The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!

Awww thanks, Nancy!    Funny thing is - I've not been out driving once since I passed the test.  We just don't use the car that much!

However, I expect I'll get to finally share some of the driving when we go to Wales for August bank holiday weekend, and Steve says I have to drive him around to all the pubs now.  

PS - Hoping folks will keep the thread going with their tales of driving success and woes!  

WELl DONE MRS R!!!

Congrats to you lady! 

 

Congrats to you lady! 

Now it's Mr Persephone's turn! 

  Congratulations!  

I had my first lesson on Friday--think it went okay-ish (hey, I didn't stall the car!) but it's so hard to adjust to looking in the wrong direction for the mirrors, etc.  Part of me feels like despairing and giving up, but that would probably be silly.  My second lesson is in a few minutes--I will definitely be keeping your recent triumph in mind, Mrs. R--it will provide inspiration in my time of need!

Congratulations Mrs. Robinson! 

So, should I expect to see you driving along with one foot out the window? 

I had my first lesson on Friday--think it went okay-ish (hey, I didn't stall the car!) but it's so hard to adjust to looking in the wrong direction for the mirrors, etc.  Part of me feels like despairing and giving up, but that would probably be silly.  My second lesson is in a few minutes--I will definitely be keeping your recent triumph in mind, Mrs. R--it will provide inspiration in my time of need!

Good start Mungo. You'll be posting on the "I passed" thread in no time. 

So, should I expect to see you driving along with one foot out the window? 

Probably! 

Next task - find out how to actually get to places!  Being a passenger for so long, you just don't pay attention.   I know how to get to Sainsburys & Homebase (at the same grouping of shops!) and that's about it. 

Probably! 

Next task - find out how to actually get to places!  Being a passenger for so long, you just don't pay attention.   I know how to get to Sainsburys & Homebase (at the same grouping of shops!) and that's about it. 

I used to drive with my foot propped up on the dashboard..ahhhh automatics.  That aside, I totally understand: I can't even read directions and drive anymore.  I tried to get somewhere "new", and I had to pull over every ten seconds to read the directions.  Apparently, it's quite enough for my brain to have to shift and look around.

I can't even read directions and drive anymore.  I tried to get somewhere "new", and I had to pull over every ten seconds to read the directions.  Apparently, it's quite enough for my brain to have to shift and look around.

I cannot drive and navigate at the same time.  I need someone to ride shotgun.  DS has navigation thingie in his cell phone but not 100% reliable.

I am hoping for a SAT-NAV...and soon!  DH says that's what his job is now, but he's so waffle-y with giving directions - it makes me want to tear my hair out. 

I know the GPS isn't the definitive answer, but at least it gives you confident directions whether they are right or not. 

I am hoping for a SAT-NAV...and soon!  DH says that's what his job is now, but he's so waffle-y with giving directions - it makes me want to tear my hair out. 

I know the GPS isn't the definitive answer, but at least it gives you confident directions whether they are right or not. 

I want one as well.  A lot.  Apparently, you can get a decent one for £60--so I know what I want for my birthday!

I want one as well.  A lot.  Apparently, you can get a decent one for £60--so I know what I want for my birthday!

On some days I will give you £60 to take my TomTom GPS from me.

Did you read about the European tourists who when following the GPS followed it and the road got narrower and narrower and then it became a dirt road and they stopped before falling off the cliff in the Grand Canyon. They also ran out of petrol.

You have those stories though about those lorries using the GPS and getting into narrow roads and have to get towed out.

GPS manufactures now warn you. "don't follow our directions" ?

Is that like don't take our medicine. Don't drive our cars. Don't drink the water. Don't fly on the airline.

My point is why are we spending the big money for something that doesn't work?

  On no!  Well, I'll be honest--it can't get me any more lost than I get myself.  And I always try to know vaguely where I should be going.  The GPS I was looking at wasn't TomTom--the ones our friends have (also not TomTom) seem to work okay.  Granted, I don't know that any of us go anywhere too interesting...

Pah! I won't go to the loo without my Garmin Colorado. It's a hiker's model handheld GPS, but I've got a dashboard mount for it.

I will admit, it was more accurate giving directions in the US than it is in the UK. It occasionally sends us up some pretty dicey country lanes. My husband's dashboard model makes the same mistakes, though, so we assume there's something funky in the UK database.