Vroom, vroom …

For many years I have often wondered why we have so so many learner drivers on our local roads the town. Seriously, they are all over the place, particularly in the mornings. Well, I suppose the obvious answer is that it’s because we have one of the two driving test centres for Edinburgh (the other being in Currie, SW Edinburgh). 

The centre is in the industrial centre behind Aldi, Iceland and Home Bargains, in a thoroughly unprepossessing 1970s drab building. 

It must be so different for people learning to drive to when I learnt some 35 years plus ago, lessons were so cheap and there was no such thing as theory tests or evening having to parallel park. It was rather basic, three point turns, reversing around a corner and an emergency stop. 

I passed my test first time, in Henley Upon Thames (no roundabouts, but an amazing box junction) in my little yellow mini called Henry, and I remember my dad and brother couldn’t believe I had passed first time (they were both second timers). Ah, the good old days … of paper licences and no speed cameras! 

I remember my old Auntie Ethel and Uncle Stanley (see extra) telling me that there was no such thing as a driving test in their days. You just brought the car and drove off! 

I hope you have had a good day all.