5th June 2006 4th Driving lesson

I was hoping not to do anything new today as I wanted to get used to changing gears and steering round bends.

The lesson started quite well I set off without stalling, changed up to 2nd gear went round bend ok. My instructor drove me back round to where I started cos there was junction on a slightly busyer road that I wasn't ready for. So I thought that I would just be practicing the 1 bend and 2nd gear I drove round again did well again, I'm ready to let my instructor get past the junction again, but she says I am going to have a go at it. She explains what I am to do and says even though it is an open junction and I can see without stopping if there is any cars passing I am still to stop. I think great I'm nervous as hell and I have to stop even if its safe to go. I knew I wasn't anywhere near ready and should of probably said so, but all I could think was the quicker I do junctions quicker we can do other stuff and take my test. Stupid I know. Well I set off nerous as hell get to the junction and stop like I was told. My instructor decides then that cos its safe to go I can carry on and tells me to carry on. Even though I had already just stopped I think great and put my foot straight on gas but cos I had stopped it stalled. Great just what I needed .... not. My instructor says I can't change my mind when I've stopped I need to get stupid biting point again, ok she didn't say stupid I added that word cos I still can't tell when I have it and can't keep it when not moving. I TRY to keep calm or calm down more like. I get ready to set off get biting point, check both ways hand brake off and stall again I rushed the clutch in a panic, I try again and stall again and again. cars are waiting behind me I feel EVERYONE is watching finally my instructor says she will get past the junction and goes back to where I started. I feel dissapointed in myself I knew I wasn't ready I should of said, but I had a go and failed. I expect to end up stalling on the empty straight road as I am so wound up and still getting over the disasterous junction fail. Suprisingly I set off no problem and do the bend ok then pull up just before the horrid junction. My instructor then asks if I want another go, this time I am more keen to have another go to get rid of the failed attempt. My instructor tells me this time if I can see its clear I do not need to stop. Thank god for that PLEASE let it be clear. Thankfully it was (I think) anyway I got past it and drove round again still nervous at junction but getting better. I think the good start to the lesson jinxed it maybe if I'd stalled at start and messed up I wouldn't of had to do junctions this lesson oh well done them now.