Neuro Motorist!

Today I passed my practical driving test! 

Considering that I arrived from the US a week ago where I did absolutely no driving and became quite accustomed to the wrong side of the road, I am astounded. Added to the fact that it was my first test I am in a state of disbelief, and if I’m honest a bit unprepared for the implications a full drivers license holds.

Now I know it is not uncommon to pass first time, but I am what you may call a ‘(unnecessarily) safe’ or ‘(overly) cautious’ driver so I was not expecting to pass due to either excessive hesitancy or frustrating the hell of the other motorists, especially as I hadn’t had long to practise. To be honest I got extremely lucky with my examiner, test route and day, which were friendly, easy and dry respectively. But when I heard him say "Well you have passed..." I felt manic laughter well up inside me at the pitiful joke he was trying to deliver. I managed to swallow my insanity long enough to confirm I had indeed been granted the right to drive unaccompanied on public roads... Alone.

All in all I passed with only 5 minors, which included driving too slowly beside cyclists (because I didn’t want to alarm them!) while overtaking. I am now facing the reality that I can be unleashed on my own, in a motorised vehicle, amongst other unsuspecting road users. Well, I just need to get a set of P plates, which I will most likely be using for the next 5 years, you know, while I gain confidence and the such.

Vacation

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveller only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

I am almost certain I am the only one reading this blog; so I won’t make too many apologies for the long absence. The reason for the hiatus is simple: NeuroMedic was in Boston! Throughout the month of August I visited my brother, who has just moved out there for work. So instead of a holiday I was in actual fact there to be his unpaid PA/maid/cook. However, I did all the things expected from a tourist: Harvard Yard, Duck tours, Faneuil Hall etc. as well as furnished a flat and establish a working household (you’re welcome, bro).

Due to the fact that my brother was working Monday to Friday I had to acclimatise myself very quickly to the city. Fortunately it is very well connected and easy to get around so I was able to navigate and entertain myself during the day. Needless to say by the end of the month I was very much at home, which made arriving back in London quite strange. It put me in mind of the quote above, there really are no foreign lands, which is made all the more apparent when you have to acclimatised to your own home. It did not take too long though once I had gotten over my jet lag I was able to appreciate the wonders of London: driving on the left, gloriously unpleasant faces and of course the correct usage / horrifying abuse of the English language.

Quick word of advice: Do Not under any circumstances connect within the US without at least 3 ½ hours, especially with Delta, it’s a bloody joke and you will miss you’re flight (and may cry). If the only alternative is to ride a donkey to your destination then you may want to consider a non-direct Delta flight. However, be warned: They will lull you into a false sense of security with a painless and pleasant first leg then frustrate the you with incompetent and insultingly slow staff and flights that are cancelled and rescheduled for different terminals of their bloody airport (obviously I have yet to get over my bitterness).

Well it is now September; I am back in the UK and about to embark on a master’s degree. The summer is over and I am preparing to go back into education with I am actually very excited about. The next few weeks are going to be full of DBS checks, occupational health checks and forms… Well, maybe not that excited.