Older and Less Fearless

There are only some photos from our October garden today, nothing related to my topic! Don't ask me to name any of the flowers, I'm clueless in that department though I enjoy looking at them.

So - I finally started driving in England, but only on quiet roads with Robin coaching me. I am not at all comfortable driving on the left!

When I was in my 30's, I visited my sister who was living in London for awhile. Her friend had a car and we went on a road trip. I asked to try driving, and the friend graciously allowed me, though he seemed a little tense. I remember it being fun! Now 30 years later, I'm pretty nervous. After being here a month, I finally got around to asking Robin for a driving lesson.

With the steering wheel on the right, I can't judge the center or side of the roads (which are frequently super narrow). I'm afraid I'll turn into the wrong lane, or go the wrong way around one of the gazillion "roundabouts." The idea of merging onto the "motorway" is stressful. I've been driving for 45 years and I've driven myself across the US several times. But getting older, at least for me, has taken away some of my fearlessness. Change becomes harder.

I suppose this whole year is about change, and I can't deny there have been moments of anxiety getting our dogs and ourselves safely and comfortably relocated. I countered these concerns with somewhat obsessive planning and plenty of lead time to triple-check every detail! Now we are certainly enjoying each "change of scenery" we are privileged to experience.

Planning won't help with that unexpected truck (or lorry as they are called) barreling towards me around a blind corner on a narrow road. But I can't ask Robin to do ALL the driving for the next 11 months. At the very least, I need to get myself to the grocery store and the vet. Next week, we leave on an 11-hour road trip to the Isle of Skye, and I hope to help with the driving. Clearly, I must get out there and practice.

Coming this month: Bridge Games, London Cocktail Week, The Isle of Skye. No more "philosophy!"