Driving - The Test

I've just read my Driving posts from March and there's a reason for this. To see what I did in the past to compare it with yesterdays drive. It was then that I realised that in the last post I said I passed my theory test. That was in August. It's now October. Turns out I wasn't as good a driver as what I thought I was so I had to move my test back. This was a good thing. Or was it? It turned out my test was on the 4th of October; the same day the driving test got changed. The change was half an hour of standard directional driving from the examiner and then 10 minutes of independent driving. No instructions; just get from one point to another following a map or signs. One maneuver was taken out so that left only one to do in the test. I thought it was a lot easier to be honest.

So then, test day. No whisky for dutch courage, this was the real thing. I got picked up by Alan at 11:30 on the Monday morning to do a recap of everything from all reversing maneuvers to the emergency stop. Everything. I've come such a long way since the first lesson and to tell you the truth, I was bloody nervous. My first attempt n'all...
I drove to the test centre and parked up and waited for my examiner. Dave Slim, his name was. He was an old timer so the emergency stop was well out of the question. I did my eye test, (I didn't have to unlock the car door. It didn't turn up on the test) and the 'show me/tell me' question and then we were on our way. Well, what to say. Only one maneuver. And it was my all time favourite; a turn in the road, done seamlessly! Fantastic! Ironically, part of the test was done following the route I did in the morning, with a few stop/starts thrown in along the way. Then we came up to a roundabout. I knew how to tackle roundabouts in the past but this one threw me off completely. I did the unthinkable. The unreasonable. The damnright silly! I stalled! I did not want to do that. But I got the car started and I went off behind some houses. After trundling along at 30mph down a road I got told to pull over. This was the start of the independent driving part. I got given the directions to follow and then I set off. I got to another roundabout and didn't stall. But got marked down on hesitancy, but more on that later. I then proceeded down past my own house and onto the A46 single carriageway. This mean another roundabout which was done perfectly. Down the 46 is went, slamming it into 5th but keeping to the limit. I didn't go above 60, which was a shame. But I knew that at the end of this was another roundabout and then homeward bound. If only a Polish car hadn't pulled out, dramatically plummeting my speed to 30mph. I finally got to the roundabout and turned straight in without stopping. I then drove back to the test centre and finished.
Dave then said rather slowly, "What I'm going to do is tell you where your good points were and bad points and show you them and how they correspond to my examiners criteria...oh by the way, you've passed"
Wait, when breaking news, you say that first!



FIRST!


Not last!

But I passed. I didn't want to but I did! I was ecstatic! I could hardly believe my luck! I got 6 minors and no majors. First time! Heavens forbid, I can hardly believe it now. They took away my license. I'm now waiting to a brand new pink full license. I can now drive any car. There is not going to be anyone sitting to my left that is going to criticise me on every little thing. Of course, I'm going to be safe. I'm going to be very safe. I haven't got a car. But the fact goes, I did when I didn't believe I could. It just goes to show: Every cloud. Every single cloud! Every one of them...
Every cloud has a Diesel Weasel!

 Wait...what?

Driving: Advancing the Format (and an apology)

Errr...yeah. I haven't posted anything since the 2nd of June. There are numerous reasons but I going to go with this...Lessons are becoming mundane. Not boring, just samey. That's all. Everything has been covered. As it stands, I am now doing mock tests. I failed my first one. Oh, and I am proud to tell you, I passed my theory test and hazard perception (all thanks to a sheep which I thought at first was a dog and then a horse) and my practical is at the end of August...that is all really. Oh and sorry.

