The Mud Life - 30 - September 2021 by The Mud Life Magazine

THE MUD LIFE ISSUE 30 - September 2021

VW TOUAREG R CUPRA FORMENTOR FESTIVAL OF THE UNEXCEPTIONAL STARS & STRIPES SHOW

Goods'n'Gear Laning Life Reader's Rides

Cupra Formentor

pages 38-45

Important information Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the contents of The Mud Life magazine are accurate, we accept no responsibility for errors or omissions, nor the consequence of actions made as a result of these. When responding to any advertisements in The Mud Life magazine, you should make appropriate enquiries before sending money or entering into a contract. The publishers and owners take reasonable care to ensure advertiser’s probity, but will not be liable for any losses incurred as a result of responding to adverts. Copyright All images and material on these pages are protected by copyright © Damian Turner. All rights reserved. None of the images or material within this magazine may be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose that is not expressly authorised by Damian Turner or Karen Lee Turner.

IN THIS ISSUE TURNER'S TORQUE

4-5

NEWS

6-9

WHAT'S ON

LANING LIFE 12-24 VW TOUAREG R 28-34 CUPRA FORMENTOR V2 38-45 FESTIVAL OF THE UNEXCEPTIONAL 46-53 GOODS & GEAR 54-61 MOOCH - DENBIGH TO DOLGELLAU 62-74 STARS & STRIPES 76-85 READER'S RIDES 86-90 OUR GARAGE 92-93 DIRECTORIES 94-97

DAMIAN TURNER Editor-in-Chief, Writer, Photographer, Reviewer

KAREN LEE TURNER

(A.K.A. The Muddy Madam)

Creative Director, Layout Designer, Reviewer

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

BACK ISSUES 98-99

FACEBOOK - TheMudLifeMag INSTAGRAM - themudlifemag TWITTER - themudlifemag WEBSITE - www.themudlife.co.uk

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

turner's torque It happened to me again last week! There I was, taking photos of the SsangYong Rexton on a green lane when I was approached by someone who proceeded to give me grief for being there. I’ll admit that I was a bit annoyed, and defensive, who wouldn’t be?

Her response was to say how dare I have the audacity to suggest that she has no respect for the countryside, and she continued to shout at me with all the passion you and I have for responsible greenlaning.

“You shouldn’t be here, you lot are making the countryside a mess - you should be banned.” she snarled.

There came a point at which I had to stop her as her face was turning red, and I didn’t want to be the one responsible for her having a bloomin’ heart attack!

I was in a shiny new Rexton, not a knackered old Discovery with 35” tyres, for goodness sake, but that's not the point. My retort was simple and to the point. “...and I’m sick of you lot too, you flagrantly toss your rubbish and face masks on the floor without a care for the environment and animals. I have no doubt that you also walk across farmers' fields destroying their crops, too. It’s you who give walkers and those of us who enjoy the countryside a bad name. Oh, and on top of that, you’re walking in the middle of a bloody road!”

“Look, you didn’t like it when I was casting wrongful and negative assertions on you, how do you think I felt when you tarred me with a negative brush? There are good and bad people in both our pastimes, please don’t jump to conclusions.” I was hoping she would calm down so we could have a genuinely decent conversation, instead she told me to f*ck off and stormed off down the road! You can’t win them all.

In other news, Muddy Madam and I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Muddy household - meet Lilly, The Mud Life Mutt! You’ll be seeing a lot of Lilly in future issues, as well as on social media, so as a quick introduction, Lilly is a 4 year old Lurcher (a Whippet/Staffy cross), and we’ve adopted her because Lilly’s original mum, who’s looked after her since being a 3 month old pup, recently had a massive change circumstances and could no longer give her the attention she deserves. Let me tell you she's lucked out with us two, she'll get all the attention she ever wanted and more. You can follow Lilly’s rise to Instagram stardom at lilly_the_mud_life_dog

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

muddy madam's moment what a month! This month has been problematic in regards to creating this very magazine. Some problems were created by us, some by a not-sofun cold and many time management issues have been caused by a furry creature. First up, it's August and the whole of the British workforce seems to be taking a break, so it seems rude not to have one too. Every year I join tens of thousands of people in over 100 countries who participate in GISH -The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt! Basically I spend a week doing fun, creative and decidedly odd tasks along with my team from a variety of continents. Luckily this year it started just as the magazine was published, so I got stuck in, and Damian carried on writing. On the second week it was Damian's turn for a break, and he had lined up a press fleet Ford Nugget camper for us to get away for a few days. There is a longer story to be told later in the year, but it turned out we couldn't actually head out with the Nugget, so we just carried on working, but this is where fate came to play in disrupting our schedule. We had been seriously considering getting another rescue cat, after the demise of our last one, Tiggs, a couple of years back, but Damian kept throwing out the idea that a dog may be the better option for our expanding waistlines. I've had both cats and dogs, so I wasn't opposed to the idea, but kept thinking a cat is so much easier (not to give you a spoiler, but I'm right about that).

be Best Man at wedding 5 days later. If you are reading this on the 1st of September, then our job is done, and we actually delivered the mag despite the aforementioned 'problems', so why am I telling you all this? Well, for a few reasons, that I would like you all to remember... » When you have chance to play and have fun, take it. » Everyone needs a time off, so make sure you don't work yourself into a sick bed. Whether it be a coffee break, Kit Kat break or a full on holiday, have that break, you've earned it. » Always be on the look out and receptive to the unexpected opportunites that come along in life. » Silver linings do exist - if we had managed to get out'n'about with the Nugget I'd have never seen the post, and wouldn't have been around to go and get our lovely little girl (A.K.A. Daddy's Little Tart!). » Even when you think you haven't got the time, you have - this magazine proves it! So I'll end this Muddy Madam's Moment by sending you a sloppy kiss from the prettiest girl to grace the pages of this mag, Lilly Turner.

Whilst wandering through Facebook I happened on a post on my sister's page that changed everything. One recce visit, and a phone call later, Lilly was picked up, and she became part of the Turner family. Now, she is the best dog in the universe (I know, we all think that about our own fur babies, but it's true), but she has a terrible affliction - she is a time vampire who sucks all the working time out of the day. You see she has the most adorable set of puppy eyes, and she knows how to work them. She likes to wander up, bump your wrist so you stop typing, and then proceeds to stare into your soul, demanding attention, and boy does she get it! Working from home may be great for her, but not so much for us. Three days after Lilly arrived, so did a stinky cold! We did the tests, and no it wasn't Covid, but that didn't make the sore throats, coughing and oozings any easier to cope with, and what's more Damian had to THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Mission Motorsport Takes the Plasan SandCat Rallying

It started as an amusing conversation between Plasan's Design Director, Nir Kahn, and Mission Motorsport CEO, James Cameron. Wouldn't it be fun to turn a Plasan SandCat into a rally-style 'SandCategrale' and to let beneficiaries of the charity drive it on a rally course?

Thanks to the generosity of Silverstone Rally School everything came together on a drizzly Monday afternoon, the 28th of June, when a group of Mission Motorsport beneficiaries were let loose to see what the SandCat could do on the tight technical course of the rally school.

Mission Motorsport, The Forces’ Motorsport Charity, is a cause close to the heart of Plasan. By recognising and using the astonishing healing powers of motorsport, the charity aids in the recovery of those affected by military operations to recover and gain new skills that they can use to find a career in the automotive industry outside of the military. As Kahn puts it, "Some of these people weren't fortunate enough to have been in a Plasan protected vehicle when it mattered, and so it is appropriate for us to do something for them now”.

All were surprised by how agile the 7t SandCat felt on a course more suitable for Subaru Imprezas, but the vehicle proved its capabilities by safely being thrown around by those who dared, while as many as nine others sat comfortably inside, enjoying the ride. As Matt put it, "driving the SandCat was really comfy and easy.You forget that it’s a big armoured vehicle, it's nothing like I used to drive in the army".

The highly protected armoured SandCat has been touring the UK as part of Plasan's collaboration with partner Ricardo Engineering, and has been undergoing trials and appraisals with various potential users. In between its work duties Plasan commissioned Mission Motorsport beneficiary, Matt Stringer of Matt's Wraps to apply Martini-style stripes, similar to those famously featured on the mighty Lancia Delta Integrale rally car, turning the SandCat into a “SandCategrale".

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

With over 1000Nm of torque and a Limited Slip Differential helping to put the power down, the SandCat made for a controllable rally special through Silverstone Rally School's challenging corners. Plasan, together with Ricardo Engineering, are proud to support the great work of Mission Motorsport, and were happy to help make an enjoyable day for their beneficiaries. more at » www.missionmotorsport.org Watch the video on the next page »»»»

TheMudLifeMag

GET SOCIAL WITH US

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

s w e

Kia Soul EV Boardmasters Edition revealed

The Kia Soul EV Boardmasters Edition is a ‘recycled’ preproduction car saved from the crusher to instead live out its days on the beach. Reimagined exclusively for surfers, the Soul EV Boardmasters Edition is a special one-off car created to mark the launch of Boardmasters 2021 in Cornwall (www. boardmasters.com). Boardmasters took place in early August and Kia exhibited the Soul EV Boardmasters Edition throughout the event for festival-goers to explore for themselves. Its stock 17” aluminium wheels and 215/55 R17 tyres have been replaced with 16” bright white steel wheels and chunky 265/75 R16 Maxxis Bighorn sand tyres. With each tyre growing to 30” in diameter, this change alone necessitated significant reworking to the bulkhead and front foot wells. The fully independent suspension also features new custom adaptors and modified struts, with a 3" lift to accommodate the new wheels and tyres. It also boasts a modest increase in track width, from 1,565 mm to 1,675 mm at the front, and 1,575 mm to 1,690 mm at the rear. The suspension’s geometry has been adjusted to suit. 8

