Trucking Food From Ireland to Italy, 1973

[@vinzzzze]

My father started driving in 1973. Drove a truck for 47 years. He told me so many stories about the early days. How it was back then in Italy and Spain. No bull-shit with the tacho, the customs at the borders, the hard work but also the freedom they had. The friendship between European drivers was much better then. Nice to see a video from that period. My dad is 72 now. Retired when he was 68. We watched this video together. Yep, and immediately the stories came back. His eyes wide open. A smile from ear to ear. 😅. Once a trucker, always a trucker, i guess…

[@Blackflag.x]

as a truck driver nowadays,THESE ARE THE ONES WHO DESERVES A BOW!!

[@SaoirsenahÉireann1]

My beloved father did this route from Ireland..late 60''s, this particular journey was shoes. One truck had to carry left shoes, the other the right shoes...because of theft etc..a bit of a wild west at the time..

[@BrianBoru5523]

Are you pulling my leg? I love it.

[@seamusburke9101]

Twas a wild west all right, conditions were rough to say the least. Did your dad drive for Denis Coughlan in Mallow?

[@tonyclifton265]

lol did that anti-theft ruse work or did the mafia just hold up both trucks to obtain the whole pairs?

[@SaoirsenahÉireann1]

@@tonyclifton265 lol..the two trucks drivers got away with it. But I remember thinking how strange it was. The truck drivers evennright up to the mid 80's were always trading their cargo. Dad could arrive in the door with a round of Cashel blue cheese or a stack of 20 identical knickers, ..you never knew what hed bring home..or a bucket of mussels..lol..😂😂😂

[@garryyoung8945]

Recently retired truck driver here. Italy’s still not much better, anywhere south of Naples is dodgy.

[@arturaskundelis]

This is epic to watch. Although after hearing my father's stories of driving old Soviet trucks in the icy Ural mountains, the inability to order food in the Italian cafe makes me smile. :)

[@ivanmalvicino3737]

I live exactly at 7:30 of the video😂. I m a truck driver and i work in this zone ( Aosta Valley). Big respect for these people. It was very hard

[@martinoleary5268]

Went with a trucker pal all the way to Gozo in Italy (somewhere near Cattolica) in 1970. Left Ireland with a fridge van full of horsemeat for the Paris market and after steam cleaning went empty to Italy. I parted with my pal and went hitchhiking through Italy while he loaded a back load of fresh fruit (peaches) for Ireland. An early Volvo truck with a bed in the cabin. The company whose truck it was Ferrywagon. The driver was Tony Heffernan from Ballyfermot. Ah.... the good old days !!

[@seamusburke9101]

I know Tony, how's he doing ?

[@martinoleary5268]

@@seamusburke9101 The last time I met Tony was in 1970 so I've no idea how he's doing now. It's a long time ago but I remember he was a great driver and an unforgettable character.

[@seamusburke9101]

@@martinoleary5268 thanks Martin, he was on the road for a long time after that but I gave it up years ago so lost track of him.

[@astonmcleod5344]

No Gps, no satellite tracking, worked hours you wanted, no tacho, no google translate. a real adventure.

[@lucherve6169]

It was hard, but the guys were free.

[@AndreaCocco-in8mt]

We have to consider those trucks didn't go over 38 mph , let alone going up hill (mountain) and down they didn't brake. Hellis noise , hot , cold inside cabin. Other reality.

[@lucherve6169]

@@AndreaCocco-in8mt Oh yes ! My father told me :" I started early in the morning in Bourg d Oisans for sleeping in Torino at thé central customs station in the evening." It was with a TLC Berliet 125cv. Today Chambéry Torino 3hours

[@carlnapp4412]

It was easier, even the weather was much nicer. What is more, at that time most of the coppers had a heard of gold. 38t gross , 12 speed non synchromesh box and 192 bhp under the bonnet, the opening window was the a.c. I never needed to sauna after work. Better still, in the summer we slept alongside the lorry in the grass and no f*** scumbag was trying to get your money and/or your lorry.

[@lloydwalden4053]

Quality comment.😏

[@Jeffybonbon]

Thank you for a great video a dear freind of mine was a TRucker at this time and he was full of stories about traveling Europe he retired in 1988 but he loved his time trucking RIP Mr Pattinson i will never forget you x

[@lazylad8544]

Did a trip with a truck driver mate. Furniture to France then into Spain for oranges. Was back in the 80s. I'd never eaten or drank so well in my life😉.

