learn to drive

Lesson 23: a little snow, nervous! Didn’t actually do too bad but my approach on roundabouts still cringeworthy. First dual carriageway lesson, not too bad at all!

Lesson 24: Snow. Ice. Waiting for a cancellation txt on my phone that never came. But you know? This turned out to be one of my best lessons. Did a lot of dual carriageway work (because it’s a good main road that had actually been gritted,) and some roundabouts too – and probably because the weather was so bad there wasn’t a huge amount of traffic, so my approach was more focused: I could see what was going on, I knew where the cars were all going, and it was a bit like ‘phew, so that’s what I’m supposed to be doing, huh?’
My steering on these roundabouts was also pretty good, I actually stayed in the lane I was supposed to be in. My steering was generally pretty good this week – my DI didn’t have to keep tapping me on the arm to remind me to keep left. Aside from ‘shaving’ past a couple cars (she says, I didn’t think I was that close! lol) I think this was a win.
I need to take more notice of the priority lights at crossroads, and always remember to change down gear and prepare EVERY time – so I have time to think and act appropriately instead of ‘Oh I might make it!’ But, overlooking that.. (ahem)... it was a really good lesson, and I feel I’m definitely getting more confident behind the wheel.

So, there we are, I’m glad my 2009 driving has ended on a high – my next lesson is the 4th January – roll on 2010!

x

IT WAS FOGGY, so very FOGGY! My brain hurts from the sheer concentration, and my neck hurts from craning t’wards the screen to try and see where I was going.

The weather meant we couldn’t do manoeuvres, or anything besides some general driving on carefully selected roads.

I drifted less though, I think? AFTER a zillion reminder taps on my left arm.

My DI also asked me if I’d been studying my theory…

Me: “I haven’t picked up a book all week.”
Her: “You could at least lie!”

Hehe. In my defense I haven’t been at all well this week.

Anyway, in conclusion, she said I should be happy ‘cause I did really well considering the awful weather. And like she said, it was better to face fog for the first time in the learner car than as a new driver on my own. So, as it goes I’m fairly happy with the evening’s learning :)

I forgot to write these up… probably because they weren’t all that eventful, really… My general driving is improving slowly, but: I’m still drifting to the right, my reactions aren’t quick enough, I SUCK at roundabouts, and I’m still stalling the effing car.

Ha! Well, now it’s getting closer to Christmas there’s a ton of traffic, so last Friday night required a lot of clutch control in the queues – I don’t think I did too badly, in fact I could probably use more lessons like that to practice balancing the clutch… although doing manoeuvres helps massively too.

Done more turns in the road, and even got to try parking in a bay (reversing into a parking space) with some success thank you very much.

My DI thinks I should be driving in between lessons now, but I’m not convinced – especially after someone nearly ran in us on the last lesson (entirely their fault not mine, but my DI’s reactions were quicker than mine in hitting the brake in time :S)

I have to conclude that I was once again a basketcase on my lesson last week.

Her: “You’re supposed to be over there”
Me: ”...Oh yeeah…”
Her: “Numpty… Muppet… Loon…”

Note to self:
So. Tomorrow. CONCENTRATE, FOCUS! BLOODY DRIVE, WENCH!

This was an hour and a half (the half being free because of the car kaputage a couple weeks back…)

Eeesh. Well, methinks it wasn’t quite the success story that was last week.

I’m still doing my little drifting to the right thing. I forgot where 5th gear was. I didn’t change down gear on a few corners. Every time I got to an island I completely blanked on who was going where, so didn’t much know what I was doing. I stopped for a crossing but then was gonna go right ahead and start up again despite there being a red light, like a dummy. I was seemingly oblivious to all road signs and what they meant. I didn’t know I was supposed to be IN the bus lane. And instead of putting the beam on I switched the lights off completely… twice. Oh yeah.

