The Mud Life 4x4 Magazine - #40 - July 2022

THE MUD LIFE ISSUE 40 July 2022

a n i ' n i l r e e e t h 3-w ia Dus Dac

4x4 Magazine

skoda enyaq

Toyota hilux

volvo c40

To find out about advertising in the magazine, email : damian@themudlife.co.uk 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

6-17

ŠKODA ENYAQ IV80 SPORTLINE

18-26

LANING LIFE

28-34

OUR GARAGE - A Fault and Battery

36-37

DACIA DUSTER PRESTIGE 4x4

38-47

OUR GARAGE - Dirty Rotten Sc...

48-49

GOODS & GEAR

51-53

FLASH DRIVE - Maxda MX-5

54-55

FLASH DRIVE - Volvo C40 Recharge

56-57

CAMPING LIFE

60-62

YouTube PAGE OF THE MONTH

64-65

MOOCH - Exploring with a Compass Pt.2

66-74

TOYOTA HILUX INVINCIBLE X

76-86

THE TALES OF LILLY

88-89

LILLY'S ON THE LOOKOUT

92-94

READER'S RIDES

96-97

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW 98-104 DIRECTORIES 105-107

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

KAREN LEE TURNER (A.K.A. The Muddy Madam)

Creative Director, Editor, Reviewer

LILLY - THE MUD LIFE DOG Cuddle Monster, Model, Reviewer

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

BACK ISSUES 108-109

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

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

3

turner's torque

Money, Money, Money must be funny in a rich man's world

The few who are raking it in at the moment may be laughing all the way to the bank, but most of us aren't finding the cost of living increases funny in any way.

Everything costs money these days, and it’s getting on my nerves.

With money being stretched left, right and centre it’s no surprise that a lot of us are having to cut back. Whilst some are struggling to simply put food on the table, others are cancelling TV subscriptions, magazines, meals out, or other 'luxuries' such as that favourite bottle of wine, or nightly beer.

It might be my imagination, but have councils and other agencies begun finding new ways to extract even more money from us recently?

An expense that I find irritating is parking. There are some car parks in major towns and cities that charge more per hour than the minimum wage!

For decades I’ve been visiting Black Rock Sands in North Wales. I had always simply rocked up and parked on the beach all day, for free.

The last couple of times I’ve been there I was charged £5 for the priviledge.

In Bolton there were always a few places were I could park up for half an hour or so whilst I spent money in a few of the local shops. Now the council have installed pay machines and cameras pretty much everywhere, the knock on effect being that no one just nips into town to buy a couple of bits and wants to pay extra to do so.

This means less shoppers, which means more businesses struggling, and the eventual result being a town of half empty shops.

Welcome to Bolton!

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When it was suggested recently that visitors may be charged to park at Rivington Reservoir, the main place to park when visiting the local landmarks Rivington Pike and Lord Lever's Chinese Gardens, there was uproar.

The powers that be, United Utilites, figured that, because thousands of families visit the Pike every year for walks, mountain biking and general sightseeing, they could make a lot of money from drivers.

I get it, paths require maintenance and rebuilding (though these aren't part of United Utilites' remit), and litter needs picking, and it all costs money, everything is on the rise, and some organisations are genuinely struggling with their budgets, but c’mon, we have to draw the line somewhere, and a water company, that declared an operating profit of £610 million in March '22, extorting money for using a countryside car park is where the people of Bolton are drawing it!

I’ve been so used to paying for things recently that last month I was fortunate enough to take both the Jeep Compass Trailhawk and Dacia Duster along some of the best green lanes that the Lake District has to offer, and it sounds funny now, but I honestly felt like I was cheating someone - like taking your own Minstrels into the cinema!

Of course it isn’t free, we pay for fuel, maintenance, tax and insurance, but you know what I mean.

The older I get the more I appreciate having the freedom to be able do the things I want to, but some of the things we take for granted are slowly being eradicated.

I mentioned a while back about wild camping, or just pulling up by the side of the road and sleeping for the night. In a lot of places this is frowned upon, or illegal. I can understand why, to a point. Some folk are quite conscious-free when it comes to leaving a mess, locals then moan and the council has to do something about it - banning us is cheaper than installing bins and so on.

I’ve just realised that this has turned into a proper ‘old bloke’ rant, I didn’t mean to - sorry! I guess what I want to say is, let’s enjoy the free stuff whilst we still can, and more importantly, look after it so the powers don’t have a need to shut them down, like they have many green lanes over the years.

Next month I’ll do my best to be cheery!

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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TRUCKMAN expands hard top range with ARB Ascent

Truckman, the UK’s leading manufacturer and distributor of pick-up truck and 4x4 accessories, is expanding its extensive range of hardtops following its acquisition by Australian vehicle accessory and outdoor equipment specialist ARB. Truckman is bringing ARB’s flagship hardtop the Ascent, which has been developed with a focus on vehicle integration, security and user functionality, to its range to provide commercial and leisure pick-up truck owners with even more truck bed storage options.

In addition to featuring fully integrated central locking (on all three doors) and electric push-button window switches, the Ascent comes as standard with two lift-up 5mm thick tempered and tinted side windows, which can also be adjusted into pop-out style for ventilation.

Manufactured from heavy-duty 9mm recyclable ABS plastic designed for temperatures ranging from -20°C to 90°C, the highly robust and hard-working canopy is designed to carry a dynamic (moving) weight of 100kg, while the static weight is between 350kg and 400kg - making it ideal for fitting accessories including roof top tents, BASE Rack and recovery equipment.

Attached to the pick-up with a full-length mounting system, which firmly secures the Ascent to the pick-up truck, it also includes integrated wiring to power its rear LED brake light and an easy to reach low current draw LED interior light.

The ARB Ascent is available from Truckman for these vehicles: Double Cab Ford Ranger Mk5-7 Isuzu D-Max Mk6 Toyota Hilux Mk8-9

VW Amarok Mk1-2

It can be self-fitted, distributed to a dealer for fitting or can be installed at Truckman’s factory in the West Midlands. price: £3,360 (including VAT) more at » www.truckman.co.uk

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The ALL-NEW TOYOTA bZ4X

With a driving range of up to 317 miles for the FWD model and 286 miles with AWD, the bZ4X is Toyota’s first all-new battery electric vehicle (BEV).

It breaks new ground in launching the company’s bZ 'Beyond Zero' sub-brand of zero emission models and in bringing genuine SUV off-road driving capability to the BEV market for the first time.

Its introduction will accelerate Toyota’s multi-technology path towards its goal of carbon neutrality.

Toyota has also worked with Subaru as its development partner for bZ4X, benefiting from the manufacturer’s renowned expertise in areas such as all-wheel drive engineering.

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The bZ4X is not an adaptation of an existing model. Instead, it is wholly original and the first of what will be a series of different bZ vehicles to be constructed on a new Toyota platform dedicated to BEVs. The lithium-ion battery unit has a 71.4kWh capacity and comprises 96 cells which are water- cooled and constantly monitored individually for any signs of abnormality or degradation. Toyota’s confidence in the quality of the battery is reflected in a guarantee it will retain at least 70% of its capacity up to 10 years or one million kilometres (620,000 miles) driven (subject to T&Cs).

With a wheelbase of 2,850mm (160mm longer than in the RAV4), the result is excellent interior space, both in the cabin and the load compartment.

For rear seat passengers there is a flat floor and generous leg room that’s on a par with larger vehicles.

The flexible load space features an adjustable, two-level deck board and an underfloor space that can add an extra 71mm to the load height when taller items need to be carried. With the rear seats in place and the deck board in the lower position, there is up to 452 litres (VDA), room enough to carry three 82 litre suitcases or two mountain bikes. The rear seats can be split-folded 60:40 and have a reclining function. The space beneath the deck holds a tool box and provides room for a warning triangle or the car’s charging cable; the folding tonneau cover can also be neatly stowed.

To mark the introduction of bZ4X in the UK, a special Premiere Edition model has been prepared. This provides all the features of the Vision grade together with a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system and the Skyview panoramic roof. Available exclusively through Toyota’s online retail service, it comes as standard with X-MODE all-wheel drive.

Prices start at £41,950 for the bZ4X Pure FWD and up to £51,550 for the bZ4X Premiere Edition X-MODE AWD. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Electrogenic reveals drop in kit to electrify 'working' Defenders

Electrogenic' s drop in kit converts working Land Rover Defenders to fully-electric power. The conversion kit, aimed at the agricultural sector and landowners, has been in development and extensively tested over the past 18 months on Worthy Farm, host to the Glastonbury Festival.

The kit is designed to be installed by a suitably qualified mechanic. An electric motor is simply bolted to the Defender’s existing clutch bell housing, so the vehicle keeps all its gears. It packs 120 bhp and 235 Nm of torque comparable power and torque to the original diesel engine.

52kWh of batteries are mounted under the bonnet gives 100+ miles of range on-road and considerably more when driving off-road or around a farm. As standard, the kit is equipped for 7.5kW AC overnight charging via a Type 2 connector. Faster charging can be specified as an optional extra.

Electrogenic conversions retain the original Defender’s versatility and 4 wheel drive, while off-road ability is improved by the fitment of the electric motor. With readily accessible torque and linear power delivery, it is effortless to drive, even in demanding off-road scenarios.

Towing capability is also enhanced by the electric motor’s instant and abundant torque, while dual-stage regenerative braking enables ultra-controlled, brake-free off-road descents.

Having tested the electrified Defender alongside its dieselpowered counterparts, it is estimated that the electric version will save at least £6,000 in fuel costs over the course of an average year of on-farm use. Considering the conversion’s target price of £24,000 + VAT, the kit can pay for itself in 4 years.

In addition to the fuel cost savings, the conversion can also bring savings on running-costs. The electric powertrain is designed to be entirely maintenance-free, and operate happily for decades, while the batteries are similarly robust: good for 200,000 miles or more, giving owners total peace of mind.

Steve Drummond, Electrogenic co-founder, said “Defenders fitted with our easy to install kits do everything required of them on the farm quietly and efficiently.They are always there ready for use - just unplug and drive away; no more factoring in trips to the petrol station, and instant heat on cold frosty mornings.

