Diary-1/1/04 onwards

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7/1/04 - Happy new year!
 
           
6/1/04 - Had my third appearance, and there was a little bit more pressure this time as I had not scored so far, although I had done a lot of work again, following my last appearance I was not too confident. 9.15 was my time and it was pouring down as I walked from the station. I eventually got called around 9.30 sat down, Bang first point!, no how are you? or anything like that, just straight in. I could not see it for anything and looking back now (and afterwards I cannot believe I missed it.
Belsize Park Stn!! Doh! - "No sir" anyway he gave me a couple of goes, finally we came up with Chalk Farm Stn, From Battersea Police Stn. Then New Scotland Yard to Browns Hotel, Did a Banana shaped run, but he said "is there another way you could go" and it fell in straight away, and re-run it.
The he killed me with a list of Livery Halls, and although I had done these, I had not practiced these and in the end we settled for Coopers Hall to Goldsmiths Hall. By this time I was feeling that I had blown it, he did give me one further run which I cannot remember, and the said he was going to score me!!! but If I came up against him again then he would test me on Livery Halls and boy did I feel good on my way home. Once again I found the examiners very fair.
But, one guy in the waiting room went to the toilet after booking in and got called, not a good idea!!!
03/02/04 - The week was disrupted last week with the snow, but still managed to get two days out in the cold, those heated grips are really now showing their value for money, have been trying to get together with my COP at least 4 times a week, and although there are some days where I feel I am making progress, when I look at some of the 56's on the point sheets there is still so much I need to learn. The oil light came on, on the bike last night so that's another job I need to do be for the weekend.
Completed the oil change over that weekend and no further problems with the bike.
27/02/04 - A week to go until my next appearance I have completed all the cross sections and have started to point in postcode area (which I have found very useful as you concentrate on one particular spot) But over the weekend I am only going to have a general ride round, no pointing unless something drastic comes out on the sheets on Saturday, If I don't know it now a few extra days will not make a difference, but what I want to do is have a general ride round and visit places I am sticky on or have not visited for a while, e.g. the set down for Finsbury Park Stn as it has been coming out as Wells Terrace. My Partner had his appearance on Monday and got done on squares, he now has 1 "C" and 3 "D's" and the pressure is now on to score on all the last three. But on talking to him, he may blow the next appearance and go back to the maps now rather than waste 6 months trying to get 3 "C's" with the possibility of failing on the last one. I'm not sure about that, I agree it would be dire if he failed on the last one, but I think he has to go in positive and think he is going to score every time, this may be he is just fed up at the moment, and needs a few days to get back to his old self, fingers crossed.
02/03/04 - Went out on a bit of a ramble on Monday through south London, I had about 12 particular roads or areas that I wanted to look at before Tuesday, and after a good day out on the bike felt pretty good. My partner and I have been doing point to point roughly six nights a week, and I felt that we have made improvements since I was last up.
Got there nice and early and was called in early by one of the lady examiners. Browns hotel, to BBC rehearsal studios, Ran this one a bit wide, going up through the park, but did it ok. Then Clapham train crash memorial to Olympia, again ran this ok. Then Women's education building to Shoreditch police stn, now I was in trouble, as I knew that the Women's education building you cannot leave directly but I did not know the correct way of getting out, but called it as I saw it. Then finally Maze Hill Stn to Honor Oak Stn, now I was sunk as I knew that you cannot SDOR and need a turn round, Ran it as best as I could but had to tell the examiner that I could not SDOR and I needed a turn round hoping she would take pity on me, may be if it had been the only one I might have got away with it, but with the Stratford one as well, no chance. So 3 D's and 1 C pressures on now to score on all my last three, I never did want it easy!
01/04/04 - I've been organising my pointing in postcode area's doing about 30-40 in a day and have been working through them quite well, the problem of course is that there are so many points on my list, it will take some time to complete. so far I have been working on 56's from the point sheets, but even so I will not be able to get them all done in time for my next appearance. The last week before I'm up I will have a bit of a ramble again to cover anything I have missed.
15/04/04 - My appearance date is rapidly approaching, unfortunately I have a weekend away booked from last year, just prior to my date, so I will not have the ideal buildup to this, but we will just have to see.