BUT – to be fair we did a whole new long route on roads I didn’t even recognise, which slightly blew my mind. AND it’s totally note worthy that my first ever attempt at a 3 point turn was just that – 3 points, not 9! – and I thought it was a pretty good try (even though the car in question probs has the smallest turning circle of any car on the market, okay, shurrup…)

I have to say I did not feel at all focused tonight, I felt like I had some kind of brain fog (I blame Edward Cullen – I went to see New Moon earlier, lol)

Maybe I should have got my Red Bull wings on!?

Another thing I know I REALLY need to be doing is reading my theory. I have actually started it, but evidently am not progressing fast enough, which means it’s now hampering my lessons. Need to take a good look at roundabouts (I need to remind myself just what I’m supposed to be doing there, it seems!) and learn all the road signs, which I ree-hee-heally need to actually understand and take more notice of. (Umm, ANY notice of.

My ever patient DI also suggested I take a look at the hazard perception DVD I bought, because (and she isn’t the only person who has said this to me lately, woe is me) I seem to have ‘tunnel vision’...

My DI is awesome, and I COMPLETELY respect the fact that at several intervals tonight she felt compelled to call me variations on ‘twit’, ‘lemon’, ‘numpty’, ‘narna’, ‘fruitloop’, and ‘silly bugger…’ – I know I deserved it, and that it was said out of love! Lol :)

Will try harder next week!

My DI said this was my best lesson yet – and I got a fair few ‘5’s on the little chart-ma-bob!

Just did some general driving, no manoeuvres tonight (well, except for a little reversing at home.) The weather was kinda shocking, a lot of rain and night driving makes things a little tougher – even seeing markings on the road, because the tarmac is shiny and reflects the lights. Pretty though. But I shouldn’t be appreciating the pretty lights, I should be looking where I’m going…!

Omigosh. My DI did keep having to tell me the same things over and over – about drifting to the right, not slowing down for puddles, when starting not hitting the gas enough and coming up a little quick on the clutch – at one point I felt I had to say ‘I swear I’m not deliberately ignoring you!’(lol) Which sadly I think she maybe misunderstood because she said something about not remembering which of us she’d told before – but what I meant was more ‘I can’t believe you’ve just had to tell me about that again! Because I KNOW I shouldn’t be doing that!’ There’s just so much to concentrate on at once, that even if you know how to approach something in theory, in practice the thinking time isn’t always enough – even at 25mph! I need to focus focus focus!

She scared me to death too, by choosing the route home that crosses what locals call variations of ‘the magic roundabout’ and ‘suicide island’ ... Oh, the divvilment… but it was fine, because she told me what to do, and because I managed not to stall – oh yeah! Check. Me. Out! Ha!

I did stall some though :( At lights. (Traffic light anxiety!) I do just need to get over it… Also, after the scary roundabout I was so relieved I was alive that I did forget some of my gear changes for the next mile or two.

Despite the stalling, and the ‘oops, I should be over there’ and nearly mounting the pavement once because I over-steered on a left hand turn (not something I’m normally guilty of, not sure WHAT happened there, exactly) – despite ALL of that, really, it was a great lesson. I feel like things are coming on a pace now, and crucially, I’m enjoying it – which isn’t something I really counted on, so it’s a nice surprise.

Kudos to my DI, really, who has about the most patience I think anyone has ever had with me. Also, when she needs to, she has that RARE ability to boss me and criticise me in a constructive way that doesn’t make me hate her or myself! I count myself so lucky that somehow I’ve found such a great instructor first time – I know people who’ve had to try numerous instructors after finding some of them, umm, less than helpful – and I’m the kind of person (low self confidence, pretty low self esteem) that would probably have been put off for years (if not life) if this had happened to me. (I’m such a fragile little flower. I hate that. I want to be badass. XD)

If you’re thinking of learning to drive, my advice if you want it is to ask around, and get an instructor recommended by friends/ colleagues/ anyone you know who recently passed their test and has good things to say about their qualified instructor.