An electrified Defender can also represent one more step towards a farm achieving its sustainability goals.

The converted Defenders really deliver on all fronts, and we’re sure they’ll serve farmers ably for many years to come.

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Citroën launches limited run My Ami Buggy in France

Citroën has responded to the extremely positive reception that My Ami Buggy concept received in December 2021, by launching an ultra-limited series production version inspired by the concept model.

The 50-unit limited edition My Ami Buggy is only available in France, with each customer enjoying a ‘VIP service’ as part of the online sales process with deliveries starting from Monday 8th August.

In addition to the visual clues on the exterior, My Ami Buggy also features hinged metal tubing to replace the doors and a removable soft-top to make the most of the sun, and to allow customers to get close to the natural environment. Reminiscent of the fabric roofs on legendary Citroëns such as the Mehari or 2CV, the protective grey fabric roof material is waterproof and UV treated to protect both occupants from sunlight or poor weather. The roof fabric is detachable via snap fasteners, and can be rolled up and stored securely behind the seats.

My Ami Buggy includes key elements from the Ami Pop and Ami Vibe versions, such as enhancements to the front and rear bumpers, and added trim around the lights, while the wider wheel arches and rear spoiler give it a more muscular appearance.

The yellow exterior touches are mirrored on-board, highlighting accessories such as the dashboard storage bins, bag hook and door opening straps. The seats are covered in black material enhanced with yellow stitching, while the floor mats also feature yellow detailing on the seams.

Black-tinted protective elements reinforce the sense of robustness and contrast with the Khaki colour scheme. In addition to the Khaki colour, yellow accents enliven the bodywork, while the 14” perforated gold wheels contrast with the bodywork colour.

To add to the sense of fun and adventure that is central to My Ami Buggy, the front of the model can be personalised, allowing customers to add any message they like onto the vehicle. Each of the 50 examples will be unique, thanks to a special ‘My Ami Buggy ULTRA LIMITED EDITION’ plate that will feature on the dashboard. Each vehicle will be numbered 1-50.

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ŠKODA launches KAROQ Rapid Response vehicle

The versatile SUV lends itself perfectly to emergency service conversion thanks to its practicality, multi-terrain abilities, classleading space for passengers and essential specialist equipment making it the perfect all-round vehicle for use by Police, Ambulance and Fire services across the country.

When fully converted the vehicle features 360º visibility thanks to powerful LED signal lights built into the front screen, grille, tailgate and number plate, all complemented by a 100-amp three tone siren.

With up to 588 litres of boot space with the VarioFlex seating option - which extends to up to 1,810 litres with the seats fully removed, Karoq’s interior provides ample room for the equipment used by the emergency services. ŠKODA’s in-house bespoke converters ensure fleets are catered for with a fully integrated communications platform that works in harmony with their 8" infotainment system.

it disengages and promotes efficiency in front-wheel drive. The optional Performance Package means KAROQ drivers benefit from enhanced traction on trickier terrain and slippery surfaces, enabling blue-light fleets to get to the where they need to be.

Safety and driver assistance systems are comprehensive, ensuring those inside the car are kept as safe as possible, with up to 9 airbags available, in addition to a range of advanced driver assistance functions including Crew Protect Assist and Travel Assist.

Emergency services fleets will also benefit from a modified chassis equipped to deal with the demands placed on it during its working life on the road. State-of-the-art medical technology and the inclusion of luggage compartment with a roll-out tray and a back-up electricity source can mean the difference between life and death for those the KAROQ is responding to.

The KAROQ is offered with a broad range of efficient powertrains from Volkswagen Group’s advanced EVO generation. Two diesel and three petrol powertrains provide between 110PS and 190PS, with a choice of 6 speed manual and 7 speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

The 2.0 TSI 190PS petrol is fitted with all-wheel drive as standard, while the 2.0 TDI 150PS is available with front or all-wheel drive providing fleets with ultimate choice.

The advanced all-wheel drive system provides confidence and reassurance to emergency services drivers in challenging driving conditions, with an integrated control unit that allows the system to engage all-wheel drive within fractions of a second when required, while in normal conditions THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Jeep launch joint global campaign s w

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with 'Jurassic World Dominion'

If you haven’t watched it you won’t know that Jeep and Universal Pictures have teamed up once again, this time in Jurassic World Dominion, the epic conclusion to the Jurassic films which have thrilled fans around the globe for almost three decades, and has earned more than $5 billion worldwide.

During the film a Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator and a vintage Grand Wagoneer can all be seen in the middle of the action.

Olivier Francois, Stellantis' global chief marketing officer said: “Almost 30 years ago, moviegoers saw Dr. Ian Malcom escape danger from dinosaurs in the original Jurassic Park film while riding in the back seat of a 1992 Jeep Wrangler.

We paid homage to that iconic scene in the Jeep brand’s 2018 Big Game commercial, which then featured the new Jeep Wrangler, as the next extension of our relationship with Universal Pictures.

Here we are now in 2022, and we continue to see the evolution of the Jeep brand around the world with electric plug-ins, including the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe, which are quite literally charged for any adventure.”

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Get yourself one of these new

MUD LIFE STICKERS! Get them in our Ko-Fi shop: ko-fi.com/mudlifemag/shop

We now we have these 2 fun new designs to pick from, and they are bigger than the last ones.

Stick 'em on your 4x4, caravan, toolbox, laptop or wherever else you just want to stick things.

• Size - approx. 10cm • Printed on high quality vinyl • Suitable for exterior use.

These glossy vinyl stickers are £1.75 each plus P&P (it's just a one-off P&P of 66p no matter how many stickers you buy).

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REVEALED: The top 20 fastest UK cities to charge your EV

Admiral Car Insurance has teamed up with Zap-Map, the UK’s leading EV charge point mapping service, to shine a light on the towns and cities that are currently best served for the two quickest types of charging points, known as rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, and have highlighted the Midlands as a hotspot for charging your electric car as quickly as possible.

The 5 cities with the most rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are Nottingham (122), Milton Keynes(106), Leeds, Birmingham and Coventry, though Birmingham came out on top in respect to the speediest chargers, with their 39 high-powered ultra-rapid chargers.

Unlike fossil fuel cars, EVs can recharge almost anywhere – at home, at work and on the public network though there are different speeds of chargers and, therefore, different uses for them.

EV drivers charging at home, for instance, typically use what are known as ‘slow’ or ‘fast’ devices to charge up overnight. In contrast, rapid chargers take between 20 minutes to an hour to add around 100 miles of charge, and are found at many different locations from motorway service areas and fuel forecourts to restaurants, hotels and retail car parks.

Even speedier are ultra-rapid devices, which can add more or less 100 miles of charge in around 15 minutes.

Useful for drivers undertaking longer journeys, they tend to be found in groups of between six and ten.

As the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars draws ever nearer, and the number of EV owners continues to rise, meanwhile, the number of rapid and ultra-rapid chargers has also shown promising growth in recent years.

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While there were just 973 rapid and ultra-rapid devices at the end of 2016, by the end of April 2022 the UK had over 5,750 rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers.

Admiral has partnered with Zap Map to help drivers find the location of the country’s fastest EV charging points with their EV charging map.

Clare Egan, Head of Motor Product at Admiral, said: “While most EVs will charge overnight at home, many people driving longer distances will need to charge up as quickly as possible.That’s why we’ve teamed up with ZapMap to find the speediest cities to charge your car.

Those of us making cross-country trips this summer now know that the Midlands is a great place to recharge the battery and grab a quick coffee before getting back on the road for a well-deserved break.”

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zap-Map, said: “There are of course a range of different needs when it comes to charging an EV, but continued investment in high-powered chargers for longer journeys is crucial as the number of EVs on the road continues to grow at pace. Nottingham may well be leading the charge in this area right now, but it will certainly be interesting to see which city takes the top spot in two years’ time.”

City

Rapid

Ultra-Rapid

Grand Total

Nottingham

92

30

122

Milton Keynes

100

6

106

Leeds

60

17

77

Birmingham

34

39

73

Coventry

71

Bristol

45

23

68

Manchester

36

26

62

Sheffield

48

9

57

Glasgow

46

6

52

Wolverhampton

26

23

49

Norwich

20

28

48

Dundee

36

8

44

Bradford

39

Exeter

10

27

37

Slough

7

29

36

Derby

20

14

34

Cardiff

24

10

34

Banbury

5

29

34

Preston

31

2

33

Newcastle upon Tyne

31

2

33

71

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Škoda Enyaq iV80 Sportline

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What is it?

Unexpected! Getting the Enyaq was a last minute decision as the 200bhp 4x4 Octavia estate that I had booked had been damaged by the previous journo, and therefore no longer available. With this in mind I was asked if I’d like the Enyaq instead, and why not!

The Enyaq iV is Škoda’s first fully electric car, and mine, too.

So would it convince me that the move to battery power will fit seamlessly into the life at Muddy Towers?

On the Road

Despite having to cart around a heavy battery pack, when driven normally the Enyaq was perfectly acceptable, even with the Sportline’s 20” wheels and stiffer sports suspension. On motorways and fast B roads it acquitted itself well, remaining well balanced in all but the tightest of corners.

I’m not going to criticise and insult the Enyaq by saying that it isn’t a fun and engaging car to drive, but by its very nature - a large family SUV, the Enyaq is easy and relaxing to drive with no pretence to be anything else. It does what it does and it does it well.

On the subject of being relaxing to drive, there’s obviously no engine up front so it’s very quiet, and the only noise that entered the cabin was from exceptionally coarse surfaces.

Other than that there’s the faint whistle of wind around the door mirrors at motorway speeds, but that disappears when you switch on the radio.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Off-road

As I mentioned at the beginning, finding myself behind the wheel of the Enyaq wasn’t planned, and the only replacement vehicle was the rear wheel drive model.

There is a 4WD variant available, but despite of this I don’t think I’d be venturing too far off the beaten track with the 4WD 80X. I have no doubt that it would have enormous amounts of traction, but it would be the lack of any decent ground clearance that I’d be concerned about.

