Copyright © Louise Bostock 2007-2013. Please give credit where credit is due.

Saturday 3 May 2008

Another milestone

Thirty-two degrees in the sun at midday. The sky is blue, and the lake is a-flutter with yachts and windsurfers. The woods are full of people in search of wild asparagus.

Today we're planting leeks, basil, peppers, an impulse-bought cranberry bush, and more lettuce.

Yet another driving milestone today : Mama left everyone at home and drove alone to Cannobio for a spot of shopping. Alone in the car for the very first time. I know you drivers don't understand why this is such a big thing, but after 27 years as a non-driver, the freedom is nothing less than intoxicating.

8 comments:

bb said...

I remember my first drive alone as a 17year old. I didn't want to stop and often still don't.

I expect that feeling is magnified many times for you though.


Your BB

Louise | Italy said...

Yup! I know that 'don't want to stop' feeling, but I suspect it's not love of the road that's causing it, but rather not being able to find a space large enough for me to parallel park into...

j said...

I came across your blog via blogcatalog and have been enjoying it.

Congratulations on getting your license (loved the bus stop entry). If you can do it in Italy, perhaps I can do it in the U.S. I've found this phobia particularly difficult to overcome. Hope you are enjoying your new-found auto freedom.

Gypsy at Heart said...

Hooray for your mother! And I know just what you mean. I first started driving when I was 25. Have no idea why I waited so long.

Louise | Italy said...

Dear Jennifer - Welcome to Carmine Superiore. It's great to know you're there!

For me the driving phobia (I guess, with hindsight that's what it was) may have been about needing to go faster than I was comfortable with. With the instructor here in Italy I learned something none of the guys in the UK bothered to teach, and that's the art of going very, very slowly. Being able to go slowly gives you time to think and time to manoeuvre the car better.

If not being able to drive is impacting your life, go to it! Millions and millions of people can. Why do you think you can't?

Louise | Italy said...

Hi Gypsy - Mama is me! I use it ironically because I'm the least motherly person I know and I always find it funny when people at the kindergarten refer to me as La Mama di AJ...

j said...

It's true -- millions of people drive and live to tell the tale (and don't mow down rows of innocents in the process). Maybe it's time for immersion therapy ...

Louise | Italy said...

Go to it! Spend time road testing instructors - it's good to have one you really like. And if you can arrange it so that once you've got the basics you practice every day, that helps too. Let me know what you decide...

Saturday 3 May 2008

Another milestone

Thirty-two degrees in the sun at midday. The sky is blue, and the lake is a-flutter with yachts and windsurfers. The woods are full of people in search of wild asparagus.

Today we're planting leeks, basil, peppers, an impulse-bought cranberry bush, and more lettuce.

Yet another driving milestone today : Mama left everyone at home and drove alone to Cannobio for a spot of shopping. Alone in the car for the very first time. I know you drivers don't understand why this is such a big thing, but after 27 years as a non-driver, the freedom is nothing less than intoxicating.

8 comments:

bb said...

I remember my first drive alone as a 17year old. I didn't want to stop and often still don't.

I expect that feeling is magnified many times for you though.


Your BB

Louise | Italy said...

Yup! I know that 'don't want to stop' feeling, but I suspect it's not love of the road that's causing it, but rather not being able to find a space large enough for me to parallel park into...

j said...

I came across your blog via blogcatalog and have been enjoying it.

Congratulations on getting your license (loved the bus stop entry). If you can do it in Italy, perhaps I can do it in the U.S. I've found this phobia particularly difficult to overcome. Hope you are enjoying your new-found auto freedom.

Gypsy at Heart said...

Hooray for your mother! And I know just what you mean. I first started driving when I was 25. Have no idea why I waited so long.

Louise | Italy said...

Dear Jennifer - Welcome to Carmine Superiore. It's great to know you're there!

For me the driving phobia (I guess, with hindsight that's what it was) may have been about needing to go faster than I was comfortable with. With the instructor here in Italy I learned something none of the guys in the UK bothered to teach, and that's the art of going very, very slowly. Being able to go slowly gives you time to think and time to manoeuvre the car better.

If not being able to drive is impacting your life, go to it! Millions and millions of people can. Why do you think you can't?

Louise | Italy said...

Hi Gypsy - Mama is me! I use it ironically because I'm the least motherly person I know and I always find it funny when people at the kindergarten refer to me as La Mama di AJ...

j said...

It's true -- millions of people drive and live to tell the tale (and don't mow down rows of innocents in the process). Maybe it's time for immersion therapy ...

Louise | Italy said...

Go to it! Spend time road testing instructors - it's good to have one you really like. And if you can arrange it so that once you've got the basics you practice every day, that helps too. Let me know what you decide...