DRIVING WITH RHIANN

                                          GREEN   LIGHT     MOVEMENT
                                    
                                                Lesson       3

   Saturday morning Rhiann and I met at Keiran Street a little ahead of our arranged time,so we could get started early,before the heavy traffic build up.First job to place the learners magnetic sign on the roof and the P plates front and back.Second job check the oil level and petrol. Third job to record in the diary the speedo reading,time of day,and fuel level.
Once this was done we sat in the car for a bit of  briefing on the weeks happenings.Rhiann explained at her new job there are some,theething problems which bubble over Friday,but luckily she had back up from two males of authority. Her CV has recorded a six month job experience , which I explained employers like to see periods of extended employment . It creates in their mind that this job applicant has some stability.
Then it was off to our test area Lang ,Cook and St Martyn roads, to refresh on hill starts,reverse parking and threepoint turns, all of which Rhianne performed well.
To inject a little variety into our driving experience we had decided to take an extended journey to La Perouse on the shores of Botany Bay. Rhianne has reached a point of improved confidence so this drive was quite within her capability. So instead of hugging the left lane in Anzac Parade we moved to the middle lane and headed south for Kingsford.
Its possably 10 years since I travelled this section of Anzac Parade and the changes were major,five storey apartment blocks lined the road,there was considerable builders cyclone fencing on the road,the lanes were difficult to distinguish as they crossed over the tram lines,or to be more technically correct the light rail lines.
We passed the University of NSW and the Plane trees we indicating a change of season ,dropping most of their brown leaves on the pavement.
Traffic was moderate until we hit the roundabout,where a car wanting to turn right was blocking the middle lane,.Rhianne remained calm and except for the usual complaint of sweaty palms all was good.
Once through this bottle neck the traffic became lighter and we cruised in top gear,on a sunny Autumn day, you could have heard a bird cheep cheep .
But it was not to last, the peace was disturbed by a Police car siren forcing Rhiann to move over to the left lane and stop,giving the flashing light and loud alarmed Police car priority. Standard driving proceedure.
Next we had to negioate several sets of lights at Maroubra Junction, no stalling,calmly travelling in our lane,
passing Long Bay and eventually reaching La Peroue,named after the famous French explorer.
We had been in the car over an hour so we decided we had earned a coffee,parking into a designated bay ajoining the park we walked to the local shop for refreshments,and sat on the beach wall enjoying the sunshine.
Rhianne was able to give me some of her family history and how she dealt with problems,now I learn of Google Bullet journal, which she used to record her thoughts and join the dots with her sketches. I had copied an artice from the newspaper by Ross Gittens " Saving is the Secret to Sustained Sucess "
now there's a sniff of alliteration.Which I thought Rhiann may be interested in. I had also bought my camera as I wished to record Rhianne ,me and the Green Hornet at rest. A friendly driver assisted.
After doing a circuit round the recreational area , to check all was peaceful on the bay we headed north along Bunnerong Road,turning right at the lights at Beauchamp Road, and left into Anzac Parade.
The plan was to travel cross country ,taking Baker street passed thePrince of Wales  hospital,left into Avoca street and head through Charing Cross.
It was here we encountered the heaviest of traffic,bumper to bumper, we crawled up Avoca street,for 5 k's  it was expremly dense traffic,and very testing for a learner driver, or in fact any driver. Rhianne came through the ordeal with flying colours,only one stall,navigating Frenchmans Road shopping we eventually got to Carrington Road and left into Birrell street and home to park,2 1/2 hours of driving time , I asked Rhiann if she was gleaming ? ,but the events of Friday had played on her feelings,never the less she did feel her driving was improving with each time behind the wheel .
We completed her logbook entry,which now recorded over 60 hours driving time.There is no lesson next Saturday,and Rhiann is to select our next adventure destination.Where will it be ?
C (copyright) T.M.Williams