The Mud Life - #52 - October 2023 by The Mud Life Magazine

the mud life #52 - October, 2023

is the good life

JEEP AVENGER EV VW Amarok

ssangyong Rexton

MG ZS

For Vehicle Adventure Enthusiasts & Outdoor Lovers

pages - 75-81

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.

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

TURNER'S TORQUE

4-5

NEWS

7-11

WORDS FROM THE WILD

13-18

REXTON ULTIMATE

20-28

VW AMAROK PAN AMERICANA

30-38

GOODS & GEAR

40-42

CAMPING HACKS

44-45

CAMPING GOODS'N'GEAR

46-50

HOW TO CARE...

JEEP AVENGER

52-60

MG ZS

62-70

DINE OUT WITH DAMIAN

72-73

ADVENTURE OVERLAND SHOW

75-81

READER'S RIDES

84-87

THE TALES OF LILLY

88-89

LILLY'S WOOF STUFF

90-91

DIRECTORY

BACK ISSUES

93-94

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

IN THIS ISSUE

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

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

TURNER'S TORQUE

Bring on Autumn

Darker nights, cool breezes and showers can only mean it’s Autumn, which means that it’ll soon be time for heavier sleeping bags, hoodies, thicker socks and more wood for the fire pits.

I got some nasty bites this year (even spent a whole day in A&E with Muddy Madam after infected bites caused severe dehydration, and complications with her diabetes!), but as the bugs are beginning to die, now is the perfect time to grab a tent and head out. I love the crisp air, watching the countryside change colours and the fact that I can now begin to regulate my heat as opposed to just being hot all the time!

Let me introduce myself in the style of an AA confession... "Hi, I’m Damian Turner, and I have an unhealthy interest in all things '4x4' and being outdoors." Over the years I’ve written for various 4x4 magazines such as LRM, LRW & 4x4 Mart, and also for getting out'n'about titles such as Practical Caravan, and Practical Motorhome magazines. Seven or so years ago I broke out of the freelance world to start up The Mud Life - first as a website, then 4 years ago into this magazine you are reading. 4

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

September was a very busy month, not only did I go back to school (my paying job), but I had a day out near Skipton driving a selection of cars for our annual Car of the Year Award with the Northern Group of Motoring Writers the MG4 won in case you are wondering.

Then I was down in the Cotswolds on the Jeep Avenger launch, Stratford-uponAvon for the Adventure Overland Show, Milton Keynes for a Volkswagen Owner’s gathering at VW headquarters, Birmingham for the Emergency Services Show at the NEC, and then over to Stamford for an IVECO 4x4 day. PHEW! That little lot meant that I was away for six nights sleeping at posh hotels, in the back of a car, a normal tent and a roof top tent - therefore I had to leave Muddy Madam at home looking after and walking Lilly The Mud Life Dog in what turned out to be a deluge of rainy days- at least Lilly was happy to see me on my return! Then of course there are all the products that were delivered for me to review, I was most excited when the portable, collapsible toilet was delivered from Wolf Outdoors, Lilly was exited when a box full of goodies arrived from Mud Daddy, and Muddy Madam was happy when… (*reminder to myself - I need to blag some goodies for my better half).

Costly Cock ups

TURNER'S TORQUE

In case you haven't figured it out yet, Damian and I are born and bred Northerners, who have not deserted our roots to head for the gold-paved streets of the affluent South. Yeah, yeah, before you send a plethora of 'we are not all rich' emails, I know there is hardship all over, but you have to admit that the majority of government money ends up in the South (well mainly the Southeast), and this week, with the announcement of yet another hatchet job on HS2, it has yet again been proved, that if the North can get screwed, it will be.

Now I was never a fan of HS2, and always thought it was a stupid idea to spend a truly ridiculous amount of money just to be able to shave 45 minutes to an hour off a trip to London. It was never communicated to us up here, until I heard this week on Question Time, that any part of this scheme was to free up rail lines for freight transport - not a bad idea, and if I'd have known sooner I may have been a tad more agreeable about it. But it doesn't matter now, it is gone, and £38 billion is now going on 'super-fantastic transport upgrades and schemes'. Don't worry, I haven't got a big ball of wool in front of my eyes, I know that most of that £38 billion will evaporate into thin air, especially as the schemes already mentioned, just in the 3 days since the HS2 scappage was announced, have been put forth not once, not twice, but 3 times before, as far back as 2006, and have still not come to fruition. I do not expect driving to get better here any time soon. As for more governing body cock ups, I just found out that Greater Manchester spent £3 million putting up signs announcing where the Clean Air Charging Zone was going to be. This scheme was swiftly put into turnaround when there was a public revolt, after we all realised that the majority of us wouldn't be able to drive ANYWHERE without paying. Every single main road seemed to be included, and people just don't have the money to be able to swap out older cars for new, spangly, compliant ones. The wasted £3 million was bad enough, but to add insult to injury then came another Clean Air related bill - £186,000. Can you guess what that money bought?...Stickers. Yes you read that correctly, stickers, to put over the £3 million worth of now redundant signage. So, instead of buying 42 mid-level MRI machines, or paying for 91,948 hours worth of wages for Registered Oncology Nurses, or simply giving £2K each to 1,593 of the neediest people to use to help buy a Clean Air compliant secondhand vehicle, they p**sed a shed-load of money up the proverbial wall, and just like HS2, we have ended up with nothing to show for it. HERE ENDETH MY RANT!

If you haven’t subscribed to the mag yet, please do. As well as sending you the mag straight to your inbox each month, we’ll also keep you updated on all the new happenings. We are hard at work creating the next mag, a new website (it's getting there), and some new YouTube vids (coming soon) for you all, so don't miss out.

I'm Karen Lee Turner, but here I'm mainly known as Muddy Madam. Damian may be the 4x4 nut, sorry, authority, but without me, (the true power behind the man - as always in life ), there would be no magazine.

😉

I am the one who designs it, puts it all together and does all the techie stuff in the background to make it magically appear each month. I also do the weirder articles (remember Which is the best vehicle for the zombie apocalypse?), some of product reviews and help Lilly write her tales. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

MUD LIFE STICKERS!

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

Get them in our shop: ko-fi.com/mudlifemag/shop

Subscribe to The Mud Life's YouTube channel today

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

KIA Reveals EV5 2 Concept Models at EV Day

Kia is making a strong push into the world of electric vehicles. They recently held their inaugural Kia EV Day, where they introduced a new production model called the Kia EV5. In addition, they unveiled two impressive concept cars, the EV3 and EV4. The company's goal is to make electric cars more accessible to those on a budget, and this is certainly welcome news, especially considering the rather hefty £64,000 price tag of the EV9. Kia is aiming for affordability with the EV3, which starts at £28,000 and offers similar benefits as the flagship EV9 but in the form of a compact SUV.

EV4

While specific powertrain and performance details are not yet available, the initial images suggest that if the EV3 goes into production, it will be to the EV9 what the Evoque is to the Range Rover, which is certainly a promising comparison. Kia is also promising the same level of versatility in the cabin of the EV3 as they are in the EV5, including features like a camping table and lounge-like swivel and reclining seats, all within a spacious and well-lit interior.

