Today was the day ! I had been keeping on non-stop to Rob for the last few months, and after having obtained my provisional license, I was allowed out for my first bus driving lesson!
I went to Cotswold Green's depot at 12.30pm to meet Rob (who was late) and met my driving instructor, Mike. He showed me around the Bus I would be driving( N464 TPR, a Dennis Dart with East Lancs. body) and explained the location of all of the controls.
Rob arrived with the Sellotape, and we bodged some "L" plates onto the front and back of the bus (a little too much Sellotape in my opinion, but Rob seemed to be happy!)
Mike drove us out of the depot and onto the main road, then pulled into a layby, we swapped seats, and then off we went, with me driving for the first time! The first challenge was a left hand corner, which I achieved without incident, so after a few more left and right corners, Mike decided it was time to try some roundabouts!
We went from Nailsworth to Tetbury, Cirencester, Coates, Aston Down, Stroud, Cainscross, Forest Green, and then back to Nailsworth, and I was driving for about 3 hours in total.
I hit two kerbs with the back wheels, one in Cainscross, and the other in Stroud centre. Both times were due to me not looking in the mirror properly as I went round the corner, and not allowing enough room for the back to swing round. Mike made me go around and do the same two corners again, so I would learn my lesson!
I really enjoyed my first lesson, and am looking forward to the next one!
I went to Cotswold Green's depot at 12.30pm to meet Rob (who was late) and met my driving instructor, Mike. He showed me around the Bus I would be driving( N464 TPR, a Dennis Dart with East Lancs. body) and explained the location of all of the controls.
Rob arrived with the Sellotape, and we bodged some "L" plates onto the front and back of the bus (a little too much Sellotape in my opinion, but Rob seemed to be happy!)
Mike drove us out of the depot and onto the main road, then pulled into a layby, we swapped seats, and then off we went, with me driving for the first time! The first challenge was a left hand corner, which I achieved without incident, so after a few more left and right corners, Mike decided it was time to try some roundabouts!
We went from Nailsworth to Tetbury, Cirencester, Coates, Aston Down, Stroud, Cainscross, Forest Green, and then back to Nailsworth, and I was driving for about 3 hours in total.
I hit two kerbs with the back wheels, one in Cainscross, and the other in Stroud centre. Both times were due to me not looking in the mirror properly as I went round the corner, and not allowing enough room for the back to swing round. Mike made me go around and do the same two corners again, so I would learn my lesson!
I really enjoyed my first lesson, and am looking forward to the next one!