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Thanks to the raised ground clearance (more than doubled, from 153 mm, to 310 mm at the front and 320 mm at the back), chunky tyres, and high 395 Nm torque output from its motor, the car is more able than the standard car to overcome rougher terrain and uneven ground on the way to the coast. The significant changes to the Soul EV’s wheels, tyres and suspension are likely to affect the standard car’s official 280-mile electric range. However, thanks to its 64 kWh battery pack and efficient motor, the Boardmasters Edition car is still likely to offer greater driving range than certain other electric vehicles at a similar price point to the standard road-going Soul EV. One of the more striking features is its custom-built steel roof rack. Constructed out of lightweight steel tubing – which can be easily recycled at the end of its life – the rack has been hand-crafted exclusively for the Soul EV Boardmasters Edition to accommodate a pair of 7ft9 Tahe Bic Malibu surfboards. The rack’s shape and relatively low profile allows the car to avoid overhead height restrictors while also enabling the tailgate to open fully to access the boot. That said, the total height of the

car with boards fitted still comes to 1,950 mm – 255 mm taller than the Kia Sorento, the largest car Kia sells in the UK. The modifications continue inside, with the removal of the Soul EV’s rear bench seats in favour of something more practical for tackling sea and sand. The boot area has been totally remodelled, with the existing 315-litre boot expanded to make full use of the Soul EV’s cabin, up to the back of the two front seats. With the rear seats removed, the larger boot has been turned into an expansive wooden deck, constructed out of PEFC-certified spruce (from forests managed sustainably in line with strict international standards). Stained white to give a lighter seaside vibe to the cabin, the deck also protects the cabin from the wet. Its surface also traps grains of sand and prevents them from falling into hard-to-reach cracks between seats. Opening the tailgate also gives access to a fold-out bench, an open-air seat made out of reclaimed wood providing somewhere to enjoy a drink with friends. This is accompanied by a swing-out arm, which extends out of the tailgate from the roof of the cabin and provides somewhere to hang and dry a pair of damp wetsuits. Users can also hang a towel off the arm, to create a slightly more private changing area. The board rack is paired with a roof-mounted solar panel and a pair of Lazer ST4 Evolution LED spotlights. The spotlights provide a powerful source of light for early mornings and late evenings on the beach, and are in custom housings to protect them from the elements or potential damage when loading or unloading boards. The solar charging system can also power a mini fridge or other auxiliary appliances with renewable energy while the driver is away from their car. The system operates independently of the car’s main battery pack so as to have zero impact on vehicle efficiency. Fitted with a 12V leisure battery and mains inverter, it can therefore power the LED lamp and other electrical devices without reducing vehicle range. The front of the cabin is unchanged over the standard car, giving the Boardmasters Edition a comfortable space for a driver and passenger. It features the same 10.25” touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy for the driver to navigate to their favourite spots. The standard car’s 10-speaker Harman/Kardon Premium Sound System also remains, negating the need for drivers to bring their own portable speakers to the beach. The only negative aspect of the EV Soul is that it isn’t joining the press fleet so I can’t borrow it! THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

mud life mugs themudlife.co.uk/mugs

4x4 writer extraordinaire, Frank Elson, mentioned this Range Rover Classic mug in his latest blog:

"My latest coffee-mug. I got it from The Mud Life magazine - it's the best Range Rover Classic mug I have ever seen... (and I paid for it by the way, no favour for

a favour)"

WHAT'S ON Land Rover Owner Show 11-12th September

East of England Arena, Peterborough Fancy a weekend surrounded by 100s of drool-worthy Land Rovers, 1000s of Land Rover parts to buy, and the best Land Rover entertainment on the planet? Yes, then head to the biggest Land Rover celebration of the year. Day Tickets - Adults: £16 Children: 5-15yrs - £8 & 0-4yrs - Free lroshow.seetickets.com

FittedUK

12th September

Manchester Central exhibition venue One of the UK’s largest automotive events showcasing a huge variety of Europe’s best vehicles including modified, rare, classic, supercars and much more. Adults: £22 / Children: 10-15yrs - £12 & 0-9yrs - Free www.fitteduk.com

Classic Motor Show 26th September

Ragley Hall, Warwickshire Up to 600 vintage and classic cars, American, kit & custom, motorcycles and commercial vehicles, plus club stands, trade and autojumble stands all set in the 400 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens. Live music both days as well vintage rides for the little ones in the family. Adults: £10 Children: 4-16yrs - £5 (under 4 - Free) Family: £25 classicmotorevents.com/more-info-ragley-hall/

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

g n i n Life a L

aton E n e r u a by L

Read about green laning as seen through Lauren ‘Sunshine’ Eaton's windscreen at The Green Lane Association, and find out what’s hot, or not, in the laning world each month. Enjoy!

Stilettos, Stupidity, Snowdonia, and a whole lot of Spin On the 20th August North Wales Live ran the headline “Stiletto wearing Snowdon walkers prompt mountain rescue teams to issue exasperated safety warning”. Read the full story here. Can you imagine the outcry if this stupidity, the sheer numbers of users queuing along RoWs, or emergency incidents was down to us as vehicular users? I can honestly say in the history of laning no one has gone out in stilettos and needed to waste emergency worker's time over anything so unbelievably daft. At no point in the history of laning have this many vehicular users ever descended on one RoW, nor have there ever been so many injuries and even deaths on a RoW due to laning...or parking issues on main roads, litter, human excrement along a RoW, ever - which are all a continuous problem in Gwynedd, Cumbria, The Peak District and elsewhere. But this is happening in most national parks on footpaths, and no one is saying "those yobs in walking boots and cagoules are causing havoc! Close the footpath!" Ironically I know many laners are members of rescue/response services, I’ve been one myself. I find it incomprehensible that people like and support response service personnel when they are seen dealing with this kind of incident, that is until any of them drive a 4x4 down a quiet lane on their day off! Each year around seven people die falling off Crib Goch, and this figure is echoed on most peaks in the UK. We all know climbing a mountain is a dangerous pursuit even in the relatively 'low' terrain of the British Isles. Driving RoWs appears to be much safer, and thankfully injuries and deaths while laning are rare to unheard of. I think the worst I’ve ever done was break a nail opening a gate, quite a feat to be honest as I’ve usually taken most of them off fixing the Landy the day before.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Unfortunately, despite not experiencing the incidents other user groups regularly fall foul of, some of us may be the ones who have to risk their own safety to retrieve the remains of the next person to fall off Crib Goch, and deal with the emotional aftermath of that experience.Yet you'll still be 'the problem' and unwelcome on the nearest byway the second you get into your 4x4 and go laning. Others will continue to pick up walkers with twisted ankles, cyclists and motorcyclists who’ve come a cropper, and drop them off safely back in civilisation, not to mention organise litter picks, clearance days and repairs. But don’t ever expect that to change the minds of the masses who read the Guardian…although saying that the news has been rather full of walking related articles during August, and most were highlighting the damage the millions of feet are causing in the Lake District, as well as the havoc on Snowdon. Problems have escalated to such an extent that they even reached the national news and radio. This isn’t actually news, well not new news at least. We’ve known this for a long time although it’s never made for a scandalous headline calling to ban anyone from a footpath. The Lake District National Park Authority wrote a report on High Tilberthwaite and High Oxen Fell several years ago including photographs showing the erosion caused by more visitors than any other outdoor area in the UK. Maintenance bills in their millions for footpaths we’re evidenced in this report while only £50,000 had been spent on lanes in the area in living memory. Helicopters can be seen flying relay over the fells transporting tons of stone to keep the erosion at bay, many walking groups like to photograph them and don’t see them as a problem. Although said helicopters must be special ones that fly silently, after all if a group of half a dozen 4x4s spotted running at tick over get accused of 'ruining the tranquillity of the whole park'.

These helicopters must have some serious stealth technology to not be heard for miles around like the average chopper! Then there is the old chestnut '4x4s are jeopardising the UNESCO World Heritage Status'. This false allegation has reared its head again during August while articles like these appear at the very same time: (click to read)

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

It almost feels like the media are starting to sway under the burden of proof that all user groups cause problems, and the larger user groups might well be guilty of causing the most problems (like it wasn’t obvious!), but even so they cannot let go of the old wives tales about laning. One thing we need to remember is most of this is just noise, not necessarily noise we should ignore, but noise we need to be careful how we handle, and realise it for what it is: a trashy way of selling newspapers, rather than a realistic description of laning or the future of our hobby. Facts don’t sell, people don’t like being corrected with the truth (and boy don’t I know it being the person 'blessed' with the role of pumping out educational material!). They won’t buy the truth, won’t like it if it does not fit their rhetoric, and will argue with any amount of evidenced facts until they’re blue in the face, while hating the person/organisation who had the misfortune of having to publish it on a public platform, however little they deserve it.

Controversy, spin, and badly written and unevidenced drivel does sell. People are buying into the drama and entertainment of it rather than reading to learn or be informed, and this is why media stories are often so biased, and also why us trying to set the record straight can often be ignored. Headlines like: 'Green laners aren’t the yobs we thought they were' or 'Green laners go laning and nothing much happens, they cleared a fallen branch and ate some butties in a layby'will not sell half as many newspapers as 'Off roading louts destroy the Lake District and take out a pensioner walking her dog'ever will. The fact that Gladys had just forgotten her hearing aid and had nothing more than a bit of a shock to find three Land Rovers had been patiently waiting for her to realise she was blocking their access to a public road is besides the point, spin always wins. In print Gladys was 'accosted' or 'terrified', maybe even 'abused'. If she has a medical condition you can bet your bottom dollar the laners would have 'threatened her safety' or even 'her life' by their mere presence on a public road. I have written so many rebuttals to this drivel that my fingers are worn to their knuckles, but, hyperbole aside, we will never get into the press on this scale with positive and truthful news. We’d need to play the mud-slinging game and start making up

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

false accusations about Gladys and co to catch the attention of those who believe the dross pumped out by the larger news organisations. Maybe we could say Gladys didn’t tut at the laners, instead we could say she 'verbally abused the legal drivers' while she was 'illegally obstructing a public road and putting an animal (her dog) in danger'.

Gladys is now a potty mouthed animal abuser, committing a criminal act of illegal obstruction. Maybe Ben, who was in one of the Land Rovers, was diabetic and it was quarter past lunchtime? We could then say she was 'putting a man’s life in danger' by preventing him accessing the local café. It could even be termed as 'wilful endangerment of human life'.

