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.