Friday's lesson brought new challenges in the shape of a new car, and the fact that the powers that be seemed determined that I was not going to actually get anywhere on my lesson. I encountered at least two sets of unrelated roadworks, and hit every single red light.
At one point John got so annoyed with the queues of traffic spoiling my lesson that he instructed me to do a U-turn, something I have never before attempted, on a main road. This was a move which could have gone badly wrong, thankfully my temperamental spatial awareness was working at the time, so I avoided crashing the car or hitting the island and in the end performed a pretty damn perfect U-turn.
I also refused to let a van out into the traffic which John queried, until I revealed the driver had been chewing gum with his mouth wide-open-a habit I detest-and therefore I decided he could wait. John's reaction was to laugh and say 'You'll do for me kid' and we continued on our journey.
Today I started off well, Good Elle appeared to be in charge and things were going smoothly.
Sadly it did not last.
Mostly I took the roundabouts correctly and did not take the corners at 30 miles an hour because I forgot to use the clutch to control the car, as I sometimes do! In fact my basic driving was rather good today (well I thought so anyway) the problem today was my manoeuvres. More specifically reversing round a corner.
Now, regular readers may remember that this is actually the manoeuvre with which I was most comfortable. But that was in the other car. For some reason, I now seem to be having trouble keeping the kerb in the back window. I got it eventually but obviously I would only get one chance on a test.
As John said, there is work to be done.
Next, John told me to do a 3-point turn with no instruction whatsoever. I did the first part no problem, used the right locks, didn't go too fast etc then I found reverse and forgot to steer! Did my mind wander? Did I just panic? I don't know. I think I simply forgot to steer and then forgot which way I should turn the wheel.
Needless to say we tried it again. And… I did it! My 3-point turn is officially 'almost there'.
John says that I need to start thinking more about driving, in between my lessons. -There is always homework!
My sister's Swiss boyfriend has started enquiring when I am going to take 'the test with the car' well definitely not yet Adi.
But, my loyal readers, when I'm ready you will be the first to know.
First published on http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/gazette-communities/ts5-acklam-and-linthorpe/ on 1/8/07
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