I got me some theory books too. And an interactive DVD. I’d previously borrowed one from the library but didn’t find it particularly enlightening, so asked my DI for advice and then bought some off Amazon – and for less than the cost of a lesson they’ll be well worth it. I hope. I will update!

So that is my homework for the weekend, to learn me some highway code etc… Mmm, educational :)

A whole week until my next lesson/confession! x

Things are finally clicking into place. I’ve actually started to look forward to my lessons rather than dread them…!

Today’s lesson was the 3rd one this week – my instructor managed to fit me in for a couple of extras, which has been a big help. I feel like I’ve got a bit more momentum going. My last three lessons have felt like a massive improvement. My instructor has also commmented that we seem to have turned a corner, as ‘twere!

Talking of turning corners, I’ve done my reverse around a corner manoeuvre a couple more times, and on the little scale of 1 – 5 I’m now a 4 at that, so wooop! I keep trying to read the little chart when she fills it in to see what my scores are, lol.

We’ve been on two completely different routes too, which have took us onto major roads and juntions, into town centres, oh, all around the world!

Today’s lesson was based around crossings, noticing them, slowing and stopping for people etc – and doing this I’ve noticed how doing reversing and manoeuvres has helped my clutch control and balance – I’m not gonna say I’ve stopped stalling the car, because that would make me a giant liar, but I’ve been more consistently good.

I started with my theory too, but the book I got out of the library doesn’t seem to be mega helpful in it’s format – it’s kinda like it’s testing me before it’s given me the knowledge to be tested on, you know? So looks like I can’t do that on the cheap. Need to buy some books that are actually going to be useful. My instructor recommended one so I’ll probably go for that…

:)

Well lesson 13 turned out to be unlucky. Why? Well. The car battery died whilst we were stopped for a while during a manoeuvre lesson. So I never actually got to reverse around that corner. What a bust. These things happen though, and it means I get half an hour added onto another lesson, so I don’t lose out.

Lesson 14 – I didn’t feel too good about this. I don’t know what was worse; me feeling like I was a complete basketcase, crunching gears and steering wildly – or my instructor telling me it was the best lesson yet?! Ha. Maybe she saw things that I didn’t. Maybe I give myself a hard time… I don’t know. I did do my first reverse around a corner without being completely pants at it, and I felt clutch control improved some.

Lesson 15 (tonight) I thought I did okay. We did the route I’ve done 3 times before, and this time I was a little more independent in my driving – although apparently my roundabout approach was, umm, appalling. Oopsy daisy. I thought I did incredibly well though considering I just had one of the worst days at work ever, have spent a big portion of the day crying, and my self confidence is shot to bits. Stall count: 3 times. So, was very pleased with oneself when my reversing around a corner went well. Rocked it! Haha! I used to dread my driving lesson, but this was actually the highlight of my day – would have even been the highlight even had I had a nicer day than I did. So. Progress.

Did get a bit shouted at for not getting on with my theory though. It’s on my to-do list… :S

This went great! We did the same route as the last two weeks, but my instructor expected me to be more independent – which I kiiiinda was! I did practically all the gear changes without being prompted – ok, I’ll admit to missing a couple! But, ya know, big progress with the gear changing auto-pilot – and my steering was a lot better I thought, which meant my instructor had to grab the wheel a whole lot less (which sounds bad, but I’m talking like, tweaks! I tend to drift a little to the middle of the road, which is bad if there’s parked cars on the other side, because the other lane needs more room…) She’s trying to get me to drive more ‘instinctively’ – because, as she says, my first instinct is to act – but then my brain takes over and is all ‘but wait, should I be doing this? Why?’ and then I run out of time. I need to trust my instincts more, trust my ability more, be more confident, and stop waiting to be ‘spoon fed’ instructions all the time. It’s all part of the learning process…

I still stalled, but I’m sure it was only twice – initially setting off, which I put down to week old rustiness, and then again at some point… not sure when, actually…

Anyway, I felt more confident tonight. Following last weeks ‘note to self’, not sure who I was channelling, but I definitely felt more focused and capable…

But, shoot: here we are, it’s Friday again, and I still haven’t picked up a theory book. My bad. I should consider that homework for next week.