Driving - I really am running out of things to put the word 'Advancing' to

This weeks lesson was actually really good compared to last weeks. I did say that it was becoming a bit mundane but that's because I wasn't really doing much interesting. But this one was very good. A whole lot composed and fluent. No stalls. A chance for some overtaking. A recovered missed gear. Yes, I did go a bit blank with the parallel park and I did have to re-correct myself with bay parking (to the left, but amazingly parking to the right was done in one shot). I also get the feeling that the Silver Lining is actually a bit of a pocket rocket; it feels go-kart-esque in the corners. Maybe that's a long shot but that's what it feels like. It does take a while to get 70mph but it's really nippy in the corners. And uphills. I tackled the dreaded Millman Hill, that I attacked from the top and worked my way down a few weeks ago. Now, I've not really been good with hills and since this is one of the steepest in Lincoln, I thought I was gonna get eaten by it before I got to the brow. But nope, straight up with a gear change! This is epic. Next week comes my last legal hour. 20 hours would have been added up and I can officially take my test. After my Theory of course.

Driving - Vadcaning

What to say? All manouvres performed well; lessons just being a lot more mundane. Maybe mundane is the wrong word. Samey. Not tedious though. Still enjoyable but there's nothing more to learn. I just drive around really...Okay, I stalled twice. But they were on side roads and way out of the way of traffic.

Driving - Google Advance Search

I've said it before and I'll say it again; over the coming weeks, I'm going to feel like I'm repeating myself with these posts. So I'll say it again. I've got nothing else to learn now...I've just got to wait until the 20 hour mark has passed until I can legally take the test. Not long at all. All 4 manoeuvres are were completed in this lesson. Although I did hit the curb whilst parallel parking. And I did stall. In the worst place in the world. On a busy Monday evening. On a roundabout. I've conquered roundabouts but this took the biscuit! I know how to takle the roundabout itself. But it turns out I lifted off the clutch a bit too early and then ker-plunk. The car gave way and I was left stranded with people behind me. So I managed to get the car started again and was off on our merry way to our next hazardous thing. A hill. I did have a little trouble with a hill a few weeks ago but I know how to take them on now. This one was totally different though. It was uber-steep so I had to keep my wits about me with it by using a lot of the clutch and revving the engine. So much so, I thought it was going to bounce out of the bonnet. But the Silver Lining managed to pull itself up the steep gradient. Alan said that I managed to do pretty well by myself. I had to really otherwise I would have rolled down the hill and ended up in some poor saps farm. That's it really. It's not a lot compared to my earlier posts but that's because I don't need to learn a lot more now. So, we carried on through showers and shining sun to complete the lesson...

Driving - Advance to Mayfair. If you pass GO, collect £200

No less than 4 days after last Friday's lesson, I was thrown into the driving seat once again after a short break. Monday afternoon in Lincoln is a weird mix of no traffic and traffic. Again, since I've learned all my manoeuvres, I just have to perfect them before the big TEST, which is approaching but not very fast. Kinda like, you're at the bus stop, you see the bus coming, and then the driver waits because he's running early. More of the same as last week (but in Morrison's car park) with the reversing stuff. Only touched the pavement once whilst parallel parking but everything else is all dandy. Er...maybe had to correct myself whilst bay parking but it's allowed. Roundabouts however...bring them on! I know what to do now. Smoother shifts around and no stopping. More being positive with the accelerator (foot down!). 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 feels brilliant, accelerating up to 70mph too on the dual carriageways. Hard to believe I've only been doing this since March. It's feeling a whole lot more composed and relaxed with reactions and awareness on a high. It's going good. Bad grammar but...hey, ne'mind. The car - The Silver Lining - is starting to feel more comfortable. It feels a lot more mechanical. As in, the gears feel like they are going where they should. That's a bonus I suppose. Although, I don't like it when the engine over revs during shifts...It's rather cringeworthy. However, all in all, it was a good clean drive.

Driving - (Game Boy) Advance

With a new batch underway, It was time to get back behind the wheel for yet...erm...you guessed it, another lesson (surprise, surprise). However with a new day, and since last week, I hadn't learned anything new, it was time to learn something new. And something I've covered, but going into it in more detail, which can only be a good thing. Of course, there's still the same; roundabouts, traffic lights, stalling but the least said about that, the better!