[@65Lynchy]

Brilliant film n commentary thanks

[@marcocouceiro1292]

Eu sou motorista português e todas as semanas vou a Itália e gosto muito de lá ir

[@ronniebiggs4026]

Great video really enjoyed that. No Sat nav no mobile phones no fax machines no computers? How did we survive 👍👌🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@ÆCME]

Fantastic! Beautifully done peice, Didn't want to end! Used to run out of the Midlands to Turin with body panels, only did it twice... passing such breathtaking views as you're hours tick away with nothing but the road & radio & tobacco as you're company. Plus the wagon was very basic...few of the self-employed had Scanny longlines much bigger cab & a little desk & seating area to rest. There's no comfort for the lorry driver today, especially when you're hours are all over the place, tramping mon-sat .to long couped up & you never feel probably rested...I don't care what any one says.

[@jayd1974]

Great video hardy bucks back then fair play to em👍

[@TheLittleCatchannel]

Great video! Never had a chance to drive a manual truck with no power steering. All the trucks I have driven were automatics!

[@neckarsulme]

you're not missing anything...automatics are the best

[@mariekatherine5238]

@@neckarsulme Automatics are certainly easier. Standards make you feel you’re really in control, or the brain part of the vehicle.

[@neckarsulme]

@@mariekatherine5238 I started out driving a 6 x 4 Spicer and have driven every possible transmission in 32 years behind the wheel...I love my automatic!

[@alcoyne3333333333333]

Thanks

[@denisdaly7644]

There were some men in those days fantastic film clip

[@inspectec]

A real challenge back then without mobile phones or google maps. However a more peaceful and exciting life. Its not the destination but the journey which is the reward.

[@jupitorious7925]

It wasn't a challenge it was just the norm ..

[@inspectec]

@@jupitorious7925 a big challenge compared to today.

[@jupitorious7925]

@@inspectec yes but that's only because the human race has become reliant on technology to help and to make life easy. A huge downfall in our progress as a hunter gatherer species, leaving our wonder of nature to our wonder in the next mobile phone.. we are a doomed species !!! Au revoir

[@seamusburke9101]

Twas great craic and no mistake!

[@asap..now.]

Awesome video !!!!👍

[@jamesmisener3006]

Is there more to this series? I'd like to watch it if so. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@seamusburke9101]

This is an excerpt from a documentary called All roads lead to Rome. It was made by RTE in 1973 and it's here on KZbin.

[@Monaghan]

Thinking the same. Sounded like he was about to give some interesting statistics right before it cut off.

[@justicesomeday]

1973,the year I left Europe for USA with my mother

[@seamusburke9101]

Wise move!

[@Rob1Rich]

Have you got there yet?

[@bcent5758]

You should come back on holiday, Europe is not like this video anymore.

[@The_Touring_Jedi]

@@bcent5758 I could easily say USA is heading to this vintage scenery as we see in this old footage...

[@autochampwandelen]

Mercedes trucks of the 1970s! I went to the DAF museum in Eindhoven, and I saw some trucks from the 1970s!

[@patcmx]

Very interesting, more of the same please

[@jimmymullen7825]

I trucked, with a load of fish, from Killybegs to the German border with a friend in the early 80's...........I got the best veal ever at Lokeren Truck Stop in Belgium....we had a back load of frozen chips.......

[@dechannigan2980]

Imagine importing frozen spuds, to Ireland 😅

[@jimmymullen7825]

@@dechannigan2980 I know Dex...where else would ye get it.........🤣🤣

[@ÆCME]

Loved working out of killy, We used to tip to the Arran factory not far from killy on a few occasions.... Do you remember the vessel that couldn't dock there ( in killy ) huge brand new processing & canning vessel , did everything on there, but to big for the port. I had a load from Dupont for the vessel. Ended up staying in the ' bay view hotel ' that night, had a cracking night ... Killybegs is definitely worth a weekend break, lovely walks , cosy pubs & one of the finest hotels I stayed in . Ahh happy times 😔

[@TheDurnovarian]

Remember trying to get gov suppor tf or Killilbegs/West German route in early seventies. Quite a chancer in those days

[@seeyouthen]

The interviewer is a bit of a ball buster.

[@seamusburke9101]

That's Patrick Gallagher, a notorious bollucks.

[@jamescornflake1542]

I thought those roads were taken in at night.