EV3 THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Flying Huntsman 90 Spyder Flying Huntsman, the coachbuilding arm of the KAHN empire responsible for the Vengeance and other Defender projects including the 6x6, Longnose and Homage II, have just launched their latest project, the Flying Huntsman 90 Spyder, based on the current Land Rover Defender platform. Each Spyder, featuring lightweight NS3 grade aluminium in its handcrafted hammer formed panels and harking back to the golden age of British coachbuilding, will undergo a meticulous 6-month build process, resulting in a uniquely stylish grand tourer for two. Replacing the factory roof for a removable, hard-wearing canvas equivalent which is easily stowed in the elegantly designed cowl, the Spyder also offers a storage capacity equivalent to the factory Defender 90. The vehicles are being built utilising traditional methods of craftmanship in Coventry, centre of the British automotive 8

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

industry, at the factory which worked on the Aston Martin One77, amongst other coachbuilt projects. KAHN founder, Afzal Kahn, explains his vision behind the concept, "This project is about more than creating another exciting and unique vehicle; it’s at once a consolidation and continuation of our legacy of manufacturing special vehicles, supporting British craftsmanship and keeping the art of coachbuilding alive and relevant." The first units of the Flying Huntsman 90 Spyder are set for completion in Q2 2024. Individually numbered and limited to a production of just 8 units per year, additional options for the Spyder conversion include the opportunity to commission, as part of the build, completely bespoke '1 of 1' wheel designs, produced as fully forged wheels and designed by KAHN to the customer's tastes and specification. more at » projectkahn.com

Nissan Hyper Adventure Concept

Nissan unveiled the Nissan Hyper Adventure EV concept which will be premiering digitally at the Japan Mobility Show on October 25th. This digital concept represents a sporty SUV tailored to outdoor enthusiasts and those embracing an eco-conscious lifestyle. The Nissan Hyper Adventure concept, equipped with V2X (vehicle-to-everything) technology, is designed to address the energy demands of extended journeys, whether embarking on a brief weekend excursion to the nearby mountains or embarking on a month-long expedition to a remote locale,. Its substantial battery capacity serves a dual purpose, offering energy to power electronic devices, illuminate campsites, or even recharge electric watercraft like jet skis. Additionally, its V2X capability can supply energy to homes (V2H) or local communities by contributing surplus power to the grid (V2G). For those navigating treacherous terrains such as snowy mountain passes or muddy rainforest trails, Nissan's advanced e-4ORCE all-wheel-control system guarantees a smooth, safe, and stylish journey.

The exterior design boasts dynamic body panels with a distinctive diagonal line, accentuating the roomy cabin. The vehicle's front spoiler optimizes aerodynamics by managing airflow, and the integration of the roof and side windows enhances aerodynamic performance further. The flush surface of the rear end adds to the vehicle's streamlined appearance. Inside, the cabin the instrument panel extends to the base of the windshield, offering a broad field of vision, creating a sense of transparency between the interior and exterior. There's ample cargo space for outdoor equipment like tents, skis, and kayaks. The rear bench seat is a standout feature, rotating 180° to create a comfortable seating area facing the vehicle's rear. This feature, combined with automatic extendable and retractable steps, proves invaluable during camping trips, pre-ski preparations, and scenic breaks. A special music video will stream live on the Nissan YouTube channel until October 25. As each of Nissan's concept cars are revealed leading up to the show they will appear in the video. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

• 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 •

Munro Hoping To Secure Funds to Scale up Production Munro Vehicles, Scotland's sole volume car manufacturer specialising in all-electric 4x4s, is launching an equity crowdfunding campaign from October 3rd to 31st on global online investment platform Seedrs. This initiative aims to secure funds for capitalising on high customer demand, scaling up production, expanding their team, and enhancing their facilities. Munro's Series-M, a pioneering electric 4x4, offers a blend of rugged, mechanical 4x4 durability with state-of-the-art electric power, eliminating emissions. Available in standard (M170) and high-power (M280) models, it comes in Pick-Up and Truck configurations. Incorporating extensive field trials and customer feedback from the pre-production Munro MK_1, the Series-M now features a lighter and more streamlined front end, enhancing visibility, while improved body paneling simplifies component replacement. An 'exoskeleton' on Utility models makes equipment mounting easy. Responding to customer input, Munro added an adjustable steering column, ergonomic improvements, and a suite of safety features. Designed, engineered, and manufactured in the UK, Munro marks a significant milestone as the first light vehicle produced in Scotland in over 40 years. With over 250 pre-orders for their Truck and Pick-Up models, Munro is well-poised to address the needs of industries like mining, construction, utilities, agriculture, and defense, helping them meet decarbonisation goals. Munro is on the cusp of realising its global market potential, thanks to financial support as they near the production of their

first two models. With its commitment to innovation and fresh design, the Series-M promises to be a game-changer in the world of electric workhorse vehicles. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Our itinerant wild camper, wanderer, hedge-botherer and semi-feral woman of the woods, Lauren Eaton, talks us through some of her 4x4 adventures out in the big wild world.

, e f i L f o g n i n a e he M

, e s r e v i n U e th

g n i h t y r e v and E It’s no secret that I’m a die-hard Douglas Adams fangirl, I even named my workshop after Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, or in this case Landiways, the workshop at the end of the garden. I’m a self-confessed nerd, I own one or more copies of everything Adams ever wrote. The same goes for Tolkien and Pratchett. Fantasy is great fun, but I also own shelves full of very real adventures, and Mike Tomkies (a fellow Landy owner during his life) and Mike Cawthorne are two of my real-life wilderness heroes, and both share/d my passion for the Highlands.

DO PA N'T NIC !

is the answer to life, the universe, and everything, at least according to Deep Thought, a super-computer dreamt up by Adams.

It was the age Mike Tomkies was when he first set eyes on Eilean Shona, a moment that led him to move to one of the most remote locations of the British Isles, and live there miles from the nearest people or road. It is also my 42nd birthday on 2nd October this year. Maybe it is coincidence, or something about this age/number that my heroes also felt, but over the next 12 months I will be making considerable effort to lead a life far closer to that of Mike and, hopefully, discover some of the answers Douglas was seeking. Having sold a property I barely visited, let alone lived in for many years, and having set up a base elsewhere with a fully kitted out workshop to ready the trucks (more on that later) that I can return to should I ever need or wish it, I am almost free to drive off into the proverbial sunset to live a remote, simple, semi-nomadic life.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done this of course, just like Mike’s move to the Highlands wasn’t his, but I am now in a position to make it as temporary or permanent as I wish, and I am also in a position to make it a job too. Living out of the back of a Landy, foraging, bushcraft, solitude, and living both with and using the natural resources all around us is something I grew up doing. Those were far simpler times, there were no forums to head for advice, overlanding kit suppliers manufacturing cool stuff, or gadgets to lead the way. We travelled as a family in a stock Series or early 90 with gear that we would scoff at today, yet we travelled both successfully and very happily for many years. Sometimes we planned, other times we hit the road with a vague destination in mind and took the rest as it came. The latter has tugged at my heart strings ever since, which is why I do a disappearing act as often as I can. Just as Scotland has tugged at them since I first worked on Islay at the location the Land Rover name was born; a life-long love affair began that day. Most people seek answers in crowded forums and groups but, to quote another hero of mine,

“The world is not in your books and maps [or your devices, to bring the quote into this century], it’s out there.” - Tolkien, The Hobbit. This is very true, research is essential, as is the ability to navigate, but the most important lessons lie out there to be experienced, and this can only be done first hand. I had thought about sharing a bushcraft/ foraging tip each month, but then I realised how much stuff I couldn’t share safely via the written word and photos. Anything edible, for example, could be mistakenly identified which could be dangerous, but, most importantly, what cannot possibly be taught at all, is the physiological and psychological benefits of 'feral' life. That simply must be experienced and felt, and it is the most important and life changing aspect of all of this. 14

