Mother was a tough old girl, and after dad died, she started work in a factory and was able to finish off the mortgage and save as well.
So from feeding 6 kids to full wages in retirement, she was well off.
For years she always wanted to have a car and finally she managed to get her license after many months of driving lessons
Well the day came when she was able to buy a brand new 1950s Morris car with 4 speed box.
A few driving lessons in it and away she went visiting all her friends now and a gain and feeling the freedom of not having to trudge to the nearest bus stop all the time. all her family were just a bit wary of her driving and preferred to not be on the road if we knew she was driving.
I will give her some praise as she never got a ticket for speeding and in the years of driving she seemed to miss every car on the road.
Mother had been driving around the city for 3 years and one of my brothers paid her a visit just to see how mom was getting on and well moms car was new and no one else in the family had a new car, and after a bit of pleading my brother was allowed to drive mom to the city for some thing.
Well a new car, and its moms car, so brother was very careful to drive perfectly especially as mom was in the car and nervous that her tear away son was driving.
First gear let out the clutch smooth take off, second gear road clear ahead take the motor up to correct speed, third gear and again perfect gear change. Then to top gear and the motor slowed to a comfortable humm.
That’s when an incredulous mother said “ WHAT did you do then”.
“Put into top gear mum”.
“Top gear” said mum “OH!”
I still chuckle when I think of mom driving around the city in 3rd gear for 3 years
