27 Forgotten Miles...

There are 27 miles of scenic British road that I've travelled today and shall not remember an inch of. As I dearly love English countryside, it should not be possible for me to forget a nice drive on a dry day in Cumbria. So how did I manage?

I'll give you some clues: white knuckles, death grip on steering wheel, feeling 16 again, wishing I had L-plates? No? Careening miraculously through round-a-bouts and wondering what on earth just happened, and desperately trying to stay between the lines when I felt like I was in what is supposed to be oncoming traffic.

Yes, today I drove a British car on British roads for the very first time! I somehow managed to get A and I back to his in one piece, albeit slowly (much to the chagrin of the 6 or so vehicles on my tail for some distance of no-passing zones).

I remember being 16 and learning to drive and becoming newly licensed. I remember that same death grip on the steering wheel, and the same fear that I'd never really get comfortable behind it. I couldn't imagine ever being as relaxed as other drivers I knew. With the passage of time, of course, I did. I never could have anticipated re-living this phase, yet here I am! It's hard to fathom that for some of us, a simple shift of the steering wheel to the right side of the car and a shift in travel lane to the left side of the road could leave one so off-kilter, but for me it has. I know there are lucky ones out there who can make such shifts right off with no hassle. I am just not one of them. So today, I caught myself wondering the same things I did at 16... would this ever become easier?

I expended a fair amount of adrenaline today. Tomorrow won't be any easier. I doubt the 5th or 20th time will either. Yet I know that once I am here to stay if I work at it that day will likely come. (If I ever master parallel parking which is just not as needed a skill in the wide-open spaces of the Midwest USA).


For the next couple of weeks, if you happen to be in Cumbria, you may want to give a wider berth if you encounter a wide-eyed brunette in a silver Kia. The pale countenance and extra-white knuckles will be your cue...