We could play that game, but where would it get us? It certainly wouldn’t be as easily accepted by those who already dislike us as lies about laners are lapped up by people who already probably think we’re all yobs, and it wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny when real decisions about our hobby are made. This was seen in the Lake District assessment report, and later at judicial review stage. While so much noise was made by the 'antis' via every media platform at their disposal, the exaggeration, inaccuracy, and down right lies were discovered for what they were in court...TWICE! There are many calls for GLASS to answer every news item published about laning and 4x4s, and we understand why. It isn’t truthful, at best exaggerated, at worst down right untrue, and that is extremely frustrating and absolutely unfair. We do respond to the majority of anti-laning press coverage, and anti-GLASS rhetoric from inside our community, but for the sake of our hobby it cannot become a primary focus. At least not in a tit-for-tat fashion, we’re better than that. I’ve used the quote “the empty vessel makes the loudest sound” in a previous column, and while I do try and avoid repetition it is the most apt phrase for this situation. Not only because those who have to shout loudly usually have the least to back up their words, but because they are wasting time, money and resources on trying to beat a perceived 'enemy' by bringing them down, rather than spending those precious resources on bettering themselves and being ready to defend their words with evidence when the time inevitably comes. GLASS, on the other hand, work very differently. While the empty vessel is content with mud slinging and clattering about with spurious claims, we are quietly busy working on positive projects, relationships, and planning for the future. But we’re also collecting evidence, watching, learning, and readying ourselves to act in ways that cannot be defended with nothing more substantial than hot air from those who act against us.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

We are creating the antithesis of the accusations being made against us by acting far more professionally and biding our time until the moment to respond, and our case for the prosecution, is just right. Or, like in several ongoing cases, taking action against those who believe they can affect laning, GLASS, or even particular representatives of the organisation in a negative way simply by shooting their mouths off with nothing tangible to back up their words. There are storms brewing, but they have been recognised, and there are wind breaks being put in place. Things are going to change over the next year, they have to, GLASS is now too large and too busy, and the antis’ pressure and general workload too constant and sizeable. As well as the anti laning propaganda, there are other thorns in our side, and while we’ve not been swept up in the hype which may look (to some less keen eyed folk) like we’re 'doing nothing' compared to the vocal antis and the shouty types in our own community, we’re very much working where it matters to address both problem groups for the benefit of anyone wishing to drive lanes in future. While changes will become obvious as they happen, and will be covered here in future columns, hopefully by next month I’ll be able to give you some updates on some of the more infamous cases we are working on. We have meetings about the next stage of action that will begin over lanes like Whitestones and Spring Lane over the next month. While there have been allegations that addressing the former has “made matters worse” by some anti-GLASS types, I can assure you that time will reveal that is simply not the case, although I’m not sure that really needs explaining to the majority of laners! That’s all from me this month folks! Happy laning! Lauren x

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

A i n R n a g T L Life EX

by Lauren Eaton

Laning Myth Busters Laning and rights of way in general are shrouded in misunderstandings. This isn’t a surprise, the law of the land is complex, so complex even professionals have a hard job resolving some conundrums, and most people prefer to lane than to spend their weekends reading legislation. But thankfully some do the latter on behalf of us all, otherwise we probably wouldn’t have many lanes left to drive.

It’s not just the legal side that causes confusion, misunderstanding, or argument though. Many aspects of our hobby have their own myths and misunderstandings, so we’ve taken a few of the most common ones and answered them here for you.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Abating An Obstruction You’re happily driving along when suddenly your path is blocked. A fallen tree or branch perhaps, it’s certainly not uncommon. But what can you do? What does the law say? You have the right, where possible, to drive around it, but there are some caveats. If driving around it means driving onto private land, SSSI land (Site of Special Scientific Interest), causing damage, or entering farmed fields, then you cannot. Driving onto SSSI land - such as leaving the legal route on the Wayfarer for example - can get you a hefty fine. Causing damage to farmers' land can cause the landowner to lose money too. If you watched Clarkson’s Farm there is a perfect example of this. He does some work on wet land which causes muddy ruts to appear, and while Clarkson states that it could not be avoided as there was work to be done, he is told that he should have chosen not to drive in the wet, and that the mud and ruts caused by tractor tyres could cost him £10-15,000. If you ever wondered why farmers dislike recreational driving this is a big factor. They can be heavily penalised for driving their own land in the wet if it causes damage, so a bunch of laners doing it is never going to go down well, plus they’ll have to repair it! The bottom line is stick to the legal route and never enter private farmland, especially in the wet.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

You have the right to remove the obstruction, but again there are caveats. If you have the equipment to move an obstacle to one side safely then this is fine.You may be carrying saws and be able to cut the branch into pieces to move to one side, this is fine as long as you leave the wood, because legally someone owns it, and taking it is theft (honest!). If the obstruction is a locked gate this is more complicated. While a locked gate on a public road is illegal so is cutting locks, it is criminal damage. While land owners in the majority will have no problem with us removing accidental obstructions like fallen branches, after all it saves them the job of doing it, obstructions that are purposefully put there are a different matter. Simply removing them may even make the matter worse. Take Whitestones for example, illegal obstruction has been going on for years and constant removal of these objects has done nothing to tackle the problem, in fact it makes the perpetrator even more determined to find ways to block the lane that we cannot abate. It has become a game! Sometimes the only option is to turn around, take the official route and report the issues. In the case of Whitestones even that hasn’t worked, so we have begun legal action to address this.

Cut Backs & Clearances It’s a common occurrence to come across tight and scratchy lanes. Some love to drive them, one look at Ralph my L322 and you can tell I do, but others value their paintwork. So, can you cut vegetation back legally? Yes, if it is impeding your way along a public right of way, but again there are those pesky caveats! Over winter there is no issue, but between the months of March and October more care must be taken. This is nesting season, and disturbing a nesting bird is illegal in the UK. This doesn’t stop us cutting an overhanging branch where it is clear there are no nests to disturb, but cutting back deep into hedgerows is not permitted unless the work is essential, and the area has been surveyed for nests. The law is rather strange when it comes to cut backs and removal of obstructions. It states that it is legal to do so (taking into consideration the above caveats) as long as you do it there and then, but if you find a problem, nip home, and then return tooled up this is classed as 'organised clearance' and isn’t strictly legal without permission, which is why GLASS make a point of gaining that permission first before organising official clearance days.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

GLASS Is An Authority, It Owns The Lanes (Or Thinks It Does)! GLASS is a user group, a national organisation made up of laners to represent all users of unsurfaced roads in the UK. It gives us a voice when decisions are being made about the roads we love to drive. Those unsurfaced roads are public roads and, like all other public roads, are managed by local authorities. GLASS has no authority over them at all; what it does is advise the relevant authorities of problems while speaking from a perspective of the users of those roads. It cannot force an authority to do anything, unless through legal action when a council’s legal duties are being neglected. GLASS can use Section 56 of the Highways Act 1980 if a council refuses to repair or maintain a public road, in fact anyone can serve a Section 56 whether they’re a rep, member, or non-member.

GLASS can also object to closures and restrictions (as can any member of the public), advise on how to address issues without resorting to closure, begin the judicial review process if there is concern due process has not been followed, but it cannot of itself insist that a local authority does anything at all (without resorting to legal process if an LA has done something legally wrong, or failed to act). This was covered in last month’s column in regard to Ramsden Road. People don’t like the PSPO, but blaming GLASS for that PSPO is simply nonsense, no user group of itself can impose or implement, or force any authority to impose or implement a legal traffic restriction. It is simply not possible.

• Regular digital bulletins • 2 printed magazines per year • Members website and forum • TW2, the essential green lane route planning tool • • Access to area reps for route planning and advice • Member discounts from selected suppliers • Legal challenges • Extensive knowledge base •

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Only Reps Can Make A Difference While reps work very hard for the rest of us they do not have any superpowers! Reporting problems, objecting to traffic regulation orders, attending public meetings (note the word public!), beginning the S56 process, or calling the council to discuss concerns is something any member of the public can do. In fact we would love it if more did!

The only difference between the alleged ‘powers’ of a rep over anyone else is that they have the confidence to stand up and do it on behalf of everyone in their county, and they give up their own free time and diesel to do so. They also have the backing of a large national association that has the combined knowledge and finances of 6000 people at their disposal, which helps!

Black Ops Lane Repair

been caused by laners themselves refusing to avoid the area, or threatening to go up and fix it black ops style.

'Black ops' is the community slang for carrying out repairs without seeking permission to do so. Usually they are small jobs like cut backs, maybe filling a hole or wash out, pretty much lengthsman-type duties that fly easily under the radar, but there are people who think it appropriate to cut out the authorities when it comes to much larger projects, although that could be far more damaging to our hobby than leaving a boggy bomb hole untouched until the council finally acts.

Happy Valley is in Snowdonia National Park, so the park authority (SNPA) are involved as well as the local authority, and this land is seen as far more special than most.

Lets take Happy Valley... Many of you may be aware there have been people threatening to “just go up and do it” due to totally understandable frustrations over how long the repair work is taking. But many are not aware of how big the job is, who is involved, what environmental issues there are in the area, and the amount of boring, unnecessary politics that have

The lane runs through private worked farm land, so land owners are involved. Land owners, who watch 4x4s winching their way through a 38 foot wide scar on environmentally sensitive land every weekend, are not happy. Nor are most of the laning community, but that is not the way those whose land is being damaged see it, we’re all now the enemy, which makes GLASS’s job a hundred times more difficult when we try to talk to them. The land around the lane is peat, and is designated as a carbon store, for which the land owner receives grants for managing it and Natural Resources Wales are involved.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

There’s a badger set under the tarmac lane that leads to it, again NRW are involved. The job requires about 100 tons of stone and SNPA absolutely refuse to allow that to be trailered over the already damaged land; a helicopter must be used, as must local stone.

The local farmer is royally unhappy with all of this and is at present refusing to allow any of this work to take place, which he kinda can’t do, but he does have some valid environmental concerns, and these have to be addressed by Gwynedd CC before any work can begin.

The badgers (according to NRW) must be supplied with badger crossings that run under the tarmac before anyone is allowed to use the road to access the site, this means digging up 60ft of highway and some serious ground works going in before the tarmac is replaced.

Knowing all that, not to mention the gargantuan fines anyone messing with a carbon store on private land within a National Park could be slapped with, does anyone now fancy popping up this Saturday to “just get it done”? Some people tried that a few years ago and only made everything worse.

Lane Repair - It’s Ruined!

Since humans have existed we’ve wanted to push our limits and test our abilities, and there is nothing wrong with that, but this does not change the fact that strictly speaking the local authority has a legal obligation to stop anything becoming too much of a challenge to the average user.

Grading lanes is pretty unpopular, but why is it done? Think about the official terms for lanes - byway open to ALL TRAFFIC, and unclassified county ROAD. Lanes are part of the ‘ordinary road network’ and therefore legally speaking the local authority has the same legal duty to repair them as any other road or public right of way, and this includes the standards to which they are repaired.

