Two things that drove me insane on St. David’s Day.
I had - as always - a driving lesson. Two stalls, one on a tricky road, one where it wasn’t technically my fault, and amazing Bay parking, reversing around the corner and 3 point turns means I did well. I think I’m getting safer and safer driver. Plus I’m safer than a number of people on the road.
I was driving through Penrhyn Bay going towards Colwyn Bay, when all of a sudden, a motorbike came whizzing down the centre of the road, narrowly missing my right wing mirror. I was livid, I was concentrating hard and this git proceeded to show off to his girlfriend (who was on the back). He then, as he drove down past the Rhos on Sea golf club swerving all over the place, and disappeared into the sunset.
The next thing I heard was an ambulance.
I don’t want to say it was related, but it did seem a little ominous. Either way, when the first time drivers hear an amulence, it can be a bit unnerving (I’m speaking from what my friends said). One of my friends drove for about half a mile without pulling over. I did the complete opposite, and pulled over far too early, leaving a blockage on the roundabout.
Oops.
It was now me to suffer road rage, with drivers beeping and honking at me, which - although my instructor said that I did well - did put me in a foul mood.
How did your first experience with the emergency services fair?
The second thing that annoyed me was during the evening.
On Saturday evening, amongst other places, I went out to The London in Llandudno. As it was St. David’s Day, I got into the mood by wearing a Welsh Rugby Top. At which point, whilst the rest of my party entered the pub, I was collared by saying “We don’t allow people wearing rugby tops in, but you can wear your jacket.”
Fair dues to the bouncer for letting me in, but even so, I really, really don’t understand it. If I walked into a place, with a gun, knife or half a kilo of Charlie, chances are if I was wearing a jumper and a pair of shoes I’d be fine, and get in. The second I wear a pair of trainers or a rugby shirt, I’d be look at like I’m scum in the eyes of publicans! The London I can half understand, as it is quite a classy place. Broadway on the other hand (which is the nightclub at the other end of town), tries and offers “Faux Classy” with shoes and jumpers, where really the people who habit that place are by and large thugs.
That’s of course, whenever I actually wear trainers. I don’t wear trainers usually, I wear walking boots. Hence arguments with the bouncers in night clubs that usually end up with “These aren’t trainers, they’re walking boots. You try walking up Kilimanjaro in a pair of Nike’s”.
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Rhys Wynne, the author of this blog, is a 20 something web designer from Colwyn Bay.
I feel sorry for the young boys who just to impress their girlfriends or to show off to their friends don’t even think before playing with their lives. They should really start taking things seriously and leave this kiddish behavior.
i hate motorcyclists with a passion! they are the scum of the road! not to mention bloody annoying during peak traffic!!
and how can stalling not be your fault! your in control of the car - or meant to be
ambulances always make me nervous too and often i pull over way too early! ignore the twats already on the road get out the way!! just extend the middle digit to them
Not all motorcyclists are scum
Only the middle aged born again assholes who pull stunts like that to try and recapture their youth in an effort to show off. Now I drive a car I try to be hyper alert for them because you can always bet one of the assholes is going to be in your blindspot when you least expect it.
The first time I encountered an ambulance I panicked too, it’s pretty scary for the first few times and yeah sod the rest of the drivers
Honestly… I don’t remember my first encounter with the emergency services on the road - just didn’t stick in the memory I guess. I think my style of driving means I don’t get too flustered by flashing blue lights and sirens, which is mainly because from the age of 14-ish I read every advanced driving book I could lay my hands on.
It doesn’t make me a better driver (I’d say I’m average at best, and I’m still prone to plenty of stupid cock-ups after nearly 10 years - fuck me, I feel old) but it did drum into me some useful concepts. You might find it helps you - as might doing a supplementary course like Pass Plus once the test is out of the way - especially as the basics of handling the car start to become second nature to you… it will free up your brain for thinking ahead - and of course, the more experience you get the more fluent you’ll become
As for motorcyclists, some really are ****munchers of the highest order… but not all. Personal opinion is that it’s a small minority that get the rest a bad name, like the ones who expect you to spend 100% of your time looking in your mirrors in case they want to weave through standing traffic at 40mph+…
ooh pass plus - i did that and so glad i did! well worth having motorway lessons plus it reduces insurance
I must say I’m absolutely dreading hearing sirens behind me, I’m convinced that I’ll freeze and stall the car so that nothing can get past me and cause somebody to die :/
Saying that, a Doctor’s car flew past me during my lesson on Tuesday, without it’s lights on, at a rather fast speed and that was ok. In the sense that I didn’t end up in the gutter or stall! My heart was racing though, I could have ended up needing a doctor.