Driving in the UK/Wales

What do these animals have to do with driving in the UK?

US citizens living in the UK are allowed to use their US driver's license for one year after they arrive before they are required to get a UK driver's license. After driving for over 50 yrs we have found ourselves studying once again to take a 50 question drive test plus 14 hazard videos. Luckily, I found a free online website that helped me practice for the test. I also watched several online videos to help learn how to navigate round abouts, drive on the lefthand side of the road and generally how to survive driving in the UK. 

There are seven types of pedestrian crossing in the UK: zebra, pelican, puffin, toucan, pegasus, tiger and officer controlled. 

The most common pedestrian crossing is a Zebra Crossing. Known for it's tall black and white striped poles with a yellow flashing light on top. At these crossings cars always give way to the pedestrians at all times. The zig zag lines before and after the crossing are to notify that no one can park or unload in that area. If you are interested in the rest of the crossings you can go to this website and read up.   https://www.motoringresearch.com/advice/pedestrian-crossing-types-explained/

To get a license, you first have to apply for a provisional license. This type of license allows a learner to practice while driving with an experienced driver.  It is mandatory for new driver to post a big L on the front and back of the car while they are learning to drive. Luckily for us we could still use our US license to drive with so we didn't have to drive with someone who had a UK license. It probably would have been good if we put a big "L" on the car the past 6 months as we were learning the rules of the road. We certainly got a few frustrated honks from drivers when we messed up. 

The Green 'P' is for those who have just passed their driving test. It let's people know that they are still learning 

After quite a bit of studying, we both passed our theory tests getting 50/50 questions correct (Elder Herdt on his 2nd try)

This week I am happy to say that I passed my driving portion of the test! Woo Hoo!

I HAVE A UK DRIVER'S LICENSE NOW!!

 I felt like a kid not getting much sleep the night before due to nerves. Elder Herdt will be taking his Driving Test in 2 weeks. We just wanted to get these licenses done well before our year was up. I heard that your insurance in the states will go down having a UK driver's license. We'll have to see about that when we get home. 

Here are a few things that have been challenging. 

1.   ROUNDABOUTS

Roundabouts can be confusing. Learning the ins and outs makes them doable. Most of the roundabouts in are area aren't too crazy. Some are even just mini roundabouts. 

Mini Roundabout

2.   20mph Speed Limit

Another thing that has been difficult is the 20mph speed limit in built up areas. (towns) In September 2023, Wales changed it's 30mph speed limits in town from 30 to 20mph. This has been kind of a 2 edged sword for us. First driving slower has helped us get use to the ins and outs of driving in Wales but, if you've ever tried driving 20mph anywhere you know how hard it is to stay under 20mph. No police stop you. There are cameras everywhere taking picture of the registration number.

 Elder Herdt has already got a nice ticket for going 26mph. When you are worrying about driving on the opposite side of the road your speed is the least of your worries. haha  We are getting better. It is a big learning curve. 

3.    NARROW ROADS

Last but not least, is the narrow roads up the valleys and all around that are narrow and have people parking on either side of the road taking up half of the road. Sometimes that means you pull to the side to let someone go by, other times narrow roads mean you have to back up to a place that is wide enough for two cars to pass. 

Yes, we have been on roads like this and have had to back up to let a car go by. 

This is not a one way road. 

Good Times!!

Anniversary / Senior Retreat

 43rd Anniversary

(As a preface; Our main focus of our mission is Member Leader Support. We love serving with the members in our Pontypridd Ward. They already feel like our family. We are currently helping with a 10 week Family History class for members and community members. It is so much fun helping others get excited about family history. We have spent a lot of time checking addresses of members to make sure these people still live at the addresses. Many have move and several have passed away. We have looked up over 150 people over the past few months. We also try to be supportive of the younger missionaries our district. It is a great day to be a missionary)  We are loving seeing all the historic sites around our mission.   

Cold and a little windy but worth it. 

On our way to Weymouth for our Senior retreat, we stopped at Stourhead Estate and Gardens on our anniversary. It is mind boggling the amount of wealth it would have taken to build up an estate like this. 

Gate

Gate and Gate House

Stable Yard and Stables

The Main Estate

Every room was filled with very old portraits and paintings. 

The Library was amazing!

A couple of period dresses. 

Part of Pride & Prejudice was filmed at Stourhead. These were worn by Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

The Temple of Apollo was also in the rain scene of Pride and Prejudice where Mr. Darcy proposed to Elizabeth. 

The Stourhead Gardens rival any I have seen. 

Henry Hoare II, intended to create a living work of art by arranging trees, eye-catching temples, and architectural features around a grand lake. He was inspired by artists like Claude Lorrain, Nicolas Poussin and Andrea Locatelli, who were known for their beautiful rural landscapes in works of art. 

The Pantheon

I think they could have used you as a model Elder Herdt. 

Small Church on the Estate

We have seen many grand cathedral's and churches but 

I think I liked this small and simple one the best. 

Weymouth Senior Retreat!

March 13-15th

Elder and Sister Lewis, who serve in Weymouth organized a fun few days for all of the senior missionaries and President & Sister Mayall. 

(Browns, Kings, Lewis', Cottons, Hanks, Herdts, Simmons, Jensens, Mayalls)

What a great time! We all stayed at the Jubilee Hotel right on the coast. A member of the Weymouth branch owns it and set us up for two days of fun. Breakfast, Dinner, Darts, Escape prison, and Carnival games. 

Below are pictures of the places we visited. 

Weymouth. Wndy and cold this morning. 

First visit was Durdle Door

What a beautiful place on the coast! 

The Whole Crew!

Bro & Sis Brown and Elder Lewis feeding the Crows. 

Several of us hiked to the top of these white cliffs. Quite a steep hike. The pictures don't show the height or steepness. 

 At the top!

The Mayalls

The Hanks

The Cottons

The hike back via a not so steep decline. 

There are always gates to go through because paths usually go through farm fields.

Next stop lunch at a quaint cafe. 

             By the Cafe there was a small cemetery that had the grave of

  Lawrence of Arabia. He died in a motorcycle accident nearby. 

The small church in the area is called the Crystall church because when all of the stain glass windows were broken during the was  they were replaced and clear glass and then etched. 

Interesting sign on the front door.

Please close this gate and door lest a bird should enter 

and die of thirst. 

A couple of thatched cottages by the church and bridge. 

Elder Lewis on the narrow bridge over the river. 

Next on the agenda was Corfe Castle.

How they built and archway. 

The Martins

Elder Lewis and Pres. Mayall

Beautiful Views

Some can nap anywhere:)

Catipult

 

The Jubilee Hotel

Dinner with the Gang. 

Sister Mayall, Simmons, Martin and I got to experience the Hotel Jubilee Escape Prison.. Non of us had ever done an escape room before. With a little help we made it out. 

We also played some darts. Sister Mayall and Sister Lewis won. 

Sister Mayall

Lewis, Martin, Mayall and Herdt

Sister Lewis

The Simmons stopped by the Isle of Portland light house 

on their way back to the office.  

Saturday morning, most of us went to Salisbury Cathedral. A stunning ediface! 

This font was beautiful very unusual. 

Our last stop was 

Stone Henge 

Another bucket list item checked off.

Cold but very interesting history. 

Thanks to the Lewis's we had a wonderful time with all of the Senior Missionaries this trip. We are looking forward to getting to know all of the new senior missionaries coming in the next couple of months.