31st October 2006 32nd Driving lesson

I gave my instructor a little reminder that she said I would be using 5th gear today, she said yes if we have time. I left it at that as up to now when ever she said I would be doing something new in a lesson I have. It was raining at the start of the lesson so bit harder to see. Not a great lesson at all. Still can't steer and position the car very good, mainly at roundabouts I don't steer left enough before stopping cos I look right too long still. Mirrors was almost none existent today well I didn't check them enough. I rushed gear changes for first time. Braked too hard almost every stop I did, my poor instructor must of been sick of telling me not to brake so hard I know I was sick of hearing it the car wouldn't stop smoothly for me, ok bad excuse. Stopped slightly too far forward at one traffic lights though my instructor didn't say anything.

Did ok on reverse round corner but yet again bit too fast I know you slow the car with the clutch being down I just can't do it. My first turn in road was one of my best yet then did it again ok just stopped bit too soon on reverse bit and had to go bit further back, my third was bit fast and I rolled forward when reversing.

I did the cross roads with traffic lights that are on a hill again the one I did last lesson and again nearly went up wrong side of road cos you have to steer bit to left to go straight on. My instructor then got me to practice putting the car into 5th gear while stopped then we went onto the dual carriageway I was more nervous than I expected and felt I HAD to get speed up so I could use 5th so ended up rushing gear changes and steering bit too near middle of road, but I did manage to for a few seconds get up to 50mph. Think what made me rush gears is cos I knew the dual carriageway had roundabouts every so often so if you don't get speed up and gear up quick you don't have time and I know I would of been mad at myself for holding back now I've done it I don't think it will be as much of something I MUST do like it was today. Anyway at least I got to the maximum speed limit so no regrets, though could of been less rushed, but then I mite not of got to 5th then regretted it.

For the first time ever I had forgot to put my mobile on silent and near the end I was changing gear and heard my phone beep with a text message and totally forgot what gear I was going to and steared to middle of road. I put some petrol in the car again and again went 3p over. I will one day get it spot on. Also at one point I had been told to turn left so I mirror and signal then totally forget to turn and try going straight on, my instructor has to steer left and remind me. At the end of the lesson I was again tested on reading a number plate from around the distance required but got a bit wrong maybe cos it was bit dull and wind screen had few marks on from the rain, I don't know but I can normally see the distance still not giving in ever.

Bit I forgot to mention is a stupid first time mistake I did I was driving up to pedestrian crossing my instructor pointed out there were People waiting to cross (as in the lights may turn to red so be ready to stop) I stupidly think its a zebra crossing and stop for them only to relise the traffic lights are on green quite amusing mistake when my instructor later asks me what a green light means.

24th October 2006 31st Driving lesson

After last weeks terrible disaster lesson this lesson could only be better. I set off to good start determined to have good lesson still need to work on steering and positioning I seem to drive too near middle of the road and roundabouts I still look right too long and stop to near middle of road. I had never stalled at traffic lights ... Until today... First 20 minutes of the lesson I stop at traffic lights on a quite busy road that I have been on loads of times, the lights change to green I get biting point release hand brake and stall I think of all the times I have said that I have never stalled at traffic lights bit amused really, I start up again ready to go biting point release hand brake and what happens I stall again. I start up again and manage to set off this time finally.

I do turn in road again end up going a bit too fast and looking at rev counter too much and on the reverse part I stop too soon so have to reverse bit more. The second time I manage it quite well. Reverse round corner was an easier corner this time and though I had to keep stopping to let cars past and went bit too fast at times and didn't look round enough the first time I managed it and didn't hit kerb, the second time I did check round enough.

I had a bit of junction work almost hit a lamp post coming round a corner down hill too fast my instructor had to slow me down, did the same corner again with better control this time. We then got to some traffic lights on a hill at a cross roads I was told to go straight on, I had to stop as the lights was on red after the performance I had earlier with traffic lights I wanted to make sure I didn't mess up here as I could of rolled back into the car behind. I move of watching rev counter as I find it easier to know biting point with this and don't want to stall or roll back. I manage to move off safely not looking where I'm going and end up heading for the cars on the right which are facing me, my instructor has to steer me to the left in a panic we both have a laugh about it though.

