Driving to different vets - need a talking to

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lauraboara

lauraboara

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This will sound mad to those who don't think twice about driving but I am having such a panic this morning. I am generally quite calm, except about driving - I hate it. There are soo many variables that are not in my control - if that makes sense. Anyway, got drive to a different vet surgery today for Tea Cake to have a second injection. I don't know the route well and don't know where to park and feel sick. I will do it because Tea Cake needs the treatment but could just do some friendly talking to get me there!
 
I know exactly how you feel! I hate driving and it panics me especially if its somewhere unfamilliar.
All I can say is take it slowly, try not to stress if you go the wrong way you can always just pull over and sort it out. Do you have a sat nav? Is there anyone that can come with you? I like having someone who has either a map or sat nav to give me instructions in advance.
 
What I do when I have to go somewhere new (I live in the centre of Bristol so completely understand what you mean about finding somewhere to park!) is look around the area on google streetview, or even maybe follow the route on streetview. That way you can familiarise yourself beforehand.

Other than that, give yourself plenty of time to get there, you may have to drive around the block or something to find a parking space, and the last thing you need to be doing is getting flustered about being late.

Maybe call the vets and ask if they have a carpark, or where they recommend that you park?

If you miss a turning or whatever, just continue on one road until you find somewhere suitable to turn around, either a side road or a roundabout.

The best thing I ever did, was get lost. For 6 hours. In the middle of deepest darkest Wales. With no satnav or phone. On my own. In the dark, rain and fog. At 11pm. I got home and lived to tell the tale. Now I couldnt care less about getting lost :))
 
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OK print off the instructions on google maps or if you have a tom tom do this too.....
Then look thru it so you have a bit of an idea.......
Have a cuppa.....
Get ready and then set off....... perhaps play some quiet music that will help to calm you down, or something that you really like!
Don't panic..... you WILL BE FINE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

YOU CAN DO IT x)x)x)x)
 
Thanks for support and ideas! I don't have sat nav but I will print off a map and plan the parking. Didn't think about asking the vet for parking ideas but will try that. And focus on breathing.....I didn't drive for about 15 years and have only been driving again for about a year so kind of re-learning still. Brains are funny things.
 
gplearner said:
Thanks for support and ideas! I don't have sat nav but I will print off a map and plan the parking. Didn't think about asking the vet for parking ideas but will try that. And focus on breathing.....I didn't drive for about 15 years and have only been driving again for about a year so kind of re-learning still. Brains are funny things.
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If it worries you, it might be worth looking into refresher lessons? Most driving schools do them, and it'd probably really help your confidence. Pick a small local, independant company and I'm sure it'd help.
 
I always use my sat nav when going somewhere new as I like the reassurance of being told where to go :red

Phoning the vets sound like a good idea to me. At least that way, you will know if you can park there or not.

good luck!
 
I know exactly how you feel, I absolutely hate driving and expecially anywhere new. I drive to a piggy clinic once a month which is an hour away and it scares the hell out of me.

Good luck.
 
I never enjoyed driving, either!

Look up where you are going on google maps beforehand. Mark the route and take the maps with you in case you get lost. If you have satnav, use that, too!

Ring up the vets and ask about the parking situation (especially how busy it is and where you can find additional parking if necessary).

Make sure that you have plenty of time when you set out, so you can afford to go wrong or look for parking without getting stressed out about the time factor.

Best of luck! And have a little treat in store for yourself afterwards!
 
I was just the same and hated driving anywhere new.
Then along came google maps and that helped a lot.
Then I got a satnav and now I dare go almost anywhere....still not brave enough to do big cities tho! :...
 
herriotfan said:
I was just the same and hated driving anywhere new.
Then along came google maps and that helped a lot.
Then I got a satnav and now I dare go almost anywhere....still not brave enough to do big cities tho! :...
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I've lived in Bristol for 4 years and I swear the roundabouts and their lanes follow no highway code rules!
 
Wiebke said:
I never enjoyed driving, either!

Look up where you are going on google maps beforehand. Mark the route and take the maps with you in case you get lost. If you have satnav, use that, too!

Ring up the vets and ask about the parking situation (especially how busy it is and where you can find additional parking if necessary).

Make sure that you have plenty of time when you set out, so you can afford to go wrong or look for parking without getting stressed out about the time factor.

Best of luck! And have a little treat in store for yourself afterwards![/QUOTE]

I did it! Only one horrid moment really - in a feeder lane - yuk. And I am no where near any big cities so I am even more of a wimprolleyes

Thanks for the good wishes everyone and I did ask vet before I set off where to park and that really did help.

And Tea Cake had his injection and is now tucking into hay. PHEW. Piggies make you brave!

And following Wiebke's advice I have some chocolate to consume later!
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Yay well done! The things we do for our piggies eh?!

The horrid moment wasn't all that bad I bet! Did you run anyone over? Did you cause an horrific accident? Nope!

You just need to gain your confidence, and the way to do that, is with practice!
 
Well done ! I have a bit of a driving phobia ..... mainly to do with motorways and bridges due to an incident from a few years back (and a fear of heights) so can totally understand how you feel.

So major pat on the back on its way to you! Well done !
x
 
Years ago I was a complete driving phobic, I hated it, would'nt drive on motorways, parking was a nightmare and I just shook from head to foot everytime I drove.

I ended up joining an Advanced Motoring group which met once a week in the evenings and then had advanced driving lessons. they did not cost anything as volunteers from ROSPA did them free of charge if you were in the group. I had lessons on all types of roads in all conditions and then passed my advanced driving which then helped discount my insurance so win win all round!

I really would suggest that anyone who is nervous of driving try to find something similar, contact the Advance Driving Institute and see if there are groups near you? They helped me so so much.

I am now a very confident driver, I have a lovely sports car and my job requires me to drive all over the country and I love it! I could never have done this before, all you need is confidence and the rest comes naturally and you may even enjoy it!

http://www.iam.org.uk/

Good luck!
 
Guinea Slave said:
Years ago I was a complete driving phobic, I hated it, would'nt drive on motorways, parking was a nightmare and I just shook from head to foot everytime I drove.

I ended up joining an Advanced Motoring group which met once a week in the evenings and then had advanced driving lessons. they did not cost anything as volunteers from ROSPA did them free of charge if you were in the group. I had lessons on all types of roads in all conditions and then passed my advanced driving which then helped discount my insurance so win win all round!

I really would suggest that anyone who is nervous of driving try to find something similar, contact the Advance Driving Institute and see if there are groups near you? They helped me so so much.

I am now a very confident driver, I have a lovely sports car and my job requires me to drive all over the country and I love it! I could never have done this before, all you need is confidence and the rest comes naturally and you may even enjoy it!

http://www.iam.org.uk/

Good luck!
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I've done this and it's great. It teaches you to drive in a very aware, but relaxed manner. Unless you live in Bristol. Then it all goes out the window, along with the foul language and rude gestures :))
 
Its good is'nt it? I do agree though...there are just some places where all rules go out of the window mallethead
 
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