Just had my first UK driving experience...

I'm embarrassed to admit that I have hardly seen any of the UK.  I still haven't been to Devon, Cornwall, the Lake District...  so many places.

Same here.  And on top of that, even though I live in London, I haven't really taken advantage of going to London museums, events, attractions, exhibits, historical places, etc.  My US family cannot believe that I've been here since 2010 and (1) I still haven't been around more of the UK and (2) more of Europe since it's literally right next door and (3) more of London beyond home and work.  What I have seen in London is mostly due to friends/family visiting me and all of us going together to X, Y, or Z. 

I think the most I can claim to have done in the UK was go to Scotland to climb Ben Nevis for charity.

(even more embarrassing, DH has been to more US states than I have)     

Same here - it took me 25 years to see Stonehenge, even though I grew up only about 1.5 hours from it (and that was only because a friend from the US was visiting and wanted to go), and I’ve now lived in Lincolnshire for 7 years but I’ve barely seen any of the county... haven’t even made it to the coast yet!



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Here's one of my sweeping generalisations about both countries:

Brits who have been the USA, have likely been to the Grand Canyon.  Yet you'll find MANY MANY Americans have not been to the Grand Canyon.

Americans who have been to the UK, have likely been to Stonehenge.  Yet you'll find MANY MANY Brits have not been to Stonehenge.

Sweeping generalisation?  Yes!  True?  Pretty much! 

I've seen the Grand Canyon from an airplane.  Most Brits have seen Stonehenge from the motorway.  Tick in the box. 

Same here.  And on top of that, even though I live in London, I haven't really taken advantage of going to London museums, events, attractions, exhibits, historical places, etc.  My US family cannot believe that I've been here since 2010 and (1) I still haven't been around more of the UK and (2) more of Europe since it's literally right next door and (3) more of London beyond home and work.  What I have seen in London is mostly due to friends/family visiting me and all of us going together to X, Y, or Z. 

I think the most I can claim to have done in the UK was go to Scotland to climb Ben Nevis for charity.

(even more embarrassing, DH has been to more US states than I have)     

Same.  We must have moved here about the same time.  I'm not in London though, so I haven't seen that much.  But I did see a good bit when I was here as a tourist before relocating.  But I've "done stuff" here.  I do have a specific UK Bucketlist though.  As we *may* move to the USA at some point, I have a few things I definitely want to tick off the list.

Scored Elton John tickets this morning, so that's a win!

I've spent my whole life wanting to travel and I was married to someone who hated leaving the 10 mile perimeter around our cave.

Now we are divorced and he travels across the world for work but he still hates it and pretty much refuses to leave his hotel, the ship or base. He would much rather be at home.

I'm remarried to my perfect companion. We love exploring Scotland and the world. Until he met me, he had hardly been anywhere. 

Now if only I had the money I had during marriage #1, we could see so much more. Lol

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Now if only I had the money I had during marriage #1, we could see so much more. Lol

Did you not get half? 

Did you not get half? 

I let it all go. I signed over all the property.  The house,  the 18 acre farm and even gave him my car when I moved.

But in return, he paid all of my bills during our first 3 years apart plus I had unlimited use of the Target card. (Miss you hunners Target)

And he pays stuff for me now mostly related to travel to see the kids. He wouldn't pay for Stuart and me to go on holiday but he will gladly pay for my airfare to see the kids anywhere.

So in the end, I think I got the better end of the deal. Plus he paid for my extended abdomaplasty in Feb 2017. (10k USD)





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That always seems to be the way. We take for granted what is right in our backyard.

Every time we go over to the UK, we are driving ALL over and seeing all kinds of things and my husbands family is like "You guys have seen more of the UK than we have!" haha We just love exploring. Of course it helps that he grew up there until he was 13 so now he is excited to take me to all the places he remembers going to. And for me, I love researching so every night almost, I'm scanning through different UK travel sites or if I see something interesting in a magazine or on a tv show, and I bookmark it and keep a running list of "Places to See". So that way whenever we go over, we have our major places to see and then scatter in a bunch of minor things.