New thing during this lesson was to be able to bay park. I thought this would be rather difficult, but I did think that parallel parking would be difficult and I managed to pull that off rather seamlessly. We went to an empty hotel car park - probably empty because it was a bad hotel? Who knows. But what I did know is that it's a good job it was empty because it would give me enough room if I were to suddenly make a mistake. And, to my shock, I didn't make any. I really do believe I'm better going backwards in a car. As useful as that sounds, it's not very practical. Both to the left and to the right, it was all rather simple. Probably too simple. I was using the concave mini-mirrors though but for first attempts, they would have resulted in a pass in the test. Maybe a bit of correcting, but that's allowed!
If you may remember (if not, then shame on you), I didn't have a good experience with a hill. I almost rolled down into the car behind me. So, after going down a very steep one, only using my foot brake, it was time to relearn hill starts. I'm actually good at this too. I don't know where my knowledge went from last week. I can balance power and clutch until I release the handbrake and I'm away. I did this again. And again. And again. And then carried on.
Not much more to say really. Just some more ego boosting with another overtake which saw me press on over 70mph, to get past a vehicle safely (it's allowed apparently) and all that. And, finally, that's all my manoeuvres learned. Just need to perfect them and I'll be sorted.

Driving - Anticipo (It's Italian)

It's starting to seem that every other lesson is an easy one. I'm learning new skill in rows of two weeks, so by assumption, it mean my next lesson should be bay parking. As with last week, I was going over what I've already learnt. We tried some more real life driving. On this lesson, I took the Silver Lining down the other part of the A46, to Newark way (which I actually prefer). On this, I went over the overpass, came down the other side and attempted to rejoin traffic. I did something I've never done before and I'm not talking about the rejoining traffic part. I missed 3rd again for the first time in weeks! But not from 2nd. Oh no, I've stopped doing that. But from 5th. I've never done it before...so, really, I'm excused from it. Yes, that's my excuse. Rejoining traffic for the first time wasn't nervy either. I thought it would be but I was far too busy waiting for a gap to come up. I also get to be a bit happier with the accelerator. I like this! It's good. And again, with the overtaking. I like this too.

That's what this lesson was all about. Real life driving. I even managed to parallel park between two cars. Not one, two. All whilst staying parallel to the kerb. I felt on top of the world. We did encounter some idiot trying to get somewhere really quickly, but then getting stopped at the lights. Idiot! Then there was travelling down hill at such a rate, I didn't need the accelerator. Just the break. In fact quite a lot of break. And all the glorious drivers who appreciate you letting them in. Letting them into busy traffic mind, but still. I like the courtious drivers who treat you well. I'm also learning when to break when approaching a roundabout at speed. Drop to the 30-or-so and then shift. Not the other way around, which I had been doing. And finally, another bay park, staight in, in between the lines just in one attempt. And since this is the start of the second block of lessons, Alan says I could be ready for my test in about 10 weeks or so. Which is stupidly close. I've gotta take my theory first...

Driving - GNICNAVDA

New lesson, new things to learn. Today I was learning how to parallel park. I felt somewhat nervous about this one because I thought I had to get inbetween two cars. Luckily, I was told that this is only in a 'real life' situation and chances are it probably won't come up on the test. All I had to was keep an eye on the back of the car I was trying to reverse around. Once the rear of our car was past the rear of the other car, it would then be safe to reverse around and line up with the pavement. One turn of the wheel to the left, two to the right, and another turn to the left before moving forward should get me parallel to the pavement. And success! The first time that is. The second time I did have to straighten up a little but this was no big deal and we were soon on our way. Again, like previous weeks, we went over the previous manouvres with no real problems. Maybe just swinging out too far in the reverse around the corner but this was easily resolved.