I drove on a dual carriageway which was a chance for me to prove I am ready for 5th gear by going straight to 4th gear and 40mph and up to 45mph once before being told to slow down (speed limit was 50mph) after we come off the dual carriageway my instructor mentions 5th gear that I haven't used it yet I ask if I can this lesson she replies that we haven't got time cos we need to be on that dual carriageway so says I will get to use 5th gear next lesson (at last) On the way home I think I had got used to going at 40mph and a bit over bit too much as the speed limit was 40mph and a few times my instructor had to tell me not to go over 40. Oh well least I'm not scared of going fast now like I was the first time I used 4th gear. Quite looking forward to using 5th gear next lesson. We called for some petrol and I put it in again my instructor said she wanted £8 in I managed to put £8.02 in better than last time when I put 14p too much in. When I got home I was tested on reading number plates again though one was too far away so couldn't read it, one was probably bit closer than required distance which I could easily read and 2 others where close but at an odd angle so couldn't read them. I told my instructor that it was cos of the angle I couldn't read them. If they had been facing me I would of been able to.

Also on the way home I do a stupid stupid mistake. I come to a roundabout stop check its clear pull onto it when safe then I need to change to 2nd gear clutch down and for some stupid reason I put signal on instead (STUPID STUPID WHY DID I SIGNAL) my instructor flicks signal off telling me not to signal yet. I feel stupid why did I signal to change gear? I have no idea.

16th October 2006 30th Driving lesson

After last week I was expecting this lesson to go down hill from that as last lesson was my best ever yet. I was right more than I guessed.

It was foggy today so bit hard to see at first (my excuse for bad lesson) Started off slightly heavy on gas a few times and the car wouldn't stay on the left it kept going towards middle of road all through the lesson. (ok I was stearing) within the first hour I worked out an hour would of been enough for me today I honestly can't think of much I did well. Until my maneouvers I was getting slightly wound up with my instructor telling me everything speed up, slow down, change gear, check mirrors (actually mirrors wasn't a big issue this lesson I'm just used to not checking them enough in most lessons)

My turn in road went too fast yet again, after this I get ready to move off and for maybe the first time I completely forget my blind spot check so my instructor tells me to pull up and reminds me about it (What is wrong with me this lesson?) Reverse round corner was the same horrid corner as last lesson which was the only thing I messed up on last lesson, this lesson it went well with the rest of the lesson. Before I start the manoeuvre I say to my instructor at least it can't go any worse than last lesson. First attempt I reverse back and get to the corner turn wheel left and end up on the kerb so get told to pull back round the corner and try again. I do this again going on the kerb forwards this time. Second attempt I reverse back have to keep stopping for cars passing finally get to the corner and don't turn the wheel left enough end up in middle of road. Try again (this lesson is getting funny its going that bad) Reverse back again get to corner turn left and finally manage to straiten up and park. By this point I am past getting wound up over mistakes and finding it amusing how bad the lesson is going.

I drive into town actually wondering weather I am safe driving. First my instructor points out traffic lights are on red which I hadn't noticed. Come up to more traffic lights on red few cars in front stopped behind the cars then move up then as I am about to pass the lights they turn to red so I have to slam brakes on (even my instructor was laughing at this) At roundabouts I again ended up too near middle of road cos I looked right too long. On the way home my instructor had to stop me pulling out at a roundabout before it was clear and I ended up stalling it because of this (first time in ages)

Ok this is probably my worst lesson yet and the first time ever that I was ready for it to end one hour would of been enough. Well I decided to stick with the 2 hour lessons as normally the lesson after a bad one goes quite well and this lesson didn't go down hill at the end like some do it was bad from start so can't say it's because 2 hours is too long. My instructor said the first hour went ok then second hour went down hill. (no idea who she was with in first hour)

As I guessed I keep remembering more things that went wrong first probably about half way through the lesson around the time I did maneouvers I get ready to move off. Spot the mistake. I put clutch down and gas on lift clutch up bit more and bit more wondering why it isn't getting biting point. Finally my instructor asks what gear it should be in. Maybe it would help putting it into first gear instead of neutral lets try it yes it works. On my maneouvers my instructor kept reminding me not to stare at rev counter and to check mirrors. (not looked at rev counter much til now mainly on maneouvers) Also this lesson I had a fish memory quite a few times I would forget which way I had been told to go and had to ask again, never forgot which way before well not as much as today.