Next weeks lesson is apparently going to be ‘manoeuvres’ (British spelling, I checked! :P) which apparently involves some reversing, parking, etc. The most I’ve done of that is turning around back at my house, which I did pretty well tonight I thought.

I felt like I achieved something tonight, and came home feeling good, as oppose to last weeks feeling of disappointment and failure that I fervently tried to deny/shake off. Tonight I actually enjoyed myself a little (ya know, at the times I wasn’t gripped with fear!)

10 days after my last time in the drivers seat! It’s too long! My pedal control goes to hell without practice… but anyway, disregarding that, and the less than perfect steering, and the dodgy hill start, it wasn’t so bad at all.

We did the same route as last week – and again this is in the evening so it’s harder I think, and I tend to get drawn like a moth to the headlights of oncoming traffic…

My instructor said I seemed more confident – but I didn’t feel as positive about this lesson as last weeks, but I think that’s because she expected to do more stuff by myself, which meant that I fluffed more as I got flustered – I’m all like ‘I can’t remember what I’m doing AND drive! if you tell me what to do I can do it!’ – so in reality I probably did actually do a little better, because I was forced to be a little more independent. But only a little. Gear changes are probably one of the things I’m getting quite good at knowing when to do – well, upwards anyway. I still suck at starting from a stop in first, because that ‘top bit/sponge-y bit’ of the clutch is so sensitive for my clunky uncoordinated feet. Ya live and learn though, right? I’ll get it eventually.

I really need to start figuring out my theory – because I’ve still not studied, and this would really start helping me with my lessons at this stage, now I’m going out on real roads and all…

One of the things that I mused about after this lesson was that I was kinda ditzy, you know? If I did anything wrong I was all ‘ooops! * giggle *!’ – and really, when you’re rolling into oncoming traffic it’s really not cute to be all ‘oops!’ and quiet voiced ‘oh!’ – also, at one point my instructor was like, ‘so what should you be doing now?’ And I was like ‘stopping’ – but, like, I carried on?! I felt like I was channelling my inner dumb bimbo—So afterwards I thought to myself: Would Hillary Clinton drive like that? Would Meryl Streep drive like that? Would any, strong, confident woman drive like that? NO!

Be confident, and focus, girl! And drive like you mean it…

Well that’s it – I’ve had my £180 worth. Next week begins another course of 10…!

It’s probably not the worst way to spend that kind of cash.

Tonight was pretty good as things go. I did stall a couple times, like, BUT! She made me get right in the car again and drive from home, this time straight onto main roads and around a big tour of the local area – there were traffic lights, roundabouts, lots of other cars, it was going dark, left turns, right turns… She said because it’s a lot to take in going on main roads properly she told me what to do all the way – because I’m just not that kind of clued up yet (basically there wouldn’t be time for me to think, things aren’t automatic for me yet!) The thing she didn’t have to remind me about very much was gear changes, I was going up and down (mostly up!) those pretty well. I even didn’t completely fail at a crossroads junction – even though she’d forgot to tell me what i was supposed to do at one of those – basically the whole waiting in the middle/right of way thing… yeah. Lol. Apparently I learn that next week.

Turning in to the drive at home I kinda mounted the pavement – so like, oops – but then I did manage to turn the car around without crashing into my house… so yeah, whooo…

It was kinda cool to be properly driving on big main roads that I kinda recognised, but didn’t recognise from a driving perspective – so my brain was like ‘omigosh, where we going? Where will I have to turn? It probably helped my awareness/ perception/ concentration a whole bunch…

Feel a lot more positive after today’s lesson (even though I thought I was bound to be less than great after the stressful day I’d had up until that point), and my instructor said it was my best yet too – and I know I did SO much better than last week (a lesson which thankfully she said she couldn’t remember…)