But I tell what got on my nerves this lesson. Someone behind me who can't be patient enough to wait for me to move off at a roundabout. Well, they must be blind, because I couldn't have gone anyway. I can only move off when there's a sufficient enough gap to get the car. If I had gone, someone would have been...erm...what's the word...killed to death! I felt tempted to stall but that would have been childish and I quickly put the silly man and his silly attitude to the back of my head. He's gonna have to wait...

Can I stress how easy this is becoming now? Nah, I'll save myself the hassle because I'm getting bored of writing what I've already done. I did however go entirely blank when trying to set off from a hill. I unreleased the handbreak before setting the clutch and accelerator and the car rolled back. A four letter expletive went through my mind before hurrying to but the handbreak back on. I tell you what, it's a good way of learning things. I don't think I'll be wanting to do something like that EVER again! No stalls, no danger, no deaths and no worries! Rock'n'roll! I also parked quite successfully too! Bonus!

Driving - I'm running out of advancing things to put into the title...

To be brutally honest, the next lesson was very simple. Since I'm going on at reasonable pace, everything is starting to level out but I still make the occasional mistakes. One of which was stalling at a traffic light, but thank heavens, whilst it was still red. And again at a stop sign. This weren't very dangerous stalls and so we carry on as we do. Again, more of the manoeuvres but merging them both together. 2 reverse around the corners and 2 turns in the road. And that's really it. I don't want to bore you by repeating myself which is why this is a very short post.

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!

Driving - Slightly more advanced than last week but a lot advanced than the week before

Lesson 5 behind the wheel started off okay. I pulled out of the parking space and the whole car park perfectly without no immediate danger. That was until I got to the end of the junction and I was told to drive straight on. I didn't. I turned left. Oh well, I fancied going around part of the route that I attempted 2 weeks ago relearning how to take on sweeping bends, tight corners and potholes. To be honest it wasn't a great start but a start none the less! Well, what to say for this then?
Actually, not a lot. I'm going to sound like I'm repeating myself through most of this adventure. I'm still keeping aware and I'm getting better at certain aspects. I also still missing out gears. And for the first time, they're starting to resist me shifting. I have to physically slam them into position. That's what they get if they don't co-operate. And when they resist and won't go in first time, I have to coast which (from what I've learned) is not a good idea. And then when I miss 4th for 2nd - which is very new to me - on dual carriage way with a lot of speedy traffic, it hits a nerve and you start to panic. A couple of weeks ago, I didn't like roundabouts. This week, I'm starting to accept them but now dual carriage ways with they're scary crosswinds and 70mph limits aren't my favourite Friend at the moment. That's said, one roundabout caught me a cropper when I got told to stay left. I got slightly confused and almost turned left at the roundabout without indicating. Normally throughout today I stayed on route and managed to pull off the roundabout thing with ease but that one crafty one just managed to find a weakness; something I'll have to work on...
But the main task for today was to be successfully be able to complete 1 manoeuvre: A turn in the road.
Alan bought out his laminated diagram of a road and took two toy cars out of the Silver Linings cup holder and explained how the task should be carried out, with the addition of a Ferrari waiting for me to show what another driver should do. Either wait or go. Then it was my turn in the real thing. Check mirrors, no need to signal, first gear, revs, mirrors again, look, look, look again, clutch to biting point, full right lock and edge up to the kerb. Then we put the handbrake on and do all that but in reverse. And then finally one more time before driving off (hence why it used to be called 'The Three Point Turn'). I did it seamlessly 4 times. I was quite proud of this. Reversing never felt so easy before. I think I'm going to like Reverse, probably more times than I like 3rd.
That was really it. The only other dangers that I found were birds and buses. I almost hit a very suicidal bird and after pulling out from behind a bus, I almost hit a brand new Jaguar XF which wouldn't have gone down very nicely with the driver. And yet again, things are becoming easier, I can't stress how easy they have gotten since lesson one. Even my reactions happen quicker for noticing hazards and whatnot; mirrors are becoming second nature; turning corners are smoother and I'm starting to remember to rev the engine before moving off on a standstill...Easy!
Next week I'm apparently doing reverse turns...which is good because I like reversing!

