Sunday Writing Prompt – Driving – 24th January

Michael is our host and has given us Driving as our Sunday Writing Prompt this week.
You can find out more here

This week write about driving.

It could be to drive somewhere, – the shops, church, on holiday, the movies; learning to drive, driving your kids places, having kids they might at times drive you up the wall.

Every day I am grateful I can drive, though growing up it was something I never really thought about. In those days, women drivers were the butt of multiple jokes and there were very few around. My Mum didn’t drive, though I understand she had a few lessons until a kiddy’s football bounced in the road in front of her shortly followed by the child. Although she stopped without hitting anything, it unnerved her, and she never got behind the wheel again.

My sister passed her test at the second attempt, her eldest daughter took about 8 I believe, and her youngest three or four, I can’t remember.
I took my test on February 15th 1978, and didn’t tell anybody, other than work because I had to have extra time off for the pre-test lesson and then the test itself. There was no paper questions and answers then, just practical experience.
My reasons for not telling anyone, especially Husband of the time who had passed first time, was that if I failed, I’d never hear the last of it. I was never the brightest bulb in the street or sharpest tool in the box, but I took to driving like a duck to water, so much so that my instructor was confident to put me in for my test within six months of starting to learn. I had two lessons at £2.20 each every week in my lunch hour. Most times I drove home to see to the dog as the route had everything, roundabouts, hairpin bends, one way systems, traffic lights, blind junctions, hills, and anything else you could think of for a learner.

I was one of six taking my test in the same week, but I was the only one who passed. Never one to make big announcements, I didn’t say anything until the weekend when I presented Husband with my pass certificate, and gave my Mum and MIL one of my L plates. Sadly, my news fell flat as they didn’t understand the significance.
The fact I can drive has been a godsend with recent events, and the long journeys we’ve had to endure for medical appointments or emergencies.

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