On the road again

Part 2

Welcome back to part two of my series about getting ready to live in a 4x4 for a considerable amount of time. I’m not going to pretend that, after several hours of Yeti product training, and the rest of the day spent looking through the new stuff the company I work for will be stocking soon, that a) I need to add a LOT of new gear to my recommended kit list after being far too easily tempted into some shopping! And b) I’d love to tell you more, but I’d promised to talk about long-term trip safety and social connection even in the most remote locations.

Gear is important and something we all love to talk about, not to mention buy. I’ve been living and working in gear heaven recently, but having all the gear in the world isn’t the only thing you need to consider. You’ll also need to keep expensive items and yourself safe, or any trip could end in disaster.

As many of you will know, I prefer to travel to remote locations, and I usually do this solo. I’m often asked if I’m not afraid to be in the middle of nowhere alone, and my answer to that is always the same - if there are no people about, what is there to be afraid of?

The answer to that question does depend where you are. I have spent a lot of time in places that have animal predators, wolves mostly, but also snakes, scorpions, biting insects, wild cats, and bears. I’ve never actually been lucky enough, or unlucky depending on how you look at it, to see any of the larger furry beasts in the wild. They will have been there, but they tend to keep their distance from human beings unless very hungry, or unless you take one by surprise, which is unlikely.

Snakes, scorpions, and jellyfish are more common, as are ticks, and having found out I am allergic to jellyfish stings the hard way, and contracting Lyme Disease on a solo trip, I will always take precautions:

These are:

- Don’t leave boots outside your rig

- Keep doors closed and use window nets

- Shake out and check sleeping bags, clothes, and footwear before use

- Wear a wetsuit if there are jellyfish about

- Use an insect repellent on your person, and a kit spray

- Check yourself over for ticks daily and carry a tick removal tool (NEVER cover them in Vaseline or anything else, this is a very unhelpful old wives’ tale)

- Wear long trousers and keep them tucked into socks

- Don’t creep about quietly, noise will deter snakes and other things that bite

- Check before you sit on the ground, or on rocks or tree stumps

- Try not to park in long grass or under trees

In the UK, the most problematic beastie in the animal kingdom is likely to be the Scottish midge! On that note, if you’re buying nets, mozzie nets do not stop midges because they’re much smaller, make sure you source midge proof products.

We do have adders and jellyfish, therefore I carry an epi pen just in case, as well as anti-histamine tablets and recommended afterbite/sting treatments suitable for the country I am travelling to/ through.

None of the creatures mentioned are going to nick your kit or, God forbid, your rig. They’re not likely to mug you either.

Other than food, the only animal you’re usually at risk of stealing anything else is the human being, and it is sad to say they’re the most likely animal to attack without provocation too.

I have witnessed some concerning human behaviour on trips:

• A chainsaw wielding local in the Carpathians.

• I’d just left Skye when there were shootings and stabbings in one of the most unlikely of remote idyllic locations that I’ve slept outdoors under the stars many times.

• I’ve been approached by opportunists looking to fool and then rinse me in Europe and Africa.

• I’ve even had my rig and myself considerably damaged at the hands of human beings.

In nearly all cases, except for the very blatant opportunists who’s act didn’t wash with me, I am very sad to report that the victims knew the perpetrators. This isn’t uncommon, it is true that most crimes are committed by people you know.

The guy with the chainsaw had beef with another local, but others were present when he started the thing up. The incident on Skye was a family feud. My Landy damage was the result of an unstable travelling partner triggered by being out of their comfort zone 39 hours from home at significant altitude, and the personal injuries were caused by someone a little too obsessed with joining a trip he was declined for.

Getting out of your comfort zone and/or spending long periods of time in remote locations can have funny effects on people.

It’s not just physical health and injuries you need to watch out for, but the mental health of yourself and those travelling with you. Of course always know the local emergency number and carry travel insurance when outside the UK.

I can honestly say that I have never once had reason to fear a complete stranger, but I always carry an emergency satellite communication device. This is important whether around people or completely removed from them. At the push of a button, the service will locate me and send in the troops. I take this everywhere, even down the road in North Wales where I can’t get a signal on tarmac let alone the lanes. You don’t have to be terribly remote to be in a lot of bother if you breakdown, get an injury, or the weather turns bad fast.

This sat. device is also really handy for keeping in touch. I absolutely love solitude and will actively seek it out, but it isn’t sensible to be without a means of communication at all times, and sometimes even the most introverted among us like to phone or text home, especially after a long period away. You can even post to social media!

I have a total of 9 radios, two phones, a tablet, and a laptop on a typical trip. A wired in CB and a handheld version, my sat. device, and 6 PMRs (professional mobile radio) in case I’m leading a group who don’t all have CBs. I have a smartphone and a spare indestructible Nokia 3310, a tablet for navigation apps, and a laptop to work from while on the road.