Driving - Even more advanced than last week

What a total change! It's not raining. I know, shocking isn't it. This lesson was done in the heat of a warm spring day. No rain what so ever, although as I type the sky is become rather grey so the least I say about the weather the better.
Today, there was no 'being driven to a quiet place to swap over.' The reason being the Silver Lining was parked facing out into a rather empty car park. Nice way to start off. It showed that not only can I drive out of a parking space but that I can also unlock the car. You know what that's like...and who knows. It may come up on the test.
The Silver Lining and I were prised and ready. Ready to be taken to more places I hadn't been before, just like last week. I drove out of the car park and into a set of traffic lights. Nothing peculiar, everything is all coming along nicely now. I then went across the roundabout I had got beeped at last week and carried on down a main road, just nudging 40mph. I then had approach a set of traffic lights that I had not negotiated before. Again this wasn't really too tricky, but at the end of this road was another roundabout. They seem to get everywhere. I really wish they were magic. That'd make things a lot more...er...magical! Although, that said, I did manage to get the indication right this time without my instructor taking over. However, I did cut the corner very finely, but I still managed to get across with no one being seriously hurt, psychically or emotionally. Down this road, I had to keep my eyes peeled for people coming out at junctions and that included ambulances and fire engines with their big shouty lights and sirens. Luckily, there wasn't a fire or an accident so I could carry on. At this point, I knew how I was doing. Everything is becoming easier. Things like hovering over the brake just in case; braking then setting the clutch, getting ready to stop and change gear at the lights and not missing gears (I missed third yet again but with 5th so that is reasonably acceptable). After passing these traffic lights, being aware of buses and going over a bridge, I encountered what looked like a slow moving shed on wheels. I now hope that the shed will come up on the hazard perception, because I dealt with that little garden hardware quite well. Although though really with the next obstacle: A hill. I couldn't really tell if the engine needed more power and being in 3rd, I thought it was alright. Alan shifted into 2nd and the car changed with a jolt. I thought the engine didn't seem to like it either, but it gave me a bit more power up said hill. It was very steep so, go me, even though I didn't really do much.
More traffic lights followed around what is known as The Cathedral Quarter of Lincoln, albeit, on the edge of the Quarter. More like the Cathedral Eighth. This part of Lincoln links onto Hull (A15). I then had to go around a very quiet estate that I didn't know was there. I've been living in Lincoln for 18 years and I had no idea. It was full of good practices though, such as mini-roundabouts (just because they're small, doesn't make them any less menacing); give ways and narrow, sweepy roads. I then went back onto the A15 before going out into the country looking for things like the national speed limit sign. I liked this sign. It meant I could use 5th gear and it not be mistake. I darted along the roads very nimbly all this time, the sun beating down on me which makes a change to rain. Country roads done, now for the highlight: The Bypass, A46.
I covered a bit of the A46 last week but that was only a single carriage way. This part of the bypass was dual so this mean I could go all the way up to 70, even though I played it safe and stuck to 65 as the '46 is rather notorious for accidents. Luckily (again) the ambulance or the fire engine wasn't needed! I liked this bit. Not even a roundabout phased me. Nor two. Three? Nuhuh. 4? Nope. Roundabouts are becoming easier! All with indicating and changing gear whilst turning!
I'm now back down to the built up area I covered in my first lesson. There was something I didn't expect though. One idiot, and I'm not using the term loosely, his IQ must have been in the minus', tried to creep out of a junction when it was far too late making Alan use his brake a-la Emergency Stop. I, nor he, was expecting it. It wasn't my fault. Stupid man. Doesn't deserve to be driving in his mental state.
Onwards we went, covering more traffic lights and stopping and starting. It was at this point, I learned something new. Something I hadn't known before, which is a bit embarrassing because I'm a car fanatic. I learned that the clutch can be used to move the car. I thought the clutch didn't do anything apart from let you change gear. Now it drives the car! That sounds a bit ridiculous. This makes it easier for me as when I was edging forward before, I was using the accelerator too. Now I know not to. That's genius! Although what followed afterwards was not genius...