Like it or not it is how things are, and it does explain why when lanes are repaired they tend to be graded. It is also a matter of financial sense, one grading job may cost more on the day, but it will last far longer and cost less in the long run than repeatedly sending teams to patch problem spots ever will.

Lanes should be maintained to a standard that allows any users to navigate them, and as they are multi-user carriageways this includes on foot, cycle, horseback, and horses with a carriage. Think of how many lanes you’d want to attempt pulling a carriage along! But they should allow those who enjoy doing so the ability to do just that.

At the end of the day there are 20,000 lanes in the UK, for every one that gets graded there are thousands more with all sorts of types of terrain. No authority can afford to grade every lane in their county either so you’ll always have a mixture of terrain to choose from.

Many of the lanes we drive, just like many of the footpaths people walk, are not strictly ‘up to code’ where maintenance is concerned. Many people choose them for that reason too, every user group likes to challenge themselves, this is why people climb and cycle down mountains, and why many laners head for the more unkempt routes to drive.

The most important factor is that if any road or right of way is not repaired eventually it will deteriorate to the point that no one will be able to use it. Once a road/RoW gets that bad it is more likely an authority will push for closure rather than begin a massive repair job, so while we might not always get what we want, the process keeps the lane open for us to drive.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

We’re Going To Lose All Our Lanes! No, seriously, we’re not. 2026 is a massive topic that I will write a whole article about at some point, but not today! I’ve whittled on enough as it is.

2026 DMMO

DEADLINE

2026 is the deadline we have to modify the definitive map. This is the map each council holds that records byways open to all traffic (also footpaths and bridleways) in that specific county. It does not include UCRs, they are recorded on the List of Streets.

Simply put, after the 2026 deadline DMMOs will be scrapped and what is recorded on the Definitive Map on that day will remain as it is forever (ok, there is a 5 year extension to the deadline, but that won’t be open for new DMMOs, just ones that haven’t been processed by the original deadline day).

Come January 2026 we will no longer be able to add byways to the Definitive Map, not that we can do this more than once in a blue moon anyway, thanks to NERC (The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006).

To summarise, once the deadline passes we can’t ‘lose’ any more byways, their status can’t be changed. This is good news indeed!

Nor will we be able to change the status of a route, as in upgrade to byway from footpath (Ha! Yeah that’s almost impossible anyway, again thanks to NERC), or from byway to footpath or bridleway, via a process called a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO).

During the process people are panicking that other user groups will submit DMMOs to downgrade every single byway. Explaining why this isn’t anywhere near the threat some believe it to be is going to take a while, so I’ll do it another day, but suffice to say the situation is not what some believe it to be and nor is the level of threat to us. Calm down folks!

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Laning Information Is Secret It really isn’t.

Public roads are public, as is information pertaining to them. Local authorities have a legal duty to consult the public on matters pertaining to closures/stopping up roads, and they have a legal duty to have a Local Access Forum (LAF). Now I don’t mean they have a legal right to take the proverbial, although some do try on the odd occasion! I mean to have a LAF which is an advisory team made up of people who have experience of and/or a vested interest in local rights of way. Anyone can join, although each LAF can only have 22 members, but any member of the public can attend and watch, or submit questions to the committee. Just as they can during a Public Inquiry, or do using their rights under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 - just email the council and ask, they have to tell you. Notice the words ‘public’, ‘freedom’ and ‘access’ get used a lot, that is because the public have access to all sorts of information they rarely bother to find out. Being a part of GLASS doesn’t necessarily allow us any further access to information, the difference is that we know where to go to get it (although anyone can find that

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

out with a bit of time spent using Google), and we have legal brains to work out what the best course of action is once we have it. In fact you can’t represent a user group or organisation at a LAF, you have to represent yourself as a user, so in some ways 'being GLASS' doesn’t help at all. We may be involved in meetings that are not open to any member of the public to attend, which is because we ask to be involved, or offered our assistance as soon as an issue arose, and so do local residents, land and business owners, or anyone else with an interest. It’s more a matter of the effort we put into being involved than anything being a secret or inaccessible to others. That’s all from me on this subject, but I have a little more to say on the next few pages. Lauren x

GET SOCIAL WITH US Britpart are delighted to now be an approved stockist for the entire ARB range of products in the UK. For nearly 40 years Britpart has been synonymous with parts for Land Rovers and now we are expanding our range of quality aftermarket parts with the introduction of the ARB catalogue for a multitude of 4x4 vehicles.

ARB’s range of products for the off-road and pickup market includes Air Lockers & > Compressors

Recovery Points & > Equipment

> Canopies

> Roof Racks

> Drawers

> StealthBar Bumper

> Lights

Steps & Side > Protection

Upgraded > Suspension > Rear Protection

arb4x4uk.co.uk

> Tyre Accessories > Underbody Protection

ARB accessories & suspension products for a wide range of manufacturers & models Ford Ranger / Isuzu D-Max / Jeep Cherokee & Grand Cherokee & Jeep Wrangler Land Rover Defender & Land Rover Discovery / Mitsubishi L200 / Nissan Navara & Pathfinder / Toyota Hilux / VW Amarok

sales@britpart.com

Volkswagen Touar

eg R e

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Hybri

What is it?

With 462bhp, it’s the most powerful production car in Volkswagen’s history, and the first R model to utilise electric power, an eHybrid with plug-in hybrid technology - it’ll also set you back in excess of £70k, before options.

On road

You’d think that being a 462bhp monster the Touareg R would be a one-trick pony, but select Comfort mode and it has the ability to waft you along in surprising comfort, even with 22” wheels. The adaptive air suspension helps a lot here, and soaks up any road imperfections with ease. On the subject of 462bhp, a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds feels much quicker, which is feat considering it weighs 2.5 tonnes, and there’s more than enough grip through corners, and for its size feels quite dynamic. I’m not going to say it’s agile, it’s too big for that, but it’s still fun. The Touareg R has seven driving profiles: ‘Eco’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Individual’ for on-road driving and the ‘Off-Road’ and ‘Snow’ profiles for venturing off the beaten path. The majority of our 3 days together I kept it in Comfort as I really liked the ride. On a 3 hour uninterrupted journey at a steady 70mph using cruise control, the 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder petrol achieved 29mpg, and around town with a touch of green laning thrown in it was down to 25mpg. I could have easily improved on these figures up to the mid thirties if I’d had time and inclination to charge up the battery. On the subject of electric, the car defaults on start up, and VW claims an 87mph top speed in EV mode. If you choose to do that, and this isn’t a criticism, but there is a fair degree of tyre noise, which makes sense, really. If towing is your thing, the R can drag things up to 3.5 tonnes even when you’re only using the 134bhp electric motor, and there’s also a fancy Trailer Assist system to help with parking too, though I didn’t get to try it out. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Off Road

Despite having a permanent 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system and a Torsen centraldifferential lock, I took one look at those huge 285/35 R22 tyres wrapped around the expensive looking ‘Estoril’ alloy wheels and decided that I wouldn’t be taking this Touareg R green-laning anytime soon!

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

If green laning with low profile tyres doesn’t faze you, you can feel safe in the knowledge that if you do take your Touareg R off-road, then the asymmetric dynamic torque distribution system acts as a transfer box, and allows a maximum of 70% of drive to reach the front axle and up to 80% to go to the rear. So, with the appropriate wheel and tyre combo, it should take you pretty much anywhere.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Interior

Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. The 15” infotainment screen that dominates the dash is, in my humble opinion, too big of a distraction, but worse than that was the heating and ventilation controls. Spend a few minutes in a Mazda, Toyota or a Range Rover for instance, that have proper knurled dials for fan speed, and you will find the Touareg overly complicated by comparison. I don’t want to tap a screen to adjust the fan speed. Enough, I say! I know it’s cost saving having everything on a screen, but it’s not practical, or safe.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Putting my soap-box away, other than my little moan the Touareg R is a lovely place to be, the quilted leather seats, front and back, are very comfortable and supportive, views all around are excellent and there’s plenty of room for all occupants to swing a number of different cats. Though it may surprise you to learn, the Touareg only offers five seats, if you want more check out the Tiguan. Speaking of space, in the boot, with the seat up there’s 665 litres, and with the rear seats laid flat, 1,675 litres. When it comes to features, for a £70k plus SUV, you can assume it has everything that you can ever wish for - I could include them all, but that would take up too many pages!

Engine ’n’ transmission

The Touareg R uses a 340 PS 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine, a 136 PS electric motor and 14.3 kWh (net capacity) battery. These are coupled to the 4MOTION all wheel drive system and an eight-speed auto, the exact same powertrain that you’ll find in the Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid. VW claims the R can manage 28 miles of e-range if charged for a minimum of two and a half hours on a full battery. Two charging cables are included with every Touareg R, one for 7.2 kW/32 A wall boxes (mode 3), and another for standard mains sockets (mode 2). The battery can be charged in as little as 2 hrs 30 minutes using the former method.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Conclusion

Apart from the heating and ventilation controls (which in all honesty would put me off buying one), I really enjoyed my few days with the Touareg R. It’s as quick as a stabbed rat, yet quite comfortable on long and interminable journeys. In fact, despite having the R badge and all that horsepower, I think the latter style of journey suits it better rather than being a hot SUV.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Cupra Formentor V2

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it?

If you’re a regular reader you’ll have read my past Cupra reviews and be aware that the Cupra brand is the high-performance arm of Spanish car manufacturer SEAT, and has produced some very hot variants of the Ibiza, Leon and the Ateca. Then, back in 2018, Cupra was separated to become its own sub-brand, with all future models from the marque wearing Cupra’s arrow-shaped emblem. At this point you maybe thinking that SEAT don’t make a Formentor. That’s correct, the Formentor is the company’s first standalone model, and because I’ve enjoyed their other models so much, I was pretty excited to get behind the wheel of their new SUV.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

On the road

With the familiar 310PS 2.0 litre engine mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox, you can expect a 0-62mph time of just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. And with all-wheel drive it isn’t just quick in a straight line, it can handles corners, too. I can’t remember how many miles I put on the Formentor during our week together, but it was a lot, it’s such a joyous car to drive around in. Around town and on the commute the Formentor ambles along quite nicely in Comfort mode, but that’s not the way I roll, dear reader!