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Spend long enough away from civilisation and it is guaranteed that you will not return as the same person; you will return a better version of yourself than when you left. Most people don’t have the ability or resources to spend months or even longer in the middle of nowhere, but many do want to experience something more than a week at a bustling campsite during the free time that they do have, which is why I will be offering this experience to small groups or individuals in future. While we can’t be 100% self-sufficient in a 4x4, we need fuel at the very least of course, we can rely on ourselves, and the environments we travel and camp in, far more than many do. We can also use these remote experiences to better understand ourselves and the world around us, as well as improve ourselves in body, mind, and soul. The more we learn to do ourselves, and to be with no one but ourselves (because that is something surprisingly few can do comfortably for very long), rather than rely on others, the more opportunities we give ourselves; teach a man to fish and all that. It's rare for an overlander to not have basic mechanical skills, the same goes for recovery, navigation, and use of various gadgets and gear, but lost arts like foraging for food and other useful items are not so well known. We all know taking some form of firepit is handy to cook on, and wood is readily available (whether it is dry or not is a different matter!), but what if you’re running short on ingredients to cook? Soap to wash your pots/ clothes/yourself? Where can you pick firelighters or a strop for your knife off a tree? Even more importantly, how can you cool down warm beer without a fridge? All these things are possible using common European plants, fungi, or geological features, without resorting to packing up to find a shop. We might not be able to realistically rely on foraging and bushcraft for survival on a road trip of course, but we can use it to lengthen our stay in remote locations. We can also use it to prepare and to save money.

I take a foraged fire lighting kit with me, half my knife sharpening kit is also foraged, and my first aid kit is supplemented with a huge array of foraged and homemade salves, balms, and potions. My camp cooking kit is bursting at the seams with preserved items that can be found abundantly across the UK and Europe.

As well as obvious stuff like eating, we also need to consider the three S’s - Shitting, Showering, and Shaving. Although the latter is optional on a trip, the two former considerations often come up on groups, and there are numerous answers to these essential bodily functions that are both eco-friendly and possible in any remote location. There is even a source of soap growing all around us, just as there is yeast to make bread on our campfires. We just need to know how to find it, and what to do with it when we have some, and that is what I will be teaching in various locations next year. Scotland will be my base, but also Wales, and even some much further flung and considerably more exotic locations too. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

In the meantime, I’m cracking on with further additions to the workshop, and a lot of work on the trucks and plenty of friends have come over to visit or help. The 110 has been the focus because it will be the vehicle, I will take on an Autumn/ Winter trip. The most recent work has been to install a Wolf roll cage and radiation hazard insulation kit. I’m not expecting WW3 while pootling around the Highlands, but the cage will reinforce the fibreglass Wolf roof and allow me to use the sides of the truck to mount gear. The RADHAZ kit will provide some much-needed insulation too. It’s going to get cold, but thankfully one of the skills I never stop working on is resilience to the cold. This is another huge benefit to wild camping and something else that I will be teaching. I picked up the roll cage from a wellknown Landy spares seller in generally good condition. I stripped it down and resprayed it before fitting with new stainless steel bolts and nyloc nuts. I think it looks the business! The cage fitting process is reasonably simple, but in this case, it turned out to be quite comical! A friend helped me out one evening, and we managed to do it without removing the roof. Now, it probably would have been easier to have taken the roof off, but they’re a big, heavy thing that needed at least another set of hands to lift, so we worked around this absence of help.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

With the cage installed and the roof still loose, I was able to slide in the RADHAZ kit in the following day with the help of my mum. She’s the reason for my Landy obsession! Mum fed the panels up between the sides and the tub, after I lifted the roof at one end and chocked it in place. It’s quite a simple thing to fit and makes a huge difference to the noise inside the cab and to the temperature.

Next up is to line the tub with rubber matting and install my bed. I’ve bought some old metal bed frames and will put my new plasma cutter to work to create a hinged fold out single to double that can be used as a sofa too. This will be topped off with a waterproof mattress that I made out of two very posh dog beds. Originally bought for Celyn, who was scared of it (I wish I was joking!), I tried to coax her to lie on it with me. After trying and failing I noticed how huge and comfortable it was, so I bought another and repurposed the memory foam from my last Landy bed inside the cover, and ta-da! I had a new hard wearing, very comfortable and quite swish looking, waterproof mattress.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

I need to head back to the Landy spares seller for some Wolf racking which will house my gear in the back. I want the Tithonus to remain as original as possible, but still be a functional Landy camper, so I want to use as many original features as possible, albeit in a slightly different way to their original function. I’ve picked up ammo and Peli cases to house my kit, I think they’ll look great on the racking.

Along with more fun stuff like roll cages, there has been plenty more general maintenance going on. I treated the 110 to some posh gearbox oil, the 101 to some new fuel hoses, and the Freelander to a very thorough service. I also have a new rear door, and lots of military accessories to fit on the 110. The only big jobs left now are some welding on the 110, although getting that done is proving difficult! If anyone is available, please let me know!

The workshop has moved on since its creation. It now houses another compressor, plasma cutter, more spanners (I have an obsession!), more power tools (ditto on the obsession!), and all sorts of other items I’ve picked up. I’m also going to learn to weld myself, it is the final frontier when it comes to my Landy fixing skills! That’s all for this month folks! Hopefully by the next issue I’ll have the 110 camper finished. Drive safe! Lauren & Celyn x

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Rexton

2.2 Diesel

Ultimate

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it? The last time I borrowed a Rexton was back in 2021, and I remember enjoying it, despite what all the mainstream car magazines said at the time. Don’t get me wrong, they all appreciated its simple ruggedness, the fact that it was a proper 4x4 with 7 decent seats and that it was great value, but they kept comparing it to the Discovery and its more expensive and on-road biased ilk. The Rexton actually does a great job of molly-coddling you and your passengers, but there’s no escaping the fact that the Rexton is a proper 4x4 that has a genuine purpose. Forget those other SUV wannabes, if you want something more rugged, check out the Rexton.

On the road Because the Rexton continues to be built using the body-on-frame construction - a traditional chassis, means that it can lack the ride and handling standards set by most modern SUVs. That said, SsangYong has made a few mechanical modifications to the Rexton, from the chassis to recalibrated steering with adjusted weighting, along with tweaks to the springs and dampers and new wheels and tyres. This means that for the majority of the time the ride is soft and well damped. Drive enthusiastically through the corners and the Rexton feels a bit on the heavy side and wallows a bit, but that’s perfectly acceptable as it’s not meant to be compared to a Range Rover Sport. The Rexton also benefits from new hydraulic engine mounts and better noise insulation which in turn means that wind and road noise aren’t as noticeable as the previous model. The Rexton is a big, heavy car, one that’s capable of towing 3.5-tonne braked trailer, and after a week of mixed driving it averaged at 31.5mpg, not bad, really. That said, with CO2 emissions of 225g/km it will most likely put many business users off who are seeking more favourable Benefit-in-Kind tax rates.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Off road A locking centre differential and low-range ratios in the gearbox mean the Rexton will keep going when other SUV are floundering. The steering is overly assisted, which is ideal for exploring, especially on technical bits - not that I went that far off the beaten track due to its limited approach angle, and the fact that I spent more time travelling up and down our motorway network to car launches and shows than I did ‘laning. Interior The first thing you notice when you enter the cab is space, lots of it! The nappa leather seats are comfortable, as the driving position, and SsangYong has added soft-touch material, chrome plastic and piano black surfaces to give the Rexton a more classy feel. Being the top-spec model it comes with a large 9.2” touchscreen and a 3D around view monitoring system and an 8” TFT driver information display, along with all the bells and whistles that you would expect. 24

