Driving
About 2 weeks ago I got in my car and drove. Other than the gut wrenching uncertainty I feel every day I do the same I'm getting better. My car still stalls every time I start it. Now you might assume I'm doing something wrong. Fair enough. Except I'm not or at least my technique is not flawed. There may be some issue with the car that I don't understand that causes it but I don't know what it is. I start the car. Rev the engine a little and then clutch, into gear or reverse (depending on how I parked) and let out the clutch (with good revs) and Bam she stops. Usually at least twice before she warmed up and ready (Yes cars are female - it's a known fact) to go without stopping.The way I start it this time is identical to how I did the first time. Sometimes I might have made it 2 or 3 feet before it cuts out. Sigh. Hopefully this behaviour will stop. Maybe I need to let the car tick over for a minute or two and that's the solution.
Re: The female thing: I hope my wife doesn't think I'm having an affair with my car. You see I won't bring her in it. Or Matthew either. I'm sure it's really pissing her off, but however stomach churning driving on my own is, I'd be a wobbling wreck if they were in the car too. Yes I will take them at some stage. Not today. Not this week or maybe even this month. But eventually. I drove my mother in law into town last week. At night too. That was fine, not because I don't care about her (I do, she's very good to us), but because she's a driver and if something cropped up she'd be able to help or advise. Like I mentioned a bit back, I am improving. I'm fine on roundabouts and at junctions/traffic lights. Not as fast as some, but certainly not afraid to pull out. I still stall on and off but my restarting is as fast as anyone's can be. My gearing up and down is getting better. My signaling is superior to most of the other drivers I have to contend with. Then again they have full licenses.. I even parallel parked the other day. Still I'm in bits getting in to drive. So were all of you too though and a lot of people have come out to tell me it gets better. My mum refused to drive at night for a long time after she started driving. I get to do it most nights after work. In bad rain too.
I like the idea of the freedom driving gives, but I really need to build up more confidence first. And oh.. I really hate paying for parking!
