Welcome To bobthedogs site

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Bob the Dog. A former European Truck Driver who got heartily sickened by the U.K.. I left there in January 2006, along with my wife and son, to begin a new life in Manitoba, Canada.

I have been a Truck Driver for nearly twenty years. Over that time, I have covered most aspects of the business, culminating in owning my own vehicles carrying almost everything. I had tankers, carrying cooking oils, fruit juices and dairy products. Curtainsided vehicles carrying Groupage all over Western Europe and a low loader for tractors and machinery.

I have only just begun building this site. I will be adding links to all kinds of places. It may take a little time for me to get the OK for it. Please bear with me.

I  spend much of my time away from home. I am a recent Immigrant to Canada so I have a reasonable idea of what is required, should you wish to follow in my steps. Click on the email me button and ask anything you feel you need to know. If I don't know, I'll try my best to find out. I will not flannel anyone. I will tell you what I know, and, unlike many, there is no fee for my advice.

 I do not ask for money. Not now, not ever!

Leaving the U.K. was an incredibly strange experience. I first became disillusioned in the late '80s, and looked into emigrating to Canada then. At that time it was very difficult to do unless you had family sponsors over here.

Nowadays, it's actually a relatively straightforward procedure, and it costs less than a good holiday to do.

Once I have checked out the situation, I shall post links to crucial websites and other informative links for those planning to come here.

 Please note, I am not an agent for anyone. I represent nobody and am only setting this site up to demonstrate that you need not stay in Britain because you cannot raise thousands to pay an agent! I will not recommend companies as that is not in my plan here. If you ask me questions about them then I will reply, but all I can offer is hearsay and I will not be held to account for any problems that may arise. Sorry, but employment agencies are found in the Yellowpages. However, if you want contact information about the company I work for then I will provide it free of charge. In my opinion, they have been absolutely fantastic to me and all the other Ex Pats they are employing.

I think there are questions you should ask yourselves before considering leaving.

1} Name something GREAT about modern Britain

2} Name your greatest achievement

3} Name your greatest ambition

4} Something in the UK you can't do without

5} The thing that causes the most friction at home

These are fundamental questions. They may seem silly, but they are relevant. Personally, I think the UK has nothing to offer anymore. Canada is no bed of roses, and I am working as hard as I ever have. Some weeks have seen me drive 4500 miles and I average 3000. There are more DOT inspections here and more weighbridges, and the roads are sometimes substandard or even gravel roads. Rough in the Winter, boggy in the Spring and dusty in the Summer. Trips can be short or very long, One trip was 14 days, 7300 miles and took me on multidrop to Alberta and British Columbia, back to Manitoba, down to Nevada then back to Alberta before routing back to the yard after loading for Indiana.

You must not think that life is easy over here, it isn't, but you can do well if you work hard and have the drive to get somewhere. You have to learn to tarp in sub-zero conditions when the sheets are frozen solid, to cope with snowdrifts several feet deep or blizzards where you cannot stop because you cannot see somewhere safe to park up.

If you manage to become accustomed to that, you will find that life here can be a new adventure every single day. I have seen the Salmon Run in BC, the Titanic graves in Nova Scotia, bears, wolves and moose. I love it here and don't ever want to move back.

If you want any information then click the link below. I will answer whatever questions I can, but please be patient as I spend much time away from home.

I will be posting all sorts of pictures to the site. The first ones are of my truck, parked in Ontario, and my family standing in front of my truck, parked on the driveway at home. With winter coming on, they will get to be spectacular.