John described driving as being in a personal bubble, which could burst at any time from all manner of hazards. This idea appealed to me because I pretty much inhabit my own little bubble 95 % of the time anyway. The bit I have to get used to is that the whole car is now in my bubble and if it pops it will do so with a bang!
I haven't actually hit anything, but certainly on my maiden voyages this was down to a combination of pure luck, and dual controls. Now I have more control of the car, but
I still misjudge distances at times and fail to steer hard enough around parked cars.
When I'm good I'm really good, or 'smashing' as John says but when I'm bad I'm downright dangerous.
On these occasions, as I've mentioned in previous columns, John likes to go home and lie down in a darkened room. Today, at times, he decided he would be also be nursing a bottle of whiskey, and possibly some Valium!
Quick hands, gentle feet; that's the way to drive, unfortunately sometimes I get them muddled up and that's when the manoeuvres go awry.
Once again we had reversing down a side road, 3- point turns and a return to my current nemesis, the hill-start. My reversing was ok but I've done it better, which was sort of the theme of today's lesson.
I also added a new manoeuvre to my repartee, or attempted to at least, I had two goes at reverse parking, the latter being the less successful. But hey I missed both the Mercedes and the BMW, I'm sure the respective owners would be heartily relieved if the knew. Then again if they knew I was reverse parking so close to their rather expensive vehicles they probably would have moved them. Sharpish.
I did fill the car with petrol though, of the correct variety and everything. Small victories.
It's my birthday on Sunday so naturally I will be enjoying a night of drunken revelry tomorrow. John made me promise not to fall over and injure myself, honestly, anyone would think I was clumsy or uncoordinated!
First published on http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/gazette-communities/ts5-acklam-and-linthorpe/ on 29/6/07
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