All that was left was to do was follow part of the route I did last week, wait for temporary traffic lights to change, watch out for a speed camera and get back to were I started. Simple really...
Next week though, I do the challenging stuff - Maneuvers. And that includes learning how to spell Manoeuvres correctly...

Driving - Getting a bit more advanced

Yes, the time had come for me to step back behind the wheel in the Silver Lining. Being picked up from a lazy day from school, this driving lesson would prove to give me a bit of adventure in what was so far a rather grim, grey, rainy March day, although after I got showed how to use the window wipers, it stopped raining. I got taken to a road, which for the time of the day, was rather empty and I swapped seats with Alan ready to continue where I left off.
I set off down a back road of Lincoln that I had rarely been down. It was full of long straights and winding corners, perfect for a learner driver to get to know the acceleration, deceleration, breaking and trickier turns compared to that of last week. This road also had a fair amount of potholes, some of which grounded my spine to bonedust, but needs be. I can't spin off the road into a tree just yet. I just bare with it and carry on. It also gave me an insight how to position the car on the road after getting way too close to verge and Alan just shoving me back over to centre up the car. I encountered some more junctions to get me used to braking and setting the clutch down, waiting for a lorry and Mirror, Signal and Manoeuvring. Since I didn't know this road particularly well, I didn't really know where I was going. The only places I recognised was a sign saying 'Whisby' and an A46 overpass where I did a bit of media filming. It opened up a whole new side of Lincoln out in the Sticks that I had no idea was there. I also didn't know that this road then lead onto the A46. And just like last week when he told me to drive down into a built up area, I suddenly was over come with shock - There was a roundabout at the end of this road; lorries, vans and cars thunder past at up to 60mph and I'm only on lesson 2. This didn't feel wise but I was in safe hands with my instructor and I carried on down to the roundabout, using 4th gear yet again. I'm liking this gear. I think it's my favourite of all the gears yet. The roundabout came and went with a bit of a quiver. Thank god that was done. I don't think I could have handled another roundabout that day...
I then went back down the built up area where I went the previous week, right down to the end main road. I got told to turn left, which sounded simple enough. And it would have been if I hadn't of indicated right. So, we'll pretend that didn't happen. I got told to go down to a rural area with speed bumps and a few more junctions. This then expanded into a section of Give Way islands and then onto a section that I did last week. I then continued down the main road I also covered last week, down to a set of traffic lights where I revised going over "Clutch down, brake, into first, hand break." Turning off this junction, I encountered a lot of stopping and starting, again showing the control of the accelerator, clutch and brake. This then went onto merge with 2 lanes of traffic. Last week I kept missing 3rd gear and shifting into 1st by mistake. At this point I thought I was over that, what with my gear changes getting smoother. WRONG! I shifted into 5th by mistake! How hard can it be? I'll get used to it as I go on, but 5th...No, not yet.
As the lesson went on I came across a bizarre set of traffic lights. First there's a pelican crossing and then not 20-or-so metres ahead of it was another set of lights. This meant the pelican lights could be green but the other lights could be red or even more annoyingly, the other way around. There's no logic! But luckily, I managed to get 2 greens and was through to turn right at the junction to find...oh crap...a red light. Looks like I'll have to wait after all.
Again, I then went into another built up area with more junctions and two buses, which are very scary when trying to through whilst I'm negotiating a corner as well. It feels very close but Alan says that the bus appears closer that it really is - in reality there's a lot of space. Although I don't want to take that risk, thinking I'll end up taking the rest of the route via ambulance or "mush of car/bus/person." Although, it was done safely and responsibly and no one ended up as mush. Finally out of the maze of streets I came a cropper yet again. To another dang roundabout, albeit, much smaller than the one before, but even more trickier because of cars wanting to pull out or not let a Learner through, although one man seemed to let me onto a very long queue of traffic. This queue would then lead me back to school. I got told to park; it didn't have to be perfect. So I aimed for a space and got told to stop.
I am getting better! Gear changes are smoother - I don't have to look down, I kinda know where they are now and hearing the engine note gives me a clear indication of when to shift rather than constantly looking at the revometer; I've stopped crossing my arms when steering, yet still hitting the right apex of corner and my road craft is also improving - knowing what to do at certain signs and how to attack corners with just the right amount of braking/lifting off the accelerator. It's all slowly going to come together like one big, happy, lethal jigsaw...(Either jigsaw will do. The puzzle or the powertool. Your choice)