Interior

Okay, let’s get my moaning out of the way first, my only criticism is the overly large touchscreen that dominates the middle of the dashboard, and the fact that you have to go searching in menus to find basic functions.

I personally didn’t find it very intuitive. It took me ages to figure out how to switch off Lane Assist and manually control the ventilation system, but at least the icons are large and clear.

There are shortcut buttons on the steering wheel and dash, but they still take you to the screen which remains a distraction. That said, it isn’t as in-your-face as the Mach-e or Tesla models. I much prefer it when designers make the effort to integrate them into the dash, like the Škoda Kodiaq that arrived the following week which was much better.

DAB radio, built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring are standard, as well as two USB-C sockets up front and in the back.

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The positives, and there are plenty of them....

Making yourself comfortable in the Enyaq is easy, the Comfort Seat Package Plus (£880 option), includes electrically adjustable front seats with memory function and power adjustable lumbar support for both front seats.

Add to that the deep shoulder supports and you won’t be going anywhere whilst cornering hard.

Visibility is decent despite the chunky rear pillars, and you’re sat quite high which is always an advantage. Standard on the 80 are front sensors and a reversing camera, though a 360º bird’s eye view camera is offered as an option.

With large door pockets, two good-sized cupholders and an enormous cubby under the centre armrest, you’ll not be short of storage space.

In the back, even if you’re over six feet tall there’s loads of shoulder and head room, and more than enough leg room, even if you’re sitting behind equally lanky folk.

With excellent access the boot is huge and has a reasonably low load lip. There's enough storage space for the charging cables under the floor, and if you tick the Transport Package option you get cargo netting and a height-adjustable boot floor.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Engine ’n’ transmission

Škoda has kept the Enyaq iV range pretty simple to understand, with two battery sizes available: the 58kWh iV 60 and 77kWh iV 80.

The smaller battery model produces 177bhp via a rear-mounted electric motor powering the rear wheels, while the 201bhp iV 80 is also rear-wheel-drive. Then there’s the 80X, which has four-wheel drive and 261bhp.

Opt for the 60 and you have a very respectable 256-mile official range. The 80 can officially manage up to 333 miles (327 miles in Sportline), and 303 miles in 80X Sportline trims.

Conclusion

As my first fully electric vehicle I may have been spoilt. Not only does it have a decent range but the Enyaq is incredibly practical with decent levels of kit. You do pay for them, mind.

The standard cost for the iV80 Sportline is £42,915, and this particular press car has over £5k worth of packages and options, including an Assisted Drive package, Climate Package Plus, Comfort Seat Package Plus, Double Sided Boot Floor, Drive Sport Package Plus and more.

So, has it convinced me that a move to battery power is doable? With 327 miles to play with it would appear so. A day out to Cerrigydrudion and the EVO Triangle is around 200 miles. Then it’s 220 miles to the NEC and back, a trip we do on a regular basis, so it has the majority of our trips covered, and then some.

A funny thing happened when…

The morning the chaps from Škoda were due to come and swap the Enyaq for the 4x4 Kodiaq, I figured I’d give it a quick charge at home using the 3-pin plug Škoda supplied. It was showing 74 miles left, and after 2 hours using normal mains it had increased to 85 miles.

Jumping in the Enyaq I prodded the screen telling it to stop charging, I then unplugged it from the mains and went to remove the charger from the car - err, no, it wouldn’t budge.

I checked the manual but it was no help, and lots of head-scratching followed. When the gents arrived they simply asked if I had pressed the open icon on the fob twice? Of course not, why would I have done that?

Anyhow, I pressed the open icon on the fob twice and low and behold it was released. You learn something new everyday. I felt quite the berk!

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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!

It’s Adventure Time!

I am sat writing this at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. It is a bit different to what I usually do, namely because as the name suggests, the event is aimed at trail riders rather than 4x4s.

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I am here with the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) to talk about green lane conservation, the threats and opportunities to our hobby, and what we can collectively do to protect what we all love, whether on two or four wheels.

I have done my stint on stage today, accompanied by Steve Stout of the TRF, and a resident of Cumbria. He is currently involved in the repairs to Breast High Road and is very knowledgeable about lane projects.

Something Steve mentioned really stood out to me. He said that one of the most important things we can do to help change perceptions of us as motorised users, is to drop the defensive 'us and them' attitude, and I completely agree!

We receive a fair bit of animosity as green laners, but much of it is unfounded, exaggerated, or downright untrue.

Anti-access organisations use the few examples of poor behaviour they can find, and make sure the world knows about them. It is no wonder that the general public, and even we, think that there are far more problems on the green lane network than there actually are.

One person puts a foot (or wheel) wrong, and it is all over the internet in a matter of seconds.

How many times have we seen one incident of off piste driving or someone stuck somewhere shared dozens of times on social media by other laners, let alone antimotoring organisations like GLEAM? It paints a picture of what green laning is and it is not a good one!

Meanwhile, while one person is stuck axle deep on Happy Valley and the photos are being shared far and wide, making it feel like the problem is far bigger than one person’s mistake. There are people repairing, clearing, and reopening lanes day in day out, and fighting legal cases on our behalf, but this news rarely travels far, and few people ever see it.

As we all know, there has been plenty of venom thrown from our own community at those who work to protect our rights. Quite frankly it can be atrocious and extremely damaging to our community. While the antis are creating their own biased narrative so are we. In fact we are handing the 'evidence' to them on a plate, and this is far more of a threat than what is actually happening on the lanes.

The vast majority of byways (BOATs) and unclassified county roads (UCRs) are used legally, responsibly, and are in a reasonable condition. The problem areas are localised to a handful of locations compared to the 20,000 (approximately) green lanes in the UK. If the problems we share were as widespread as social media and the media in general make out, there would be countrywide outcry and understandably so. Even

government commissioned assessment reports agree that problems are isolated and local rather than being widespread and countrywide.

Overall, far more money is spent on repairing non-motorised routes and the repercussions of foot traffic.

All the positive evidence is there to share, but sadly it rarely gets much attention.

Many of the problems we do have are not because of people driving off piste or irresponsibly, they are due to neglect by those who are responsible for them. Going back to Happy Valley, the issues there are not because of responsible green laners, but because of total neglect by the managing authorities. If the drainage was sufficient and maintenance was carried out, no one would be getting stuck.

While authorities continue to fail to do their legal duty, green laners are busy funding legal action and giving up their time to put their failings right.

Far from being the problem, green laners are often the solution.

What we need to do is be advocates for that work, instead of sharing the negative stories we should be shouting the positive ones from the rooftops!

This is exactly why I am at the festival this weekend, to work with other organisations to champion what we do as a community - to change perceptions, build relationships, and advocate the truth about who we are and what we do.

Having spent years travelling to where people shout the loudest against us, I have seen first-hand what really happens on the lanes, and behind the scenes at meetings as far north as Northumberland, as far south as Essex, across Wales, and in the east. While every problem will find itself in my inbox at some point, I have seen and heard far more positive stories.

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Green laning and trail riding means so much to so many. I have sat with people this weekend who, after health problems or accidents, have found freedom and catharsis in being able to access the countryside as a motorist. I count myself in that group too after cancer and other health problems a 4x4 is my way of maintaining the lifestyle I lived before ill health.

Then there are those who use their vehicles to help others, fundraise, carry out repairs, explore remote locations, deliver aid, and make the world a better more connected place.

I am in awe of the people I have met in the last few days! Extend that to the years I have been in the green laning world, and I could write a book about all the amazing positive people and stories I have witnessed.

To celebrate all that is good in the motorised world of green laning and trail riding, we have two papers that will be published to share this information, not only in our own community but with those outside it.

Instead of sharing the negative, we will be able to show who we really are and what we really do. I just hope that there is as much interest in that information as there inevitably will be about the next person who gets stuck on a mountain somewhere.

Because I have already written the papers which will be freely available to anyone who wishes to read them, there is little point in me blithering on, so let’s turn our attention to something more fun…

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The Adventure Bike Rider Festival was an absolutely awesome event!

While there may be little 4x4 related stuff to mention, there were plenty of fascinating talks from overlanders, plus it gave me a chance to test out Ralph the Range Rover’s new setup.

awning comes with optional side walls which I am yet to try out, but I can honestly say I was extremely impressed with the canopy, especially in the strong winds over the weekend. Overnight I have an LED awning light strip from Direct4x4.

As a green laner and overlander, I always kit out my vehicles so that I can spend either a day or many months on the road. Ralph has taken longer than most due to Covid, but I have finally completed the main elements of the build, although he is not finished yet!

On the exterior I have Radar Renegade RT+ tyres. Thanks to Julian of Beartown Tyres, I am really impressed with the Radars, they are an all-terrain/mud terrain hybrid and while they perform brilliantly off tarmac, they also have excellent road manners.

On the roof, attached to the Range Rover cross bars (available from various sellers) is the new shape Landtrekker 270º awning. The roof bars are great as they have bolts that make mounting the awning a doddle!

Huge thanks to Kieron at Landtrekker for helping me fit it and for a great chinwag about all things Land Rover. The

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Inside I have fitted a slide out kitchen unit from Direct4x4. The unit has three slides, a fridge slide at the top, and two worktops that can be used individually or fully extended together. The cooker station has a windbreak that can be fitted to face in either direction, and fold out legs for extra support.

On top of the slide unit is the 55ltr dual zone compressor fridge freezer also from Direct4x4. This plugs in to any 12v plug but also has the option of a battery. I have to say I am very impressed!

The capacity is huge, it runs quietly, and the battery lasts ages. It is totally multi-functional, you can set each compartment to be a fridge or freezer, or turn one off to use less electric/battery. You can also switch from high to eco mode, I have had it in eco mode and used the battery for three days and the temperature stayed constant, and my milk stayed cold! It also has Bluetooth, but I am yet to discover the benefits of this!

Beneath the kitchen under the boot floor, I have installed a second battery. I wired it into the fuse box with a wiring kit supplied by Luxury Land Rover Upgrades, along with a 1000W inverter from Sealey.

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The full length of the near side is taken up by my bed. I made this from an old futon, and it lifts and folds to provide storage underneath and access to the spare if needed.

I have storage boxes and some other storage ideas still to install.