There have been notes on the Wizann web site saying that the appearances have changed slightly, as the examiners are no longer able to look in your file prior to your test, as some people have been complaining that they have been unfairly treated? all I can say is they the examiners have always treated me well!
So we shall see if the new method makes any difference.
23/04/04 - Went away for the weekend, not Ideal I know, but something I had planned for a long while but I will take my runs with me and practice when I can
27/04/04 - Up at 10.15 and called in by Mr. CC and was asked Theatre Royal Drury Lane to the Melia White house, ran this ok, went through 7 dials but had to take a chance on a R from Earlham st into Shaftsbury Ave, from there, Newman - Cleveland and he was nodding his head. Then asked Lewis Carroll Library to Vanburgh Theatre, no sir then asked Senate house, Mallet st. Started to run this, and he asked "why have you left that way?" (I was going down Caledonian Rd), So I started again, L York way. This time he said "why didn't you use Goodsway?" to which I replied that I understood that due to recent changes, that Pancras Rd was access only, he then told me that he had "D"d  two people that morning because they did not go down Pancras Rd and that I should drive these Rd's rather than rely on the point sheets for Information, "Carry on then" so I went down Pancras Rd, R Euston Rd, no problem. Then had Belgium Embassy to London Migraine Clinic, No Sir, Charterhouse Sq then, Looking back I should have LOL (I did LOR comp Belgrave Sq) and L Eaton Sq going through the Mall and Strand, but because of the previous run and the Pancras Rd comment I thought I was sunk and looking at being Red Lined, But I got there the line was ok. Then New London Place (Tooley St) to the VIP restaurant setting down on the left, again made an error here, should have gone over Tower Bridge, Instead went through Rotherhithe Tunnel. I was fully expecting to get my card back and to have a chat about going back to the start of the 56's or worse the map test, Instead he said "Ok thank you very much, you have scored today" I walked out stunned! so now on 6 points two appearances left, I will be surprised If I get through scoring both times but who knows?
25/05/04 - A month has gone by and I don't know where the time goes, sometimes I feel confident, other times I look at some of the runs or points called and think I have so far to go, there must be an element of luck as to what you are asked, I just don't know.
   On the plus side I have been pointing 2-3 times a week and have started doing some of my partners Knowledge college X section runs, which have proved useful, again just giving me a few extra roads to my knowledge, the drawback to this is I have to call them - when I don't know.
22/06/04 - Had my sixth appearance knowing that I had to score on the last two to make the drop, We have been calling fairly well, but I have been concerned that I do not know enough points or revising them. Was finally called 20 mins late which possibly didn't help. Before my bum touched the seat "Globe house?", sorry sir - what a fine start.
The four runs I was asked were not that hard
Passport office (globe house) to Roman Baths
Armourers and Brasiers to Bakers
Farmers Hall to National Autistic Society
Bloomsbury Thistle to Institute of Optometrics (I Think) on Newington causeway , but the points I dropped to get them were too many, also setting down for the National Autistic soc, I knew I was in trouble coming up Goswell Rd and R onto city Rd, setting down after the building, he then asked me to take it back and set it down correctly.
After a few moments thought he said that although I had called ok, the points had killed me, and If he was to give it to me, I might only fail on the next one wasting all those months. Although disappointed and a little deflated I came out feeling ok, He has put me back onto 56's rather than the map. so back in two months, with 7 lives and feeling with getting on top of the points, I could stand a chance this time. I read on the wizann site a guy taking 6 years the other day, I am on 3 years in September so I still have a long way to go.
24/08/04 - Its been a long time since my last posting, it took me a little while to get over being red lined but I had been working hard doing X section runs and points, I have changed my pointing routine slightly, in that I now cover only the recent points rather than bunch them up into post code areas, I think what was happening was that I have been waiting to get 10 or more points in an area before I would go to look for them. Where as now I am doing them (as near as possible) as they come up, I am covering loads more miles and consequently seeing a lot more roads, but for now I am happier doing this.