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

In Sport mode the Formentor comes alive. The flappy paddles work a treat, the steering firms up, and for a practical 4 door hatch that’s capable of transporting 5 people and their luggage, it becomes one of the most fun and engaging SUVs I’ve driven in a long time. Alongside Comfort and Sport modes, there are Individual and Cupra modes. Select the latter and you get a lovely rumbling soundtrack, but because both the suspension becomes even harder and steering heavier, it isn’t really suited for our roads, save it for track days where it’ll shine.

Fuel-wise I was seeing figures around the 31mpg mark, which is pretty good, considering.

Off road

Despite not having bad approach and departures angles, I decided not to venture too far off road, and instead drove around the tracks of Llyn Brenig. I know from previous SEATs and Cupras that their ‘off-road’ capabilities are good enough to get you in and out of trouble, I just didn’t fancy scraping the very expensive rims!

Interior

As soon as I jumped inside I was enveloped by the snug, yet comfy seats. You’re then confronted with the usual and easily readable binnacle and a large 12.3” touchscreen that dominates the dash and is home for all the usual stuff. The quality of the materials used is good and there are some nice touches, such as the bronze stitching for the leather seats and the bronze lines adorning the dash. My only complaint here are the heating controls, which are thin, touch-sensitive pads that are difficult to see and awkward to use. I know fitting these things are a cost cutting exercise, but proper buttons or dials are a far better alternative - safer, too. The gear lever is basically a switch that protrudes slightly from the centre console, which is easy to use, but for most of the time I enjoyed using the flappy paddles that sit neatly behind the steering wheel. What makes the Formentor such a balanced SUV is that there’s ample space inside for five adults to travel in a good deal of comfort, and with the rear seats offering plenty of head and legroom, passengers slow enough to shout ‘shotgun’ will be pleasantly surprised. With a low loading sill, the boot is big enough to accommodate most loads and swallowed my huge Peli 1650 Protector case with ease.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Engine ’n’ transmission You have a good selection of options to choose from. The cheapest Formentor is the V1 TSI 150, with the 1.5 litre motor at £27,745, and add £1,535 if you want the auto gearbox. There’s also a 2.0 litre 186bhp model in V1 guise that will cost £32,440, and the 201bhp version of the PHEV that starts at £36,170 in the same spec. If you want a full fat version, the 242bhp plug-in electric car is £38,915 in VZ1 spec and the 306bhp engine starts at £40,620 in VZ2 guise, rising up to £42,990 in VZ3’s top spec. Of course, the PHEV is best for tax bills, with emissions ranging from 2733g/km CO2, with an electric range of up to 37 miles

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Conclusion

The Formentor looks great, but the primer grey paint job doesn’t do it any favours and just screams “I couldn’t afford to tick a decent colour from the options list!” Being honest, I could wax lyrical about the Formentor all day long, it’s such an engaging drivers car, and as I’ve already mentioned, there’s ample space inside for five to travel in a good deal of comfort, with a boot that’s large enough to accommodate most loads. Above all else, the Formentor finds itself in an exclusive club here at Muddy Towers, it’s one of the few cars that, given a lottery win, I’d probably buy. As I was saying to the Cupra PR team, if the Formentor doesn’t sell by the bucket load, it won’t be the cars fault, it’s down to the lack of marketing. Simply put, the Formentor is one of the better SUVs that I’ve driven, period.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional Taking place at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, the seventh Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional celebrated the ordinary, maligned and unloved cars of the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Basically, anything with base specs, unloved trim levels and no-frills - not even radios!

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Initially I was pondering driving down in Deux Smurf, our 1996 Toyota Surf, but she has air conditioning and electric windows, too many frills and most definitely not mundane enough for this event. Instead, free fuel from that week’s press car won out, and on arrival I was ushered to a side car park - out of sight, out of mind! There was a record number of visitors at this year’s show, and it wasn’t long before the manicured lawns on either side of Grimsthorpe Castle’s long drive began filling up with marvellously mundane motors. There were quite a few interesting ones, too. What was notable was that amongst all the like-minded enthusiasts and owners was a large contingency of younger people, which was delightful to see. After meeting up with Andy from the Yorkshire Times, we casually meandered through the myriad of classics. Shows like this aren’t just about the metal, and the amount of wax and time that’s been lavished on them, no, for Andy and me it was about the memories these old cars evoked. We both shared some of the funny times we experienced in our old cars, and I quickly learnt that my car history is significantly lacking compared to other motoring writers!

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

The main event was of course the Concours de l’Ordinaire, and judges, including Paul Cowland (from ‘Turbo Pickers’ TV programme), checked originality - dealer stickers and number plates, whilst owners shared their stories, and the odd lighthearted bribe! In the end, the winner was a 1989 Proton 1.5 GL Black Knight owned by Jon Coupland from Boston in Lincolnshire. The Black Knight is one of just 201 examples, this being the only one remaining. The previous owner put the Black Knight into a garage in 1993, with just 3600 miles recorded, and it didn’t surface again 2017. Now showing just over 13,000 miles, it is the star of Coupland’s three car Proton collection. Runner up was the 1991 Peugeot 106 XN that owner Danny Wilson bought for just £500 via Facebook Marketplace. Danny, from Driffield, brought the peppermint-coloured Peugeot back to life himself, and the judges noted that it was fitted with a carburettor and choke found only on the very earliest examples, marking it out as a true survivor of the scrap heap.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

There were a couple of other winners, that included Feast of the Unexceptional (Best Picnic) awarded to Matthew Long who along in his 1986 Volvo 340 DL, and Mark Pallatt who was the winner of the best dressed, Paul arrived in his 1979 Ford Escort and dressed accordingly. There were quite a number of cars that if given the choice I’d want to drive home. An Opal Monza, Citroen CX, Fiat Strada, Lancia Trevi and a few Volvos, but my favourite had to be the Toyota Tercel of which two fine examples rocked up. Seriously though, having a festival that focusses on the boring and bland cars of the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s sounds, well, a bit dull - but it isn’t, it was a brilliant day out and I for one can’t wait for next year’s Festival of the Unexceptional.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

R A E G & GOODS

RI N G M A GFLE X P I V O T

This is another brilliant piece of kit that I really don’t want to offer as a giveaway, but hey, that was the deal!

The Ring RIL3900HP MAGflex Pivot LED Slim Inspection Lamp is a portable, lightweight, foldable and pocket-sized lamp that’s ideal if you’re a professional mechanic or simply enjoy tinkering under the bonnet and want to get into the tightest gaps in an engine bay. At just 6mm thick, it’s one of the slimmest lamps you can buy, and designed to shine a light into the darkest and hardest to reach spots. Not only that, at the end of the lamp there’s a second high powered 'tip' light for a concentrated beam that's very good for illuminating all sorts of nooks and crannies.

a multi-axis rotation and tilt, allowing for full angle of illumination. The white light has a colour temperature of 6000K and is dimmable using the on/off scroller dial on the handle. Don’t worry about batteries and leads as the lamp is cordless and rechargeable with a three hour maximum operating time, and recharging takes four hours. Of course, a mains charger included. Another useful addition are the multiple magnets fitted the the side and base as well as a hanging hook, all enabling it to be used hands-free, which is often essential. price: around £30 more at » www.ringautomotive.com

With a powerful light output of 400 lumens, it also features Ring’s trademark MAGflex pivot and ratchet movement, meaning

WIN

A MAGflex Pivot Lamp CLICK TO ENTER 54

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

R A E G & GOODS

R OB E N S I CE FA LL Q U I L T If, like Muddy Madam, you have a standard core temperature of minus 10º no matter what the weather, then something like the Robens Icefall Quilt is ideal for you. The Icefall is lightweight, weighing in at just 450g, and is highly compressible - its packed size is 27 x 14cm and it comes with its own carry bag and is made from windproof and low moisture absorbing materials. Once open this versatile quilt measures a generous 200 x 120cm (LxW) and has many uses to keep you warm - it makes a great shawl or blanket whilst you are sat round the campfire, extra insulation in the tent and it's the perfect size to keep in the car to use as an emergency blanket. The top is made from 15D 429T nylon ripstop 100% nylon, whilst the bottom is 30D 290T polyester Taffeta, 100% polyester and it’s filled with MicroThermo High Loft 100% polyester. To be honest, I have absolutely no idea what that lot means, but I do know that it’s kept me warm during chilly evenings. price - £67 more at » www.robens.de

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

R A E G & GOODS

B L UNDSTON E RUSTI C B ROW N 1 3 0 6 For the last 4 years or so, for all but treacherous and muddy conditions, I’ve been wearing my pair of Blunstone 1302 Burgundy Rubs from their ‘Dress Series’ range. Apart from a few scuffs, that are easily removed using their renovating cream, they hardly look used. Now, a pair of red boots isn’t for everyone, but I like ‘em, they make a statement. but when I recently chatted to Noel, Blundstone's UK distributor, he decided I needed a more conventional colour, and offered me a pair of their Rustic Brown 1306s to try out, and obviously I couldn’t resist. Out of all the Blundstone range I opted for their ‘Dress Series’ with distinctive more chiselled shaped toes. Not only are they perfect for all-day wear, these versatile boots can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion - just what I want! I prefer to wear boots more than shoes. "But why?" I hear you mutter. Good question. As someone who is forever jumping in and out of 4x4s in all weather and conditions, boots are ideal, they keep my feet dry as well as supporting my ankles. More importantly, for me at least, is that when I go on a car launch, boots are rugged enough to 56

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

get dirty, and in the evening, after a quick wipe with a damp cloth, smart enough not to look out of place dining out with a smart pair of jeans or chinos. Using carefully selected premium leathers the 1306 comprises of rustic brown leather uppers, whilst the polyurethane outsoles provide extra cushioning for my feet along with removable footbeds adding extra support. What's more, the SPS (Shock Protection System) offers heightened shock absorption so my ‘slabs of meat’ will be supported all-day long. I’ve been wearing them for the last few months, and so far they’re as comfortable as a pair of slippers, yet offer decent support if I’m clambering up a rocky slope in an attempt to get that perfect photo of whichever press car I’m driving. Knowing how well my other pair of Blundstones have lasted, I probably won’t need to buy another pair of boots ever again! price: £155 more at » www.blundstone.co.uk

R A E G & GOODS

ROB E N S FIR EWOOD S TOVE

If you’re looking for a simple, yet sturdy stove that’s ready to be used within less than 20 seconds, then the Robens Firewood Stove is the one for you! Made from stainless steel and measuring 22.5 x 22.5 x 27.5 cm (LxWxH) when erected and 27 x 21 x 4.1 cm when packed away, this folding stove is not only compact, but incredibly stable. As the names suggests, the Firewood Stove uses both wood or coal, so there's no need to carry fuel, simply scout for firewood when you reach camp. To use, simply slide the stove from its heavy duty carry bag, remove both the ash plate and cooking grill from inside, and using the two handles on either side, pull apart to open it up. Once open, feed the ash plate inside so it sits firmly at the base, adding extra robustness, flip down the hinged wood grill and place the cooking grill on top and you’re reading for cooking. The wide top can be used as a grill and is large enough to cook four burgers or a pack of half a dozen sausages. It will happily fit a large skillet, and is sturdy enough to easily take the weight of a good size Dutch Oven full of food. On one side of the Firewood Stove there’s a hinged and lockable panel in which to add more branches or coal.

