Clemmys application came back successful, and he recieved the welcome pack etc. So we can now begin The Knowledge!
I havent actually applied yet, and my medical examination I did have, expires this month. But I'm not as confident about the whole thing, so I want to start learning before applying, I cant see the harm in this? I have no criminal record, poor health or driving convictions. So if it goes really well I could apply in a few months and we should remain at the same stage as there is a maximum of 2 years before the first test. The more I read about how difficult it is, the more scary and impossible it feels. Although Clemmy is feeling quite confident so hopefully his enthusiasm is catching because I am anything but confident and I haven't even touched a map yet!
So we have an introduction guide and a list of runs. What now?
After reading other blogs and forums we realised we need to have some sort of organisation to the learning and most people opt to follow a Knowledge Schools way of learning. Having looked at the 2 main learning styles for The Knowledge both WizAnn and Knowledge Point we decided that they both seemed equally successful and simple to follow, but we both felt more comfortable with Knowledge Point. Learning the points as you go along, with the runs feels better.
We have ordered a large laminated map of london, a smaller map, the first 80 runs and a couple of other bits (we need all the help we can get). They should arrive in a few days.
It still all looks very daunting, but I think we just need to start, its supposed to all make a lot more sense as you go along.. I hope this is true. As soon as our equipement arrives we will make a start on
RUN 1: Manor House Station N4 to Gibson Square N1
We will let you know how we get on...
Roxie
Showing posts with label The Knowledge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Knowledge. Show all posts
Monday, 7 January 2013
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Our vehicle
Hi there, Clem here.
I thought I would quickly post about the car that Rox and I will be using in order to do the knowledge.
We put a lot of thought into what to buy, and did consider a pair of mopeds as this appears to be considered the right way to do things. However, we live over 30 miles away from central London, and so a little scooter starts to become unappealing when you realise that you will have to travel for well over an hour on it before you even reach the start point of your first run - add to this the famous British weather and the potential for a very cold winter, and you end up with the realisation that you need to find something else. We settled on this:
It's our new Smart Fortwo cdi.
Room enough for two inside, and exceptionally practical. Our one comes with a panoramic sunroof (which will be a tremendous advantage in a car with already good visibility, hopefully most useful in learning landmarks and not missing street names, etc.), Sat-Nav (to be quickly ignored whilst learning, but handy to have for other uses), and a 800cc diesel engine (which is the best part - delivering 82mpg in town, and allowing the car to be exempt from both road tax and congestion charge).
To drive, the Smart is quite fun. Very nippy due to weighing almost nothing, and can turn on a sixpence. Quite easy to park too, though it doesn't feature power steering.
We look forward to learning in this, and now the journey up to London won't be a damp nightmare before we even arrive.
I thought I would quickly post about the car that Rox and I will be using in order to do the knowledge.
We put a lot of thought into what to buy, and did consider a pair of mopeds as this appears to be considered the right way to do things. However, we live over 30 miles away from central London, and so a little scooter starts to become unappealing when you realise that you will have to travel for well over an hour on it before you even reach the start point of your first run - add to this the famous British weather and the potential for a very cold winter, and you end up with the realisation that you need to find something else. We settled on this:
 |
| Tah-daaaah! |
Room enough for two inside, and exceptionally practical. Our one comes with a panoramic sunroof (which will be a tremendous advantage in a car with already good visibility, hopefully most useful in learning landmarks and not missing street names, etc.), Sat-Nav (to be quickly ignored whilst learning, but handy to have for other uses), and a 800cc diesel engine (which is the best part - delivering 82mpg in town, and allowing the car to be exempt from both road tax and congestion charge).
To drive, the Smart is quite fun. Very nippy due to weighing almost nothing, and can turn on a sixpence. Quite easy to park too, though it doesn't feature power steering.
We look forward to learning in this, and now the journey up to London won't be a damp nightmare before we even arrive.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Medical Assessment
Hi all,
I'm Clemmy, the male half of the cabbie couple. I'm still engaged in the application process and can't wait to get started.
I've recently had my taxi medical, and as this was the first medical of any kind that I've had I thought I would write about it here.
In order to even book my medical, I had to first visit the doctors surgery on a prior occasion to book and pay for it, as well as hand in my half completed tfl medical form. I was suprised to find out that I was going to have to wait two weeks after booking until the medical took place, but there was nothing that could be done so I handed over my £55 and waited.
The days rolled by and before long it was time. I had to go in armed with my medical form (retrieved from reception) as well as a urine sample (to check for diabetes I presume).
I saw the GP, who first asked me a variety of questions about my medical history, ticking off boxes on the form as we went. It was all fairly standard stuff - do you have a history of blackouts? Epilepsy? A drinking problem? etc. I was fine on all counts, with exception of the slight case of asthma that I suffer from - however, this was not a problem.
