Well not literally dear reader,
I thought I would use today to look back and reflect on
my driving journey a journey that never ends. I pick today as today is exactly
8 months since my journey began, well wait not began technically restarted
after a long break in the road 7 years to be precise, much like a long wait
stuck in traffic some would say.
Now you see in 2007 at the ripe age of 17.. feels like a
long time ago now I was young, all my peers were talking about learning to
drive, I thought how hard it could be so like others I booked a block of 10
lessons and started the ball rolling. Little did I realise what it would be
like. A couple of lessons later I wasn’t getting very far and most of the
lessons were in the same place not really getting anywhere near the main roads.
I did eventually get onto the main roads but I didn’t feel it was clicking with
my instructor at the time. As the 10 hours came to an end I was chucked in at
deep end and faced crossroads for the first time at the time this scared me.
After the 10 hours was up having got no confidence in the instructor I had and
was going to same places I did the most stupid thing of giving up. Well looking
back now I did but at the time my confidence was low and I just didn’t feel
safe. Having already passed my theory test I let it go.
As the years rolled by and I got older I became reliant on
public transport to get to and from work and the idea of restarting lessons
just wasn’t there my confidence was still low and I didn’t think I could do it
having already tried. Conscious of this decision I commuted to and from work
even when I moved to work in Newcastle I faced a 3 hour round commute to work
and back, and this was with unreliable bus services at best. In December 2012
we moved from Ashington to Newcastle which made my commute a little bettered
compared to the previous (halved it).
Lets fast forward a little and get to the point. With a
little persuasion from my wonderful colleagues combined with the fact the bus
services between work and home (involved changing) was getting more unreliable
by the day. In February 2014 I decided to start lessons with AA Driving School
and had a very good instructor within AA recommended by a friend who is an AA Instructor
in London, thanks Vin Patel. I went into
my first lesson actually feeling very excited (who would have thought?!) ,
apprehensive and a little nervous of course. But lesson 1 was basically re-covering
the basics (I still remembered) and doing short spells of driving along a residential
quiet street in Newcastle on a cold Saturday morning in February. By the end of
first lesson my confidence was also increasing and I was well up for the 3
further lessons I had booked that week on a week off from work. Felt my
instructor was much better than the one I started with 7 years ago, which
really helps when learning.
After about 3 lessons covering junctions and turns, on 4th
lesson I was ready for the main roads and progressed a lot each lesson. I made
the most out of 2 hour lessons and achieved a lot each lesson and was always
learning new things. My confidence was
increasing by the day.
4 months later after 50+ hours of lessons on the 20th
June I was ready for my practical test, nervous on the day that something would
go wrong and I was hungry for a first time pass. I still remember test day very
well and the majority of my test route. The 40 minute test flew by so fast and I
couldn’t believe it when I parked into the bay back at test centre to hear the
words “I am pleased to tell you that you passed” with only 2 minors. I really surprised
myself.
A couple of weeks later I invested in my first car a Blue
Ford Fiesta.
Even though my lessons are over and I completed Pass Plus
(really worth it for further experience in different conditions) the learning
never stops, even 3 months of driving later and with a black box to monitor my
driving I still feel I make mistakes almost daily. Hopefully in time the
mistakes will lesson but for now I have no idea how long that will take.
Certain aspects of driving still scare me, mainly other
drivers getting too close to me and parking in busy car parks with pressure of
drivers getting close behind and as I haven’t done much parallel parking since
passing I feel a little out of practice, hopefully in time that will pass. I
also worry too much about making a mistake and having an accident
All things said I really can’t help friends who persuaded
me to learn again and supported me on the way to doing so I will forever
appreciate it and can honestly say its been one of the best decisions I have
made to face my original fears, challenge myself and continue on a journey. I underestimated the freedom it would give me
and looking back it is so different now.
Not 100% what do do differently in my driving in snow/ice
though particularly as the streets where I live don’t get treated.
I urge anyone thinking of learning to drive or anyone who
has reservations about doing so to try it. It is a great skill and really
enjoyable.
Happy Driving
Claire x
On a side note tonights yummie creation had to throw it in
there. yummie. Tagliatelle and home made Bolegnaise.
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