The spare wheel is also in the boot floor, I have made that accessible by creating a frame that can be lifted with the help of a couple of gas struts. When travelling the frame is bolted to the boot floor using wing knobs that can be removed by hand without the need for tools.

There is still one rear passenger’s seat in place for Celyn! I also have a Joolca Hottap2 to install for instant hot water and a shower while on my travels, although I doubt Celyn will be as excited about that as I am!

In the front there is a considerable radio set up, everything came from Thunderpole. There is a fixed T-2000 CB and a TTI-TCB-H100 handheld CB, both work off the same roof mounted antenna by way of a switch. There are also 6 PMRs in case I am out with a group who don’t have their own CBs. The tablet is a Samsung Galaxy 10.1” Tab A. I have still got my new cast iron two-burner LPG cooker to install, at the moment I am using up my old canisters for my Campingaz single burner.

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The AlpKit BruKit is always handy to take along, it boils water super quickly for a brew stop and costs less than a JetBoil. I also have an Envirofit solid fuel burning Rocket Stove.

Overall, it has worked extremely well on a test weekend at the Festival. I do need to cut my memory foam mattress from my last build down to size though as the bed is a bit too firm with just a self-inflating mattress!

I will be on my next trip before the next issue comes out.

A road trip around the Highlands and islands of Scotland for an indeterminate amount of time, I’ll come back when I’m ready!

Don’t forget as a GLASS member Direct4x4 and Thunderpole offer discounts to our members along with dozens of other supportive businesses!

That’s all from me this month folks!

Happy laning and drive (or ride) safe!

Lauren & Celyn x

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• 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 •

IN OUR GARAGE

A Fault and Battery

I love Range Rovers, always have, but one of the reasons I don’t have one is because of all the press cars I get to drive. I’d barely drive the thing, and Range Rovers like to be driven. I’d have nightmares of trying to start it after a month or two of no use and being confronted by a bank of warning lights resembling Blackpool illuminations!

This is just one of the reason I like Deux Smurf so much. Firstly it’s a Toyota, and secondly she’s fairly simply when it comes to the tech side of things, and the only problem I have with her lack of use is an occasional flat battery.

The current one (no pun intended), has been in for around 5 years, and over the last 6 months or so I’ve had to put it on charge more times than I can remember.

Then last week something odd happened, one day she started without any problems, and the next, nothing.

Even her interior lights wouldn’t illuminate.......and then they did (cue the spooky music). There were moments when the lights on the dash appeared and the beeping starts (keys in ignition & door open), then nothing, then they start again - very intermittent.

After checking all the connections and earth, I connected my tryusty oh-soreliable Britpart XS Power Pack, and it took three attempts to fire her up.

Great, I could at least drive around the back and put her on charge, but as soon as I disconnected the clamps the engine stopped.

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A few more attempts, not only was she still not starting, but my jump start is having a hissy fit with its leads becoming uncomfortably hot.

Figuring there was something more sinister going on, I posed the question on a couple of Facebook pages. Responses were obviously a dead battery, but others warned that if it died when I disconnected the charger then I could’ve burned up her alternator - a bit grim, if not obvious.

Anyway, no matter what I’d done, Deux Smurf needed a new battery, and after posing the question "Where’s the best place to buy batteries from?" in our Mega Mud Lifers Facebook group the overwhelming answer was Tayna Batteries - www.tayna.co.u

Before I placed my order I did a bit of research, and a quick search on t’interweb revealed that Tayna were the pioneers of mail order batteries in the UK starting way back in 2003. They were the first UK retailer to offer not just car batteries, but leisure and motorbikes batteries delivered to your door on a next day basis.

With a family history in the battery trade dating back over 50 years, they know what they're talking about, and if you can find a cheaper priced battery on another website, they’ll aim to beat it.

Anyhow, I popped Deux Smurf’s reg number in, up came a battery, I ordered it and the following day it arrived - can’t argue with service like that.

Although the battery slotted in nicely, the original battery clamp didn’t fit, so I dug out an adjustable cable tie for a temporary fix.

With everything checked, I turned the key and she fired up immediately, and better still, there was no battery warning light on the dash to indicate that I’d buggered up her alternator.

Sweet!

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DACIA DUSTER Prestige 4x4

What is it?

For those of us who have been around for a while and remember the original Duster from the 1980s, things have changed an awful lot! A decade or so later Dacia was bought by Renault, and now build some of the best value cars money can buy.

This latest generation Duster went on sale in Europe back in 2010, and has proved to be quite a success with almost 2 million of them being sold so far.

Back then, with a starting price of just £8,995, the common question was just how could a company import the cars, sell them and make a profit? The simple answer is that Dacia raid the parts bin for tried and tested Renault and Nissan parts, then add in cheap Romanian labour costs and a simple pricing structure and you have have yourself a relatively cheap vehicle.

On the road

Just because the Duster is a cheap car doesn’t mean that it translates into a woeful ride - far from it. Obviously it isn’t a performance car with trendy low profile tyres, but it’s really quite fun to throw around corners, and once in the correct gear, the 115bhp 1.5ltr diesel can leave you with a dirty great grin on your face.

Overall, ride and handling are set up more for comfort than high speed cornering and there is an element of wallowing through tighter corners, but not as much as you’d expect for an SUV of its type, and certainly not enough to put you off having a bit of fun.

Around town negotiating our potholed strewn streets, the Duster was comfortable, the suspension was soft, helped in part by 17” wheels and proper size tyres.

On some roads you’ll hear a bit of noise entering the cabin, but overall it was a relaxed affair, and motorway cruising was a joy, especially with the option of both cruise control and speed limiter. The new Duster also has an acoustic windscreen that helps to keep the noise down.

When it comes to the 4x4 version, 1st gear is incredibly low, only suitable for towing and off-road work, and for the majority of the week I got used to setting off in second gear.

After a week of mixed driving the computer showed that I had achieved 52.4mpg, which I was more than satisfied with.

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Off road I know a few people with 4x4 Dusters who aren’t shy when it comes to taking them green-laning, I’m also on a few Duster Facebook pages, so I know how good they are off the beaten track. With this in mind I wanted to give this Duster a thorough test, and for that I decided upon Bootle Fell.

Just behind the gearstick you’ll find a dial that controls the drive modes; 2WD, Auto and Lock, and for the start of Bootle FellI switched the dial to Auto to let it do its own thing.

Initially it performed a lot better than the Jeep Compass Trailhawk did in ‘auto’ the week prior, which surprised me. The Duster handled the holes and shallow axle twisters with total ease and without hesitation.

The first tricky section involved dropping the front off-side wheel into a deep well, which in turn lifted the nearside rear in the air, it was here that the Duster lost traction and came to a

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halt, I tried a little left foot braking to no avail. Reversing a little I selected Lock on the dial and drove the same line. It was at this point I figured that Lock didn’t actually lock anything up. This was a bit worrying as there were more gnarly sections ahead!

Readjusting the line I cleared the obstacle, but I had similar issues further along. To be fair, this was quite an extreme lane, and in the end it was momentum that got me up some of the obstacles, not ideal, but we reached the end of the lane unscathed.

I mentioned this on a 4x4 Duster Facebook page and was informed that I should’ve also switched off Traction Control, but in my defence, in a lot of other 4x4s, TC is often automatically switched off when 4x4 engaged.

On other lanes the Duster proved faultless, with mud, rock and wet grass dismissed with the arrogance you would expect from a far more expensive 4x4.

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Interior It has pretty much everything you need in a car; 4 electric windows, cruise control, speed limiter, air conditioning, 4WD and plenty of passenger and luggage space. Yes, the majority of the interior is made of cheap plastic, but as I’ve always said, I’ve never felt the need to caress a leather dashboard whilst sat at the lights, so does it really matter? You do get some fabric on the front door armrests, and the steering wheel is made of soft leather, which is rather nice.

The only real issue I had was that the sweep of the passenger side windscreen wiper is too low and the seat is fixed fairly high, therefore when it rains your passenger has no forward vision - Muddy madam wasn’t impressed.

On with the positives, the heated seats are comfortable, it has proper heater controls and keyless entry.You’ll also find a 12v socket and two USB ports up front, and a further two USBs in the rear. The 8” media display isn’t in your face and features Apple Car-Play, Android, a DAB radio and the whole unit is wi-fi and Bluetooth compatible. There’s even sat-nav, multi view cameras, front and rear parking sensors and blindspot warning.

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Boot space is 445 litres, but be prepared to lose some of that if you opt for the £300 full size spare wheel option, which in my opinion is a no-brainer.

Conclusion I really enjoyed my week with the Duster, it proved comfortable, economical, practical and surprisingly competent offroad. The Duster is a very good SUV that overdelivers at its relatively cheap cost.

Yes, it may use an older Clio platform and recycles a lot of obsolete Renault parts, but if it’s not broke, and it still works, why the heck not?

Price - £22,590 incl spare wheel & metallic paint options

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IN OUR GARAGE

dirty rotten scoundrels

Scrots!

Let’s take a moment or two to talk about complacency...

I’ve lived in the same house for around 30 years, and in that time I’ve never had a car broken in to, Muddy Madam has, but not me. With this in mind, and although I never keep anything of huge value in Deux Smurf, there are certain bits ‘n’ bobs that usually stay in the boot because they’re either a nuisance to remove or just handy to keep there - a tyre compressor, a few tools, wellies and recovery equipment.

Without going into too much detail, at around 1.30am on a Monday morning there was a knock at the door, it was a policeman. He told me that there had been reports of two ‘people’ in the area trying car doors, and whilst patrolling he noticed that Deux Smurf had been broken in to. It wasn’t difficult to spot as the knuckle draggers had scarpered leaving her driver's door wide open and a few belongings strewn across the road.

I don’t mind admitting that not only was I fuming, but I had that sickly feeling in the pit of my stomach. I have zero tolerance for thieves.

They entered Deux Smurf without causing any damage, thankfully, but had totally ransacked her. Under torchlight I could see that they’d emptied every cubby box and door pocket.

They’d removed the fuse panel cover in an attempt, I assume, to hot wire her, which didn’t work because, as mentioned in the previous Our Garage article on page 36, it happened to be the time her battery was completely flat. A stroke of serendipity!