We also just love driving and getting lost. Seeing an interesting road and going "Lets turn here and see where it takes us." I don't like getting in a rut of sitting around weekend after weekend and just watching time go by. When I'm laying in my death bed, I'm not going to remember the tv shows I watched or the Facebook status updates I've read. I'll be remembering the experiences I've had. Well, hopefully I'll remember them.

So I'm late getting into this conversation. Story of my life.

Tollie - relax. Take walks, set up some kind of routine. You're still in overdrive from the move. It'll settle down. Transferwise is great - I've started transfers early in the morning and had the money in my account that day. It usually takes until the next day. Do a small transfer first, to make sure everything is correct.

Everyone else - the parking brake? What do I need to know about the parking brake that I do not  know? You use it for parking, and especially on hills. Something else here?  I was out walking today, trying to memorize lines on the road. Big four lane road has dashed lines down the middle. Was puzzling me, then I realized it meant you can bang a uey (do a u-turn). That is so weird. U-Turns in the middle of busy roads. Oy.   I have still not seen a stop sign in Glasgow.

I want the concession on tickets to Jimbo's big match - I should make a mint off their sales. (Concession as in rights to sell, not discount on.) 

My first UK driving experience was picking up a car outside Birminham and driving to Wales, then to Scotland. Was in jet lag. Drove around a bend in the road and there was a building in the middle of the lane! And then there was Wales. They don't have street signs in Wales... just tiny, microscopic streets that people park on anyway.  Eeeeeeeee.

You guys are going to think I'm nuts, but a few days ago I decided to try again. Tried a bit smaller. Only stayed in a parking lot. That is what I'd wanted for the first time. Something small, just to get accustomed to the size of the car, etc. There were no tears, and I successfully switched into 2nd gear a few times.

I am definitely going to look into driving lessons. Except, I'll feel like a 15 year old girl again

When I was 15 learning to drive our 1992 Saturn manual transmission, my dad was teaching me and my step-mom recorded me from inside the car (It was a tradition for us to be recorded learning a manual and failing)

As much as I complained about being recorded as a teenager, I wish my dad was here to record me learning all over again. I miss him.

When I was 15 learning to drive our 1992 Saturn manual transmission, my dad was teaching me and my step-mom recorded me from inside the car (It was a tradition for us to be recorded learning a manual and failing)

As much as I complained about being recorded as a teenager, I wish my dad was here to record me learning all over again. I miss him.

I assume he'll be here in a few weeks...?  Can you re-create your 15yo experience?

You guys are going to think I'm nuts, but a few days ago I decided to try again. Tried a bit smaller. Only stayed in a parking lot. That is what I'd wanted for the first time. Something small, just to get accustomed to the size of the car, etc. There were no tears, and I successfully switched into 2nd gear a few times.

Not at all. Well done!  . This is definitely the way to do it, start small, no pressure. You'll build your confidence this way. 

Everyone else - the parking brake? What do I need to know about the parking brake that I do not  know? You use it for parking, and especially on hills. Something else here?

Yup, you are supposed to engage it every time you are stopped.  Can't make this stuff up. 

Ahh, the UK and their silly requirements for passing the test. 

I assume he'll be here in a few weeks...?  Can you re-create your 15yo experience?

YES he will!!! We might be able to.......If Tom's willing to sacrifice his vehicle 

Not at all. Well done!  . This is definitely the way to do it, start small, no pressure. You'll build your confidence this way. 

It was much easier. And since we'd talked about all the things that went wrong the first time, Tom wasn't hollering in my ear or engaging the parking break without my noticing

Yup, you are supposed to engage it every time you are stopped.  Can't make this stuff up. 

Ahh, the UK and their silly requirements for passing the test. 

Are you flipping serious? The parking brake?