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Standard kit is more than generous, with Ultimate models featuring 18” alloy wheels, LED front fog and cornering lights, an electric tailgate, premium Nappa leather seats with heating and ventilation function, a heated steering wheel and rear privacy glass. When it comes to seating, the Rexton is now only available as a seven-seater, and every passenger will find they have both decent head and legroom room, although the third row of seats are still reserved for the more petite amongst us. Fold all the seats down flat and the Rexton is simply cavernous, so much so that there’s plenty of space fold the seats down flat and spend a night or two in relative comfort. As you can see from the photos, I was able to slide my Ecoflow Glacier fridge freezer in as well as a duffle and my XL sleeping bag, with plenty of room to spare. Need a bit more space? No problem, the Rexton also has a false floor in which you can store a large picnic table and camp chairs and other camping essentials. Also in the boot you have rear heater controls and a 12v, 120w socket.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Engine ’n’ transmission SsangYong only offers a single diesel engine option: the 2.2-litre that offers 199bhp and 441Nm of torque, which is enough to give the Rexton acceptable performance. Gearbox wise the Rexton now has a Hyundai sourced eight-speed auto that feels smoother both at lower speeds and shifting up when getting a move on. For a bit more control it also has manual paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. Conclusion The Rexton comes in four flavours - Ventura,Ventura Plus and Ultimate and Ultimate Plus, and although standard kit is excellent, it’s the Ultimate Plus model is packed to the rafters with pretty much everything you need in a vehicle. Although it doesn’t have a Euro NCAP rating, the Rexton has an extensive range of safety equipment, including active emergency braking, collision warning, trailer sway control, lane departure warning and a raft of side airbags for rear seat passengers and a driver's knee airbag. Top-spec models also have by blind spot and cross traffic and lane change collision alerts. The Rexton range starts at £39,500, and for those who are after a rugged workhorse with enough comfort for the family, it’s a very worthy option. more at » ssangyonggb.co.uk 28

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Volkswagen Amarok

PanAmericana 32

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it?

The second generation Amarok has taken its time getting to us, but it’s finally here, with the help of Ford, of course. You can’t blame them, because of the rising costs of designing, building and testing new vehicles, it’s no surprise that manufacturers collaborate and share the expenditure it makes perfect financial sense. In the Amarok’s case it shares its underpinnings with the Ford Ranger, obviously, including engines, suspension, transmissions and electronics. On the outside there are some distinct differences in their designs. The Amarok features squared-off wheelarches and a front end that gives it a familiar Volkswagen family face, while at the rear the Amarok-branded tailgate is flanked by C-shaped tail-lights. When it comes to the PanAmericana, it’s the highest-spec model that still qualifies as a commercial vehicle and comes exclusively with a BiTurbo, 3.0-litre V6 diesel and the Ford’s 10-speed automatic gearbox, which delivers silky smooth shifts.

On the road

During my week with the PanAmericana I was up and down the M6, M1 and M42 like a yo-yo, cruising anywhere between 50 and 70mph, and after almost 21 hours on the go and 889 miles, it averaged only 24.7mpg. If you can live with that sort of mileage then you will thoroughly enjoy the PanAmericana, it’s quiet on the road with barely any wind noise. It feels softly sprung, too, I’m not used to been cosseted to this level in a pickup, and yet it doesn’t wallow around corners like a Classic Range Rover. Of course you do get some ‘thumping’ on rocky terrain, but it’s a working pickup that can handle a tonne, so it can be excused. Then there’s the 237bhp and hefty 600Nm of torque on offer that makes acceleration and towing completely effortless, but as I said, it does come at a cost. If it’s important to you it will reach 62mph from 0 in just 8.8 seconds and carry on to a top speed of 112mph. The new electro-mechanical power steering set up is light, yet still delivers plenty of feedback to allow you to tackle twisty bits of road with gusto. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Off road

I’ll be honest, after all the road mileage over the week, I didn’t get to test it thoroughly on the rough stuff, bit with selectable four-wheel drive that automatically sets up the truck’s diffs and AWD system to suit the conditions I have no doubt it’ll handle most things - after all, the Ranger did when I took that out, and it’s virtually the same. I almost forgot, the PanAmericana is the only version of the Amarok that comes with a rear differential lock as standard, though it is available on other specs, but as part of an option pack.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Interior

Inside there’s plenty of leather and upmarket trim, and although the portrait-orientated 12” touchscreen is carried over from the Ranger, it runs Volkswagen’s software and graphics. Even after spending some time in the Ranger, and a week with the Amarok, I still couldn’t get user to the gear selector, it just feels a bit awkward, but that could just be me. As you would expect,Volkswagen give you plenty of kit, with wireless phone charging and connectivity, heated and electrically adjustable front seats and a Harman Kardon sound system - which offers a rich, quality sound.

Up front you have as much driver and passenger space as you would find a top-end SUV, and rear passenger have a bit more space than the previous-generation Amarok. Overall, only two things annoyed me about the Amarok; first was that they still insist on using those hateful heater controls that are accessed by prodding a screen as opposed to easier and safer knobs and dials. To be fair they are straight forward to use, but I still don’t like them. Secondly, the rear seats do not fold flat, unlike those in the Isuzu D-Max. This was a bit of a nuisance when I wanted to load in my Ecoflow Glacier fridge freezer in the back as I had to use a cardboard tube underneath the Glacier to keep it level. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Pickup stuff

As I mentioned at the beginning, the PanAmericana is the highest-spec model that still qualifies as a commercial vehicle, meaning that it will carry a tonne and tow 3-1/2 tonnes - though not at the same time, unlike the SsangYong Musso. The load bed measures an almost-square 1.62 metres long by 1.58 metres wide, with a width of 1.22 metres between the wheelarches.

Conclusion

Without a doubt the Amarok PanAmericana is a wonderful pickup to spend a lot of time in, but with Ford offering the same ability and a greater model variety, I wonder how the Amarok will cope in the sales race.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

R A E G & GOODS

SURV I V A L P E T FI RST A I D KI T I put an image on social media of 3 first aid kits that SURVIVAL had kindly sent for review, and by far the kit that got most response was this pet version. We all want to keep our furry companions safe, especially with escalating vet bills, so the interest wasn't that surprising. A pet first aid kit is an essential precaution for any responsible pet owner as, just like humans, pets can have accidents, and swift treatment can alleviate pain and discomfort, and having the right tools and supplies at your fingertips can make a significant difference in your pet's recovery. Open the kit bag up, using the double zip with extra long toggles, and you’ll be genuinely surprised, not only by the amount of kit they’ve managed to fit inside, but how well organised everything is. Each pocket is clearly labelled so you know exactly where things are, there’s even a space for a collapsible muzzle (not included), and other bits like medication.

SURVIVAL’s Pet First Aid kit is packed neatly in an outer that’s made from hardwearing, moisture resistant 600d Oxford polyester, and measures 19 x 16.5 x 10cm (HxWxD) when closed. Weighing just 1.05kg, it’s ideal for keeping in your car, home, caravan, backpack, tent - you get the idea. On the outside, either side of the sturdy handle there are a couple of D rings and a large strap that can be used as waist belt, shoulder strap and an emergency dog lead. On one side there’s a small pouch in which sits the roll of poo bags, and on the front there’s a small zipped pocket that can be used for treats. Lift the front pocket and there’s another space that’s labelled ‘personal’ in which I assume is for your keys or mobile phone.

