The Happy Thread

[obbie]

back in the olden days..... we had a L plate for 6 weeks, then did the test. that was it.
L on our paper licence for 12 months.

Most of the time, the test was for 10 minutes.

[goldfish]

    remember it well . . .  my dad having me practise reverse parking between the goal posts at a park . . . doing drivers test in school uniform - no P plates - and most road sense was to be learned in the years ahead of you . . .

[Amy :-)]

I love hearing your stories ladies

Thanks Sue, Jam and Marie

[Aussie Brenda]

  my Dad was Builder and I learnt to drive towing a trailer, which has served me really well throughout the years.

[Amy :-)]

Oh wow Brenda, I can't imagine towing something My car is the size of a matchbox and thats big enough for me!

[judydawn]

It certainly has Brenda, I take my hat off to you towing your caravan.  I have an ex-SIL who does the same even though she was advised by others in her family it would be too hard for her.  Isn't it nice to prove people wrong

Back when I did my driving test at 17 the police station was over the road and down a few houses so the policeman came to my place with his parking sticks but when he tried to get in my then boyfriend's Austin Healey Sprite, something had to give as he was a huge man and he only just fitted into his space.  The sticks unfortunately were poked through the seats into the back area but I had to stop off at the police station so he could take his hat back   Needless to say, he felt very uncomfortable in that car so it was probably the shortest test known to mankind. 

[goldfish]

Love that story Judy!! Weren't they great times !! (Looking back from this angle mind you!!!! Lol). How I remember those lovely Austin Healey Sprites!!

[judydawn]

I used to love borrowing his car when he was working at weekends and a girlfriend and I would go for a drive - got plenty of looks and wolf whistles back then.  Pity they're frowned on these days, I'd love it if I got one today - politically incorrect or not 

[goldfish]

*sigh*. ... Definitely the good ol' days!!! That is for sure!!!

[Amy :-)]

 

I love the look of those Austin Healy Sprites! I would love one, but I guess they wouldn't come as an automatic

[judydawn]

I didn't particularly like the bug eye look of that vehicle Amy, I preferred the bigger Austin Healey model, particularly the model that was more square. Scroll down fast until you come to the red one which is highlighted, that's the one I used to prefer. We didn't learn to drive in automatic cars back in our day Amy and I'm sure no sports car comes in automatic - does it?

[goldfish]

I insisted both my offspring learn on manual . . .IMO once you've learned that, an automatic is easy - except that your left foot keeps looking for the clutch . .!!

[jeninwa]

I got my license in a little country town on the east coast of tassie, drove around the block went back to the police station where he asked me every question in the book, passed he didn't even notice that I was driving an auto, as he was to busy chatting up my friend, who had taken me for my test. Lol
I did insist that my kids learnt in a manual,
It wasn't a pretty site seeing me drive a manual for the first time after autos but very funny for those watching.

[Amy :-)]

Funny story Jenny

My mum wasn't bothered what I learnt in. At first I really wanted a manual license but it was too stressful for me and I figured there's no real need for a manual these days anyway

We didn't learn to drive in automatic cars back in our day Amy and I'm sure no sports car comes in automatic - does it?

I wouldn't have a clue Judy, cars aren't really my thing

[goldfish]

 there's no real need for a manual these days anyway

 . . .  unless, Amy, in an emergency, you're the only driver and the only car available is a manual . . . It is stressful at first but it does all click into place in time - and then you have that skill. 

It's a bit like Brenda learning to drive with a trailer!!  I certainly wouldn't have thought so back then, but now I'd really value that skill!!