The news of the week is that I PASSED MY DRIVING TEST!

On Tuesday, at 8:40am, I had my driving test here. I showed up at the Department for Transport office for driving tests with my instructor, Kevin Tate, and shortly thereafter, I was off with the tester. Well, now come November, I will have been driving for 50 years, and I've held licenses in Texas, Venezuela, and California. NEVER had I had to do a driving test, except in Texas, as in the others, you only had to take a written test. Not in Britain! Oh no! You have to take a driving test as well.

So, I did it and I passed. My instructor (and I, I must admit!) was shocked when he saw I'd been marked down for driving too slow! He kept telling me to slow down......well, I believed him! I returned to work and told everyone, of course! Well wishes all around, and everyone was so proud of me for being able to do it so quickly! After all, there were nearly 50 years of bad habits there! So now I'm legal! I'd driven on my Texas license almost as long as I could (2 days left.....now that was cutting it close, right?). Several people gave me congratulations cards, etc., and that evening, Margaret Walker and Tracey Riby took me to the Royal Dragon Chinese Restaurant, which is in the Walmgate Hotel. We had a wonderful time (I drove us, of course!). Afterwards, I drove Tracey home, as John and Margaret were waiting for a take-away for their son. A good evening!

Next day I was still in the clouds over passing my test. It just didn't seem real that that cloud had finally passed. On Thursday after work I met Paula Downing for a drink after work at the Bay Horse on Blossom Street. She, too, was thrilled for me that I had passed. I finished out the week on a high note, needless to say.

After work on Friday, Tracey Riby, Vicky McQuade, Rachel Longhorn and I went to the Spread Eagle for a few. Then Tracey and I went home, and the young girls continued on into town to make a night of it.

Saturday morning I was up and walked into town to see Bess and Arthur Rhodes, as Bess is back at the stalls after her problems with her lung, and she's feeling 100 percent! Headed from there to Marks and Spencer where I exchanged my pounds for Euros for my trip to Athens next week, ran into Paula Downing and had a good visit with her, then purchased some chocolates for my friend Kostas' mother, whom I will see in Greece. Then I continued on over to Waterstones to purchase a map of Athens, and then over to Subway on Pavement to grab a bite to eat before going to Zikzak where I picked up an engraved mug for my friend, Kostas Gellas. From there I headed on down Fossgate to Walmgate to get my manicure at Lawton Henry's Salon of Beauty! Louise and Jo were glad to see me, and we pooled money for a bet in the Grand National. Everyone puts a fiver in for the Grand National, and as usual, I didn't win. We had a pool at work as well, and I know I didn't win that one, either, as I'm not even sure my horse finished! I finally returned home late in the afternoon and watched the race on television, and realized that I'd not won or placed. Oh well, all in good fun. I got myself ready, and Teri Rhodes picked me up at 7:15pm to go to dinner at Siam House, a lovely Thai restaurant. We had a lovely time. Teri had invited me to celebrate my passing my driving test! How kind, and what a good friend. Afterwards, we strolled across the street to the Old White Swan pub and had a couple and just enjoyed conversation and the people. We left about 10pm, and I got in a taxi, as she was headed off into town to meet up with some friends.

Today I've just relaxed and gotten things ready for my trip on Thursday. OH! Our spring has definitely NOT sprung. We had hail on and off on Monday night for several hours, and again on Tuesday. On Saturday afternoon late, we had sleet! Not typical spring weather! Today has been decidedly chilly, and I've done my ironing, got things ready for tomorrow, etc.

Since I will be in Greece next weekend, there will not be the normal update on Sunday. I will try to update on Wednesday, when I return, but the workers will be here to paint the rest of the flat, install the recessed lighting, etc.; so I'm not sure I will get to do it then. But I will update you as soon as possible. Have a good week, and a VERY HAPPY EASTER!!!

Denny