After the policeman took a statement I was instructed not to handle anything as the CSI would be in touch in the morning to check for fingerprints, so I couldn’t really check to see what had been taken.

I stayed up for the rest of the night, in the living room, curtains open keeping an eye on them returning. I was livid and ready to pounce if I saw anyone looking remotely suspicious..

In the morning, after the forensic team had given me the all clear, it was time to have a proper inspection, and put things back where they belong.

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They’d taken my twenty year old tyre compressor that I’d bought from Difflock.com, but left its box. Gone was the facia to the stereo, as was my favourite pair of sunglasses.

Oh, and my Britpart XS Power Pack. Nooooo!

What they’d left was an expensive pair of wellies, the Over The Top Quiltie Hammock, a decent shovel, a large heavy duty box that contains recovery ropes, straps and shackles, as well as a pair of ActionTrax, waffle boards, a high-vis jacket and a metal towing bar with a spring damper (obviously not readers of this mag!). Up front, on the floor was my dash-cam, small hand saws, various USB cables and other bits 'n' bobs.

In some ways I actually feel quite fortunate as I used to keep a lot more kit in her, like a couple of small camping stoves, multitools, a set of Halfords spanners, a pair of soft shackles, ropes and some decent torches and headlamps, but had recently moved them out. As you may gathered, I’ve now reassessed what I keep in Deux Smurf.

Because I’m with two breakdown companies; Britannia Rescue and the AA, the towing bar doesn’t need to be in there, neither does all the recovery equipment, ActionTrax and wellies. These are now stored elsewhere safe and sound, and will only be thrown in Deux Smurf when needed, and that goes for my wellies too. I basically keep the bare minimum in her now.

The officer said they were opportunistic thieves, but that got me thinking, without being paranoid, we know that these gutter rats are everywhere on forums and Facebook pages. So be warned when you post your lovely modded 4x4 on Facebook - it may only take a bit of detective work to figure out where you live.

So my friends, don’t become complacent like me, have a really good think about what you need to keep in your vehicles.

Yes, insurance will pay out, but it’s the inconvenience of it all, plus, with an insurance excess, you’ll still end up paying out of your own pocket.

One thing is for certain, by the time you read this, Deux Smurf will have a raft of new security measures installed.

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Play Dirty Vest Sizes: S - XXL Price: £19

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R A E G & GOODS

A T R IBU TE TO REDBAC K BOOT S Today is a very sad day, as after 8 years of (very) hard labour, I say goodbye to my trusty and dependable Redback boots.

Back in 2014, Gavin from Bushgear.co.uk sent me a pair of these Australian made boots to review. They were so unbelievably comfortable, like a cross between your favourite slippers and a pair of neoprene wellies.

For 8 years straight I’ve worn them almost daily, from days away green laning to simply taking the bins out.

I’ve walked around the NEC in them countless times, they’ve been in the sea, in rivers and even completely submerged in deep… well, I’m not quite sure what it was!

They have been covered in dried mud for weeks on end, only to get banged against a wall to loosen the mud off, then dunked in lukewarm water, cleaned with a brush, left in the kitchen to dry, then (occasionally) waxed. They’ve spent countless dank and frosty nights left outside whilst camping, and after all this abuse they’ve always managed to keep my feet warm, dry and comfortable.

Then, just when I thought I could put them into semi retirement they became my go-to Lilly (the Mud Life dog) walking boots. Amazingly, since re-homing her up until the day this was written, averaging 10k steps a day, every day for the last 10 months, they’ve kept my feet in the luxury they’ve been accustomed to. That’s THREE MILLION STEPS since last August, and 7 other years worth of wandering, and only now have they begun to leak!

That’s an incredible achievement, I’ve never had a pair of boots that have been abused this much and have remained as comfortable as the day they arrived, with hardly any tread loss.

Farewell my trusty companions, you’ve exceeded all expectations and you will be dearly missed. The only question to ask now is what do I replace them with?

It has to be another pair of Redbacks - obviously! price: from £109.95 more at » https://www.bushgear.co.uk

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RPPL260 FAST CHARGE LITHIUM JUMP STARTER The RPPL260 is designed to jump-start 12v vehicles with up to 4 litre petrol and 2 litre diesel engines. It has a powerful 9000mAh lithium battery with a fast charging function. In addition, the device has safety clamps, reverse polarity, short circuit and over-voltage protection.

Weighing in at only 720g, the jump starter is easy to use and can jump-start your vehicle in approximately 60 seconds and recharge the device and other mobile devices in no time thanks to the quick-charge function.

The compact size fits well in a glove box and comes complete with a storage bag that serves to protect the it during storage. A torch is also integrated, which can be used to illuminate the engine compartment in poor lighting conditions or at night. price: £84.99 more at » https://shop.ringautomotive.com

New Stuff we've discovered this month TILLEY FACE COVERINGS - NON-MEDICAL 2-PACK Muddy Madam and I headed off to watch Queen & Adam Lambert at the end of last month. We left with giant smilies on our faces, and unbeknownst to us, we both also left with a nasty batch of Covid, so wearing a mask in busy public places at the moment is probably still a wise move.

These flexible, comfortable, two-layer 100% cotton face masks from Canadian hat specialists Tilley are a stylish choice.

Size-wise they’re a one size fits most with a sewn in metal nose piece for a more personal fit to minimise fogging if you wear glasses. They have elastic straps with a soft-touch toggle for a great fit.

They are designed with two layers that act as an inside pocket for an optional filter insert:. price: currently £9 & £7.50 (were £18 & £15) more at » https://uk.tilley.com

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New Stuff we've discovered this month BARBOUR GRANVILLE JACKET Available in either olive or navy, Barbour’s Granville Jacket boasts a waterproof design with a sit down collar and concealed button fastening storm placket for added protection against the elements.

With a classic tartan inner back panel, this coat is styled with hand warmer and lower patch pockets for a handy storage solution.

A Barbour brown leather badge to the front pocket flap finishes it off.

Sizes: from Medium to double Extra Large.

Price - £219.00 more at » www.barbour.com

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H S A L F IVE DR

What is a Flash Drive? On media days we get to drive cars for around an hour, which is great when you want to get a feel for it, but not necessarily enough for a full review, so these are our mini reviews.

Mazda MX-5 If you’re invited on a Mazda press driving day and you don’t drive their MX-5, then it’s my professional opinion that you may require psychological help! Seriously though, this latest MX-5 is not only in its fourth generation, but using the simple, yet winning formula of rear wheel drive and a naturally aspirated petrol engine, it brings back the fun in driving.

Out on the road it’s an absolute hoot, the slick 6-speed manual ‘box suits it well, and the 184bhp you get from the 2.0 litre is more than ample. There’s also a 1.5 litre model (132bhp), which is equally as fun, just a little slower. Both engines now feature extensive stop-start tech that recoups energy under braking to help power the ancillary electronics to save fuel. The 1.5 litre lump will get you to 62mph in 8.3 seconds whilst the 2.0 litre will see you there in just 6.5 seconds.

All models get heated seats, LED headlights, smartphone connectivity, climate control, Sat-nav and cruise control as standard. For a 6ft 1”, 18 stone fat bloke like me, the cabin is cosy, but certainly not uncomfortable, and the 130 litre boot has more than enough space for two people who enjoy weekends away in hotels, though not necessarily camping holidays.

Despite its low-slung appearance and the 2.0 litre Sport Tech and GT Sport Tech full-on sports suspension for more focused handling, the MX-5 is still relatively comfortable over most road surfaces. Yes it can feel firm, but not uncomfortably so.

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When it comes to changing direction the MX-5 is nimble and quick with an accurate steering set-up.

Being rear-wheel drive makes it fun, especially on damp roads, but it all feels very predictable. You also get a limited-slip differential which helps as you power out of corners.

Overall he Mazda MX-5 is a wonderful two-seat convertible that's great to drive and won't cost a fortune to buy or own, and if I had space there would definitely be one sat outside Muddy Towers. price: £25,725 more at » www.mazda.co.uk

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H S A L F IVE DR

With a selection of three trim levels and the choice of a front or fourwheel-drive, the C40 Recharge is not only sleek but it’s a good-looking SUV that’s also pure electric.

Opt for the four-wheel-drive version that’s badged as the Recharge Twin and it has two electric motors (one for each axle), you also get a larger 78kWh battery that has an official WLTP range of 273 miles.

Not only that, but with a weight limit of 1800kg it’ll tow a decent size caravan too.

Usually a 20 minute test drive doesn’t tell you a lot about a car, but this test drive was around the Hill Route at Millbrook during a media day, and therefore I learnt a fair bit.

For one it’s bloody rapid! The dual motor, four-wheel-drive Recharge Twin has a combined power output of 402bhp, giving it a 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.7sec. Opt for the single motor, front-wheel-drive Volvo C40 Recharge and that has 228bhp available, and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.4sec, which is more than sufficient for most people’s needs.

It isn’t just a one-trick pony either, the Recharge Twin handled the twist and turns of the test track admirably with plenty of grip and minimal body roll - which was good fun.

Volvo C40 Recharge

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The brakes responded well and there's a 'one-pedal' driving function that means the car decelerates gently to a complete stop as soon as you lift off the accelerator. It’s a bit weird at first but you soon get used to it.

Inside, the C40 has Volvo’s latest driver instrument cluster with clear graphics and a design that's easy to read, and the front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment.

First impressions after just 20 minutes and I was hooked, I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on one for a week, a Recharge Twin, obviously. price: from £47,100 more at » www.volvocars.com

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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

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Snow Peak Stacking Shelf Container Made from aluminium-zinc coated steel with stainless steel and bamboo handles and polycarbonate feet, these handy Stacking Shelf Containers are designed to be both rugged and practical.

Designed in Japan, the containers are a versatile storage option for both home and camping use, and they have the ability to also fold open to store bulky items such as firewood or blankets as well as being stackable.

The stacking container from Snow Peak are available in two sizes: - the 25 litre version measures 52 x 32.5 x 21cm (LxWxH), weighs in at 3.6kg and has a maximum carrying load of 20kg.

