Language Missus!
Aside
At 3.15pm I got a phone call from my driving instructor’s wife to say Pete was sorry but he would be about 10 minutes late. I really appreciated them letting me know as waiting increases my nerviness. The weather was glowering when we set off on the twisty- turny road to Bridgwater and by the time we hit the motorway the visibility had worsened, the rush hour had started and it was raining hard.
I’m beginning to get the hang of roundabouts; using mirrors signalling and getting in the right lane. Pete asked if I was sure I wanted to do the motorway and I said yes, crossing everything in sight – metaphorically. Added confidence has changed my attitude: whereas before it would have been’
“Excuse me everybody – do you mind if I join you? Thank you ever so much.”
Pete told me to get my speed up and wham bam it was-
“Hi boys! I’m coming in! Make way!
The Focus is very nippy and much more responsive than old Bluebell. We were doing about 65mph in the slow lane with a white van some way in front.
Pat “I’m quite happy here, doing this speed.”
Pete “You could over-take him.”
Pat –looking in mirror “But there’s loads of cars in the middle lane.
Pete “Just signal your intention and they’ll make way.”
I started signalling but couldn’t gauge whether the cars coming up were going to hover or not, so bottled out. Still signalling, when it was clear, I started to come out and right behind me a sports cat was practically on top of me.
Pat “SHIT!”
In a nanosecond I was back in the slow lane – heart pumping and shame-faced.
Pat “I’m terribly sorry! He came out of nowhere. I’m so sorry for swearing.”
Pete “He was going too fast. I would have said the same thing.”
Twice after that I managed successful over -takings and noticed at one time I was doing 75 mph. (Heaven knows what everybody else were doing) I’ll have to watch that.
I asked Pete if he had been frightened and he said not really. Did he think the other driver had been and he thought yes but he was going too fast. Off the motorway at last, we drove through Taunton and homeward bound on the A 39, I looked forward to a glass of wine when I got home. Then we got grid-locked; a car had come off the road – into the trees and there were police, a crane and ambulances. By the time we got home we were half an hour late but Pete thought it was worth it to have done all we had done and I agreed. He said I was much more relaxed and I think I have to watch I don’t get too relaxed.
Next week manoeuvring. Lovely!
Showing posts with label driving lesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label driving lesson. Show all posts
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
MIRROR MIRROR!
Aside
I was dreading this week’s driving lesson because we were driving into the county town with traffic, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings – all bad enough but I would be driving the Focus which is larger than I’m used to and has a very sloping wind screen which makes one feel the car is in charge of you rather than the other way round.
For days before, I was adjusting seats and mirrors and practising turning the car round. I had a rather close encounter with the gate which was already on its last legs (not a word to Bessie!) but happily the car was unblemished. The lesson was at 1pm, lunch time so I just had a mug of milky coffee and three chocolate fingers. A hot fragrant bath soothed my jagged nerves and I took two Quiet Life, which is OK as long as you aren’t pregnant. I’m not.
I was going to drink camomile tea but feared that, plus Quiet Life might be too sedating. The gloomy grey start had given way to a lovely sunny day so it was sun-glasses rather than wipers. I was afraid my sandals might catch on the pedals so wore my French Aigle boots. A crisp cotton shirt, indigo jeans and I was ready to go.
During the two hours of non stop driving I found, after a while that I could talk at the same time but never took my eyes off the road. I collected one toot at a roundabout but my driving instructor said I was justified in moving then as I had time. I still find the mirror, mirror, signal etc takes getting used to and apparently I don’t have to go from fourth to second via third gear I can go from fourth to second.
Another hurdle over.
DI Well that went well!
P Thank you.
DI Were you nervous?
P I was at first but then I enjoyed it.
DI I enjoyed it too Pat. What shall we do next week?
P I don’t know. You decide.
DI Shall we go on the motor way?
P I’m game.
DI Where shall we go?
P Scotland?
DI I’ll bring sandwiches.
…..
Past Imperfect story continued on Monday DV.
Aside
I was dreading this week’s driving lesson because we were driving into the county town with traffic, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings – all bad enough but I would be driving the Focus which is larger than I’m used to and has a very sloping wind screen which makes one feel the car is in charge of you rather than the other way round.
For days before, I was adjusting seats and mirrors and practising turning the car round. I had a rather close encounter with the gate which was already on its last legs (not a word to Bessie!) but happily the car was unblemished. The lesson was at 1pm, lunch time so I just had a mug of milky coffee and three chocolate fingers. A hot fragrant bath soothed my jagged nerves and I took two Quiet Life, which is OK as long as you aren’t pregnant. I’m not.
I was going to drink camomile tea but feared that, plus Quiet Life might be too sedating. The gloomy grey start had given way to a lovely sunny day so it was sun-glasses rather than wipers. I was afraid my sandals might catch on the pedals so wore my French Aigle boots. A crisp cotton shirt, indigo jeans and I was ready to go.
During the two hours of non stop driving I found, after a while that I could talk at the same time but never took my eyes off the road. I collected one toot at a roundabout but my driving instructor said I was justified in moving then as I had time. I still find the mirror, mirror, signal etc takes getting used to and apparently I don’t have to go from fourth to second via third gear I can go from fourth to second.
