1972 - Driving.

I didn't know I was pregnant when I started my driving lessons in November 1972.  P had only taken one lesson with his father in their VW bug, but it had traumatised him so badly that he never wanted to drive again.  I booked lessons through Ace and my driving instructor picked me up outside City Hall at lunchtime.  I started to get into the passenger side but he insisted that I get behind the wheel of the beautiful, big red Ford Falcon sedan.  I was terrified, but he had dual controls so I felt better when I knew he could correct any bad move I made.

We drove through the heavy city traffic out to Rosalie, a very hilly suburb not far from the city.  The drivers' licence issuing centre was located there and my instructor wanted me to be familiar with the area as well as practicing hill starts and reverse parking (parallel parking to those in the USA).  Remember, these were the days of micro mini skirts and my instructor had the annoying habit of patting my bare thigh whenever he approved of my driving.  He also spent a lot of time telling me how his wife misunderstood him ... really, he must have thought I was an idiot!

I had lessons every day of the week except Sundays, then passed my driving test first time.  It was very easy in those days.  The tester settled himself into the passenger seat then asked me about 5 questions, all of which I got right, before we drove away for my test.  We were allowed to drive in bare feet, which I thought was essential because the high platform soles of my shoes didn't allow me to feel the pedals.

Dad's job allowed him to pick out the best of the cars coming off lease and so I ended up at Eagers Holden picking up my HG Kingswood Station Wagon, a 3-speed manual with a 161 engine that I later swapped out for a 186 to give it a bit more power.  It had the best driving and maintenance record and although it was 1 year old, cost me only $1,500 from my inheritance.  I was very nervous driving with passengers, but loved driving on my own.

The first weekend I collected Mum, Dad, J and V (P couldn't stand being around my parents) to drive out to Somerset Dam.  We had a lovely lunch by the water then drove the loop to come back through Ipswich.  They were quite impressed with my driving and I was very proud.  Needless to say, I was the only one not drinking that day.  P thought my driving was a great idea, because now he had someone to drive him to and from the pub, but to me it was a wonderful sense of independence and freedom ... I loved it with a passion!

Seaspray - iridescent pale sea green

Dad and V

Dad and I

J and Mum

V, J and Mum