Today I'm happy about......

[Always hopeful]

Took Master Hopeful No.1 on a driving lesson yesterday down a single track country lane. "If a car comes the other way, don't panic, slow down and be careful where you steer the car, then assess how best to pass each other".

Seconds later a car came the other way. He panicked, slammed the brakes on. ABS kicked in. He steered into the hedge. I swore, quickly grabbed the steering wheel to get us out of the hedge. He continued to try and steer into the hedge, putting more force into the steering wheel, thus neutralising my efforts. Eventually we ground to a halt, just missing damaging our car and the one coming the other way.

Ah the joys. Good luck BP.

Not the Porche I hope.

I have to ask why you'd take him down a single track lane on a first lesson.

It wasn't his first lesson. He's been learning for quite a while now.

He wanted a lift to the industrial estate, so rather than chauffeur him, I made him earn it. I should have known better. It almost cost me big time. On reflection, those country roads at the back of yours are probably too much of a challenge for a learner. We both learnt a lesson.

[bobo the clown]

They certainly are a bit scary. It's only recently they've allowed women to drive them and it's still controversial.

[Burnden Paddock]

Wasn't so much a driving lesson, more like an instruction in the basics. Drove up to the Reebok Macron car park not realising that you can't get on there at weekends. Drove around onto the hotel car park and found a quiet spot. After a few stalls, she managed to drive for about 15 feet, stalled and then wanted to go home. It's a start!

[Bruce Rioja]

Wasn't so much a driving lesson, more like an instruction in the basics. Drove up to the Reebok Macron car park not realising that you can't get on there at weekends. Drove around onto the hotel car park and found a quiet spot. After a few stalls, she managed to drive for about 15 feet, stalled and then wanted to go home. It's a start!

I may have this half-cocked, but as I recall someone came to grief on a motorbike on the club car park when they shouldn't have been on it, and the club got done for it. Something like that anyway.

[Burnden Paddock]

Wasn't so much a driving lesson, more like an instruction in the basics. Drove up to the Reebok Macron car park not realising that you can't get on there at weekends. Drove around onto the hotel car park and found a quiet spot. After a few stalls, she managed to drive for about 15 feet, stalled and then wanted to go home. It's a start!

I may have this half-cocked, but as I recall someone came to grief on a motorbike on the club car park when they shouldn't have been on it, and the club got done for it. Something like that anyway.

Yep. That came to mind afterwards. Fair enough.

I was struggling to find a big open space to take her and that was the first that came to mind. Damn those supermarkets and their 24 hour opening!

[Bruce Rioja]

Yep. That came to mind afterwards. Fair enough.

I was struggling to find a big open space to take her and that was the first that came to mind. Damn those supermarkets and their 24 hour opening!

Was just thinking - with you being over in Bury what about the disused cinema car park on Pilsworth, but I think they've put the anti-pikey boulders down.

[Burnden Paddock]

Yep. That came to mind afterwards. Fair enough.

I was struggling to find a big open space to take her and that was the first that came to mind. Damn those supermarkets and their 24 hour opening!

Was just thinking - with you being over in Bury what about the disused cinema car park on Pilsworth, but I think they've put the anti-pikey boulders down.

Good shout. Not sure about the boulders. Wouldn't be surprised though.

[bobo the clown]

... & you've not even tried her with reversing or parking yet.

Any big supermarket car park, after hours, gives acres of space be.

[TANGODANCER]

No doubt a few will remember the Beaumont Road School of stalls and flat-battery days. Used to be the number one learning area for Bolton School of Motoring (complete with cobbles) ...

[LeverEnd]

British Aerospace car park it was for me. Helped having a Driving Instructor for a Dad.

[Bruce Rioja]

No doubt a few will remember the Beaumont Road School of stalls and flat-battery days. Used to be the number one learning area for Bolton School of Motoring (complete with cobbles) ...

Yowzers, Tango. I remember Beaumont (pronounced Byoo-mont, of course ) Road being cobbled. I was a kid at the time though. All my emergency stop - three point turn type shenanigans were all carried out on Church Road though.

I was taught to drive a tractor at the age of 11 though.

[TANGODANCER]

No doubt a few will remember the Beaumont Road School of stalls and flat-battery days. Used to be the number one learning area for Bolton School of Motoring (complete with cobbles) ...

Yowzers, Tango. I remember Beaumont (pronounced Byoo-mont, of course ) Road being cobbled. I was a kid at the time though. All my emergency stop - three point turn type shenanigans were all carried out on Church Road though.