This is a lot of kit and it doesn’t come cheap, so theft is a concern. This is another reason I choose to sleep in my vehicles, that way anything valuable is inside at all times and I am rarely far away from it, but I do take a ground tent for locations where I can’t get my vehicle to a spot with the optimum view.

If I do this I tend not to take anything of value with me, except for cash and things like passports, those are kept on my person. Any gadgets above my phone stay in the alarmed and immobilised truck, hidden from view in not-so-obvious places.

I can’t hide the £600 fridge freezer or other bulky gear, but it can’t be seen from outside and motion sensor lights are a deterrent. Unfortunately, above that there is little more you can do against a determined thief, except to not park in areas known for risk, for example, where there are a lot of people.

There are products such as truck safes, GPS locators, and ingenious stealth storage that you could consider.

The latter I won’t get into, publishing to the world where to keep your valuables so no one would think to look there is probably not a good idea, but GPS chipping your truck may well be a very good idea, and a safe may give you a feeling of security.

Of course I also have another deterrent, a dog. The problem with Celyn, she is a complete soppy tart. Saying that, she is an excellent judge of character and does guard both me and our camp. She’s never been aggressive, but she has her signals. If people are not what they appear, she will pee on them! If anyone approaches our camp she will growl and bark (while also wagging her tail), so I know there is someone there before they get close. Anyone planning anything untoward is far less likely to approach a truck with a dog than without.

You cannot 'go equipped' in the UK, that is to take items that could be considered weapons with you. This can and does include common items that may have a genuine use on an overlanding trip, including dogs that are or could become physically aggressive.

We need knives and tools (and dogs) of course, but remember that using them in self-defence, more often than not, constitutes a crime. Laws in other countries differ, always check what is legal to carry before leaving, you don't want to chance having gear confiscated at borders, or worse, being arrested!

I am aware that I may be starting to make overlanding sound rather dangerous, but in 40 years of Landy based travel I can assure you that I have had, or heard of, very few problems, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared.

Obviously, being a column about safety, all the worst case scenarios are going to crop up, but as they say, prevention is better than cure, so here are my top tips to stay safe when on the road:

• Give someone your travel plans before you leave - if you don’t have firm plans (I often don’t), check in regularly before heading to the next destination and then confirm your arrival.

• Add someone, two people are better, as your emergency contact. Give the names and numbers to the sat. device service, add them on your phone - see how here, and stick their details to the dash, in your wallet, or somewhere obvious (check out ICE Tags).

• Posting/checking in on socials can be a good idea when you get the opportunity. It will save your location and exact time, but also be aware that you are also publishing your whereabouts to the rest of the world (depending on your settings). Having been stalked by a few weirdos in my time, I tend to check in on public accounts after I’ve left, and only let my current whereabouts be known to a select audience on personal accounts.

• Consider a personal tracking app on your phone. For lone female travellers I can recommend Hollie Guard.

The app came about after the death of Hollie Gazzard at the hands of her partner. A trust was set up in her name to keep women safe but men are also welcome to use it. The trust funds the free version, but there is a paid for premium version too.

As someone who has both been a victim and a supporter of victims, I highly recommend it, as do the police. I also recommend checking out new partners and long term travelling buddies you will be living with under Clare’s Law - don’t take a problem with you!

• Always have travel insurance when leaving the UK, and check if you need any vaccinations before you travel.

• Carry a first aid kit, and include things like anti-histamines, wound cleaning, and after-bite/sting products. Don’t forget the sunscreen too!

• Avoid known risk areas, or overnighting in cities except at reputable sites.

• Know your location. This may sound simple, but do you really know where you have stopped well enough to direct someone to you? Use What3words, drop a pin on Google maps or get a map out and note your grid references - whatever method you prefer, send it to someone.

• Don’t flash your cash or your expensive gear - you are not impressing anyone, you’re making yourself a target.

• Travel light - the more you carry, the more you risk.

• Don’t try something risky when you are not in a position to get help fast.

• Keep in touch with someone. Even if like me, you are trying to get away from it all, don’t risk your safety for the sake of a text.

• Do your research before you go - knowledge is power. This includes local culture, particularly as a woman or member of the LGBTQ+ community. This can have VERY important implications to your travel plans in some countries.

• Always have local emergency numbers handy.

• Carry out maintenance and checks on your vehicle before you go.

• Always have an emergency fund in case you need to get home fast or you run into an expensive problem.

It’s been a long one this month folks, so I’ll leave it there.

Join me next month for the final part of the trilogy: esteem and selfactualisation - learning and using new skills for self-improvement so that you can live your best life on the road.

Drive safe, Lauren and Celyn x