Driving - Give me an A! Give me a D! Give me a V! Give me another A! Give me an N! Give me a C! Give me an I! Give me another N! Give me a G

Horray! April showers! Was I put off? Was I heck! Well apart from being slightly baffled by looking for the headlight switch. I've never used headlights before but Alan explained why. Quite simply, it was raining. The window wipers are easy to use so because of the situation, they were on way before the engine was started. Straight off, into the wilderness that was the big open world. I'd like to say that this lesson was like last weeks but all-in-all it wasn't. It was a different sort of a relaxing drive. No intimidating drivers, no majorly silly mistakes, just a good, clean lesson. I even learned a new manoeuvre - Reversing around a corner.
This was actually a walk in the park. Apparently I've got good co-ordination and observation and I can control the car very well when going backwards on level, uphill or downhill roads. Okay, maybe a little stall because I let the clutch go when the car wasn't in handbrake/neutral but that was a slip on my foot's behalf. But I didn't touch the kerb once, only missing it very slightly but not in a way that would brand a big FAIL on my test. And I had to expect the unexpected like when reversing downhill, gravity and the gradient of the hill really do pull the car quite firmly. So firmly that I hardly had to use the clutch, only the foot brake which actually makes it simpler but after doing the manoeuvre with ease a few times, initiative wants me to pull off but no, I can cope. The same is opposite too when going uphill as you need more power. Also unexpected was a man on a mobility scooter using the road to move onto the pavement a few yards down the street! But that sort of thing is what I should be looking out for. Reversing around a corner is very simple if I take the time and I can now pull it off rather well, if I must say so myself without beating about the bush too much.
Yet again, this lesson featured more observing. I'm starting to read the road better and the traffic and I know what actions to take before doing them. Gear changes are also getting very smooth now and as for roundabouts...they're more friendlier than what they were.
I encountered a few of them today on the dual carriage way I drove on a couple of weeks ago. The same carriageway I feared. I'm actually growing very fond of the 70mph thrill roads (as I will now call them). I conquered one roundabout and was on my way when Alan says "...around about here you can be more positive with the accelerator so not to get cut up by inconsiderate drivers..." These words were fantastic to hear. In a nutshell 'put your foot down!' The Silver Lining maybe a 1.4 diesel Ford Fiesta but it's got a bit of a growl to it when you put foot down, in much the same way as a Fiat Punto does. What I wasn't expecting though was to be doing some overtaking. That was also very egoboosting. Mainly because I got to break the law a little bit to get a safe distance in front of a caravan. The same goes for shifting into 5th gear deliberately. It's very fun and feels great to whack it into 5th to get a bit more growl. Very satisfying if not very relaxing in the process...

Driving - Advancing the 'advanced' metaphor? Nope? Okay then...

By this lesson, lesson 6, things are starting to ease out a lot more. It's all becoming the same thing as last week but without the decency to becoming monotomous. This drive was just a simple recap of what I've basically done with more of what I did last week - The turning in the road. Simple stuff. Nothing out of the blue. Reversing out of a parking space was probably the most adventurous thing. Oh and the S word. I stalled whilst trying to turn but that's no biggy, everyone does it! And if they don't, then they should to make me feel better. Even so, this feels more disappointing than not learning the new skill I was expecting.
Another thing I noticed in this lesson isn't really a something that can be taught. It happens naturally and that's courtesy. After the first 20 minutes behind the wheel I got overtaken by some fool in a jumped up Saxo for them to get stopped by the lights. He was in the wrong (or she - I didn't the driver) for overtaking me as we all know that the L plates on the front and rear mean OVERTAKE ME FOR GOD'S SAKE! But once he had gone it's like a beam of light appeared and everyone else found enlightenment. Everyone started to have more courtesy and I was getting waved on and thanks and waited for. It's a good feeling. And of course my attitude is like thiers. I wait and wave them thanks. Everyone's a happy chappy and that makes better roads. And it makes me a better driver!