I was taught to drive a tractor at the age of 11 though.

"Byoo-mont" it was indeed. Was actually The British School of Motoring then, not the Bolton, my error. The instructor used to put a match-stalk in the rear window as a guide to help with reversing..My first attempt at an emergency stop (during the test) was a pre-revenge thing for the bowler-hatted Pxllock I knew was going t fail me. An absolute classic that had him lose his hat and clip board and rick his neck. Was almost worth failing for.

[Burnden Paddock]

No doubt a few will remember the Beaumont Road School of stalls and flat-battery days. Used to be the number one learning area for Bolton School of Motoring (complete with cobbles) ...

Yowzers, Tango. I remember Beaumont (pronounced Byoo-mont, of course ) Road being cobbled. I was a kid at the time though. All my emergency stop - three point turn type shenanigans were all carried out on Church Road though.

I was taught to drive a tractor at the age of 11 though.

"Byoo-mont" it was indeed. Was actually The British School of Motoring then, not the Bolton, my error. The instructor used to put a match-stalk in the rear window as a guide to help with reversing..My first attempt at an emergency stop (during the test) was a pre-revenge thing for the bowler-hatted Pxllock I knew was going t fail me. An absolute classic that had him lose his hat and clip board and rick his neck. Was almost worth failing for.

He's claim for that nowadays.

[Montreal Wanderer]

No doubt a few will remember the Beaumont Road School of stalls and flat-battery days. Used to be the number one learning area for Bolton School of Motoring (complete with cobbles) ...

It was where I started - tarmac in the middle and cobbles on both sides IIRC. I remember it chiefly for what we called kangaroo petrol to which I contributed a few jumps. In 1961 my instructor was a Mr. Layton from the British School of motoring. I passed first time but I avoided the dreaded examiner of the day whose name was Harry Start.

[TANGODANCER]

No doubt a few will remember the Beaumont Road School of stalls and flat-battery days. Used to be the number one learning area for Bolton School of Motoring (complete with cobbles) ...

It was where I started - tarmac in the middle and cobbles on both sides IIRC. I remember it chiefly for what we called kangaroo petrol to which I contributed a few jumps. In 1961 my instructor was a Mr. Layton from the British School of motoring. I passed first time but I avoided the dreaded examiner of the day whose name was Harry Start.

Was that not Stark? If it was, that's the Mr Bowler Hat who failed me. He failed so many he eventually got complained about and sacked/dismissed.

[bobo the clown]

The BSM office was the first (or last) property on the long St. George's Road terrace. I tapped off with the office admin girl, the delectable Martina.

Now ... THAT's brought some memories back.

[TANGODANCER]

The BSM office was the first (or last) property on the long St. George's Road terrace. I tapped off with the office admin girl, the delectable Martina.

Now ... THAT's brought some memories back.

And I'm betting your weapon of choice (for driving of course) was a ....Triumph Herald....

[bobo the clown]

The BSM office was the first (or last) property on the long St. George's Road terrace. I tapped off with the office admin girl, the delectable Martina.

Now ... THAT's brought some memories back.

And I'm betting your weapon of choice (for driving of course) was a ....Triumph Herald....

Triumph Toledo.

[Bruce Rioja]

The BSM office was the first (or last) property on the long St. George's Road terrace. I tapped off with the office admin girl, the delectable Martina.

Now ... THAT's brought some memories back.

And I'm betting your weapon of choice (for driving of course) was a ....Triumph Herald....

Triumph Toledo.

I took my lessons (10) and passed my test in a Dolomite 1150. I'd absolutely love to own one now, just for fun.

[Montreal Wanderer]

No doubt a few will remember the Beaumont Road School of stalls and flat-battery days. Used to be the number one learning area for Bolton School of Motoring (complete with cobbles) ...

It was where I started - tarmac in the middle and cobbles on both sides IIRC. I remember it chiefly for what we called kangaroo petrol to which I contributed a few jumps. In 1961 my instructor was a Mr. Layton from the British School of motoring. I passed first time but I avoided the dreaded examiner of the day whose name was Harry Start.

Was that not Stark? If it was, that's the Mr Bowler Hat who failed me. He failed so many he eventually got complained about and sacked/dismissed.

It was 53 years ago so it could have been Stark. He was notorious for failing people and it was a lottery if you got him. I was lucky. Since I never saw him I couldn't vouch for the headgear. I could ask my sister who did get him and actually passed as well.