Quick update on my second appearance, which I failed to score. After waiting for ages that day I was finally called in and before I could sit down was asked “Take me from Kings Cross Station to The Dorchester Hotel”. On top of the usual nerves this really got me flustered. I managed to remember Pancras Road and Deanery Street and set off and got to the Dorchester Hotel. Then the fun started. Next run was Borough Station to The Sherlock Holmes Museum. I knew those and then proceeded to drop at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel! Next run was a banker that my Call Over Partner I and I had called loads of times, East Putney Station to St Marys Hospital. Off I went and headed up Baywater Road then for some reason turned left into Queensway as if heading to Paddington Station! I stopped myself and him there the way I wanted. Then the final run! Bermondsey Station to the Cromwell Hospital. Off I went without much thought and after making a mess at the start continued to meander along Southwark Street, Union Street, The Cut and Baylis Road before finally deciding to head over Lambeth Bridge. I then decided to take a rather circuitous route to Pennant Mews. That sealed my fate. I only needed to score 4 out of 10 for that run to get 24 points and a C. I only got 2! Afterwards the examiner said he deliberately rushes students on their second appearance as the first one is more laid back. It certainly messed me up. Take more time to think through the runs was the advice that I received and took good note of.

I was pretty annoyed with myself for failing to score on that appearance but it was all my own fault and I was determined to learn from it. I penned up my lines and refined them and called them over so that I would forever use Abbey Street/Long Lane when heading away from Jamaica Road towards the west in future.

On to my third appearance just before Christmas. My preparation had been slightly messed up because of my Call Over Partner not being around for the last 3 weeks. I dutifully called my Blue Book every day, did the 56 day questions on the daily sheet. I went pointing for new points, ran some more Missing Pieces runs and ran some of the new lines that I learnt along the way. Still I felt the usual doubts and nerves that is part and parcel of all appearances it seems.

I was up early on a Monday and got there in plenty of time and was called in pretty much on time. I was asked what advice I was given in my previous appearance, which reminded me to take my time. Then straight down to business and I was asked for the Whiskey Mist nightclub, then the Panamanian Consulate, before knowing Aspinalls Casino from there to Aspers Casino at Westfield Stratford. I really took my time to think and then went the easy option to leave and went via Hyde Park Corner, Trafalgar Sq, Victoria Embankment, Bank Junction and up Whitechapel Road to Stratford. In hindsight I should of left on the right and used Trebeck, Shepherd and White Horse Streets and gone from there.

Next was the Canal Cafe Theatre to Acton Police Station, (I dropped the Redback Tavern). I contrived to get to the Westway and then down Horn Lane. He wanted me to use the Westway rather than chopping it up.

My third run was the New Horticultural Hall to West Ham Police Station, I dropped the Olympic Park Legacy Company. He let me leave from Elverton Street and I went via the Rotherhithe Tunnel rather than using London or Southwark Bridge to get back over the river.

The final run was the Royal National Institute for the Blind to Action on Hearing (used to be called the Royal National Institute for the Deaf). Thankfully this run had been on the daily sheets the previous week and discussed online so I had called this before and ran it with a little hestitation.

I scored 28 out 40 and got myself and nice C for Christmas. I was so happy with that and would of gone for an early Christmas drink if there was anyone around at 10AM!

So the hard work is paying off. There are plenty of days when the doubt monsters rear their heads but you have to keep reminding yourself how far you have come and focus on what you want at the end of it. Determination and dedication as I was told I picked up the new 2012 Bankers Runs and some Turnarounds to add even more to the ever increasing list of things to revise. I am taking it a little easier for a few days and glad my appearances did not occur between Christmas and New Year. I am heading into 2012 optimistically, ready to work even harder doing the knowledge and hoping for a bit of luck in appearances too.

Good Luck to everyone doing the knowledge or thinking of starting it. Have a Happy and Healthy 2012!