My last appearance was on 17th August, MY COP was on the day before and scored, that now made him on 6 points which just turned the screw a little, wanting to keep up with him. I could not sleep that night and the trains (underground) were not good, but I felt awful, hot, sweaty, aches, everything! I was really trying to make it difficult for myself. I got there in plenty of time, and as I booked in there was an examiner behind the counter, "Sit down, I will be with you in a minute" just as my cheeks hit the chair, he called me. (Not sure who he was? older chap with glasses)
He asked me to sit down, and asked me a couple of questions, which because I was in such a state I could not hear! any way I stumbled through, He proceeded to ask me 4 runs and although I went wide on one, he said, Ok that will do and gave me my card with a "C" on it - Fantastic, If I can do it feeling like that there is hope yet. I still cannot remember the runs he asked, but if I do I will post them., Off on Holiday for a week, then back at it. Be Lucky
22/10/04 - had my last appearance to 12th Oct and turned out to be with Mrs. D And I knew what was coming Before I even sat down, but my mind went blank!
She looked at my folder and then I was asked to go over my mistakes last time - I was asked how to leave the women's education building - no probs, I was then asked Honor oak Park stn to the fridge, this was the one I was dreading because as I walked in, I could not remember the 3 road turnround, even if I could have remembered to use Brockley rise would have been better, Instead I went round the top in a big loop - awful, 
The next two runs were ok, but I was in trouble and on my last run was asked from Regency lodge, I said Adelaide ave - "we were just there" was the reply, having just done a run from Lewisham. Do you thing I could remember the work "Road" - no a chance, in the end she gave me Marriott Regents Park, But I was in trouble, I had to get to Selfridges Hotel, I could not think of Adelaide Rd - and LOL instead, well I knew I was in trouble doing an awful run, eventually turning right (as a gamble) from James St to Regents St - No Right Turn.
So a "D" and lots to think about, although I can call well, I think I am rushing the runs when in front of the examiners and therefore making silly mistakes, My COP had four simple runs and is now on 9 points which also increases the pressure on me.
17/11/04 - I first noticed in Putney that the bike did not seem to want to stop at the lights, the brakes seemed fine, but it felt as though the bike was driving all the time, I limped the bike home while doing a few city points, by this time the wheel was driving all the time, bit I found that if  I increased the rev's at the lights, it would not stall. A phone call to the garage and the bike would be out for a couple of days, where I was told by the mechanic that the drive belt should be replaced at 12k, but at my last service the mechanic at a different garage said it would not need changing until 24k?
It turned out that part of the drive / clutch mechanism had come apart, but that the drive belt was cracked and would have split soon, anyway the bike is now repaired and on the surface I only lost 1 day as it was raining for one of those days, so apart from the financial loss, I'm back in the saddle on Saturday.
 
On a lighter note, I have had two "interesting" experiences, in the last few months. The first was by Amhurst station early one morning when I was approached by a lady in only a coat and asked if " I wanted to do any business" as she was very past her sell buy date I politely said "no" and got out of there swiftly.
The second was in Hoxton square, where as I was driving round I saw an Oriental lady interviewing a man, while she was holding a microphone and a camera man was filming. The best bit was that she was topless? and that particular morning it was pretty cold as you could tell from the young lady, anyway I had to go round twice just to be sure I have not missed anything - and had a smile on my face all day.
7/12/04 - Called in by Mr. O'c quite promptly and on with the runs, First was Dover House Rd to Brompton Sq which took a while to get into my head where the first point was as I'm not used to being asked roads.
Kings College Hospital to the Royal Free - used Blackfriars rather than Waterloo
Holiday Inn Camden to Plasterers Hall
Dropped one restaurant 
The Ivy to Hilton Paddington, every thing was going ok until I got to Sussex Sq, then Brain Fade! I started to think of Spring St and if I could T/R into Praed st, for some reason I then said forward London St.
Mr. O'c looked up as soon as I said it and I knew I had messed up he than punched his hand and said what are you going to do now? possibly call the AA? - an examiner with a sense of humor?