- the 50 litre measures 62.5 x 40.5 x 27 cm, weighs in at 5.5kg, and also has a max carrying 20kg. price: 25L - £110, 50L - £140 more at » snowpeak.co.uk

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Robens Windshield There have been too many times when I’ve set up my stove and prepared either a warming brew or one pot meal only to be thwarted by a cruel wind that seems to attack the flame from every direction.

Well not anymore ‘cos I’ve got the Robens Windshield that works an absolute treat. Weighing just 190g and measuring 21 x 8.5 x 1.3 cm when packed, and extending to 21 x 58 cm (HxW), this lightweight and compact windshield makes it perfect for backpacking trips and hiding in the smallest crevice of your 4x4.

With two prongs on either side to help it stay in place when the wind really picks up or on uneven ground, it’s tall enough to shelter a burner mounted on a small gas cartridge.

The obvious benefits are that it makes a huge difference to the boil times, thus also saving on fuel. I’ve also used it to protect the flame on my JetBoil.

If you use a smaller stove, or as I mentioned a Jetboil type unit, then the Windshield is the perfect accessory. And when you’re done it folds down flat and neatly packs away in its own mesh carry bag. price: £21.99 more at » www.robens.de

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MSR Tindheim Tent Launching in 2023, the all-new Tindheim tent will be MSR’s first foray into the tunnel tent category, and combines the brand’s quality with features perfect for all-weather outdoor pursuits.

The 3-season Tindheim maximises internal space with external features that provide exceptional protection from the weather - including grommeted pole connection points, heavy duty guy lines and tensioners, and a footprint that extends into the vestibule to ensure that your gear stays dry. Featuring a storm-pitch design, the Tindheim offers an easy set-up, even during high winds and rain.

On the inside, the Tindheim has customisable ventilation, a double layer zip door, and MSR-staple features like storage pockets and a laundry line to dry clothes.

The Tindheim tent will be available from January 1st 2023 in 2 & 3 person models, priced at £450 & £550. more at » www.msrgear.com

MSR LowDown Remote Stove Adapter With wide foldout legs, MSR’s LowDown creates a stable base that significantly lowers your stove height, handy for stability on uneven ground or when cooking around pets and kids.

The LowDown connects underneath any MSR canister-top mounted stove, including the PocketRocket series, Reactor series, and the WindBurner Personal.

By lowering the stoves’ centre of gravity, the adapter creates a sturdier and more versatile cooking set up allowing stoves of nearly any size to support larger pots and pans with ease.

The adapter moves the simmer control away from the flame and over to the canister, meaning you don’t have to reach under the pot to turn down your stove making cooking adjustments easier. And when you’re done it folds up nice and compact for easy stowing whether you’re backpacking with friends or camping with the family.

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price: RRP £45 more at » www.msrgear.com

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YouTube Channel of the Month

Tyler Thompson https://www.youtube.com/c/TylerThompson90

How would you describe your channel?

For the avid explorer, adventurer, 4x4 lover. For all walks of life, from the amateur camper to the worldly adrenaline junkie. I’d describe my channel as outdoorsy, laid back, family orientated, perfect Sunday viewing.

When and how did it begin?

August 2017, I wanted to document my travels so I filmed my first trip on my phone after drawing inspiration from other YouTube channels. I was hooked, started filming more, learning as I went. A lot of dedication teamed with being very fortunate that people gravitated towards my content, here I am today.

How many videos have you created so far?

I put out one video a week, on Sunday morning. Then occasionally add an additional mid-week video in. I’ve released approximately 275 videos since 2017.

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What’s been the biggest challenge so far?

What inspires you?

Can we find you anywhere else?

My biggest challenge at the moment is time. Time to edit and actually go out to new places and film.

Other YouTubers inspire me,. They show what you can really achieve if you put everything into something you are passionate about.

You can find me on; • Instagram - tylzzz (three z's)

Between Demi and I’s four kids, one of them being a four month old, usual daily life, etc. - life has been pretty demanding.

Uncovering what Australia has to offer, exploring the unknown and spending time outdoors with my family, are a few.

• Facebook - Tyler Thompson • Tik Tok - tylzzzz (four z’s) I also have Patreon - Tyler Thompson

If you would like your channel to be featured send us a quick email to: youtube@themudlife.co.uk THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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h c o o M

Exploring with a CompassPart 2

Last month I regaled you with how well the Compass Trailhawk 4xe managed on one of the most challenging lanes in Cumbria. There was plenty of wheel-lifts and a bit of scrambling here and there, but on the whole the mid-sized Jeep handled it very well.

As I was still up in the Lakes, despite it being a little late in the day, I decided that it would be rude of me not to include another couple of lanes, so once I was back on the A590 I took a sneaky left and headed towards Bouth for my next lane.

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Lane 1 - SD3186-05 If you’re tackling this cracker from the south, then straight away you’re faced with a steep climb.

Although it has a solid base, it’s also scattered with loose stone and dirt, and the trickiest bit is the diagonal trench that spans across the lane not far from the top.

Learning my lesson from the last tricky lane, I switched the Compass to low-box and Rock mode. With a good approach angle and very grippy All Season Contact Continental tyres, the Compass did a fine job and made it feel much less of a challenge than it actually was. Sorry, no photos, this section is quite narrow.

Once you reach the top SD318605 is straight forward and twists its way through the trees until you arrived at the first gate.

There’s a homemade sign on gate requesting that folks stick to the track, which is fair enough, and it must do the trick as there was no evidence of off piste activity, which makes a very pleasant change.

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Through the gate and there’s a 90º right hand turn made up of loose stone that gently rises to above the tree line that offers more lovely views. The base remains rocky, but easy enough for most AWDs. With lush grass on either side, it’s always pleasant to stop, have a brew and take in the beauty of your surroundings.

A few hundred yards further along and you reach a fork in the lane; turn left onto SD3186-07 and within a couple of hundred yards you’ll find yourself at the end of the lane. Turn right onto SD3186-06, and after a few switchbacks the lane changes dramatically, so I opted for the latter.

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Lane 2 - SD3186-06

through, well, a forest. There’s the odd muddy puddle, but in the main it’s a solid base and in places can be a bit scratchy.

It can be a bit rocky in places, but relatively easy, and after a few of the aformentioned switchbacks you arrive at another gate. According to Trailwise 2, access to this next section was hampered recently by trees that had come down due to recent storms, but thankfully they had all been cleared. The latter section is what can only be described as a forest track that winds

I had a few more lanes in mind, but as I reached the end of SD3186-06 the Jeep’s fuel light began to flicker, so I decided to head back towards the A590 and the nearest services then head home. After feeding it £25 (which will probably be more like £50 as you are reading this) I decided to explore one last lane.

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Lane 3 - SD6314-05 Belmont Road isn’t that far from Muddy Towers and I hadn’t driven it for a few years as I believed it was closed.

Recognising the lane from a few recent posts on Facebook I asked the question on my local GLASS page, and low and behold, it’s open to traffic.

Belmont Road isn’t challenging and in the past I’ve driven it in small 2wd SUVs, but it does offer some spectacular views, you can even see Blackpool Tower on a clear day.

Sadly there’s quite a lot of evidence of off-piste driving which spoils the atmosphere a bit.

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At the next gate you reach the Pigeon Tower, then the lanes changes to Georges Lane (SD6413-04). Again, the surface is hard packed stone and suitable for most vehicles.

That said, there’s a section that was damaged by heavy vehicles whilst working up there a few years ago and there’s now a deep rut that runs straight across the lane, ready to remove front bumpers off the cars of unsuspecting motorists.

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Further along there’s a large rain channel that’s been formed over many years of torrential storms, it’s a regular spot of mine to test 4WD systems and pose for a bit of 3 wheeled action (you may have noticed over the last 39 issues). There haven’t been many 4x4s that have failed to negotiate this at an angle, and the Compass drove in and out without a fuss, as I expected.

Overall I had a cracking day out, and the Compass Trailhawk 4xe proved to be worthy of the Trailhawk badge, in fact I enjoyed it so much that I even asked Jeep if there was a chance of borrowing one for a longer period!

Watch this space…

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Toyota Hilux

2.8ltr Invincible X What is it?

First introduced back in 1698, the Toyota Hilux is one of the world’s best known pickups and in that time has earned itself the reputation as a durable workhorse and capable off-roader.

Now in its 8th generation, the 2020 update added a new look, a substantial increase in safety equipment, improved comfort and even better off-road ability. More recently, it’s been given a brand new 2.8-litre engine offering 201hp and 500Nm of torque making it much usable both on the road, and off it.

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The Hilux already came with quite a few goodies, but new for MY22 Toyota have given it a Panoramic View Monitor and and Auto-dimming Rear View Mirror, both of which are standard on Invincible X. There’s also Dual Zone AC which is replacing single zone auto AC, Data Communications Modules (DCM), changes with the introduction of factory fitted DCM which include e-call service reminders and remote diagnostics functionality.

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On the Road As I mentioned above, the more powerful 2.8-litre engine with 201hp never feels flustered, and its 0-62mph of 10.7 seconds feels much quicker. Another factor that makes the new Hilux better on road in the new rear suspension.

Not only does the new Hilux reap the benefits of suspension and steering revisions, but also the new, automatic limited-slip diff that certainly improves its on-road ride and handling, especially in the wet.

The rear set-up now comprises of leaf springs with twin shock absorbers that manage to offer SUV-like comfort and stability on-road whilst offering a fair degree of flex and articulation whilst off it.

The new Hilux has plenty of tech, and I have to say that the adaptive cruise control that’s included on the Invincible X was very useful and really simple to engage. It’s also worth mentioning that its cruise control keeps your desired speed whilst driving down hill, which is always handy.

Amongst the clever improvements to the rear suspension is that the rear shackle bush has a new self-lubricating rubber which reduces friction and makes the suspension stroke easier. The result is a smoother ride, with less impact when driving over steps and holes in the road surface.

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Fuel wise, during our week together I managed to clock around 350 miles that included many short trips and a few longer ones, and of course a couple of decent lanes. During that time the Hilux averaged 28.5mpg, which isn’t too bad as Toyota’s official figures are between 28-30mpg.

