loading their suitcases we left for LHR. After setting off, I checked with my clients if the air con was set for their comfort and that the person sat behind me had enough leg room. I offered them cooled bottled water, along with the snack bars, and reminding them of the mints and tissues in the door pockets.

On board are the quality magazines, but on this occasion, no daily newspaper as we travelling before they were able to be purchased.

Traffic through London around 06:00 was not too much trouble and we arrived at the airport around 06:45, in good time for their flight.

Having delivered them safely to the airport, I then headed back a further 71 miles back to our base, with a detour at the next services Reading, to have my sandwiches that my wife prepared with another fresh Costa.

Then home, and once I took Clover our German Shepherd dog out for a walk, I went to bed to catch some sleep.

Tomorrow I am up early again, but this time for a networking breakfast - it is important to keep building contacts when a family business is in start-up mode.