Another hurdle over.
DI Well that went well!
P Thank you.
DI Were you nervous?
P I was at first but then I enjoyed it.
DI I enjoyed it too Pat. What shall we do next week?
P I don’t know. You decide.
DI Shall we go on the motor way?
P I’m game.
DI Where shall we go?
P Scotland?
DI I’ll bring sandwiches.
…..
Past Imperfect story continued on Monday DV.
Friday, June 01, 2007
This and That
Aside
At 9am I was ready and waiting for my ‘refresher‘driving lesson. Pete the instructor managed to find the house without the usual phone call half way up the hill, which was a good omen. We shook hands and he asked me to get in the driving seat of this gaudily emblazoned, driving school car. After a brief chat when I gave him a potted version of my driving history, I made myself comfortable, started the engine and stalled.
From then on it was a very positive experience with encouraging feed back on various manoeuvres. One thing I learned early on was not to bother to indicate when overtaking parked cars as it can be misleading, and to use my left mirror turning left; and my right mirror turning right. I drove non stop for two hours – through towns, difficult junctions and very narrow country lanes where I had to reverse for a lorry.
Four times he said,
‘Pat you are a good, safe driver.’
Apparently there are driving aids one can attach to all three mirrors and the rear window to give you a panoramic view and we are going to get these on my next lesson when I shall be driving our larger car. This will be more of a challenge, without the protection of the driving school paraphernalia. We are going to drive to our county town - with all that involves. I’m feeling upbeat and hope by the end of four more two- hour lessons I really shall be ’a good safe driver.’
I asked Pete if he was ever frightened and he said once he told a learner to turn right at the roundabout and the learner did just that omitting to go round the round about first. Another client, who was a young man, fell asleep whilst driving. It was the day before his test and the next day he took his test and passed. Fortunately Pete, father of seven, is very laid back
Do you remember the post I did after our holiday in Devon? It feels ages ago but was actually May 20th. Last night I had an email from Merriol (correct spelling) I was so thrilled. Here it is
Dear PI - Helen tipped me off about your blog entry about your stay in Lew Quarry Cottage and I read it and I love it. I enjoy your writing enormously and look forward to reading more. I'm delighted you enjoyed your stay despite the foul weather - I'm sorry about that. And I'm glad you found the quarry with the lake in it when you walked up the driveway to Helen's. It has an eerie quality I find immensely appealing. Laurie King drowned one of her characters in it in The Moor.
I love being mysterious! I've sent your blog entry on to our children who have probably underrated my mysteriousness up 'til now.
With all best wishes, Merriol (slightly different spelling but I like your spelling just as well)
Wasn’t that sporting of her? I wonder if any of you have read Laurie King’s ‘The Moor’. The lake had such a powerful atmosphere it certainly deserved to be in someone’s book.
My story continues on Monday Deo volente.
Aside
At 9am I was ready and waiting for my ‘refresher‘driving lesson. Pete the instructor managed to find the house without the usual phone call half way up the hill, which was a good omen. We shook hands and he asked me to get in the driving seat of this gaudily emblazoned, driving school car. After a brief chat when I gave him a potted version of my driving history, I made myself comfortable, started the engine and stalled.
From then on it was a very positive experience with encouraging feed back on various manoeuvres. One thing I learned early on was not to bother to indicate when overtaking parked cars as it can be misleading, and to use my left mirror turning left; and my right mirror turning right. I drove non stop for two hours – through towns, difficult junctions and very narrow country lanes where I had to reverse for a lorry.
Four times he said,
‘Pat you are a good, safe driver.’
Apparently there are driving aids one can attach to all three mirrors and the rear window to give you a panoramic view and we are going to get these on my next lesson when I shall be driving our larger car. This will be more of a challenge, without the protection of the driving school paraphernalia. We are going to drive to our county town - with all that involves. I’m feeling upbeat and hope by the end of four more two- hour lessons I really shall be ’a good safe driver.’
I asked Pete if he was ever frightened and he said once he told a learner to turn right at the roundabout and the learner did just that omitting to go round the round about first. Another client, who was a young man, fell asleep whilst driving. It was the day before his test and the next day he took his test and passed. Fortunately Pete, father of seven, is very laid back
Do you remember the post I did after our holiday in Devon? It feels ages ago but was actually May 20th. Last night I had an email from Merriol (correct spelling) I was so thrilled. Here it is
Dear PI - Helen tipped me off about your blog entry about your stay in Lew Quarry Cottage and I read it and I love it. I enjoy your writing enormously and look forward to reading more. I'm delighted you enjoyed your stay despite the foul weather - I'm sorry about that. And I'm glad you found the quarry with the lake in it when you walked up the driveway to Helen's. It has an eerie quality I find immensely appealing. Laurie King drowned one of her characters in it in The Moor.
I love being mysterious! I've sent your blog entry on to our children who have probably underrated my mysteriousness up 'til now.
With all best wishes, Merriol (slightly different spelling but I like your spelling just as well)
Wasn’t that sporting of her? I wonder if any of you have read Laurie King’s ‘The Moor’. The lake had such a powerful atmosphere it certainly deserved to be in someone’s book.
My story continues on Monday Deo volente.
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