Our Cars: Charlotte Cobbs
24 October 2011: What a difference a day makes
Having started a new academic year, I hadn’t been able to get behind the wheel, so you can imagine how great it felt when I finally got the chance after two weeks, despite it being tinged with apprehension.
I was in my car with my mum driving to our local supermarket. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be an “I woke up and had cornflakes for my breakfast” blog, I’m just setting the scene for you. Anyway, when we got there, my heart sank. I had to park between two cars. I’ve done bay parking before and let’s just say it’s not my best manoeuvre. I always choose the space with plenty of room either side because I know I’m going to end up in the middle of what would be two spaces. But I needn’t have worried - I parked perfectly without any guidance from my passenger. Phew!
When we’d done the regular, day-to-day stuff, I drove into town. Luckily, because it was quite late on a Sunday evening, the roads were kind, allowing me to breeze through to the A27. That was fun. Or maybe not for my mum as I drifted around twice, nearly smashing into a wall… Nearly, I said! I did miss it! That happened because the sun was setting and kept getting in my eyes. Other drivers must’ve thought I was an old woman; sitting right back in my seat, arms outstretched to avoid the sun. Great look.
To make matters worse for my mum we left the A27 and turned onto a bendy country lane to go home. I could feel the relief ooze out of her when we reached our destination, although she’d never say that. She’d just scream at me occasionally instead, like with the wall incident. Saying that, it was a good lesson overall.
The next day, I had a lesson with Vaughan. It was going well as I drove through towns that I’ve done 1000 times, when the traffic lights would permit me to that is. As we approached a three-lane set of lights I got into the appropriate lane and stopped for, surprise, surprise, the lights to change. To top it off, I had one of my driving pet hates in front of me - a cyclist. Fabulous, I had to get round him when it was time to go. I did so, only for the next set of traffic lights, just a few meters away, to turn. What colour? That’s right - red. So, I had to get around him again.
We were actually able to drive somewhere for a little while afterwards, without any interruptions before Vaughan got me to pull over. What I have done wrong now? Well, as we’d entered another town, one I hadn’t driven in often, Vaughan commented on my gear changes. This is something that happens quite a lot, thus something that we’re working on - when I’m driving somewhere I don’t know my subconscious registers it and my driving style alters. I don’t know why and I don’t know I’m doing it until Vaughan mentions it.
We finished the lesson off with some dual carriageway and country lane driving, which Vaughan didn’t mention, so I must’ve driven ok. He also complimented me on a “lovely hill start” that I’d done earlier onto a 40mph road. So there are still things to tweak, but there’s still hope!
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