Off Road The last time I borrowed a Hilux it was 2 years ago and Storm Christoph was battering the North West and everywhere was either sodden or flooded, and although I was confident the Hilux would conquer anything I aimed it at, damaging lanes is the last thing I wanted to do. With that in mind I didn’t give it a thorough test.

This time ‘round the weather was much better, so I decided to take it up Bootle Fell - the same lane that I took the Duster up that’s elsewhere in the mag.

You engage low box is by turning a dial under the heater controls, it isn’t the quickest manoeuvre and both the Ranger and D-Max have a more responsive system, but it usually engaged after a couple of attempts.

The Invincible X has a rear locker which I barely used, in fact the only time I did engage it was one of the those ‘just in case’ situations, and the Hilux simply crawled everywhere I pointed it in low-box.

The Hilux has a class-leading 310mm running ground clearance (Double Cab models), and approach and departure angles of 29 and 26º respectively, and the ability to wade through water to a depth of 700mm.

Hilux also provides Hill Start Assist Control to help negotiate uphill slopes and, on Icon grade models and above, Downhill Assist Control.

Another neat feature is that Toyota has reduced the engine’s idle speed from 850 to 680rpm that gives you much more control off the beaten track. This was noticeable as I was reversing the Hilux up a rocky gradient to get a photo!

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Interior I only have two complaints about the new Hilux’s interior, and I’ll get them out of the way first.

Firstly, the steering wheel won’t adjust high enough for my lanky legs (6ft1”), so getting in and out became quite a nuisance, especially when wearing boots. Yes, I could have lowered the driver's seat, but I prefer sitting high.

Secondly the speakers on the dash have a chrome surround that reflects badly on the windscreen, if it was my car I’d paint them black!

Other than that, behind the wheel of the new Hilux is a rather lovely place to be.

All versions of new Hilux, apart from the entrylevel Active, come with the latest Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system, with faster software and faster response to touchscreen commands.

On the Invincible X, the functionality includes SatNav. Smartphone integration is another feature, via either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, provided as standard from Icon grade upwards.

Opt for the Invincible X model and you get smart entry & start, a 220V plug socket & two 12V accessory sockets, a USB port with front & rear parking sensors and Panoramic View Monitor.

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Engine ’n’ transmission The new Hilux comes in 2 flavours, the 2.4 litre and 2.8 litre, the latter is only available with the Invincible model, and either a 6 speed manual or 6 speed automatic.

Two things are worth noting. First, the new 201bhp 2.8-litre engine is only available for the Invincible and Invincible X. Secondly, if you opt for the 2.8-litre with a manual gearbox, you get 420 max torque, but the automatic gives you a whopping 500, which is handy.

New Hilux maintains its one-tonne payload capacity and the ability to tow (braked) loads of up to 3.5 tonnes.

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Conclusion There’s no doubting the Hilux’s rugged work credentials, but with steering and suspension upgrades, along with the new 2.8 litre diesel, day-to-day driving, whether that be for work or leisure, it’s a much more pleasurable experience.

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Overall, the Hilux remains a faithful and dependable workhorse, but now with added, and much needed umph.

Website - https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/hilux price - from £31,235

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)"

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The Tales of Lilly, The Mud Life Dog

Sun Worshipping

Hula Girl

by Karen Lee Turner

Just over a month ago we decided (well I did) that one of the benefits of having a dog is the ability to enter local dog shows. I don't mean the Crufts-style shows where all the dogs attributes have to be up to an exactling standard, no I mean the type that have classes such as Waggiest Tail, Best Trick and the one that caught my eye, Fancy Dress.

Being a woman who has the penchant for dressing up myself, and have even got the delectable Damian and my mum involved too, I found the chance to have a go with Lilly irresistable. The event was just something that popped up in Facebook, and I thought why not, then completely forgot about it.

The night before Facebook then proceeded to remind me about it, so I grabbed my box of costume stuff down from on top of the wardrobe, and mooched around to see if there was anything I could convert quickly.

Well I found an old grass skirt that I wore around 25 years ago when Damian and I used to work in Ritzy nightclub, and a couple of leis, and decided to make Lilly into a hula girl. I had no idea if she would tolerate being dressed up, but she is pretty chill so I thought I'd try it out in the middle of the kitchen.

A bit of trimming later she looked adorable and didn't mind wandering about with it on.Yep we were good to go.

Whilst this was occurring Damian was saying that if I dress her up he will disown me, and will definitely not be involved.

Who cares about what he thinks, his two girls were heading to Preston with or without him.

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The following morning we headed off to Samlesbury Hall in Preston with a very happy dog (she's always happy, though a tad whiny, at heading out somewhere different), and experienced our first local dog show as proud parents. I'm not sure Lilly had ever been around so many dogs all in one place. She was in mega-sniff mode, and was also being nosed around the derriére at the same time by lots of other doggie snouts, and loving every minute.

I headed to the classes table and was torn with entering her in Waggiest Tail (she is very waggy) or do as I had intended and enter her in the Fancy Dress class. With Damian's disowning words echoing in my ears I hesitated, but when I found out that the waggy class had nearly every dog in the place signed up, and the fancy dress was less subscribed I opted for a bit of dressing up.

We wandered around the grounds of Samlesbury Hall (they have a lot of pretty cool shepherd's huts in a camping area) and mingled for an hour until it was time to get her dressed up and head into the ring.

As we were queueing we were surprised to see Oscar and his owner, who Lilly plays with on the park at home (Oscar not the owner), and we ended up heading in side by side. We walked around laughing and sizing up the competition. There were some damn good, and rather funny ones, my favourites being 2 dogs dressed up as Kevin and Perry from Harry Enfield's sketch show.

Then we all stopped and the judges wandered about, and then pulled his top 5 into the centre, and announced the winner.

Unfortunately neither Oscar, resplendent in his teddy bear outfit, nor Lilly's Hula Girl were placed (we were robbed!), but we definitely made adults and little kids smile, so I declare the day a complete success.

Next time I think we'll have a go at waggiest tail as she could've whipped the winner in that class in more ways than one with her tough little birch-like tail.

Keep your dogs cool when the weather is warm

That's what we are told by the powers that be, but this month we have discovered that it's not so easy with Lilly - she's a sunbed-stealing sun-worshipper worthy of Brits abroad fame.

You see we only have the one Outwell Fontana Lake Lounger (reviewed back in Issue 26) that Damian had won for being a clever clogs during a trade expo. It has a really comfy padded top, and is perfect for a quick loungeabout in the back yard seeing as we don't have grass to lie on. With the weather being pretty glorious during June we got it out and Damian and I took turns to enjoy the luxury, but that didn't sit well with Lilly.

Where was her sunlounger?

After using a bit of Lady Di-style sad eyes on me I adjusted my position enough so she could jump up and lie between my legs.

She just flaked out and stayed there baking in the sun. Eventually I had to get back to work, and thought she may get up and come back into the cool house, but no she wanted to stretch out and enjoy a bit more sunshine.

Well all I can say is I created a monster!

If we open the back door and go to get the lounger she follows along, and just waits for the opportunity to get on first to claim HER lounger, and she looks so cute that moving her, so we can actually use it, seems out of the question.

We do get to use it when she gets too hot and buggers off, but check out the dirty look  we get if we try to invade her personal sunbathing space before that.

She knows she is Queen Bitch and we are her loyal subjects!

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ULTRA GRIME Pet Care Wipes Left to her own devices, Lilly will find mud, dirt and deer poo absolutely anywhere, and likes to cover herself in them, therefore she can be a filthy, smelly little minger.

Thankfully I was given a packet of these Ultra Grime Pet Wipes to test, and they have proved to be really very good.

Made in the UK and 100% biodegradable, each pack contains XXL Clothwipes (38cm x 25cm), which are double the size of other common wipes, and, where most other wipes dry out in around 10 minutes, these stay wet and usable for over 60 minutes. Using cosmetic grade ingredients, they’re specifically designed for pets and won’t rip or deteriorate during use, even whilst cleaning her sharp nails and paws.

When the mucky little madam trails the aforementioned muck through the house the XXL wipes, with their large absorbency capacity, are also ideal for cleaning all sorts of floor surfaces from tiles, wood, vinyl and even carpets, not to mention the mess Lilly can leave behind in cars on the upholstery and her, soon to be seen in the Tate Modern, window snot-art.

Not only do we keep a packet in the house, but we also have one that we save for the press cars - perfect for cleaning up after a day at the beach or mad jaunt in the country.

Pack sizes - 40 pack & 80 pack more at » ultragrime.com price - 80pk - £9.99 buy in the UK at Amazon

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🐾🐾🐾

discovered but not yet tested

🐾🐾🐾

BARBOUR Quilted Dog Coat

Available in black, pink, navy and olive, the Barbour Quilted Dog Coat features a diamond quilt design with a tartan lining for a subtle nod to Barbour's heritage. Keeping with tradition it also has a cord collar, for extra doggy style!

The quilted dog coat is made from 100% polyamide on the outside, and has a100% cotton inner, and features an adjustable waist strap for the perfect fit.

So whether your dog is an extra small Chihuahua or an extra large Great Dane the Barbour Quilted Coat has your dog covered. (See what I did there? Covered? Coat? Oh, never mind…) price: £39.95 more at » https://www.barbour.com

Sausage Roll & Bag Dog Toy This made me laugh, therefore gets an automatic inclusion into Woof Stuff.

I mean who wouldn't want their dog to walk around with a Grrreggs Sausage Roll in its mouth?

The sausage roll has a squeaker, and I love that the bag has a crinkle sound just like the real thing, and it even has fake crumbs printed on the inside.

As a bonus you could also use the bag to hide treats for your dog to find too.

Why buy boring dog toys ever again when this exists? price: £9.95 more at » www.catwalk.dog

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Lilly's On The Lookout for...

Tie Out Anchors The law around a dog in public is described as:

'Dogs must not be allowed to be ‘dangerously out of control’, which means injuring someone or making someone fear they may be injured'.