I had my first appearance last week at PCO Towers. I had spent the previous week with my COP doing around 3 hours a day of Point-to-Point and felt we really had come on a bundle doing the 56 day and some 28 day questions from the daily sheets. I also read my blue book runs and went and did a little drive around a few areas I wanted to freshen up on. I had quite a busy weekend with golf on Saturday, a christening on the south coast on Sunday and golf the morning before on the Bank Holiday Monday. The rest of the time was spent doing as much P2P and revising as I could.

As my appearance was in the afternoon, during the morning I tried not to do too much apart from stare at my laminated wall map. I wanted to keep my nerves under control and the advice seems to be to stop by seven the night before and give your brain a rest so I did that for the morning.

I had got to the Palestra Building about 45 minutes early for my afternoon appointment and had a wander about before going to reception. I was then told my appearance was 30 minutes later than on my appearance card. I had a hour to kill in reception so I just read a newspaper that was handy and did some deep breathing.

Once we were called upstairs we had to pay our £250 appearance fee. I was told they could not find my file and to go sit and wait in the waiting area! Once all the others had paid and then been called to their appearance I was finally called up to pay my fees and taken to the appearance room. I did not feel too nervous at this point and was just glad to get started to be honest.

My examiner was a real gentleman and explained everything about the process and really put me at ease. It helps if you understand the scoring system for appearances. I tried explaining it to my partner and she got wound up as she thought it was too complicated. We had a good chat about a few things including Knowledge Schools, how I was doing it, part-time or full-time, using a car, bike, push bike and walking some points. Then it was down to business.

First run Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes to Parliament Hill Lido, Gordon House Road. I over egged this by going to Dalmeny/Chalton and Brecknock when Holloway / Tufnell Park Road would of done. When I got my scoresheet at the end I scored 8 for this run.

My second run was the Tabard Theatre, Bath Road to Springfields Station, Augustus Road. I took it over Putney Bridge and he was looking for King St /Weltje Road and Hammersmith Bridge then Lower Richmond Road, Gwendolen/Chartfield/Lytton Grove. Scored 7.

The third run was Clapham Junction Station to Euston Station. I took this over Lambeth Bridge for some strange reason. He was looking for Battersea Bridge and through Sloane Square, Belgrave Square and Berkeley Square. Scored 6.

The fourth run was the Grosvenor House Hotel (I dropped Crockfords Casino & the Womens University Club) to Highgate Station. I ran this through Hanover Gate rather than York Gate. I really started hesitating and nervous as I went up Park Street, then Portman Street, Portman Square and then all I could remember was Gloucester. I could not recall that it was Gloucester Place! I knew it was not Gloucester Road, Street or Avenue but it took a bit of coaxing and then I got there eventually. I scored 5 points for that run for a total of 26 and a big fat C. I was well pleased with that.

I had a nice cup of coffee afterwards and then walked over to the city and did some of the Wizann Livery Ramble.

I had lots of good advice but I need to get my lines and calling better. I am up for my next appearance in 56 days. Now I really need get to much quicker at identifying my lines, calling a lot slicker and knowing a lot more points.

For any of you at the same stage as me, get a Call Over Partner and do as much point to point as you can. Go get all the points off the daily/weekly sheets you don’t know. Use the online forums for help and advice and keep your head down and crack on.

Thanks for all the comments and the clicks on the advertising! I’ll try and stick another quiz up soon.

Leave Church Road heading south into Oliver Road.

Church Road looking south towards Oliver Road

View Run 180 Church Rd e10 to Dunloe St e2 in a larger map

Heading west on Hackney Road take the right into Yorkton Street and Dunloe Street is on the left.

London Taxi Knowledge Run 180 – Church Road E10 to Dunloe Street E2

L/By F Oliver Road
R Ruckholt Road
F Eastway
L Waterden Road
R Eastway Cont’d
R Wick Road
L Victoria Park Road
Com Roundabout
L/By Victoria Park Road Cont’d
L Mare Street
F Cambridge Heath Road
R Hackney Road
L Yorkton Street

Dunloe Street on Left

After a couple of days of being like a schoolboy waiting for my exam results and rushing to the front door the results came through when I was just about to tee off for a round of golf. My better half was also pretty happy to read it to me as it means I am finally on the appearance ladder. I scored 74% with some good areas and some bad ones! I got full marks for my runs which gave me 40%. This is what you need to focus on and then you only need 10 points or roads from the 30 questions on the maps to pass.

