Clutch Control!

Today I had my first UK driving lesson.  WOW.  I have never been so afraid in my life.  I've been driving for what - 9, 10 years?  Holy crap.  Automatic on the Right was a breeze.... manual on the LEFT .... well.  That was a different story.  

My instructor was lovely.  He taught me the gears and told me when to do life up the clutch, put down the clutch, signal, accelerate, break and check my mirror.  I was terrified the entire time - gripping onto my steering wheel - AND crossing my hands, which you are not allowed to do.  

I picked it up pretty fast, and after four or five times around the estate we were driving in I was ok with the gears. Instructor man decided it would be a good idea for me to drive home.  Now....I live on the busiest road in town and it was 1:00....rush hour.  I panicked.  It's like I had never driven before.  I couldn't remember how to break and I couldn't make the turn.  I get to the main light and I have to turn left - but it was busy, so I had to go into 1st and keep my hand break on.  When it came time to turn left,  I couldn't switch and stalled.  I was terrified because I was in the middle of the road!  There were tons of people and I looked like a fool!

I was shaking when we finally reached my house.  I know it takes awhile to pick up, but it's still terrible!  After ten years, I am relearning how to drive.  Oh boy....