Driving - The Ropes

Saturday mornings aren't always the best time of the week, especially if like me, you have to up earlier than usual. Saturday was invented to have a lie in after the stress of all the work done during the week. Not me however, I had to be up early for my first driving lesson, so there was a reason to be up at 8 rather than the usual "later." I did spend a while preparing myself by watching that old BBC programme Stars in Fast Cars on Dave, where the celebs were driving a Mini onto a truck in a similar vain to that of The Italian Job. This didn't really seem to work...albeit, there was nothing on that early in the morning. It had to do.
Then, whilst pacing I caught a glimpse of a car parked in the mouth of our drive. A silver car. A 1.4 litre mark V Ford Fiesta (diesel). A car with L plates. This was my cue to turn the TV off and "go do this thang."
I got in the car, introduced myself to my instructor, Alan, and he went through what I was going to be doing. He explained that this was just going to be a simple lesson to learn the basics of driving and just getting a feel of how the car responds; how the clutch, brake and accelerator feels; steering and all that. He took me to an empty road behind an industrial estate where we swapped controls. It was my turn.
After telling me how to do the basic operations, I had a go. Clutch down, shift into first, release the clutch a little and squeeze the accelerator and I was away with a bit of a judder. The road I followed had it all. A corner, a straight, a slight incline and a cyclist. So far, so good. That was until I got told to merge with traffic on a main road. Wait, what? A main road on my first lesson, surely this cannot be? I've heard stories from friends that first lessons start off on straight roads where learners get to know how to use the 3 pedals and the gear stick maybe with a bit of steering in there too. They would then get to the end of the road, the instructor would swap seats to turn the car around and swap a second time and do the same in the opposite direction. I was going into traffic where real people with very real cars do real driving. Yes, I am doing real driving but this is 2 tonnes of metal in the hands of someone who has only been on Go Karts and mowers. I put it to the back of my mind, indicated, edged up to the line and put on the handbrake to wait for the real traffic to clear. Once it was clear, I continued as Alan told me to. I carried on down the road and turned back into the industrial estate and pulled up to the curb where I started for him to tell me what I had just done. In a nut shell - driven! Ecstacy was the main thought but as soon as we stopped, I got told to do the same thing again. Again remembering what I did, I pulled out and drove back up to that main road junction. Again, I pulled out of the junction. By now I was jokingly thinking "if the test just requires me to use 3 gears, the indicator and only turn left, I'm going to pass with flying colours. I'm getting the hang of this." However Alan did it, he must have heard me because he told me to turn right into a residential area. Wait, what? A built up residential area? On my first lesson after only ever going left, you want me to go were people actually live? And so I did I was told. I was driving through where people live! I was ecstatic. I may seem a bit over-reactive but I've been waiting to do this for quite a while. I went through housing estates all and all that, observed for things like buses, people, other road users and what have you and the most bizarre thing was that it felt very natural. Maybe natural is the wrong word. I felt very at ease, I wasn't too calm but I wasn't too nervous to be sitting behind the wheel. I've normally sat in the passenger seat and it just felt very unreal. Wierd!
So after covering the basics around a rural area, I was next instructed to go back to the main road I started at, only this time to carry on to get a feel of travelling at a higher speed. Wait, what? Seriously...another gear? Yupp, all the way up to 4th and 40mph. With me in controll, getting to know lanes and stopping at traffic lights and being aware of lorries and speed cameras. And so we had done a full loop, all that was left was to go up and down a few roads like before and drive home.
What an experience though. This was great. Yes, there was a few hairy moments when missing gears and misbalancing the clutch and looking at the gear stick to see where 3rd was, but for a first lesson, I impressed even myself. It's going to take a while to get familiar with the Fiesta and the sensitivity of a car but hopefully that will come to me in time. It'll become second nature, like riding a bike. The less you think about, the least likely you're going to make a mistake (or crash). I'm thinking of giving the test car a nickname. Something aggressive like The Diesel Weasle...erm, no. How abouts something like The Silver Surfer? Nope? Silverfish? The Silver Fox? Or something metaphorical...like the Silver Lining? Wow, that's cool, let's go with that (I'm saving "The Rocknroller" for my car, whatever that may be).
Lesson one...DONE!