I now have a month until my first appearance so I have started my point to point (P2P) practice in earnest. I focused on learning my runs and points up to my map test as that was what I needed to be through. I am not sure how ready I am for the first appearance but I have signed up for a years worth of the daily sheets from Wizann and now feel like I have a bunch of virtual call-over partners as well as my real one.

I need to try and keep my mood and stress levels under control as each appearance gets nearer. The fear of failure was getting to me and I was getting a bit snappy with people. I think if I have done plenty of preparation and also take some time off to rest my brain one day a week that will work for me.

I have plan for the next four months which should cover my first two appearances. They are all pretty much common sense but I do want to measure my progress and address what I think are my weaknesses.

1. Keep calling Blue Book one a day four days a week
2. Revise my current 5600 points
3. Do 2 pointing sessions a week
4. Add an average of 50 new points each week from the daily sheets
5. Do 5 missing pieces or cross section runs when out pointing
6. Pen up and learn the football runs for a sense of direction
7. Do all 56 day questions from daily sheet
8. Do extra First 56 day appearance questions from Wizann book
9. Revisit all the major train stations and hotels
10. 8 hours a week with call over partner

I am going to try and not get too far ahead of myself with doing the 28 and 21 day questions and looking at Turnarounds. I will add these in later on when I feel they are more relevant.

Here are the questions from my map test.

St Johns Sq to St James Sq
RAC Club
Institute of Materials
Chatham Hse
Quaglinos
Duke of York St
Park Pl

Pages Walk to St Martins Theatre
Covent Gdn Hotel
Cambridge Theatre
Stringfellows
Garrick Club
Great Newport St
Manette St

S Tottenham Stn to Rushmore Rd
Madina Mosque
Clapton Girls Tech Coll
Round Chapel
Mothers Sq
Chatsworth Rd
Powerscroft Rd

Dulwich Coll to Vauxhall Br
Riverwalk Hse
Crown Reach
Random Hse
Tate Britain
Aylesford St
Ponsonby Pl

Maida Vale Station to Dollis Hill Stn
Spanish & Portugal Synogogue
Ediburgh Hse
Stuart Tower
Wellesley Ct
Biddulph Rd
Randolph Ave

Thank you to everyone for their comments to my previous posts and to those of you who click on the ads on the pages. Those pennies I get for the clicks help pay for my hosting costs.

Don’t forget you need dedication and determination and don’t let a slight mishap get you down.

You can’t fail the knowledge. You can only give up.

So now I have had to have a change of plan. I really need to get through the map test this time and then hope to be able to get my first appearance nailed too! I have decided to type all my points up with additional notes so I can use flash cards for learning them. This is very time consuming but I should have this done soon. While there were points asked in my test that I had not pointed before, there were some I knew but could not locate them properly and then there were some I had been to and could not remember at all. I have nearly 6000 points to enter and I need to be able to revise them more easily than reading back through my books. I have put them in different categories and post codes so I can study specific groups.


One thing that it is difficult to practice is using the same maps that are used up at PCO Towers. They do take a few moments of getting used to as they are more like Ordnance Survey Maps.

Here are the runs that I was asked and the points that I can remember.

