Halfway through the 320 runs and a reflection

Well it's been a while since I last posted anything on here, but contrary to popular belief it's not because I am lazy sod but I have been cracking on and now I have finally finished book two of the runs. For those of you that don't know there are 320 runs in the blue book and they are split into four books of 80 runs each so now I have done two books I am halfway through the runs.This for me is a bit of a milestone, the last time I attempted the knowledge I only got as far as the first 80 runs before my bike was stolen,  I got a different job and gave up so to be halfway through is very pleasing.
So what have I learnt ( apart from 160 runs of course lol)?
The biggest thing for me being a London Virgin (see previous post) is now I am finally not getting lost either going to runs or getting home from them, I'm even being brave enough to cross over the river if I think that is a better line home ( of course I know that when I finally get my badge and get out there I will never go south of the river especially not late at night lol). I ride along roads and can name certain roads as I go past them which does give me a sense of knowing what the hell I'm doing, however false an impression that may be!
I am still loving doing it, no the novelty hasn't rubbed off yet, I love discovering different parts of this great city of ours, my favourite is parking at Royal Circus and just enjoying the view, for anyone who hasn't taken the time to do that it's sensational. Of course there are parts of London that if it were a child only it's mother could love but you have to take the rough with the smooth I guess.I have been told that everyone doing the knowledge hits a wall between six months and a year and wants to quit ( for the first time) but I still feel as enthusiastic today as I did when I set off on that cold winters evening to go to Manor House Station ( god that seems like a long time ago).
I've got into a proper routine doing it, writing up runs, drawing runs on my map, calling over and then actually doing them on Aunt Sally. For those of you wondering how she is getting on, she's now done 4500 miles had two services, one puncture and several near misses but she is doing me proud. I do find that when I'm on my own rather than just sitting there trying to call the runs parrot fashion it works better for me drawing them on a laminated map as I call them it helps to visualise them, although as I do more runs I find that I am deviating from the runs in the book because I have found a better way to go, and that can be quite confusing.
While I'm writing about my routine I have to mention GetTaxi.co.uk where I do the night shift working in dispatch, the job is going really well, it pays the bills plus I am sitting in front of a map looking at the system so I am learning all the time and when we're quiet ( which is quite often because the system generally books the work and allocates it) I am able to do my knowledge work, I know that for us knowledge boys and girls combining work and doing the knowledge is one of the biggest challenges, well GetTaxi have solved my problems on that side of things ( if any of you knowledge boys or girls reading this are looking for work then let me know we are always looking for good people).
When I first started everyone told me that the knowledge takes over your life, and me in my wisdom thought that they were wrong, I'd be able to carry on playing darts a few times a week and having a life, but guess what I WAS WRONG!!!!!  the knowledge is now my life, when I'm not on Aunt Sally I'm, writing up runs, penning runs, or listening to the runs on CD ( I listen to them as I'm sleeping apparently sublimely I will take them in but I have no evidence of this in truth lol) even to the point that during the jubilee coverage I was trying to name the roads as they were sown on the telly,so the darts have gone by the wayside, as has pretty much any kind of life, but I know that it will be worth the sacrifice in the end.
I am amazed at the number of drivers who are helpful, whether it's a driver at work giving advice,suggesting different ways to try things or just being encouraging, or the drivers that I talk to at petrol stations, who when they see the knowledge board always ask how it's going and tell me to keep going and never give up. I would particularly like to thank Micky and John B who have both given me great advice and encouragement.(sounds like a poncy Oscar acceptance speech!)
One last thing before I go, it's the Diamond Jubilee and what a fantastic time in London to see all the flags and street decorations, just shows that this really is the greatest city in the world.
Anyway that is me done for now, half way through and loving it!!!!!!!