The kit includes: 2 x 30ml tubes of saline for washing wounds and eye irrigation 3 x Cohesive bandages (5cm x 2m, 7.5cm x 2m & 10cm x 2m) 1 x Collapsible silicone bowl 1 x Sterile combine dressing 20cm x 10cm 3 x Sterile packs of cotton gauze swabs 1 x Digital thermometer 1 x roll of eco friendly poo bags 1 x Emergency foil blanket 1 x Hypo allergenic tape 2 x Nitric gloves 2 x Sterile non-adherent wound dressing 5cm x 5cm

2 x Sterile non-adherent wound dressing 7.5cm x 7.5cm 1 x Shears 5 x Skin Cleaning wipes with cetrimide 1 x SMART snake (pressure) bandage 1 x Snake bite instruction card 1 x Tick removal spoon 1 x Tweezers

Attached via a carabiner is a separate Survival Wallet that contains: 50 x Sterile allergen free plasters -5 large, 5 medium, 40 small 3 x Sterile wound closures 5 x Splinter probes

Owning a pet first aid kit shows you care for your pet's safety, and it's reasurring to have in case of emergencies, but fingers crossed that you'll never have to use it. price: £79.99 (there is a discount via the Ford Ranger Owners Club) more at » survivalfirstaidkits.co.uk

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

R A E G & GOODS

If you are looking to upgrade your towing ability, Ring has the solution.

RING RCT7 2 5 5 0 mm HE AV Y DU TY B A LL & P I N COUP LING The Ring RCT725 is a 50mm heavy duty ball and pin coupling that is dual purpose. It is suitable for a trailer with a 50mm towball coupling, as well as a ring and pin system found on many commercial and agricultural trailers. The benefits for having a pin system is that it’s perfect for keeping a tow strap, or rope secure. It’s also good for attaching a rigid towing pole to. Importantly though, it isn’t suitable for recovery (though I know people who do). The RCT725 is E approved and weighs in at just over 4kg. price: can be found online from £45 more at » ringautomotive.com/en/product/ RCT725

R I NG A0036 PLU G ADAPTOR With a lot of new trailers, caravans and accessories using a thirteen pin socket, Ring has introduced its A0036, a plug adaptor that converts any 13 pin plug to fit a 7 pin socket. Ideal if you have an older seven pin socket on your vehicle and swap between old and new trailer electrics. price: can be found online from £7 more at » ringautomotive.com/en/product/A0036

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

R A E G & GOODS

PELI 1650 LID ORGANISER Peli cases are amazing for keeping all your stuff together and handy, but it can be hard to find things if you have a lot of things in them, so having a lid organiser is a great way to make full use of the usually redundant space in the lid of your 1650 Protector Case. The pockets are perfect for small accessories and tools. The organiser comes with screws to be screwed into pre-moulded lid bosses inside the case. Note: If your case is an older version, and does not feature the lid bosses, you will need to source adhesive-backed Velcro to attach the lid organiser. price: £82.55 more at » peliproducts.co.uk

4x4 Mugs themudlife.co.uk/mugs

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

CURL® Inspired by Leatherman’s best-selling Wave Plus, the Curl packs 15 handy tools into a compact, 4-inch toolbox, so you’re ready to tackle your projects. Available online from: www.whitbyandco.co.uk

Camping Hacks A camping hack refers to a clever or innovative technique, tip, or trick that can enhance your camping experience, and help you make the most of your outdoor adventures.

#5 - Shower caps Shower caps are pretty versatile; not only are they great for keeping your hair dry during quick morning freshen ups, but they are pretty useful for camping purposes too. TOP TIP - When visiting a decent hotel you'll usually find caps in the bathroom, so even if you don't use them there and then, I recommend stashing them in your bag as these hacks are even better if you get the caps for free.

Image credit - onecrazyhouse.com

SHOE COVERS FOR PACKING My favourite use for these plastic delights is to use them to cover the soles of my shoes whilst packing to keep my other clothes clean in my bag. You never know what you've brought in on the bottom of your shoes, do you? Yuk!

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

STOP MUDDY FOOTPRINTS In a similar vein to the first tip you can use the caps to cover the bottom of your mucky boots and shoes to keep the inside of your tent or caravan clean when you just want to nip back in, but don't want the hassle of having to take them off. Just pop them over in a similar style as those estate agent blue booties you have to wear when looking round new homes.

BICYCLE SEAT COVERS If you go cycling on your camping holidays you'll know that the Great british weather will usually turn on you, usually when you are just having a cheeky pint in the local pub, so to make sure you don't end up will a soggy bottom use a shower cap to cover your seat before you head in for your libations

😉visit a show home, if those

( Sneaky Tip: when you

booties happen to 'fall' into your pocket or bag, you can save your shower caps for other purposes.)

Also if you leave your boots in the outside area of your tent you can put the shower cap over the openings of your boots to keep any bugs from making a hoem in them.

DOG WATER BOWL If you forgot to pack the water bowl then a shower cap can be a good temporary solution. Just fill it, and the elastic should keep the water in, whilst letting your dog have a drink.

Image credit - Joom.com

FOOD/PLATE COVERS Bugs love our food and the easiest way to keep those pesky little critters off is to cover it with hose food net contraptions, but if you don't have any shower caps are the next best thing

TOY PARACHUTE Keeping kids amused at campsites can be hard work, but if you have a shower cap or two and some string, then they can have lots of fun making parachutes to send Barbie or Action Man skyward

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

g n i p m a C AR

E G & S D GOO

VA N GO CUI SI N E N ON -STI CK P OTS

Although I adore my much heavier cast iron and spun steel pans and skillets, they can be a bit cumbersome, and depending on which press car I have, I’m sometimes stuck for space, therefore they are not ideal. So what are? You've guessed it, Vango’s Cuisine non-stick collapsible pans, (which for some unfathomable reason they call 'pots'). They’re made from silicone, and are collapsible, so it doesn’t take much effort to squash them down to a size that makes them perfect for stashing in small spaces. Not only that, but they’re durable, non-stick, easy to clean and LFGB Food safe and BPA Free. The pans are ideal for gas and electric, and they work perfectly on induction hobs too. If the need arises, they’re oven safe to 180º, and, not that you will find one whilst camping, but they’re also dishwasher safe. All sizes come supplied with a glass lid, that allows you to keep an eye on your food, and a built-in steam vent to stop pressure building up. In practise, being silicone, they never become too hot that you end up scolding yourself, and when it comes to carrying them from the cooker to a table, the cool touch handles always feels secure, even when brimmed with a steaming hot chilli. The 1 litre has a single foldable handle, whilst the 1.5-litre has an additional fixed handle for ease of movement. As I mentioned at the beginning, I love using my cast iron pots, but I’ve found myself using these more and more. Vango’s Cuisine Non-Stick Pots have taken the hassle out of camp cooking, I no longer have to find space in the vehicle for bulky cookware, and of course they’re much lighter. A great on-the-go solution I didn't realise I needed, but now wouldn't be without. sizes: 1 litre- 33 x 12 x 28cm (collapsed: 18 x 6 x 18cm) 1.5 litre - 41.5 x 13 x 22cm (collapsed: 23 x 6 x 25cm) prices: 1 litre - £32 & 1.5 litre - £37.50 more at » vango.co.uk/gb/271-cookware 46

