Twin peaks
It's been a busy old time for me since Christmas and a time during which a couple of my aspirations have been realised.In early February, I passed my driving test. Until recently, I've never really felt compelled to drive - not even twenty years ago when all my mates were busy passing their tests and getting cars. Sure, it was fun being driven around by them, but their fascination with going round and round the "boy racer" circuits of Fife - such as Kirkcaldy Esplanade and (the pre-pedestrianised) Dunfermline town centre - just left me cold.
I did take a number of lessons in Edinburgh during the latter part of the 1990s, but I failed my test and wasn't too arsed about spending more money to re-sit. Prior to autumn 2009, the last time I sat behind the wheel of a vehicle was at Dreghorn Barracks in 2002 when I drove an army Jeep... blindfold! Don't ask.
Anyway, for the past year or so, I'd had this growing sense that it would be great just to jump in the car and take the kids out somewhere for the day. So I began taking refresher lessons in September last year and was due to sit my practical test in early January. Of course, the heavy snow and ice which was hard-packed on Fife roads for best part of a month put paid to that and so the test was postponed and re-booked for February.
The second achievement was gaining a hard-won promotion at work; I start in just over a week's time. The position is a dual-site role: I'll be primarily based near Glasgow, but will also spend regular time in North West England. So no more Stagecoach buses in and out of Edinburgh for me.
Good job I passed my test then, eh?
6 comments:
A hearty congratulations to you, sir. I still can't drive. Took a year's worth of lessons 5 years ago but then had to give them up because of money problems... unfinished business. Now at 40 I'm beginning to feel the nag to get behind the wheel of a car again and drive it myself.
Many thanks, Steve.
Whilst I've absolutely no regrets about not pursuing this a couple of decades ago, I'm glad I've done it now. The financial layout is total pain - especially for the practical test day itself - approximately £60 for the test and then about £40 for a double lesson. One wrong move during the critical 40 minutes and you've not only failed the test, but you've just lost yourself a hundred "sovs" into the bargain.
The test does not take into account how consistent your driving skills are - I reckon they should make the test modular, spread over a period of a month or two. But then, I suppose they'd find a way to charge even more for that.
Congratulations!
It took me four attempts to pass my test in 1992, and I'm so glad I perservered.
Like you, I just like going somewhere, even if you don't stop.
Happy motoring. Do you have any string back driving gloves and a car coat yet?
I've got them on my birthday wishlist!
Well done re the driving and the promotion Mr C - even if it will inevitably mean fewer posts.
Carcoat - great...
Word verification - Boness - weird?
You should have a go at passing a motorbike test!
I went from never riding a motorbike in my life to taking lessons and passing the FULL test within 2 months.... especially when your older its a nightmare and made me realise hopw easy my car test was all those years ago...
my first bike is a 650cc .... powerful enough!
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