Driving Lessons

Nan, you're doing so well, don't let today spook you. You can do it!   

I have decided to do two lessons a week instead of one, because I simply need time behind the wheel. I've driven four (five?) hours in Scotland. The first hour I was so stressed and afraid that I almost got sick. I really thought I was going to do better today, though.

He got me today also with "turn right at the roundabout ahead...the second exit" so I was in the correct lane doing the correct things and about to signal left for the correct exit when my brain pinged with "but he said turn right! wait-a-minute, there's no turning right on a roundabout!  Tilt!" which lead to me not signaling but going ahead and leaving the roundabout anyway.

Oy. I wonder how it would be if he put the satnav on? I have just watched some videos with the satnav talking people through routes and it seems so much less confusing. Well, I'm "putting my big girl knickers on" and going to have another lesson on Thursday morning. And two a week until I hit my pre-set spending limit or I can take the test. Apparently only half the people pass the test on the first try so I'm going to consider it as a practice test, when it comes down to that. I want to be able to take it by January. When it will undoubtedly be sleeting.

I have decided to do two lessons a week instead of one, because I simply need time behind the wheel. I've driven four (five?) hours in Scotland. The first hour I was so stressed and afraid that I almost got sick. I really thought I was going to do better today, though.

He got me today also with "turn right at the roundabout ahead...the second exit" so I was in the correct lane doing the correct things and about to signal left for the correct exit when my brain pinged with "but he said turn right! wait-a-minute, there's no turning right on a roundabout!  Tilt!" which lead to me not signaling but going ahead and leaving the roundabout anyway.

Oy. I wonder how it would be if he put the satnav on? I have just watched some videos with the satnav talking people through routes and it seems so much less confusing. Well, I'm "putting my big girl knickers on" and going to have another lesson on Thursday morning. And two a week until I hit my pre-set spending limit or I can take the test. Apparently only half the people pass the test on the first try so I'm going to consider it as a practice test, when it comes down to that. I want to be able to take it by January. When it will undoubtedly be sleeting.

What?  Not turning right at a roundabout?  What have I been doing wrong? 

What?  Not turning right at a roundabout?  What have I been doing wrong?

Besides being a wiseass? 

The only actual turns you can do off a roundabout are left, are they not? You can circle around the thing forever, but you can only actually turn left (or go straight, more or less) to get off the damned things!

Guilty as charged. 

You are right though, you can only turn left at the micro level.  Was thinking about the macro level.

Guilty as charged. 

You are right though, you can only turn left at the micro level.  Was thinking about the macro level.

Yeah, and at mini roundabouts you do signal right

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Holy smokes! Here I thought Inshes roundabout was nasty......spiraling lanes....so messed up
/quote]

Inshes is nasty and so is Shore Street. 

Yeah, and at mini roundabouts you do signal right

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Yep. If you're turning off after 12:00 position

Guilty as charged. 

You are right though, you can only turn left at the micro level.  Was thinking about the macro level.

Yeah, I'm sure he meant it at the macro level. Unfortunately, I am an EXTREMELY literal thinker.    I am given an instruction and I do precisely what I was requested to do. Gets me in all sorts of trouble.

Yeah, I'm sure he meant it at the macro level. Unfortunately, I am an EXTREMELY literal thinker.    I am given an instruction and I do precisely what I was requested to do. Gets me in all sorts of trouble.

I am too. Sometimes it's a good thing, others it's an instant source of embarrassment!

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That was what made me so good with Fortran and Cobol. Back in the day. The very, very distant day.

Another lesson in the morning. We'll see how it goes. The last one was at rush-hour again and that is just too much for me, at present. This one is mid-morning, so hopefully it'll be less crazy on the roads. Every freaking driver in Glasgow was on the roads the last time!

Interesting. I thought I'd try a trial lesson with another company, just to see if perhaps I did better with a different instructor. Contacted one, explained that I needed some "touch up for foreign driver" lessons with someone who didn't have a heavy Scottish accent and who would be willing to speak up a bit, as I was having trouble with the instructor I have been using.

The Owner responded: "I’m afraid we’re fully booked at the moment Sorry about that."  No mention of when they would NOT be fully booked, etc.  Is it just me, or does that sniff of "we don't want to deal with you and your hearing issues"?

Interesting. I thought I'd try a trial lesson with another company, just to see if perhaps I did better with a different instructor. Contacted one, explained that I needed some "touch up for foreign driver" lessons with someone who didn't have a heavy Scottish accent and who would be willing to speak up a bit, as I was having trouble with the instructor I have been using.

The Owner responded: "I’m afraid we’re fully booked at the moment Sorry about that."  No mention of when they would NOT be fully booked, etc.  Is it just me, or does that sniff of "we don't want to deal with you and your hearing issues"?

Possibly! However, I had to phone multiple instructors to get someone who was available. Nan, if we lived closer I would take you out myself. It hasn’t been long since I went through your driving ordeal.


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Thanks, that's a very kindly sentiment. If you lived closer, I'd probably take you up on it! 

We'll see how tomorrow goes.

Interesting. I thought I'd try a trial lesson with another company, just to see if perhaps I did better with a different instructor. Contacted one, explained that I needed some "touch up for foreign driver" lessons with someone who didn't have a heavy Scottish accent and who would be willing to speak up a bit, as I was having trouble with the instructor I have been using.

The Owner responded: "I’m afraid we’re fully booked at the moment Sorry about that."  No mention of when they would NOT be fully booked, etc.  Is it just me, or does that sniff of "we don't want to deal with you and your hearing issues"?

Don't worry - It's definitely not you or anything to do with your needs!

The very first driving instructor I contacted responded with, "I'd like to help you, but I can't. I'm fully booked."

I went back to him and said, "I'm 28. If I've waited this long, then I can wait a bit longer."

But then I blocked him, because I don't need that kind of negativity in my life.

You'll get there! Sending positive vibes your way.

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