Run 1 – Belmore Street(no more South Bank Uni) to Red Lion Square
Points Cochrane Theatre, Conway House, Square Pig Bar, Southampton Place, Princeton St
Run 2 – Bethnal Green BR Station to Jamaica Road
Points Cathay House, Angel PH, Drummond Road, Albion St, Time & Talent Comm Centre
Run 3 – Petherton Road to Monument Way
Points Aberdeen Road, Highbury Estate, Beresford Road, Taverner Square
Run 4 – Dover House Road to Brompton Square
Points Brompton Oratory, V&A Museum, Egerton House Hotel, Yeomans Row, Cottage Pl
Run 5 – Barnes Bridge Station to Bromyard Avenue
Points Bulls Head PH, Sun Inn PH, Lonsdale Road, Teal Yard, Esporta W4, The Promenade

Thankfully I knew all the runs once somebody asked about Belmore Street as the starting point on the first run. Who knew it had changed? So why did I fail? Somehow I forgot to use Dunbridge and Vallance Streets when leaving Bethnal Green BR Station and took Brady St to Whitechapel Road and tried to run right! As you probably all know that is impossible to do so a big fail on that run. That cost me 8% of my marks which would of just got me a pass. Ultimately it was not scoring enough on the points and roads that cost me, hence why I will be really studying them before I take my next test at the end of July.

I did apply for my map test on at the start of April and got the response about 10 days later with a date towards the end of May. I now have a month to prepare for that and also do some point to point on 56 day questions. It feels good to have a specific target in mind and I have loads of map tests from Knowlege Point to practice on.

I must admit I have not religiously called over all my blue books but I will now start to do at least one a day and pen it all up on my map as I do it. I was struggling to recognize some of the runs but a good tip from my call over partner has helped. He said to treat the start and end points like points and associate a road with them i.e. Bancroft Road (Globe Road) to St Peter’s Street (Wharf Road).

Did I just mention a call over partner? I have a friend who has been doing the knowledge part time for 3 years. He is often away for a few weeks working and then does the knowledge between jobs. He was red lined on his 56′s and so we are nearly at the same stage but he is way ahead of me on time on the road. It spurs me on to keep learning as he seems so far ahead of me. He also used Wizann runs against my Knowledge Point method so we have been able to share and compare differences on runs and try and find the best ones.

I now plan on getting all my points added to my spreadsheet for revision and adding more runs to the site as a way of revising them over the month. I am determined to keep focused on what is needed for the map test and do first 56 questions for point to point. I have bought some extra runs (Cross Sections and Missing Pieces) and a Livery Ramble and I will pen these up along with some football runs and strike runs as I prepare for my first appearance.

On the health front I am doing very well. I’m attending keep fit classes and I am mostly watching what I eat and drink! Tough to do around Easter.

Keep at it everyone and make use of all the daylight and good weather to do your runs and find your points.

I am trying to keep some balance in my life and the one thing I promised myself was to not go out on Saturdays and Sundays and to spread out my time on the road. This week didnt work out and I was out on both Saturday and Sunday. I took a friend and his wife to Heathrow early on Sunday which was really handy as I had to explore around Hammersmith Broadway at first light. The roads were virtually empty so I was able to bomb around unlike on Saturday when the whole area was gridlocked due to gasworks on Shepherds Bush Road.
The runs are now filling in gaps and linking with early runs. It still amazes me that I know my way around parts of places like Balham and Wandsworth.

I also took time to check out the Marc Bolan tree on Queens Ride in Richmond. I know this will not come out as a point but I was huge T.Rex fan when I was younger. I like to attach some sort of relevance to any point or road I can. Anything that makes it more personal makes it more memorable.

I now have less than 50 runs to complete the Blue Book and I must admit I am keen to get them finished. I will be happy when I can plan my days out rather than having the Blue Book schedule decide where I go. To be able to point a certain area or a particular type of point will make days out and the preparation more fun I think.

Soon I have to decide on when I might be ready for my map test. From what I understand the waiting time for the map tests has gone down to just over a month and then you may get an appearance within three weeks. I am nowhere near ready for appearances as I have done very little point to point. I think apprehension about starting appearances is a common fear among knowledge boys and girls. I should have about 5000 points when I am done at the end of the Blue Book which should be enough to get started.

Alongside playing golf I am doing cardiac rehab classes once week. They are like an oldies aerobics class to be honest. Sadly I seem to be the youngest one there but idea is to push yourself to a level where you work your heart within a certain heart rate. They also want you to do exercise during the week too and monitor your heart rate.