Even if you have the sweetest dog in the world the second part of this sentence is what could get you in trouble, as classifying what could 'make someone fear they may be injured' is a very subjective statement. Keeping your furry family member safe and secure whilst camping, in a beer garden or even in your own garden is something that will put your mind at ease, and could save you a hefty fine or court case.

Using a in-ground stake is a good solution, so we thought we'd take a look at what's out there.

Intelli-Stayk Tie-Out Stakes There are a variety of Intelli-Stayks for use with any sized dog. The unique patented Surface-Lock design reduces the ability of a dog to bend, break, or pull out of the ground.

The extra-wide, easy twist handle makes it easy to insert in the ground by anyone, without tools. If you want to leave the stake fixed in the garden the low-profile means it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb, but with the bright orange color it is easy to spot to stop tripping or mowing over it.

They come in Original, with Beast Dog Surface-Lock for larger breeds, with Soft Soil Surface-Lock - designed to stay put in the ground in soft soils, and Mini Intelli-Stayk for dinky dog breeds. price: from £27.99 for the original more at » www.intellileash.com buy in the UK from Amazon

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Snow Peak Dog Anchor If you have a dog that like to wander or chase things, then maybe the 50cm Dog Anchor from Snow Peak is something you should consider. The Dog Anchor allows you to connect a dog lead and create a space for your furry camp companion to roam free up to the length of its lead.

Built using a classic Snow Peak solid stake, the anchor is durable and reliable when staked into the ground. Insert and remove from the ground with a peg hammer in the same manner that you would when staking in your tent.

The Dog Anchor measures 50cm x 8cm x 3cm, weighs in at just 0.7 kg and is made from stainless steel. It comes complete with cotton canvas storage case.

Price: £55 more at » snowpeak.co.uk

AB Tools Extra Strong Stake Out Spike & Cable If you need some peace of mind when your pet is out in the garden, then the Xtra Strong Stake-Out Spike is a great solution. The stake has a heavy-duty fastening ring that rotates to enable your pet to move freely.

For dogs up to 60kg, the 47cm long spike has a domed cap and 360-degree buckle that helps to prevent tangling. The stake is coated for resistance to rust, but is not rustproof.

The 15ft weather resistant Rosewood tie out cable is constructed with strong braided steel cable that is coated in a thick durable PVC sleeve.

The steel wire is strong, durable and bite-resistant, featuring strong snaps on both ends, you can attach it to the ground stake, a post or tying around a tree, post, clipped to a ground stake or any suitable anchor point. price: £22.50 more at » abtoolsonline.com currently £20.10 at Amazon

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Expawlorer Tie-Out Stake with Pole This Expawlorer stake comes with a 13" long spiral stake, and a 11.8" long iron pole.

The stake is made of heavy duty metal material, and the powder coating on the surface is designed for rust and corrosion resistance. It has a swiveling metal ring specially designed for 360º rotation to avoid the leash tangling.

The spiral shape creates a strong anchor into the ground, and the inclusion of the iron pole helps take out the strain on your arms making it easier to twist into the ground and to take out.

Yes, you could just ferret about for a screwdriver or something similar to use as a lever, but just the simple inclusion of the pole in the pack is why this stake got it's mention here. We like simplicity! price: £26.33 buy in the UK from Amazon

RAC Tie-Out Stake with Cable & Carry Bag The RAC kit comes with a spiral stake, and a 15ft poly vinyl coated steel cable with clips on either end, one to attach the cable to the stake and on to attach the cable to your dogs collar.

It also comes with a handy carry bag making it easy to keep in the car for when you are out and about. price: £17.99 more at » www.racshop.co.uk currently £16.65 from Amazon

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es d i R s ' r e Read

Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?

I’m Matt, I ive in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, and I’m a vehicle technician for Rolls-Royce.

History of cars leading up your present 4x4 Since I started driving 9 years ago I’ve had a few over 50 cars, 43 motorbikes and counting (yes, I have commitment issues ).

😁

Prior to purchasing the Patrol back in December ’21 I’d only had Land Rovers in regards to 4x4s, and once I discovered the existence of the GU4 patrol I knew I just had to have one.

Present 4x4(s) I searched for a little over 6 months to find the right one (very hard given there’s less than 40 in the country), and in December I finally found this one 300 miles away in Cornwall.

Stock as a rock, and grinning from ear to ear, we brought it straight back home, and it wasn’t long before the bank got emptied and poured into the big bus.

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Modifications done Firsts things first was a 3” Old man emu HD shock and spring set up with steering damper, adjustable panhard rod and offset caster bushes.

Then on went the roof rack, light bar, rear spots, catch can, welded Ali top mount intercooler and EGR removal.

Now, when an already big car isn’t big enough you have to go huge, and on went another 2” of lift, and some 35” marshal MT’s on 15” weller steels. Finally it was starting to look how I was planning.

Favourite Modifications My favourite ‘mod’ is the ‘GRITT Outdoors‘ Lite 2 man roof tent and pull out awning. Honestly, nothing transforms a car you like into a car you absolutely love like whacking a tent on the top enabling you to go anywhere, anytime and set up camp! Perfection!

Modifications to do Future mods are very soon in the pipeline, consisting of front and rear bar work and a 4” staino snorkel, and a rear boot drawer/kitchen system.

Favourite green-laning trip I recently went to Wales with ‘Gritt Outdoors’ on one of their Mega tours, and what a weekend it was.

Almost 700 miles of stunning views, epic drives and camping spots like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I went with another mate of mine and we had an absolute blast!

Nothing makes you quite as aware of your vehicle and your capabilities like the lanes throughout Wales. Haven’t done it?

Get it on your list!

Lottery win 4x4 Cwoarrr, it’d probably be a y62 Patrol fully set up as an ultimate tourer. But, dreams are dreams hey!

Favourite car related film My favourite car film is undoubtedly the Mad Max franchise, the absolute unfiltered imagination involved in the designing of those vehicles blows my mind! I’ve been gagging to build my own ever since seeing the first film (not sure the wife will allow it though).

Favourite biscuits 100% ginger creams... try and beat them.

Where can we find more details?

Follow the big rigs progress and my cock ups on my Instagram page southcoastgupatrol.

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The Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC is exactly what it says on the tin, a show for commercial vehicle users, the perfect event to learn about new van, pickup and accessory updates as well as a showcase for manufacturers to proudly exhibit their brand new vehicles and wares.

At the main entrance the first manufacturer to catch my eye was Ford - you can’t miss them as traditionally they have the largest stand, and amongst a huge array of Transit variations, including their all-electric E-Transit, sat a couple of their new Ranger pickups, a Wildtrak and a monstrous Raptor, both looked incredibly smart.

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A quick nosey into the cab saw the huge, centrally mounted display screen which completely dominates the dash - and you know how I feel about those!

The order books are open now for the Raptor and delivery will be later this year, but the mainstream Ranger won’t be available until 2023 unfortunately. Despite the display screen, I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

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On the subject of being excited to get my hands on something, let’s talk about Brian at Isuzu!

Well, not actually Brian, but the rather special AT35 that he built for the show.

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The Basecamp AT35 model is an expedition-prepped example complete with iKamper roof top tent, built-in ARB Slide Kitchen and drawers and a host of other cool pieces of kit. There’s a full description of it here in last month’s issue. We need to lobby the powers that be at Isuzu to keep it on the press fleet!

Next door was Truckman and ARB, who also had their own expeditionprepped Isuzu D-Max on show.

Incidentally ARB now own Truckman, in case you weren’t aware.

The ARB team had a huge array of goodies on show, from their air-locker to camping accessories, roof top tent and Slide Kitchen. The latter is designed to integrate into their drawer system and includes a stainless steel worktop and side-opening stove and a sink.

And if you were wondering, ARB accessories can be fitted by their highly skilled technicians at any of their authorised UK stockists, or at their ARB UK head office in Dudley, West Midlands.

Oh yeah, ARB have kindly agreed to lend me their showcase D-Max in a few months time, so if you’ve not yet subscribed to the magazine, do so now!

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Chatting to Gearmate, their systems are mainly for business usage, but I know quite a few 4x4 owners who use and trust their slides and drawers for both camping and touring - ‘good quality and sturdy British made kit’ is the feedback I always hear.

Another company who were showing off their new collection of canopies and slides was NLG. Based up in North Yorkshire, NLG provide bed liners, wheels, tyres and spare parts pretty much everything for the leisure and business pickup user.

At the top end of the main hall Maxus were launching their new electric pickup.

With order books set to open in August, the T90EV will be the first of its kind sold in the UK.

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In the second hall Toyota had the production version of their new Corolla hybrid van, the the UK debut for the Hilux GR-Sport and their tidy short wheelbase Land Cruiser Commercial. The latter being featured in our February 2022 issue.

Next to Toyota was the Ineos who had a couple of Ineos Grenadiers on show and were taking orders for the vehicle.

Exciting times indeed for Ineos, and another 4x4 that I can’t wait to get my hands on.

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Amongst the smaller stands was the ‘Fire Safety Stick’ which is the lightest and most innovative fire extinguisher in the land, according to their flyer. It looks ideal for the likes of campers, boat owners and camper vans.

There’s a lot of tech involved, so I’ll save that for another feature.

Also on hand were a couple of chaps from Thornton Breakers who specialise in used, new and re-conditioned parts for single and double cab pickups.

The OSRAM and Ring stand was illuminating (geddit?) but I felt slightly guilty chatting to their reps as I still haven’t got ‘round to fitting their 40” VX-1000 light bar they kindly sent me!

Further along I chatted to the folks at Polybush. When it comes to bushes for 4x4s, over the years they’ve normally focussed on Land Rovers, but they’ve recently began rolling out bushes for Japanese 4x4s - nothing yet for Surfs, but they do have bushes for certain Land Cruisers and Mitsubishi Shoguns.

Overall it was a quieter show than previous years as the likes of the Stellantis group, Renault, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz had decided not to exhibit. It was still a great show and I’m hoping that next year we’ll see a return to most, if not all manufacturers showing us what they’ve got to offer. more at » cvshow.com

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Fancy an off-road challenge? Over the next few pages we have listed many of the business that you can play, train and holiday with.

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 number plates, so you can stay legal whilst driving home!

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

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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

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

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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

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