Not only is the Robens Firewood Stove well thought out and engineered, but the build quality is up there with the best, and it certainly feels like it’ll last a lifetime. price: £44.99 more at » www.robens.de

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

R A E G & GOODS

W I LD E RN E SS CHE F THE U L T I MA T E G U I D E T O C O O KI NG O U T DO O R S The first cookbook from the outdoors legend that is Ray Mears isn’t just a cookbook, it’s a font of all knowledge that takes you through the basic camp kitchen, types of stoves, pots, pans and cutlery through to cooking on hot rocks and planks. If you’re looking for a book on foraging and creating wild salads, sorry, this isn’t the book for you. Instead the book takes you through the basics, from boiling rice and soft boiled eggs, to creating fancy mouth watering meals such as Chicken Supreme, Jägerschnitzel and Eggs Benedict. Ray looks into planning and good housekeeping techniques as well as hygiene, basically from creating a list of ingredients all the way through to washing up! With sections on Scout cooking, griddle and grills, frying, boiling, using cast iron and ground ovens, Ray explores the many different types of camp cooking, from using a full on camp kitchen, to a simply fire. The Wilderness Chef is well written with excellent photos and explains everything you need to know about kit, how to use and maintain it for years to come. Overall it’s an excellent book that should be on every adventurer's shelf. RRP: £20 price: currently £13.99 at Amazon.co.uk

WIN We have a brand new copy to give away to one lucky reader.

CLICK TO ENTER

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

WILDERNESS CHEF

NBF BESPOKE SNORKEL The team at New Barn Farm have been undertaking bespoke custom design and fabrication for many years, leading them to launch their own brand of products NBF Bespoke. Mainly focussed around 4×4 and Overland accessories, NBF bespoke can, and do, design and fabricate anything you can dream of, from exhausts, underbody protection, drop-link extenders and breather kits. Their latest accessory is a 4” stainless snorkel and airbox that has been fabricated for one of their customer’s expedition equipped Land Cruiser 80 series. The airbox itself is only a prototype, and they’ll be making some slight revisions in the future. NBF bespoke are making these for most 4x4s & they are built on the vehicle. For enquiries or to make a booking, visit their website. more at » ircradockandsons.co.uk

New Stuff we've discovered this month GOALZERO VENTURE 35 POWERBANK Arriving this month, the Goalzero Venture 35 is designed with increased protection against the elements and more power than its predecessor. Ready for anything it is quipped with an upgraded IP67 rating that can withstand submersion up to 1 meter of water for at least 30 minutes, making the 9600 mAh power bank now dustproof and waterproof. Fresh design features a protective rubber sleeve and a waterproof plug that protects your ports against the elements when not in use, giving you the confidence to power essential devices through any adventure, rain or shine. Charge up the Venture 35 in only two hours using the new 18W USB-C Power Delivery port and power multiple devices at once with the addition of two USB output ports. There’s also an integrated 60 lumen emergency flashlight for lighting up trails, or hallways! price: £69.99 more at » www.goalzero.co.uk

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

New Stuff we've discovered this month BIGHORN 3 LEGGED PAN The Robens Bighorn 3 Legged Pan is excellent for cooking a big meal for you and your friends. The pan is made from durable cast iron, which is pre-seasoned so you can use it straight away, and can be used over an open fire, which makes it ideal for campsite cooking. When over the flames the griddle edge is cooler than its centre to allow for different cooking zones It has removable legs with course theads to prevent heat warping Size: 48 x 44 x 23 cm (L x W x H) Pack Size: 48 x 44 x 4.5 cm Weight: 5870 g price: £44.99 more at » www.robens.de

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

NIGHT BREAKER 200 It’s obvious, a quality bulb in your headlights plays an important role in road safety, a clear field of vision and high visibility can not only significantly enhance your ability to drive at night, but it makes for a stress free driving experience. With 200% more brightness and up to 20% whiter light and a far-reaching beam, fitting the new NIGHT BREAKER 200 by OSRAM means that you’ll always have a commanding view of the road ahead for up to 150 meters enabling you to react to signs and obstacles sooner. It combines high-intensity output with low glare so that other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians can easily see you coming a long way in advance. The NIGHT BREAKER 200 stands out with its new mirror chrome cap with a modern look and is available as H4 and H7 - in the usual OSRAM premium quality. Sounds too good to be true? Well, I’ll let you know next month as OSRAM have been kind enough to send me a pair to fit to Deux Smurf. more at » www.osram.com buy in the UK - currently £20 at Amazon.co.uk

New Stuff we've discovered this month IVAR PRO CHARCOAL & FIREWOOD BARBECUE Made out of heavy-duty iron, the IVAR PRO from Fuego UK measures 60cm diameter and up to 100cm tall. This heavy duty charcoal and firewood BBQ weighs in at 40kg and is designed for the serious outdoor cook amongst us. It includes two detachable wooden surfaces made from Eucalyptus Saligna for preparing your desired dishes, two grills; 22.5cm and 58cm diameter, a provoletera, a clamp pack grill and cover. Once disassembled and packed away it measures only 60 x 60cm, big enough to prepare some decent meals, small enough not to take up too much space in the back of a 4x4. If you want to take your outside cooking experiences to a whole new level, check out the rest of the Fuego UK range. price - £750 more at » fuegosuk.com

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

h c o o M

Denbigh to Dolgellau

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Including an overnight camp, James’ plan was to lead a variety of vehicles, including a 2CV, around some of the more scenic and less challenging green lanes around North Wales. It promised to be an interesting and fun weekend, but due to unforeseen circumstances, quite a few people dropped out.

And so, on what was probably the hottest weekend of the year, yours truly trundled down to Denbigh in the 3 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to meet up with James in his 70 series Land Cruiser, and his parents, Rob and Lindsey in their well equipped 120 Land Cruiser. After introductions and a brief chat we set off in search of our first lane.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Lane 1

- SJ0057-02

This is a lane of two halves, if that makes sense. From east to west SJ0057-02 begins with a drive through farmland, and as I followed James, the ruts that carve their way through the field got a

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

little deeper, okay for 4x4s with decent clearance, but I’d be a bit wary in smaller 4x4s with less ground clearance.

Upon reaching the next gate, the lane changes from ‘deep ruts through a field’ to a narrow hard surfaced forestry track. This second section is quite a pretty lane, but with vegetation on both sides you can expect the odd light scratch. If you check out Trailwise 2, there’s a cracking photo by Darren Corner from around 3 years ago of this section covered in a blanket of snow - very picturesque.

After another brief chat we made our way onto the B4501 (Evo Triangle), towards Cerrigydrudion, then the A5, A543 and onto our second lane.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Lane 2

- SH8753-05

Because I was in the press Wrangler and didn’t have a CB, I ended up in the middle which, being selfish, was a good thing on this particular lane as there are an awful lot of gates!

With fantastic views, if you’re lucky enough to have decent weather, SH8753-05 is a lovely lane with a solid surface that makes it suitable for all 4x4s, it’s also one of three lanes that gets us to our third lane, the one that would take us up to the ‘Lost Lake’. As nice and scenic as it is, I probable won’t drive it again, especially if I’m alone, simply because of the amount of gates for not necessarily a long lane

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Lane 3

- SH8753-04

I first drove this lane last month with Lauren, GLASS’ Media officer and Roy from 4x4 Obsession when I had the Defender 90, and despite being a dead end, it’s a cracking lane that’s relatively easy to drive. The majority of the lane is hard surfaced and suitable for most 4x4s, but as Lauren wrote on TW2, those with lower ground clearance may need to be careful of a couple of sections, a stock Freelander will do it but you will scrape underneath a bit in places. The last section, as you drive down towards the lake, becomes a bit gnarly with a few deep puddles in between banks, then there’s a side slope of approx 30° just before the end that looks and feels a little hairy. Arriving at the end, Ian from www.90dirtyadventures.com had set up camp next to the derelict farmhouse, and with friends was enjoying a few days camping. Within a few minutes of arriving we could see a cloud of dust in the distance and the unmistakable sound of trail bikes, and within the next 15 minutes or so a large contingency of bikers arrived half a dozen or so at a time. By all accounts it was a charity bike ride - never did find out what the charity was. After a good chat, lunch and a paddle in the lake to cool off, it was time to be on our way again. One last thing, as James wrote on Trailwise 2, “I would suggest a minimum of 31" tyres to give the clearance required to get all the way to the abandoned farmhouse.” I concur, it can be a bit gnarly.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Lane 4

- SH7452-02

Driving from east to west, SH7452-02 runs parallel with the railway and has a few downward steps to negotiate, it’s also quite narrow in places too which can make it fun getting out to open and shut gates. The interesting bit comes when you have to drive under the railway bridge. It isn’t that it’s narrow, actually it is, but it’s the 90º tight, right hand turn that can be tricky, especially for LWB 4x4s. Despite the tall banking and a stone brick wall, there’s just enough space for a 3, or 4 point turn for longer vehicles. Once under the bridge the scenery opens up and it’s a great place to pull over for a picnic, especially when you reach the end of the lane as you’re only a hop, skip and a jump from the river Lledr, and as we passed by there were quite a few families out enjoying a paddle. From Dolwyddelan, Rob, Lindsey and I followed James for the next 40 minutes or so along the A470 towards Ganllwyd.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Lane 5