Driving - The Day Before

At this time, I'm feeling quite excited. Not only is it my 18th Birthday this coming week and a lot of parties are coming up, but tomorrow I set to do something I've been waiting to do for quite a while. Go out for a drive!
Well, to be honest, it's just a first driving lesson, but still. I've enjoyed cars for as long as I can remember. There was never a moment where there wasn't a Ferrari F40 out of reach; or a Porsche 959 close or even a Bugatti Veyron just there. Yes, obviously, I'm on about the wonderful world of Matchbox and Hot Wheels. Cars are up there with my all time favourite things, so I'm feeling rather excited about tomorrow. I'm not nervous but I'm not feeling cocky either. I'm not having the same attitude as some people, where they expect to pass their test first time round. That sort of cockiness costs because I think the more over confident you are, the least likely you're going to pass. You then become even more disappointed when you don't and then you get more frustrated, try even harder for the next test and so on and so forth. Not everyone is like that, but I bet you know someone who is or was.
Although, I literally cannot wait. I have already had some experience behind the wheel of various vehicles. Go karts and ride on lawn mowers. Bit of a far cry from 'car' but it's the best I could do, especially when it's sort of illegal to drive under the age. And besides, we all know where Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and other F1 drivers started. No, not cutting grass...in go karts! And I just happen to be a fantastic karter. Nope? Oh well...because I know for a fact that that little 4 stroke petrol engine is no match to the internal combustion machine inside a horseless carriage. For a start, a kart has the engine in the back and test cars happen be front engine runabouts, so that's where the comparison ends, there is no use in carrying on with this bit. I also understand it's not all about the driving, it's the road craft and how you read the road and situations around you whilst driving. AND, I know for a fact, I won't become one of them over pretentious kids who pass their test and mummy and daddy buy them a car for doing such a good job and for being fantastic and pay for their insurance and their petrol and put mints on their pillows at night and live in mansions and have butlers called Watson and eat caviar for breakfast. Y'know, the ones up their own backsides. I do however respect those who pass their test, buy their own car (or the other way around), compare the market (or meerkat, depending on how easily you lose attention) and pay for repairs and all all by themselves. The ones who aren't drama students, I take my hat off to you guys who, with your skills, I would most like to become like you when I'm older and more learned. Thank you for showing me the way. It also sets you up in life, when Mummy, Daddy and Watson won't be there to tend for you and your huge Audi A4. Guy's with the Fiat Cinquecento's, the Citröen Saxo's and the Ford Fiesta's, I'm with you on this.
So, as with tomorrow, all I'll have to say is 'Good luck Jimmi. It's nothing like Go-karting because you know that it's not physically possible to come hurtling down the pit straight with a fellow competitor, trying to pass him, whilst drifting in a test car.' Front engines don't do drifting unfortunately! Let's carry on this adventure and see how it unfolds...