I quickly said Sussex Gardens and Norfolk place, he than said that he had already written down the score before I had messed up! On handing back my card a nice fat "C"
I now certainly feel a lot better now following my last appearance and now feel I can start to make progress through next year
Happy Xmas to all and be lucky 
03/01/05 - Happy new Year
My COP got his drop to 28's just prior to Christmas and has decided to stop work and concentrate on the Knowledge full time, he has also decided to join a school. As he started the Knowledge point runs he decided to go there and was made to feel very welcome, and the results have been immediate. Although he did not score on his first appearance the level of his calling over has greatly increased and I'm started to feel left behind, this is putting more pressure on my calling over and at first I started to panic almost trying too hard. 1 month on I have settled down and accepted the level I am on, one benefit of working with someone who is farther on than you is that you come across roads you would have never have used.
01/02/05 - Called in by Mr. Dixon, who I have had before with the warning "If I see you again I will be testing you on your Halls" as I had only just started to go over them at the time, so I had an idea what to expect.
I was asked Lemonia to Quaglino's. The Loop bar (No sir) The Lansdowne club to Thistle Victoria. Thistle Marble Arch to Thistle Piccadilly and the Barber Surgeons Hall to Coopers Hall.
Fortunately all standard stuff, although I still tried to make hard work of it and Mr. Dixon was very fair and gave ma a "C", My COP was up on the same day and scored as well, once again his points and runs were not too tough
25/02/05 - Had 4 days off this week and I had planned to spend 1 doing some stuff at home and the other three out, apart from the fact that it was freezing that week, the first day was spoilt by rain and then came the snow. On the Friday it didn't look to bad with a little snow falling, I thought that by the time I was in town the snow would be gone - was I wrong driving along the A13 it was getting worse with only tyre tracks visible, In the end I decided it was too dangerous and turned round at Canning town. In the end I was driving with my feet on the floor and as I approached home I new I was in trouble, I was trying to avoid the side roads but 1 road I had no choice to take, this runs onto a busy road and has a bit of a slope, with my feet on the floor and my tyre's locked I was sliding into the main road luckily nothing was coming along, not sure what I would have done if there had been traffic - what a waste of a week.
16/03/05 - To make matters worse I have just received a penalty notice for driving in a bus lane along Shoreditch high st on the 24th Feb looking back I know where and when it was and sometimes in order to find some of these points you need to do this - In fact you ought to be able to register with someone (TFL) so they let you off with the fines - perhaps I will complain to Ken, Oh well another £50 down the drain.
29/03/03 - Going for the drop, I had been working hard but Easter proved to be a bit of a distraction, with friends and families all wanting to see you (and make me drink alcohol) but I was hopeful that I was prepared, My COP was up on the same day after only scoring on 1 of 3 appearances he was starting to get a little despondent. Got there with no problems (I have started to use the bike and I am fed up with going up on the train, and I think it takes my mind off the ordeal ahead). Imagine my horror when Mrs. Danvers calls me in! I have not scored twice with her and all I'm thinking as I walk along the corridor is the two turnarounds for Honor Oak Park stn!
As it happens it went ok. Euston to Marylebone went via Drummond she wanted a simple R onto Euston Rd so she asked me Euston to UCH A&E. Barbican to Cannon St. Barbican to Ironmongers Hall. Hommerton Stn to Mile End Stn. Tufnell Park Stn to Finsbury Park Stn, Not a great appearance but better, looking at my lines there is room for improvement but I feel I have overcome a big hurdle. Back in 28 days time and I thought there was pressure before.
26/04/05 - I don't know where the time now goes, although it feels good to be going up more regularly there is now more pressure to keep up with the points.
What did not help was that I had a weekend away booked with the kids for a Rugby tournament that was booked last summer - so it was not ideal preparation.
The other thing is that my time was booked at 11.15 am later than before, it appears that all new 28's are from 11am onwards, so when I walked in the waiting room at about 20 to it was quite weird that no one was being called.
I have also made a point of studying everyone's points rather than one of the three initials penciled on top of the card, but even so when JW called me I thought I was in trouble.
"level 3 building to Kronos building" - "no sir" to both points - good start
Cafe Namaste to Sainsburys - Camb H Rd - he was looking for St Marks St - but as I could not remember it, I had to go the long way round.
Kings Henry's walk to the Arts theatre - I decided to take him via Kings Cross - once completed he said " OK you got there but you wouldn't go that way, how else could you get there?" "Rosebury ave sir" - "That's it"
Holiday Inn Bloomsbury to James St WC2, then New Lansdowne Club to Tudor Grove - And the last point I thought was the stopper, "No Sir" "Tudor Rd" "No Sir", Burberry Factory - I had no idea how to run through the back rd's so Simply down morning lane.