I also had to undertake an eye test, which included a test of my peripheral vision, and I'm very proud to say that I read right to the bottom of the chart without issue. Next, I had to pop up onto the couch and have the doctor perform some sort of cycling action with my legs, I passed this as well, but it all felt very silly.
I was out of the GP's office in a flash, and I'm glad to say that I'm now certified as medically fit to begin the knowledge! :D
I'm Clemmy, the male half of the cabbie couple. I'm still engaged in the application process and can't wait to get started.
I've recently had my taxi medical, and as this was the first medical of any kind that I've had I thought I would write about it here.
In order to even book my medical, I had to first visit the doctors surgery on a prior occasion to book and pay for it, as well as hand in my half completed tfl medical form. I was suprised to find out that I was going to have to wait two weeks after booking until the medical took place, but there was nothing that could be done so I handed over my £55 and waited.
The days rolled by and before long it was time. I had to go in armed with my medical form (retrieved from reception) as well as a urine sample (to check for diabetes I presume).
I saw the GP, who first asked me a variety of questions about my medical history, ticking off boxes on the form as we went. It was all fairly standard stuff - do you have a history of blackouts? Epilepsy? A drinking problem? etc. I was fine on all counts, with exception of the slight case of asthma that I suffer from - however, this was not a problem.
I also had to undertake an eye test, which included a test of my peripheral vision, and I'm very proud to say that I read right to the bottom of the chart without issue. Next, I had to pop up onto the couch and have the doctor perform some sort of cycling action with my legs, I passed this as well, but it all felt very silly.
I was out of the GP's office in a flash, and I'm glad to say that I'm now certified as medically fit to begin the knowledge! :D
Monday, 28 May 2012
Who are the Cabbie Couple?
Hello!
Firstly, we'd like to apologies for the poor and slightly cheesy blog title. We've discovered that neither of us are particularly creative and that is actually the best we could come up with after thinking for days.
This blog has been created because we have decided to learn the London Knowledge and become London Black Taxi drivers together…as a couple. Before anybody shakes their head and tuts and says it will never happen, we haven’t made this decision lightly, in fact we’ve discussed and researched the whole process in quite a bit of detail and decided to give it a go after months of talking about it.
Whilst doing some of this research we couldn't find anthing about couples doing this and it would have been useful for us to read so thought we would do it instead. We did however find a few very entertaining, interesting and informative blogs and accounts made by people learning The Knowledge or as life as Cabbies which gave us a lot of realism into what is involved and how tough it can be before and after you've qualified so we also want to contribute as we've found them so helpful. Hopefully we can be of help to others, and also use this as a tool to ask questions we want to ask too.
Before we forget what the title of this entry is...We're a couple in our twenties from South London. We live together and recently migrated to Surrey. But still work full time in South and Central London, jobs which we plan to keep throughtout this process (We have a plan, to work around this, all will be revealed later). We have 2 Cats and 3 Guinea Pigs. We will blog both seperately and together about how it's all going. We're feeling optimistic and positive at the moment, of course this will all change when things get tough!
Roxie and Clem
If anybody wants to contact us our email is:
cabbie_couple@yahoo.co.uk
Firstly, we'd like to apologies for the poor and slightly cheesy blog title. We've discovered that neither of us are particularly creative and that is actually the best we could come up with after thinking for days.
This blog has been created because we have decided to learn the London Knowledge and become London Black Taxi drivers together…as a couple. Before anybody shakes their head and tuts and says it will never happen, we haven’t made this decision lightly, in fact we’ve discussed and researched the whole process in quite a bit of detail and decided to give it a go after months of talking about it.
Whilst doing some of this research we couldn't find anthing about couples doing this and it would have been useful for us to read so thought we would do it instead. We did however find a few very entertaining, interesting and informative blogs and accounts made by people learning The Knowledge or as life as Cabbies which gave us a lot of realism into what is involved and how tough it can be before and after you've qualified so we also want to contribute as we've found them so helpful. Hopefully we can be of help to others, and also use this as a tool to ask questions we want to ask too.
Before we forget what the title of this entry is...We're a couple in our twenties from South London. We live together and recently migrated to Surrey. But still work full time in South and Central London, jobs which we plan to keep throughtout this process (We have a plan, to work around this, all will be revealed later). We have 2 Cats and 3 Guinea Pigs. We will blog both seperately and together about how it's all going. We're feeling optimistic and positive at the moment, of course this will all change when things get tough!
Roxie and Clem
If anybody wants to contact us our email is:
cabbie_couple@yahoo.co.uk
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