10 minute read
Mid Wales Tour
Timeless Overland is one of a growing number of 4x4 tour companies operating in the UK, but with a difference - Anthony prides himself on offering a more family friendly weekend, not just driving green lane after green lane, and on this particular adventure he had something special in store.
Meeting up at a farm shop cafe, just off the A49 outside Ludlow, we were soon joined by the rest of the group that included Craig and his family in their highly modified Jeep JK Wrangler, Dean from Ox Overland and his son in their Mitsubishi L200, John in his 130, Neal in his Trooper and Jack in his Discovery 2. Oh yeah, and of course Muddy Madam and myself in Deux Smurf who Ant had kindly invited along.
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After breakfast, Ant gave us all sanitised hand-held radios and made sure we were all ready and well prepared, we then followed Ant in his Discovery 2 in convoy towards our first lane, Darky Dale, not far from Bedstone.
What I’ve noticed with companies like Ant’s, is that they always have repeat customers, and this mid Wales tour was no different, with plenty of chat over the radio being both welcoming and amusing. It wasn’t long before we reached our first lane, Darky Dale, a narrow track that leads upwards into a forest.
Although it was overcast, it had rained quite heavily the night before and the ground was fairly soft. It didn’t help that there was also evidence of a lot of forestry work, which always makes a mess of the lanes.
As we passed heavy machinery and piles of logs, the lane became a bit more solid as it weaved through the trees and back down towards Bucknell.
With another lane under our belts we headed towards and through Knighton and onto another lane where we stopped for a quick chat and to stretch our legs.
The next lane Water Break it’s Neck, as it’s called on Trailwise 2, had just opened up after a seasonal TRO, and it was in great condition, and the views weren’t too shabby either.
On certain parts we wondered why it would need a TRO as the going was good with a solid, well maintained base, but further along the ruts were quite deep, and in the wet would be quite treacherous.
The last section of the lane crosses what appeared to be a large cabbage patch, which was odd!
I have to say that there’s been some excellent work gone into maintaining this lane, there are no challenges, except maybe a deep rut or two, and it’s probably one of the most stunning lanes I’ve driven for a while, not only does it go on for miles, but the views are spectacular.
Just before we reached the A44 there’s a small picnic area on the right in which we all managed to squeeze into for our lunch stop.
More good humoured banter followed, and a chance to exercise John's dogs by chasing a remote control Ford Bronco (they caught it occasionally, but no lasting damage occured).
It was a good time to get to know our fellow travellers, as well as checking each other’s set-ups.
Apart from on our first lane, I hadn’t needed to engage Deux Smurf’s 4wd, as all the lanes were dry and traction was good, Ant mentioned that usually the next lane we were to traverse often is usually a bit more challenging in the wet, though today, Black Yatt, was dry and dusty, and I remained in 2wd, despite the incline at the western side. As Ant mentioned, during a wet Welsh winter, this would be a totally different driving experience.
The rest of the lane is in very good state with a stone surface, there’s even a small ford to negotiate that was only about a foot deep.
Doctors Pool was our ninth lane and began with a small ford and a gentle climb towards open moorland with more splendid views of the valleys below us, but near the end the ferns started to take over and it became quite tight, so tight I couldn’t escape from Deux Smurf to take photos, it was so over grown!
That said it’s still a well maintained and sustainable lane.
We stopped for another catch up along Giants Grave which is another well maintained lane with more epic views, though at this point the clouds were moving in.
With some deep ruts heading upwards towards the summit of the hill, on a wet day, our eleventh and final lane of the day would have been quite treacherous, but we all managed stay on top of them.
Upon reaching the top we had to a cross make shift road that gave access to all the wind turbines than are being erected, it looked a bit of a mess, but at some point it will all be put back to normal, I’m sure.
From here we should have all driven to our abode for the night, a rather lovely 3-star hotel on the outskirts of Llandrindod Wells. However, we didn’t. Proving that you can plan an event so it’s spot on, and all it it takes is one phone call to bugger things up, a day earlier the owner contacted Ant to inform him that they had no chef for our evening meal, and instead offered him the contact details of some takes aways!
Thankfully, after a few phone calls, Ant found a really nice pub that served up some cracking meals for us all, so the Hundred House Inn at Llandrindod Wells deserves a special mention.
From there we all made our way to our way to the hotel and enjoyed the odd beer on the patio and chatted about 4wds, green lanes and everything else that makes the world go round.
The following day, after a hearty breakfast, we all jumped in our trusty steeds and followed Ant towards Rhayader, and to our first lane of the day, Trailwise ref SN9270-02, or Golf Links that it’s also known as.
Terrain was excellent, as was grip considering it was quite damp underfoot. There are a few deep ruts that may be a challenge for 4x4s with minimal ground clearance and some cracking rocky sections, but overall it was a lovely, non-damaging green lane that offered more great views and an excellent start to the day.
From here Ant took us on an awesome drive around the Elan Valley towards our final lane, Lower Claerwen, that would eventually lead us to the famous and well photographed Claerwen Dam.
By this time the heavens had opened and it wasn’t just raining, the downpour was of monsoon standards, and although I didn’t mind getting wet taking photos, the rain kept obscuring my lens!
What a lane though, I understand why it’s so popular. It’s quite rocky and care must be taken in places, but as wet as it was, grip was always available, if you took the right lines that is!
I was told that as you approach the end of the lane it actually dips below the river level, and therefore to expect plenty of water, but despite the amount of rain we were currently having, water levels were still quite low, so I needn’t have worried.
Luckily, just as we crossed the river by the dam and parked up in the car park, the rain stopped, so we made our lunches in the dry, with of course the obligatory group photo.
As I mentioned at the beginning, book a trip with Ant at Timeless Overland and it isn’t all about green lanes, no, there was more to come....
Ant had mentioned to us before we came on the trip to not wear fluffy bobble hats or fur collars. It seemed an odd request, but he hinted that there may be something a bit different happening. All became clear as we all followed Ant back on the scenic roads through the Elan Valley and towards Rhayader, and arrived at E & C Falconry Experience for the afternoon’s, well, falconry experience.
From the moment we arrived we were made to feel welcome, and importantly for lane weary folk, they provided us with cakes, drinks and biscuits too.
Now E & C Falconry Experience isn't some prissy stand back and listen lecture type event, no it's definitely a get up close and personal encounter. Eddie and Cara's knowledge is unbridled, which is no surprise as they’ve been involved with birds of prey for more than a decade, and what they don’t know about them you could write on a gnat’s kneecap.
Their website is www.ecfalconry.com
If you’re going to be around Rhayader, get in touch with them to organise a package that suits you and your family. Visits are available by pre-booking only so there’ll be no crowds or queues, just yourself and whoever you choose to bring along. We all had the opportunity to meet and hold their birds, from featherlight owls to weighty falcons. Everyone, from the smallest, cutest member of our group to the biggest and ugliest (of course I am talking about myself here), had a big beaming smile on their face (Muddy Madam's may have been the biggest).
It was a fantastic experience, and we learnt so much, oh and you've never lived until you've had an owl fly a hair's breadth away over you whilst lying in a damp field. It's magical.
And that was it, the end of a fantastic weekend with Ant at Timeless Overland.
Ant prides himself on operating differently to other businesses and aims was to provide a 4x4 break for all the family to enjoy, and he succeeded. Instead of sitting behind the wheel of your 4x4 for 8 hours a day, he offers 4x4 owners an unforgettable experiences to share with all the family, from birds of prey to boat trips and dinner cruises.