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

g n i p m a C AR

E G & S D GOO

THE N OM A D ’S K I TCHE N

I met Will from The Nomad’s Kitchen at a caravanning show way back in 2019, and I immediately knew that he was onto a winner. Fast forward to last month when he kindly sent me a couple of samples for review, and I can only agree with my initial thoughts. Kitchen The original Nomad Kitchen comes in rubberised case that measures 13cm x 19cm, and once opened contains pretty much all the herbs, spices and accessories you need to make a wholesome meal. On one side you have a metal folding spork, a small jar of cooking oil, permanent marker, a lighter and a 7 piece utility knife. On the other side, covered by a handy chopping board, you will find eight Tic-Tac-style containers filled with the most popular and versatile herbs and spices that have been carefully selected by Will to enhance the flavour of any dish. There are 2 large containers (2.5cm x 10cm) for salt and black pepper, and 6 smaller ones (2.5cm x 5cm), for cumin, chilli flakes, curry powder, garlic granules, paprika & mixed herbs For shipping purposes, the spices come in sealed sachets for freshness, and all you need to do is fill the containers when you need them. That said, if there are spices contained in the pack that you will never use, you can fill them up with your favourites instead. So whether you're cooking over an open fire at camp, in a camper van or even at home, this kit has everything you need to add bold and delicious flavours to your meals. And with the containers being refillable and re-usable, it also ticks the eco-friendly box, too. Pocket Kitchen The other product Will sent me to try is his portable cutlery kit that again comes in slim, hard-proof case with carabiner. On the inside it includes a knife, fork and teaspoon, as well as a straw, all made of durable, lightweight materials that are easy to clean and maintain. On the other side you will find salt, pepper, and sugar, all contained in the same Tic-Tac style containers. The compact size of the kit allows for easy storage and transport, making it perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy a delicious meal wherever they go. The kit is eco-friendly and reusable, making it a great alternative to disposable utensils. The Pocket Kitchen isn’t just ideal for camping and hiking trips, but perfect for work lunches, too. Prices - Kitchen - £35, Pocket Kitchen - £12.99 more at » thenomadskitchens.com THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

g n i p m a C AR

E G & S D GOO

A K I N OD CUTLE RY SE T S

I was out camping recently, and when I grabbed my Thule Powershuttle, in which I keep all my cutlery, low and behold my fork was missing. “Wouldn’t it be good” I thought, “if I had a cutlery set that was fixed together, somehow, so I couldn’t lose, or misplace things.” Serendipitously, the following day I saw a Facebook post from Whitby and Co showing off their new range of Akinod cutlery sets. An email later, and some samples were swiftly despatched so I could test them out. As you can see from the photos, there are two designs in the Akinod sets - Straight Magnetic and Multifunctional Magnetic, both of which are available in a variety of designs and are compact, durable, elegant and practical.

Straight Magnetic

Being magnetised means that this 3 piece cutlery set - a large spoon, a 4-pronged fork and a knife, with a microserrated blade that easily cuts through an overcooked steak - fit seamlessly together. This in turn means they can be easily transported, or in my case, not lost, misplaced or forgotten. Not only are they tactile, but they’re also made from martensitic stainless steel 2CR14 with a polished mirror finish. Each piece measures 18cm long (handles 10cm) and 1.5cm wide and comes with a useful carry pouch.

Multifunction Magnetic

I asked for the Coral Wood design, and again the foldable multifunction cutlery attaches and detaches using powerful magnets, and both pieces / sides are made using martensitic stainless steel 2CR14 with a polished mirror finish. Attached to the spoon you will also find a non-locking, 6.2cm micro-serrated blade that makes easy work of slicing tomatoes, bread and your fingers, if you’re not careful! Attached to the 5-pronged fork is a 4-spiral corkscrew, a can-opener and a bottle opener.

With a multitude of designs and finishes to choose from, (grey titanium, black mirror and mirror), the cutlery sets are guaranteed to stand out and can be used anywhere; at home, work, or sat on a tailgate eating fish ’n’ chips! prices: from £24.95 more at » whitbyandco.co.uk/collections/akinod 48

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

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

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

SPRAYWAY FINNAN JACKET This new mens' lightweight Finnan jacket from Sprayway is a highly versatile weatherproof layer. The GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER® ripstop fabric provides a totally windproof, highly water-resistant and breathable outer layer. This protective outer layer is combined with a gridded fleece lining which provides a boost of warmth as well as excellent temperature and moisture management. Features • Adjustable hill hood with wired peak • 2-way contrasting centre front zip with rear insulated placket • 2 zipped hand pockets, with grid fleece lining - the left hand pocket doubles as a stuff sack • Elastane bound cuffs • Adjustable split hem drawcords price: £230 more at » www.sprayway.com

New Stuff we've discovered this month BARBOUR VELOCETE SHOWERPROOF JACKET Being warm and dry doesn't have to mean you can't be fashionable too. Combining subtle padding with wetweather protection, this Barbour Velocete Showerproof Jacket gives the utility trend a feminine twist. The self-tie belt at the waist creates a feminine line, and concealed press-stud fastenings provide a clean look, while the iconic Barbour badge to the sleeve adds a premium finish. sizes: 8 to 18 price: £199 more at » barbour.com

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

How To Care For Your

Waterproof Clothing Caring for waterproof clothing is essential to maintain its effectiveness and prolong its lifespan. Here are ten tips to help you care for your waterproof garments:

- Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions: Each waterproof garment may have specific care instructions, so it's important to read and adhere to them carefully.

- Regularly clean your waterproof clothing: Dirt and oils can compromise the waterproofing properties of the fabric. Clean your garments as often as necessary, following the recommended cleaning instructions. Use mild detergents specifically designed for waterproof fabrics. - Avoid using fabric softeners: Fabric softeners can leave a residue on the fabric, reducing its water-repellent capabilities. Instead, use a technical wash or a detergent specifically made for waterproof clothing. - Treat stains promptly: Stains can also affect the fabric's performance. Deal with any stains promptly using a spot cleaner recommended for waterproof fabrics.

- Don't use harsh chemicals or bleach: Harsh chemicals and bleach can damage the waterproof membrane or coating. Stick to mild detergents and cleaners.

- Rinse thoroughly: After washing, ensure you rinse the garment thoroughly to remove all traces of detergent or cleaner. Residue can affect the waterproofing properties. - Avoid using a dryer: High heat can damage the waterproof coating or membrane. Air dry your waterproof clothing instead, following the manufacturer's instructions. - Reapply DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment: Over time, the DWR coating on waterproof garments wears off. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for reapplying DWR treatment to restore the water-repellent properties. - Store your waterproof clothing properly: Store your waterproof garments in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Avoid folding or creasing them for extended periods, as this can damage the fabric or coatings. - Inspect and repair any damage: Regularly inspect your waterproof clothing for any signs of damage, such as rips, tears, or delamination. Repair them promptly using repair tapes or patches designed for waterproof fabrics. Remember, proper care and maintenance will ensure your waterproof clothing stays effective, allowing you to stay dry and comfortable in wet conditions for longer. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Jeep Avenger

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it?

The Avenger, Jeep’s all-new, all-electric vehicle has been designed, developed and produced in Europe, for Europe, apparently, and although the Avenger is underpinned by the latest eCMP2 platform, there are more than 600 unique Avenger components, and 60% of parts are not in other Stellantis models. It may share its platform with the likes of Peugeot’s e-2008 and Corsa Electric, but Jeep have put a lot of extra overtime in to make it different. Along with redesigned the crash structures front and back, there are shorter front and rear overhangs for better off-road work. Jeep also altered the inner wings to accommodate the larger diameter tyres and more wheel travel as well a widening the tailgate aperture for easier loading of bikes, camping equipment, etc. It’s certainly chunky, and if you look closely you may recognise a few design cues from past Jeeps, and part of what makes it a proper Jeep is the body protection. The lamps and expensive bodywork are inset from the plastic surround to help minimise scraps and dings - handy for both urban car parks and errant gate posts.

On the road

With a kerbweight of 1,536kg, which is fairly light for an EV, the ride along the sometimes undulating Oxfordshire roads was actually quite pleasant, even with lengthened suspension travel that emphasis its off-road ability. There’s not much roll around corners either, though it’s obviously not a sports car. It's quiet, too, and I know that sounds daft when writing about an electric vehicle, but both road and wind noise are well dampened. There are no squeeks, rattles or clonks either as I have to say that it feels well screwed together with an end result that leaves you feeling confident and relaxed. On the road it may not be the sprightliest, but 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds and a 93mph top speed is, in reality, more than adequate.