10th October 2006 29th Driving lesson

Back to having 2 hour lessons now I was determined to prove to myself and my instructor 2 hours isn't too long for me. Used wind screen wipers today and side lights as it was dull so I know how to use them and head lights now. We went a different way today which meant I didn't have to change lanes to go right at a roundabout which I have not had any problems with. I managed to steer better today and checked mirrors more only forgot a few times which is good for me. I have got used to checking mirrors when I notice my instructor looking at me (it will get me through the test at least.) I braked a bit too hard a few times though I have braked harder in the past.

I did turn in road first in the maneouvres I always feel a bit on edge when releasing the hand brake on maneouvres as I never know if the car will go too fast and if it does it messes everything up. Today I did turn in road twice which I thought was two of my best yet. My instructor thought I went bit too fast on the first bit of the first one and said the second was good. Quite pleased how that went. We drove round a bit then did the reverse round corner my instructor told me to pull up before the corner so she could tell me what I was going to do I ended up parking too near middle of road. I drove past the corner and parked up correctly this time. Started reversing quite well and managed to stop for other cars passing without being told. Got to the corner went too fast but still somehow managed to steer and keep straight mainly through luck I think. Then I drive back round corner to have another go I turn too soon and end up on the kerb cutting the corner and park up. I reverse it back and turn the wheel too soon and the back wheel ends up on the kerb. My instructor tells me to pull forward a bit, but cos the wheel is pointing left and I don't have time to straighten the front wheel ends up on the kerb. Reminding myself not to get mad or wound up I manage to reverse and straighten up and try again. This time I get round the corner and then struggle to keep straight. Luckerly for me my instructor doesn't like manoeuvres so I'm not likely to have to do full lesson on them thankfully that would drive me mad.

My instructor has been going over hazards and asking me what is the next hazard to watch for while I'm driving so shouldn't be long before she tells me to get my theory done. Good lesson over all exept the disaster reverse round corner my instructor said it was a hard corner though. I just want to be able to get it all right and get my test passed I know how to drive now just got to show I'm ready for test can't wait. I'm used to lessons now I want to drive where I want when I want now well today went well at least. At the end of the lesson my instructor tested me on reading a number plate which was at slight angle and a bit too far for me to read though probably the first distance I would get asked to read from on the test. I could not see it but I know the number plate as I have been tested on it before and I live near it so I made out I could read it probably not the best thing I've done. But I have said it before I will say it again I WILL pass the eyesight test on the day of my test even if it means learning the 3 number plates I could be tested on if thats not possible I will keep taking tests til I do pass. My eyesight will NOT stop me driving.

3rd October 2006 28th Driving lesson

First hour went quite well went a different way to town the way I know best cos it is the bus route to town. Need to improve on steering I seem to drive on middle of road again. I did a few block gear changes 4th down to 2nd quite well. Got into town, needed petrol so my instructor tells me to pull into petrol station I end up nearly pulling into supermarket entrance, I haven't got a clue where to pull up as its the first time I have drove into petrol station. My instructor tells me where to stop then says up to now I've done well and asks me if I know how to put petrol in I say no, so she says she will learn me she tells me to put £10 in, I end up putting £10.14 in well it is me first time I didn't know I could slow it down when it got near to £10. My instructor went in to pay. I need to check mirrors more (surprise surprise not)

I do reverse round corner twice, first one went wrong as I ended up on the kerb, it's confusing which way to turn the wheel I know which way but when you are reversing and watching for everything and looking backwards it's hard to remember to turn the wheel the oppersite way to what you are looking at. The second attempt was a lot better my instructor said that I did it without much help. I did turn in road which I am liking less and less each time I do it. The car wont stay slow so I don't have time to turn the wheel full lock, then it takes more than 3 turns to do it.

Well after a reasonably good hour the last half hour went down hill starting with me getting fed up of waiting at a junction so when it was clear one way I try to pull out only to be stopped by my instructor a car was passing on the other side (stupid stupid mistake why can't I just get it right?) I silently tell myself I need to be more patient then finally get out safely and my instructor keeps telling me everything like slow down mainly as there were queues of traffic.

At the end of the lesson my instructor asks me what I think I need to improve on I say my positioning in the road, she agrees and says I need to check mirrors more. I tell her I don't think I have ever yet checked them enough. She tells me it is mainly when changing gears and stopping I miss them. I wonder why. What is the point, what ever is behind you isn't going to affect anything if you need to slow down or stop you need to regardless what'sats behind. I HATE STUPID MIRRORS. I don't see point in checking them as often I know at times they are important like when turning check no one is passing the side you plan to turn. Well I just need to check them enough to pass then up to me I am determined 2 hours will NOT be too long for me.