- SH7224-01 - SH7228-04

Travelling from south to north, SH7224-01 begins with a hard surfaced track through Coed Y Brenin Forest that was in pretty good condition, then James veered right onto a narrow and rocky section that was no match for two Toyotas and a Jeep. A wide and dusty dirt track followed and led us onto what is now my new favourite lane - SH7228-04. As we climbed the views became even more spectacular and the surface a bit more technical in places that required a good line. Despite this, the rocky surface proved fun, but no match for the Wrangler Rubicon with twin lockers, but I doubt Deux Smurf would have found it so easy. As we reached the top the surface became less challenging, though there are a couple of tight gates to negotiate, but the views no less spectacular. At the end of the lane we turned right onto a narrow road that took us to a small brook where we stopped so James and his two children could cool off.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

lane 6

- SH7623-01

Our final lane starts as a forestry track with a small ford, there are a few ruts and steps along the way, but nothing too serious. As it says on Trailwise 2, be wary of forest roads crossing the track, and be carful as what little traffic there is will be big, possibly fast, and certainly not expecting to see you! As we made our way across one the crossings, James pointed out that a section of the lane appeared to be collapsing at one side, though there was just enough space for us all the squeeze past. From there we climbed, and with the heather in full bloom, emerging from the forest, SH7623-01 treated us to some epic views. Our ascent was quite rocky and washed out in places, but in 1st gear low box, we rocked and rolled our way down. As we reached the A494 we went our separate ways, James and his parents went on towards their overnight camping spot whilst I turned left and headed towards Bala and home. I would’ve loved to have stayed over with them, but I had a magazine deadline looming as well as a few other extra jobs that required completing. Overall I had a fantastic day exploring some old and new lanes, and a huge thanks has to go to James for organising the trip, but a bigger thanks has to go to Lindsey, James’ mum for closing every gate!

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

become a mega Mud Life Supporter We want to keep the mag free to read, though it costs quite a bit for the two of us to put it together each month.

If you like what we do, we'd love a little support whilst we put together the next mag. Buys us a 'hot choc', and you'll get a name check in the mag.

Buy us 2 hot chocs at one time, or become a regular monthly hot choc provider then you'll get a even bigger mention.

laf Lauren E. Roger D. Jim H. LRAsser Sniffer

do eople really p rs e k n o b wo the same Yes, these t g, whilst at a m e ir t n e domination. create this d rl o w f o it g a b time plottin ! Mwa-ha-ha

Chris J Billy F. @matt_ske Edward P. 1 anonymous person

All these lovely people chose to support us this month. Thank you all so much, every penny is really is appreciated. aren Lee Damian & K THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Stars & Stripes

Classic American Car Show Tatton Park 2021

Muddy Madam here, and I have a confession - I'm not a major fan of being dragged around 4x4 car shows. I know, I know, in this magazine that is tantamount to sacrilege, but you see I don't have the love that Damian does for all things big, and usually muddy, but when it comes to unsual motors and cool chromed Yank-mobiles, well that's a different matter, so when I spotted this show was actually on I was eager to go despite the threat of heavy, thundery storms over the weekend.

Tatton Stars & Stripes is a huge show that's been running for more than 30 years which celebrates all things American, from Mustangs to ex-US Army vehicles from pretty much every decade.

Damian and I hedged our bets that Saturday would be the least wet, and as we made our way to Tatton park, near Knutsford - we were right!

As we parked up, sporadic bursts of V8 loveliness sprung to life and bellowed through the grounds, it stirred the soul giving me a warm fuzzy feeling - Muddy Madam just smiled that knowing smile back at me, essentially understanding she would lose me to the draw of the delightful rumbles.

I'll let Damian tell you more....

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

When it comes top writing about it, it’s really difficult knowing where to begin because, from customised hot rods to pumped-up pickups and even a variety of US motorcycles, the show had everything, including quite a few rarities and vehicles that I’d never seen in the flesh before.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Seeing as Covid is still around, and with the aforementioned potential downpours, the show was surprisingly well attended (or maybe not so surprising seeing as we have all been climbing the walls to get out and do something), and it was really nice to actually see a lot of families (start 'em young!) There was a really great 'wild west' style area created by The Maverick's Show Team that had teepees, civil war style tents and a pretty amazing cabin 'camper' with a working roaring fire. All the dwellings had characters dressed authentic garb, recreating professions of the era complete with matching equipment and utensils.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

love the name

this bus had been converted to a camper

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

The 'Stars' of the show are the cars, and rightly so, but the show also allowed visitors to stock up on classic parts, spares and accessories from the many autojumble stands and specialist traders, and there were quite a few other interesting stalls selling everything from chunky wood dining tables to

quirky Zippo lighter style lamps. On our way out, the gentle throb from muscular V8s could be heard from all around, and if heaven was a place on earth, this weekend it was in Knutsford!

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

es d i R s ' r e Read

Who are you, where are you from and what do you do? My names Joel I'm 28 from Sheffield and I'm a 360 excavator operator. History of cars leading up your present 4x4 My history of cars goes way back to growing up with my Dad into cars lol. Had a Fiesta ST and an Ibiza diesel running just shy of 300bhp which went bang and made way for the 90! Present 4x4(s) My current 4x4 is my 1990 Land Rover Ninety which is pride and joy, wouldn't mind a 110 to match though! Modifications done Modifications include a Richards galvanised chassis, full Terrafirma +5 suspension kit with Discovery axles. There’s also a Discovery 200tdi engine with bigger intercooler and a full stainless straight through side exit system, custom diff guards, rock sliders and steering guard by dirt monkey off road who I'm a brand ambassador for. It also has a Terrafirma front bumper and winch kit, an OMP race steering wheel and the list goes on and on!

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

It’s had a full interior restoration with the camper internals that include a twin battery set up, inverter, twin ring gas hob, fridge freezer, diesel night heater - all the mod cons for overlanding! There’s also a full LandTrekker tent and awning kit which makes life easy. I completely stripped it and started fresh and I think its made a good looking 1990s Land Rover, I'm happy! Modifications to do Modifications I'm planning on doing next is an ORE spare wheel carrier and a new radio and speakers to just finish it off, I don't think it needs much more!

Ahh, favourite car related film, Gone in 60 Seconds - no brainer! Favourite biscuits Favourite biscuits has to be Fox's Crunch Creams - got to be enjoyed with a brew! Where can we find more details? I don’t do Facebook, though I have Instagram with full build photos - defender_nintey

Favourite green-laning trip I'm more the happy having a steady run around Derbyshire as I'm not too far. I've spent many of times on Houndkirk just parked up looking out over the moors! Lottery win 4x4 If I’m honest I'd make another custom build, it'd be a 110 Defender kitted out overland with the pop top roof, I quite like them, and with a good V8 up front! Favourite car related film

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

es d i R s ' r e Read

Who are you, where are you from and what do you do? Well, here goes, Rosie and I (Edward), could be termed soft roaders. We are both in our seventies, lane alone mostly as ‘Johnny no mates’ as we don’t have anyone to lane with.

Present 4x4(s) Current daily driver is a Subaru Outback, Rosie drives a Mercedes 320 Avantgarde, and of course the Suzuki Jimny Cabriolet

So about us. Rosie and I are re-treads, we’ve both been married before, we met each other about six years ago, since then we play lawn bowls, golf, I fly fish, we loved our holidays prior to COVID-19 so now we do green lanes, getting out into open spaces is what we love to do.

Modifications done I had a winch fitted, side steps, immobiliser and tracker. CB radio only any use if someone else is in the vicinity.

My interest in green lanes began in 2003 when I had bought a Jeep Cherokee, great machine just so uncomfortable to drive a manual version. The clutch pedal is offset and there is no room for ones foot off the pedal unless one hooks it underneath the pedal. So first lesson learnt is buy autos. History of cars leading up your present 4x4 Previous motors starting with Morris Minor, MG Midget, MGB, Triumph Herald Estate, Ford Escorts two of them, Ford Sierra, Vauxhall Victor, Toyota Carina 4x4 Estate, Toyota Carina, Saab 9.3, Jeep Cherokee, Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Navara up to date with the Subaru. I also bought a Suzuki Cappuccino in 1998 kept it until the Jimny Cabriolet came along 2017. Rosie and I love open top driving.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Favourite modification A drop down table fitted to the rear door. Favourite laning trip We’ve only done few, a really nice one into open country is near the Village of Ashwell. Lottery win 4x4 I’d have the Jimny re-built using all electric running gear, fancy leather seats and decent lights. Favourite car related film There are a few difficult to decide on a favourite. Steve McQueen’s Bullet. Barry Newman in Vanishing Point. Ronnin, Gone in sixty seconds. Nicholas Cage and Matt Damon in Le Man. Favourite Biscuits McVities Dark Chocolate Digestive.

Something funny happened when... Seems though I have a penchant for getting myself stuck. With my Mum in the car I took my first venture along a green lane. All was going swimmingly until we reached the end of the lane only to find it blocked by a burnt out Peugeot hatchback on its roof. In an effort to turn around, I put the rear nearside wheel into a gully. It wasn’t coming out without a tow. I called one of the locals who had a 4x4 and he rather graciously came along with a rope and pulled us out of an awkward situation. That’s when I decided I’d never do a lane without a winch being fitted. It is a lesson I really should have learnt well... For a bit of fun I bought a Suzuki Jimny, had a winch fitted, and I absolutely love it. It only gets used in the summer months as it spends winter in my garage. I disconnect the battery and empty all the stuff out of it. In the spring it usually comes back out, except this year due to inclement weather I left it locked away until June. Rosie and I had been riding around in the motor, just keeping local without thinking about doing a lane. Passing a lane that one had previously navigated without any drama, full of bravado, I hung a left into the lane.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Off we went down the slope into the green bits with deep ruts and loads of mud! Finding ourselves completely stuck Rosie said can we use the winch, to which I replied "Of course".... if only we had packed the remote control back into the car! What about a shovel? Same thing, it was in the back of the garage, gulp. We really were stuck, the car wouldn’t move forwards or backwards. Out we got the into almost knee deep mud, not the earthy type but the thick cloying clay mud that gunks everything up. We set about finding bits of broken branches, clumps of grass and the nice new carpets from the front of the car, - all soon to be jammed under the wheels trying to find traction. Eventually the car moved backwards on to the gravel, Rosie kept saying just drive backwards and don’t stop! All good until the sunshine hits all the mirrors and one can’t see where the tracks are. I managed to drive into a bush, not just any bush, but a rather horrible one with massive thorns. Once again we couldn’t move backwards or forwards, we were stuck! Where are the loppers? In the garage. Where is your little pull saw? In the garage with the snatch gear, ropes, gloves and everything else that one might need for a self recovery!