For on-road use the Avenger offers you three driving modes; Sport is the full 154bhp and 192lb ft. 'Normal' gives you 107bhp and 162lb ft, while in 'Eco' calms everything down with 80bhp and 132lb ft. When it comes to efficiency over a 5-hour test drive it didn’t do too bad, we saw 4.1mi/kWh from the trip computer, implying a real-world range of well over 200 miles against the official claim of 249. (342 miles on the city cycle). That said, it was a lovely late summer’s day with temperatures in the high 20s, add some cold motorway journeys into the mix and I’d like to know how much that figure falls by.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Off road

Despite being 2WD, 4-metres long and adept for town driving, Daniele Calonaci – Head of Design for Jeep Europe went to great lengths explaining that the Avenger is still designed for the adventurous amongst us. With 200mm ground clearance, 20° approach and breakover angles and a 32° departure angle, the Avenger is built with off-road prowess in mind. It has a flat underbody that’s also designed to protect the electric components and improve aerodynamics. And with a battery plate at 223mm off the ground, this gives the Avenger a wading depth of 230mm . Although an all-wheel drive 4xe isn’t on the cards yet, the Avenger is still fitted with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system, which is available with a front-wheel drive model for the first time. I’ve mentioned that Eco, Normal and Sport are for on-road use, then there’s also Sand, Mud and Snow for off the beaten track.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Sand - Active up to 75mph - permits a small amount of simultaneous slip from the two driven wheels so the Avenger can tackle beach-like surfaces. Mud - Active up to 31mph - allows the individual driven wheel with the least grip to spin even more while transmitting as much torque as possible to the driven wheel with the most grip. Snow - Active up to 50mph – constantly adapts the level of wheelspin to generate the maximum amount of traction in subzero conditions (lots of spin in thick snow; very little on ice). In addition the Avenger is fitted as standard with Hill Descent Control, another debut for a front-wheel drive model, and operates at up to 43mph to reduce the risk of slip or loss of control when descending a slope with a gradient of more than 5%. Sadly we didn’t get the opportunity to test its off-road ability.

Interior

The Avenger is a small car, but once inside it feel almost TARDISlike, and scattered around the front of the cabin there's 34 litres of storage spread across door bins, glovebox, centre console wells and the shelf beneath vents. It’s easy to get comfortable, even if you’re like me - 6ft 2" and bordering on 18 stone! Tall rear passengers will will be happy with headspace, though not so much with legroom, but it is a small car don’t forget.

Visibility is good, and in front of you, if you’re the driver, there is a 10.25" colour touchscreen and 7" instrument display which grows into a 10.25" unit on mid-and top-spec cars. Because the Avenger is designed and built with adventure in mind there’s plenty of tough plastic around - good for wiping off mud and dealing with bike forks and pedals.The boot is 380 litres with the seats up, and with them down you get a cracking 1,053 litres.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

The Avenger is available in 3 trim levels - Longitude (£35,700), Altitude (£37,400) and Summit (£39,600) Longitude The entry point Avenger is wellequipped with many of the standard features that drivers expect from the compact SUV these days.

Altitude Moving up to the Altitude models adds a suite of styling and convenience features that make the Avenger great to look at and exceptionally easy to live with.

Longitude models include a 10.25" Uconnect infotainment system, Apple Carplay and Android Auto with wireless screen mirroring, cruise control, 16" alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and Jeep’s all-terrain drive mode selector.

They are recognisable from the outside courtesy of larger 17" alloy wheels, while other hidden exterior features include passive entry and a highly practical hands-free power tailgate.

All Longitude models feature an array of electric driving aids, including intelligent speed assistant, lane departure warning, lane support system, AEB with vulnerable road user (pedestrian and cyclist) recognition, traffic sign recognition, and drowsy driver detection.

Conclusion

Inside, drivers and passengers benefit from a full-size 10.25" TFT cluster screen, adaptive cruise control and an additional USB-C port specifically for rear passengers.

Summit At the top of the range, the Summit model brings the Avenger to its most advanced and luxurious level. Diamond-cut 18" alloy wheels denote it as the flagship trim from the outside, along with LED headlights, taillights and fog lamps, plus automatic folding electric heated door mirrors with puddle lights. A wealth of driver aids, and convenience features are found inside, including adaptive cruise control with lane centring and traffic jam assist, a 180º rear camera with front, rear and side parking sensors, an urban blind spot monitor, heated front seats, a heated windscreen and wireless charging for mobile devices.

Overall I enjoyed the Avenger experience, despite being just a couple of hours. I can see it being a decent city car, especially for those of us who want to go exploring during the weekends - chuck a canoe on top, load it up with bikes and it will happily handle the scuffs, scrapes and (not too deep), mud with ease. I’m looking forward to getting one on a proper loan, I just need to get myself a home charger. more at » jeep.co.uk/jeep-avenger/electric

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

BESPOKE JEEP BUILDS

BESPOKE VEHICLE BUILDS

CUSTOM 2023 SUZUKI JIMNY COMMERCIAL FOR SALE Compact SUVs, modified to handle any terrain. Commercial VAT claimable vehicle for business.

CUSTOM 2023 JEEP WRANGLER JL RUBICONS FOR SALE We have a selection of Storm Jeeps, pre-built available to drive away today or ready to build blank canvas opportunity.

GET IN TOUCH:

01482 666491

SALES@STORMJEEPS.COM

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it?

The ZS is MG’s smallest SUV, and I haven’t driven it since it first appeared in our magazine over 50 issues ago, and, as I remember it being quite enjoyable, I was curious to find out if it was still as fun. With a starting price of £17,820 (£22,115 for this ZS), and MG’s 7-year/80,000 mile warranty, whichever milestone you hit first, it’s fair to say that it’s value certainly hasn’t changed. Available in two flavours; Excite and Exclusive, the latter is available with a petrol 1.5ltr VTI and 5-speed manual ‘box, or 1.0ltr T-GDI with a 6-speed auto ‘box. The only difference with the Exclusive that it’s also available with a 6-speed manual 1.0ltr T-GDI, which I’m driving here. Oh, and I’d better mention that only comes in 2WD.

On the road

With a turbo bolted on, the 1.0ltr T-GDI makes it easier to drive and gives the ZS a stronger acceleration pretty much when you need it. It isn’t blisteringly fast, and you need to keep the revs up, but it’s there. The 6-speed manual ‘box was sometimes a little difficult to engage 1st, but had just covered 1,000 miles so hadn’t yet bedded in - other than that gear change was lovely and smooth. Driving around town and the ride feels just right, the suspension is soft, and so are the front seats, but on bumpy and undulating country roads it can be a bit bouncy, though not enough to be tiresome. However, I couldn’t fault the precise steering, and along with a decent amount of grip around corners there was a lot less body roll than you’d think.

Around town and on the usual commute I was seeing fuel figures around 38mpg, and on a long motorway run that included some of Cumbria’s finest B roads and a longish green lane the computer told me I’d achieved 42mpg - which I didn’t consider to be too bad.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Off road

Being 2WD I didn’t want to take it anywhere challenging, so I tootled along The Old Coach Road in Cumbria. On the straights and gentle inclines and descents, leave it in first (manual box), and it happily trundled along at 4-5mph - a prefect speed to take in all the surroundings. For steeper descents there’s a Hill Descent button that, judging by the noise it was making, was doing its job nicely.

always concerned that the road biased tyres aren’t necessarily strong enough on the sidewall front, so wheel placement was particularly important on some of the rocks and stones. Overall the ZS did a splendid job of driving up some of the steep inclines, proving that you don’t always need 4WD to go exploring. That said, throw in some heavy rain, mud, snow or soft sand, and you’ll need to make sure you have some traction boards, just in case!