He went through the runs and points, and gave me my card back with a "C" - he than started to ask me about my work and what I do how long I have been working there - really very chatty - almost took me off guard - but I am happy enough.
My COP was up the following day - and scored, now on 9 points on 28's
A good week!!!!
24/05/05 - Up for my second 28, I've worked hard and was hopeful, as I am going on holiday around the date for my third 28 - and with all the best will in the world I am not going to do much work, so I needed to score on this second appearance. I had a late appearance which had me hanging around home for a while but felt ok when I got there. Called in promptly by MF who I had on my first appearance, after a brief pause down to business.
Chelsea theatre to Italia Conti academy theatre for arts - "No sir" to both points - good start!
Worlds end theatre to the Lambeth Hospital, My first concern was leaving this on the right as I felt it was too near the bend in Kings Rd, so LOL and along Cheyne Walk - as soon as I did this I realised my problem - where to get a right across a bridge - my only choice was Chelsea - did the rest of the run ok but was concerned about that start.
Kings College Hospital to Guys - the only was I could see this was Camberwell Rd - Elephant - Borough H St
Hammersmith Club to Curtains up theatre - No to the Hammersmith club so he gave me the New Lyric Theatre - did the Angel walk - Blacks Rd T/R, then I decided to use Aspenlea and Greyhound???? - St Dunstans and Margravine would have been better.
That was my last run! - we then had a brief chat - firstly about leaving worlds end on the right, He said that I should have left it that way as it made Battersea / Albert Bridge easy.
The second run, he said was a bit long, well I've looked at the run and my COP and the guys he calls with at Cally Rd and they all ran it the same.
The third run I knew was not bang on, but he said I should have taken the easiest option and gone along Hammersmith Rd, R Edith Rd. He then talked about my progress so far and said I was on course "He's going to score me" I thought, keep working at it, but "you haven't scored today!
Oh well, I realised where I went wrong although I'm not sure about that hospital run.
Because of my holiday and because I did not score I have moved my date back by ten days from my return to try and get some cramming in before the next time I'm up - fed up but not too despondent.
29/06/05 - What a waste of a day, My CBT was up for renewal and I remembered before it took all day, But I was hopeful that I could ask to be taken for the ride first (There should be a way you could shortcut this, If you have taken one before) anyway - There was a husband and wife team who had got there earlier than me and asked to go out first. So now its red hot and I've got the raging hump as well.
Two weeks off calling over and point to pointing has come as a bit of a shock to me - All the advice is that you should keep calling while on holiday - but with the best will in the world it doesn't happen, consequently on my return my COP scored on his 1st 21st and there now is a distance between us when he is calling a run.
Which is all the more frustrating for me, I know I am working and doing this part time it just does not make it any easier, consequently when I am doing a run, I am getting frustrated, making elementary mistakes and beating myself up.
What has not helped has been the amount of school end of year things the kids have and are asking for me to go along, they don't see much of me at the best of times.
All in all I had a bad weekend leading up to my appearance and my frustration is making it worse.
But thankfully my wife, who has been great had a talk with me and made me realise once again, that I must be patient, it will take a long time but I will get there in the end.
 11/07/05 - Called in at 11.15 by Mr. O'Connor and then presented me with around 10 points I did not know - once again I wanted the ground to open up, eventually he gave me points I new, but on the first run I was not sure of the set down I knew as soon as he gave me the point) - consequently I had to run a loop to get it set down the other three runs
Denim Bar - Southwark Rose Hotel. Lescargot to Claridges and Raft to Lindsey Sq were all straight forward - Afterwards he said he would have expected me to know 3 of the points I dropped and the problem with the set down on the first run - so no score. But rather than feeling bad I came out feeling ok, the runs were ok but the points were a problem, when I told my COP he also didn't know the points, so again this has given me a lift
so 2 D's and 1 C the pressure is really on the next appearance and with my COP now having passed his drive and on 6 points on 21's It seems I will soon be looking for a new COP, but head down and hard work I can get this