Another hour passed and we finally managed to extricate ourselves from the bush and the lane. We had just pulled out onto the tarmac when along came a couple of lads in their Land Rover, asking if we were going down the lane. No thanks, we’d only just got out! Off they went (I bet they had all the recovery kit imaginable), and with a rather over heated engine we headed for home. Steam issuing from the engine I didn’t dare lift the bonnet. About quarter of a mile from home on a mini roundabout poor old Zook just gave up, she flatly refused to start. A lad from another car jumped out to give us a push. Fortunately there was a pull-in just the other side of the roundabout. We walked the rest of the way home had some food, let the motor cool down for a couple of hours before walking back to see what sort of damage I’d done. Well I jumped into the driver's seat turned the key and off she went. Amazing little motor. Next morning I called James Robertson at Hitchin Autopoint, and took it over for a look, only to be told I’d killed it, and another engine would be required. We couldn’t find a suitable replacement, so currently the original one is being rebuilt. Hopefully the cylinder head hasn’t been damaged beyond restoration, I’m just waiting to find out.

LESS THAN

£1

PER WEEK

The ultimate green lane route planning tool • Laptop, Tablet & Smartphone friendly • Up to date information on restrictions & closures • User evidence GPX route upload • Extensive UK coverage • Search by county, track name or number

Find out more at www.allterrainuk.com “Getting involved has never been

downloadable documents for

T-Shirts, Hoodies, Stickers, Badges & Bags

IN OUR GARAGE

So much to do, So little motivation

I’ve always believed that cars should be driven and not left standing for too long. Sadly, as I’ve mentioned numerous times in the past, I’m a bit guilty of that with Deux Smurf. As you may already know, pretty much every week I’m lucky enough to have a different press car delivered to Muddy Towers, not that I’m complaining, obviously, but that means I don’t have much time to venture out in Deux Smurf.

Anyhow, for the majority of June and July I decided lay off the press cars and put some mileage on her, from the usual commute to a couple of green laning adventures, as well as as trips down to the Midlands for the Adventure Overland Show, and the odd event at the NEC and Stoneleigh.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Before I did any of that, I remembered that she had some advisories from her MOT that included play in her steering rack, brake pads and both her rear anti roll bar pins and bushes were worn. With work deadlines looming, and other bits keeping me busy, I again entrusted her with my mechanic Steve who I’ve known for the last 40 years, and a few days later I picked her up, and over the last few months we’ve covered just over 2,000 trouble free miles.

Despite being busy, I’ve also been quite lazy. Seeing that I hadn’t driven her in a while I’d forgotten that she’d gained a slight wobble at certain motorway speeds, so I made a mental note to book her in to be balanced and tracked - and to fix couple of slow punctures.

I haven't sorted that yet.

On the subject of wheels, I haven’t got ‘round to getting my spare set Land Cruiser wheels refurbished either.

I haven't sorted that yet.

Seeing as I’m in a confessional frame of mind, neither have I fitted a nice pair of red recover points I bought a few months backthough I’m waiting for a penetrating spray do work its magic on a couple of stubborn nuts.

I haven't sorted that yet.

Oh and the Bugster, my bright turquoise Doon Buggy, is still shrouded in her Carcoon in the back yard awaiting a visit to her Uncle Steve for a bit of clutch tinkering.

Yes, you've guessed it, I haven't sorted that either.

Last on the to-do list, but probably the first I will actually sort, is to find a new set of seat covers for the Smurf, and probably for Muddy Madam's Škoda too, as Lilly is one mucky pup. She may not moult much, but she really does love to get down'n'dirty!

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Fancy an off-road challenge? Want to get your 4x4 filthy?

Don’t ruin our ancient byways, try out your local P&P site, join a tour or brush up your skills on a driver training day instead. Over the next few pages we have listed many of the business that you can play, train and holiday with. If you fancy going along, always find out what you'll need to bring along or which vehicles are allowed: • Does your 4x4 need to be road legal? • Do you need to show proof of age, vehicle MOT and insurance documents? • Are your recovery points secure? • Do you even have any recovery points? Always check with the individual site before you set off. Remember, as well as a good quality tow rope, it’s always useful to bring along some rags and a bottle of water to clean your lights and reg plates, so you can stay legal whilst driving home!

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Pay & Play Directory

NORTH

SOUTH

Hill ’n’ Ditch

Essex Rochford & District 4x4 Club

Mouldsworth, Cheshire http://www.hillnditch4x4.com 07974 398201

Explore Off Road

Crewe, Cheshire http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881

Kirton Off Road

Hibaldstow, Gainsborough https://www.korc.co.uk 01652 245022

Frickley 4x4 Off Road Centre South Elmsall, West Yorkshire https://www.frickley4x4.co.uk 07881 590593

Cowm Leisure

Whitworth, Rochdale https://cowmleisure.com 07970 101 879

WALES Ultra Adventure Driving

Wrexham, Wales http://www.ultraadventuredriving.co.uk 01978 358 444

Canewdon, Rochford http://www.4x4er.co.uk

Devils Pit

Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire http://www.devilspit.co.uk 07764 159478

Avalanche Adventures

Market Harborough, Leicestershire https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613

4x4 Without A Club

Aldermaston, Berkshire http://www.4x4-withoutaclub.co.uk 07887533168

John Morgan 4x4 Driving Slindon, West Sussex http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195

Piccadilly Wood

Bolney, West Sussex http://www.piccadillywood4x4.co.uk 07984 543886

If you have a Pay & Play site, offer tours or driver training, and want to be included for FREE in the directories just email your details to us. We also offer an enhanced eye-catching boxed listing (see next page) for only £25 per issue (better rates for 3, 6 & 12 month listings) email - klt@themudlife.co.uk for more details THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

4x4 TOURS DIRECTORY

Highland All Terrain

Trails and Tracks 4x4 Adventures

Single & Multiple Day Tours with Wild Camping 100s of miles of Off-Road Tracks Access to Private Estates

Cambrian Way

The Old Filling Station, Kinlochlaggan, Newtonmore, PH20 1BX

tel: 01528 544 358 mob: 07708 819 157 email: info@highlandallterrain.co.uk

www.highlandscenicsafari.co.uk

Ardent Off Road

Activities: 4x4 Tours, 4x4 Experiences https://ardentoffroad.com Tel: 01405 947 001

One Life Adventure

Activities: 4x4 Tours & vehicle prep training https://www.onelifeadventure.co.uk Tel: 01347 830188

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.cambrianway.com Tel: 01550 750274

Roam Free Adventures

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.roamfreeadventures.co.uk Contact via website

Timeless Overland

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.facebook.com/tloverland Tel: 07508 833 899

Land Tracks and Trails Green Lane Adventures Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.lanestracksandtrails.co.uk Tel: 07855 213355

Ardventures

Compass Adventures

4x4 Adventure Tours

Battlefields by 4x4

Activities: 4x4 Tours, 4x4 Experiences https://ardventures.co.uk Tel: 01757 638 479

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.4x4adventuretours.co.uk Tel: 07769 336 099

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://trailsandtracks.co.uk Tel: 07976 393 838

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.compassadventures.co.uk Tel: 07508 708 588

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.battlefieldsby4x4.com Tel: 07014 241 418

Off Road

Driver Training & Experiences UK WIDE All Terrain Services

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training & Experiences, Self Drive Tours https://www.allterrainservices.co.uk 01792 862669

NORTH Graythwaite Adventure

Activities: Off-Road Driving & Training, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Watersports, Archery, Axe Throwing, Bushcraft, Glamping https://www.graythwaiteadventure.co.uk 07498 574659 & 07779 162710

North Yorkshire Off Road Centre Activities: Off Road Driver Training & Tours http://www.nyoffroad.co.uk 07787 555060

Explore Off Road

Activities: Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881

WALES Bala 4x4

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training https://www.bala4x4.co.uk 01536 772238

SCOTLAND Scottish Off Road

Activities: Off Road Driver Training http://www.scotoffroad.co.uk 07711 217759

Far X Four

Activities: Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences http://www.farxfour.com 01450 860275

SOUTH John Morgan 4x4 Driving

Activities: Pay & Play Off Road Driver Training http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195

Wild Tracks

Activities: Off Road Driver Training 4x4 Experiences https://www.wildtracksltd.co.uk 01638 751918

True Grip off Road

Activities: Off Road Driver Training 4x4 Experiences http://www.truegripoffroad.co.uk 01233 662251

Protrax

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training https://www.protrax.co.uk 01536 772238

Avalanche Adventures

Activities: Pay & Play 4x4 Experiences https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613

Ash 4x4

Activities: Off Road Driver Training 4x4 Experiences http://www.ash4x4.com 07581 030331

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

BACK ISSUES

Click on the covers to read any of our past issues.

2021

#27 -JUNE

#24 - MARCH

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

#23 - FEBRUARY

#29 -AUGUST

#28 -JULY

#26 - MAY

#25 - APRIL

#SPECIAL ISSUE - FEBRUARY

#22 - JANUARY

2020

#21 - DECEMBER

#20 - NOVEMBER

#19 - OCTOBER

#18 - SEPTEMBER

#17 - AUGUST

#16 - JULY

#15 - JUNE

#14 - MAY

#13 - APRIL

#12 - MARCH

#11 - FEBRUARY

#10 - JANUARY

#6 - SEPTEMBER

#5 - JULY/AUGUST

2019

#4 - MAY/JUNE

#9 - DECEMBER

#8 - NOVEMBER

#7 - OCTOBER

2018 #3 - MARCH/ APRIL

#2 - JANUARY/FEBRUARY

#1 - DECEMBER

Click on the covers to read any of our past issues. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Who needs big trucks when you can get The Mud Life delivered straight to your inbox for free every month? Click to subscribe

Advertise with us Email us - ads@themudlife.co.uk

The Mud Life - 30 - September 2021

Articles inside

Laning Myth Busters

Hagerty's FESTIVAL of the UNEXCEPTIONAL

LANING LIFE

CUPRA FORMENTOR V2

STARS & STRIPES

VW TOUAREG R eHybrid

MOOCH - DENBIGH TO DOLGELLAU

NEWS

TURNER'S TORQUE