[@jazzhands7771]

Only in Southern Yemen, father.

[@lucherve6169]

Beau reportage et quelle joie à la 4³⁰ de voir Boris Johnson. Je me souviens de l autoport à Aoste

[@aanttz4803]

Still traumatised by the Italian 'hole in the floor' latrines that were common in the 1970's - drivers didn't aim well in those days)

[@rayleinster]

Real kings of the road brave hoorz

[@leejohnson3209]

Did the Irish trucks pass through Holyhead, Liverpool or Fishguard back then?

[@gorsmy]

Watch All roads lead to Rome parts 1 and 2 you will see them getting the ferry

[@dereksmyth8434]

Yes customs the whole way and better times

[@seamusburke9101]

@@dereksmyth8434 good on ya Derek, are ya still at it?

[@lucherve6169]

I did the threes ways and all the ways are going to Rome 😉

[@samueleassogna8936]

Bellissimo video mi dispiace non capire la lingua

[@ronniebiggs4026]

I wonder why the driver didn’t ask the other drivers if they can speak English to assist the food order?

[@Vanrides.]

Would have spoilt the narrative.

[@skino666]

Real poetry at 8:30…

[@jinxterx]

Thank God bribery and corruption are a thing of the past! 😂

[@1bigjohnnyd]

If only it were .

[@jupitorious7925]

European Union

[@1bigjohnnyd]

@@jupitorious7925 Club

[@woodennecktie]

the UK is famous on paying bribes , they spoil and did spoil it .... they started it

[@hbouman1704]

@@jupitorious7925 EU =corruption.On a much bigger scale.

[@Hubert4515]

no google maps, WOW

[@nathanthomas8222]

Looks like matey boy out of Hot Fuzz!

[@stephenwalsh8184]

🚛👍

[@bridboland8839]

No power steering either

[@seamusburke9101]

Yes Brid, the Mercedes 1924 did have power steering

[@bridboland8839]

@@seamusburke9101 I'm glad to hear that ---otherwise it would be torture

[@tommiemanga4397]

I hear you brother

[@danbreen6946]

@@bridboland8839 No automatic gear boxes

[@acd1202]

@@seamusburke9101 and a synchromesh gearbox, something still not available in US trucks today.

[@durbledurb3992]

Gotta get paid. Somewhere after the next paycheck is the day we get to live in peace for a while before we drop dead from searching for it.

[@woodennecktie]

such a pitty the narrator keeps crying and weeping over how bad it al was on the main land of europe , as if those circumstances never existed on the british iles

[@gatodoasfalto2721]

The bridges and tunnels shorted the road time, but ruined the companionship ,but worst than that,we have individualism and Facebook

[@The_Touring_Jedi]

Now they truck Ireland or whole EU from food...

[@SelectedNarcissist]

I don't know if its me but young men back then were so handsome and boyish. Even if a guy reached 30 he still looked boyish. Nowadays boys even before their 18th birthday look like bearded hulks. I think it's the formula they were fed as babies as well as all the steroids and chemicals in the modern diet!!!

[@dechannigan2980]

Yes there's something frankenstein about em nowadays

[@SelectedNarcissist]

@@dechannigan2980 true. 😂.

[@tomharte432]

Its very noticeable alright

[@noelmaher4633]

JP Sarte.

[@DavidAbadesDios]

subtitulo activar

[@mr.polemikus4933]

I don't understand why they can't admit “it's a transport of meat or barley” . There is nothing else edible to be imported into Italy, especially from Hibernia.😂

[@extremathule982]

😄😄

[@thetwoboyos8366]

Why barley???.. I think italians grow their own barley... Maybe try dairy products or seafood...👍🇮🇪

[@MyKharli]

Its amazing how woosy people were in the 60`s and 70`s , nowadays people have zero embarrassment , its more do you want my money or not .Point and eat , thank god drinking's been banned though .

[@TheSummers666]

What's different? Long haired French dude! Lol

[@TheSummers666]

6 25. Pmsl

[@iangodfrey4518]

This illustrates the insanity of the modern economy - trucking food across europe. People are barely aware of the concept of food miles - you're not just eating the food, you are basically eating fossil fuels as well. The inefficency of truck as opposed to train transport over long distance Europe likes to talk up how good its rail network is - and for passenger transport that is true. The freight rail network is basically non existent and third world compared to say Australia and the US.