I am not sure if I will ever get used to driving. My instructor was still worried I’d be too close to the left and thinks I don’t pull to the right (when I actually do) and thinks I use my left too much – I am left handed. We drove around Llanishen, Heath and Whitchurch. I did a bit of reverse parking – and am still steering too quickly. But then I may be too hard on myself because in total I had 11 lessons. I hope at some time to resume the lessons – but I need to find the money for it first. My only worry is that I leave too long a gap and then have forgotten everything I’ve learnt. I don’t dare driving in our car yet as I haven’t even learned to drive on the motorway yet.

The only thing I am still struggling with is getting into the right gear – I often end up in the fifth instead of the third. Will have to practise that in our car. But apart from that my driving instructor was happy with my progress. So there is hope for me after all.

Anyway I am back from London where visited some very good friends of mine and my cousin and his girlfriend.

Today I had my fourth driving lesson and this time I was out and about on bigger roads and had to deal with proper traffic, which was scary!

My driving instructor thinks I still tend to oversteer a little and was worried about the parked cars. I  was more worried about everything else really  - steering, getting into the right gear, making sure I don’t run anyone over or collide with ongoing traffic – there is simply so much to remember at the same time! How do people learn this?

While I was a nervous wreck my instructor thought that it was a good drive and that I have improved since last week. Which is funny because I have no way of practising outside of the driving lessons – I could but I don’t dare practise with my hubby or my mum-in-law as I want to maintain good relationships!

I hope that the day will come when I can drive on my own.

In theory everyone supposed to know what there are doing, but Cardiff has some famous accident spots where drivers seem to just forget what they have learned prior to passing their test. I am talking about the Gabalfa roundabout.

I can only say I am glad today's lesson didn't include it, but I know it will some day. Instead I practised near Heath park and tested the mini roundabouts. Germany has mainly traffic lights – you won't find many roundabouts there. This is why it takes me some getting used to. I am still trying to get to grips with the basics of driving – mainly the steering. It's either too much or the wrong hand. Arghh. I hope I get over this hurdle. Next lesson is next week Tuesday. 

I contacted one instructor who told me that I needed to re-take the test, despite my German license. I think she was hoping to sell me lots of lessons. I rang the DVLA and it turned out that my license is fine and if I wish I could obtain a British counterpart. This is useful in case I have an accident and I will avoid having to go to court. I am still waiting for my counterpart, but in the meantime I have found a lovely female instructor who has the patience of a saint and is very encouraging. She is also not that expensive either. She charges £18 per hour or £17 if you book 10 lessons.

I’ve also bought a useful book by Maria McCarthy “The Girl’s Guide to losing Your L-Plates – How to Pass Your Driving Test”.  (you can read excerpts on her website: www.mariamccarthy.co.uk/girls-guide.htm )I bought this before I noticed that I didn’t need to take the dreaded test. I’ve read it and it has some useful information nevertheless. I didn’t know that theory tests were introduced only in the nineties in Britain and that you can actually drive around as a learner (highways excluded). In Germany theory tests have existed for much longer, as a learner you can only practise in specific areas (called Idiotenhuegel or such like in German) and accompanied by a driver. What I also found surprising was that you can take extra lessons called Pass Plus after passing your test which includes night driving. I remember that 10 specific lessons were mandatory in Germany- they included country roads, highway, night driving. But these are not the only differences I’ve noticed.

Having lived here for almost seven years I have got used to the traffic being on the left and getting into the car as a passenger on the left. But actually sitting in the driver’s seat is a different ball game. After my first lesson I thought: I will never learn this again. But Ann thought I did well. So far I had three lessons and haven’t ventured afar. We simply drive around the hospital area, where it is relatively quiet during the day. I still struggle with steering the correct way (i.e not crossing over your hands and then panic) and turning left and right. There is so much to take in.

I keep telling myself that I learnt this all before and will be able to learn it again. It just takes time. Though I won’t be tested I aim to be a good and responsible driver. So I practise my theory with a useful DVD (things are different over here) and bought the highway code. 

After a two-week break due to twisting my muscles in the neck I am back for my next lesson on Monday.

Hope I can remember everything I’ve learned so far.