The Driving Test & Coventry Christmas In The Village

I spent two nights last week taking an 8 hour drug and alcohol course that was mandatory before I was allowed to take my practical driving test. I had passed my written test fine (it was much easier than the UK test) so this course was the last step. It cost $140 (ugh) and was run in a little class room full of teenagers with blue hair… and me. It was run by a rootin tootin sort of American man who kept saying “veehickle” and gave such tips as “do not wear sunglasses at night” and “if a pedestrian crosses the road in a place that is not a crossing, you are still not allowed to run them down” – well thanks so much. There were endless videos that had funky dance music and featured grinning actors saying “Hey I’m Scott and I am here to teach you the rules of the road!”. It was extremely painful.

Finally yesterday I was able to take my practical driving test – what a difference to the UK! It lasted 15 minutes, I had a very friendly tester who was thrilled I was from the UK as he kept a list of different countries he had tested people from and he didn’t have the UK yet so he could check that one off. We literally just drove round the block in a long loop and I had to reverse into a bay and that was it. My brother Oliver kept saying how easy the test was and I thought surely not but there we are – easy!

Last Sunday we parked up and walked into town because they had a Christmas event down Main Street in Coventry with places you could buy different things and crafts, bake sales etc.

Kim got her annual spiced apple and we browsed.

One of the stalls sold pet things and we bought Barclay a catnip pumpkin pie (Bunny doesn’t care for catnip too much). Bar immediately sniffed out his gift.

And unwrapped it himself. Guess he doesn’t know Santa is watching…

Getting Ready For The Big Move

I have been busy busy busy preparing to emigrate. Although the visa is now all in order there’s a lot of tying up loose ends. I sent 5 boxes off to Connecticut and all the rest of my things have to be given away or sold (which is endlessly time consuming!). I ordered and received my international driving permit which is all a bit bizarre. I just had to pay £8.50, no learning, no test or instructions of how to drive abroad of any kind and I got this old fashioned pre-war looking thing in khaki cardboard.

We finally got our house sorted so Kimberly and her parents have been setting everything up, assembling new furniture and unpacking the old from her old apartment. She’s had the joy of setting up the internet and Sears customer service and meanwhile I’ve been trying to catch up with all of my friends and family. Including a dinner where my friend Emily and I were sat next to this odd wall hanging in an Italian restaurant.

I sent my little fur babies off on a plane and they’re getting collected by Kimmy today from Boston, they were extremely disgruntled at being stuffed into crates and I can’t imagine they’re enjoying the flight very much but we just couldn’t possibly leave them behind. Bunny (the cat) was wise to me and immediately scrambled to escape as I packed her up but poor Barclay was so shocked he allowed himself to be put in with just an upset meow.

In the mean time I live my life in countdowns – only 6 days until my family vacation to Centerparcs and 25 days until I move.

 

Collecting Kimberly

Well… what a disaster, from start to finish. I went to collect my girlfriend Kim from Heathrow at the beginning of the week. This involved getting up super super early to travel. Look at how the coffee lady spelt my name… seriously. I should have known this was an omen for things to come.   Goldie and I got stuck in traffic on the M25 for ages.

Then I finally got to Heathrow, Kim’s plane landed and I waited… no Kim. I waited some more… no Kim. She’d only gone and gotten held up in border control! I got an announcement on the loudspeaker to go to a special red phone in the airport and verify that I knew her… sigh! Then we had to go pick up Kimberly’s cat Bunny at the animal centre we couldn’t find and when we got there that took hours, sigh! Here she is in cat prison.

Finally we got on the road on the way home about 45 minutes away and little Goldie started to drive funny… I pulled over and the ABS light lit up. One recovery later with many suitcases and cat in tow we finally got home (£450 to fix poor Goldie, who is a car by the way, not sure I made that clear!). Phew. The kitties hated each other first and there was much hissing and growling but with a little time and a LOT of cat drugs they’re starting to warm up and we’re starting to settle into our home.

I PASSED! (finally!)

I passed finally, yayyyyyy, with 4 minors. No more tests or lessons, although I’ll miss my patient long suffering driving instructor. Not that I could afford to insure and run a car but at least the actual licence part is out of the way now and I don’t have to worry about it.

I’ve been enjoying my time off. I bought some daffodils from the lovely farm shop at Notcutts (my favourite shop!), 4 bunches for £1.99 and they are just beautiful but they do not smell great… far too strong.

My mum and sister who stayed for Easter weekend have now gone home but they’ve left tasty goodies for the boyfriend and I. Yummmmm. I love being able to put my washing out on the line now.

And I had a nice walk out to see the horses and birds across the road. I know it’s cold out but at least its not wet.

Driving Lessons

So I’m still learning to drive (I’m 23 – I know, how pathetic am I?!?) with my very patient instructor Steve and I’m actually getting to the point where, if zombies took over the world, I reckon I would be a good get away driver. I’ve also passed my theory test (and promptly forgotten all that I had to learn) so I’ve got that and moving forwards sorted.

My weakness though – manoeuvres. I am utterly crap at them. It’s more like I can’t remember the steps I need to do in the right order.

Does anyone really need to park? Tips?