Having decent approach, ground clearance and departure angles means that it’ll manage some ruts and bumps, but I was

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Interior

With soft touch materials where it matters and comfortable seats, along with solid-feeling buttons and an impressive fit and finish, the ZS remains a nice place to be, whether that’s the school run or longer distance gallivants. In fact, considering its budget price tag the MG ZS's interior quality is remarkably good. As standard you get a 10” touchscreen infotainment system that has crisp graphics but it feels a bit basic, which is actually fine if like me you’re not into overly complicated menus. Another plus is that the heater controls are buttons under the touchscreen. The infotainment includes both Android and Apple CarPlay, DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity on all trim levels. Upgrading to Exclusive that I’m in here adds builtin sat-nav, a 360-degree parking camera and an improved sixspeaker stereo system. When it comes to equipment you get a lot in a ZS, opt for the base Excite trim and along with the infotainment touchscreen, you have LED headlights, air-con and cruise control with a speed limiter. Exclusive trim adds rain-sensing wipers, a fully digital driver display and leather-look upholstery. There’s plenty of space for people and their gubbins with decent sized cupholders and storage bins. Chuck some tall passengers in the back and you will barely hear a peep from them as head and legroom are also decent. That said, they may moan about the lack of cupholders, or centre rear armrest.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

In the boot there’s 448-litres of space and with the rear seats folded flat that grows to 1,375l capacity. Impressively the ZS swallowed my Peli 1650 Protector case, pair of ActionTrax, and a cool bag with ease, with lots more space available.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Conclusion

If safety is your thing and you’ve got used to being distracted whilst driving, then you might bemoan the lack of automatic emergency braking with the ZS, and as a result, it has only managed a three-start rating from Euro NCAP. But this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker as the ZS starting price is only £17,820, so its niggles can easily be forgiven - not that it has many. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a small family SUV that’s practical, affordable and reasonably wellequipped, the MG ZS is well worth considering. more at » www.mg.co.uk

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

NEW IN - ROBOTS - Kids' Collection livethemudlife.co.uk

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Dine Out With Damian I try to come up with easy food that any buffoon can make whilst out in the great outdoors. When I say ‘any buffoon’, I obviously mean me!

This one-pot, easy, and 'almost' healthy Spicy Cheesy Beef is the perfect hearty meal to cook at camp in less than 30 minutes. I know I've named it 'Spicy', but Muddy Madam doesn't tolerate spice or chilli well, and she was happy eating it, as the flavour is quite mild. Like all our recipes on these pages, you can swap ingredients for whatever suits your taste. The first time I made this I added courgette, and the next spinach, so you et the printable can bulk it up with whatever veg you ecipe ere have handy.

🖨

PRODUCTS USED - Coleman Dual Fuel Stove - Robens Tahoe Pan - Almazan Kitchen Chef Knife - COBB Chopping Board - COBB BBQ Utensil Set

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Spicy Cheesy Beef Equipment needed - Stove - Large pan or dutch oven - Utensils - Chopping board

Ingredients (for 4) • 1 tsp olive oil • 1 onion, roughly chopped • 1 red pepper, roughly chopped • 1 tbsp minced garlic • 500g lean beef mince • Sweetcorn -small tin • ½ tsp salt • ½ tsp pepper • 1 tsp paprika • 1 tsp chilli powder

• 250ml tomato pasta sauce • 250ml beef stock • 250g pasta • 200g grated cheese • optional add ins - spinach (handful) courgette or carrot

How to make: 1. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to your pan, and once heated add the chopped onion, red pepper minced garlic and stir until the onions are nearly cooked. 2. Make a space in the centre of the skillet, add the beef and seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika and chilli powder), mix and cook until brown. 3. Add the tomato sauce, stock, sweetcorn and uncooked pasta, stir together, cover and cook, for 20 minutes making sure to stir regularly. 4. After twenty minutes add the grated cheese, and a handful spinach if you wish, stir for a minute or two then dive in.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Due to more bad planning and atrocious time management on my part, I arrived at the Stratford-upon-Avon racecourse around 4.00pm on the Saturday, and the worst part was that I was due to leave first thing Sunday morning!

It was also good to chat to Nigel from Pilgrim Campers, Mark from Nomad Campers and Anthony from Timeless Overland. Watch out for future issues in which I’ll have more thorough features, and even maybe a trip to Normandy with Anthony.

Due to the last minute arrangement I camped with Ged(i) and Team Chaos - the wonderful team of volunteers who, since 2005, have raised over £50k for charity. In fact, if Ged(i) reminds me I’ll tell you more about their work in a future issue. Anyhow, without even unpacking my tent I made a B-line for the trade stands and hopefully catch up with some regulars. There’s always a variety of different vendors selling their wares, and new this year are Camping Cinema (campingcinema. co.uk), who supply portable cinema packages for campers and camper vans.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Wandering around camping area whilst marvelling at all the weird and wonderful set-ups I bumped into Rachel and Gazz from Northern Monkeys 4x4 group, but missed out on seeing other friends as the camping area is quite large. The best part though is wandering around the camp area where you’ll find the largest variety of camper vehicles you’ll ever see in the UK in one place. From a basic-as-you-like homebuilt Land Rover to 8x8 ex-military MAN trucks, and literally everything in between. Honestly, if this is your thing, and these are you tribe, you will be inspired by every vehicle you walk past - even the work in progress vehicles.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

It was getting late when I made my way back to the Amarok, BBQs and fire pits were already being lit and social gatherings commenced. Banter was in the air, laughter and a community spirit that I’ve missed. Half for a laugh and half for practical reasons I decided not to bother with any of my large, arguably ‘proper’ tents, instead I took my Smartent that I’ve had for a quite a number of years, and as soon as Ged(i) saw it he quite rightly laughed and relentlessly took the mickey! Anyhow, it was teatime, so I grabbed my Coleman Unleaded stove, plonked it on the tailgate and made Muddy Madam’s homemade Bolognese. It would have been spaghetti Bolognese, but some idiot forgot to bring the spaghetti! As darkness fell, Gedi, myself and other members of Team Chaos made our way to the main tent for more beers and live music, this evening we had the pleasure of a Madness tribute band. By the way, if you’re wondering why I call him Gedi, it’s because he really, really dislikes Star Wars, and placing the i at the end of Ged’s name never fails to make me smile! It wasn’t long before I started to fade, so I retired back to the tent. The Smartent was, if not a little snug, wonderful. The only thing I forgot was that during a cool night, the base gets cold, and I could feel it through my sleeping bag, so if I use it again I must remember to bring a sleeping mat of some sort. The following morning arrived cool and damp, and after I’d knocked over a full mug of coffee I was extra careful with the next one, along with my bacon and egg butty. Unfortunately I didn’t have the time to have another wander around the show as I had to be at Volkswagen’s headquarters in Milton Keynes for around 10.30am, so after another quick chat to Ged(i) I packed up and left. As I mentioned earlier, if camping and overlanding, even car camping is your thing, then the Adventure Overland Show is without a doubt worth a visit. more at » adventure-overland-show.com

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

become a supporter You've always been able to support the mag by buying us a hot choccy or two, but now we also have 4 Membership Tiers for regular supporters which start from just £1 per month, and you'll get a fancy title too:

from

£1

All these lovely people chose to support us in the last month.

gadget to support us laf Lauren E. chris R. BILLY F. Click

We are the Tarts, and you can be our patron. from

£3

You've always been able to support us, and now you get a fancy Hot Choc Hero title too!

from

£5

We decided that this happy pig should be the Mud Lover's avatar as pigs are a symbol of prosperity, fertility and good luck, and that is what we wish for you all (not the fertility bit if you don't fancy it). 82

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

LRAsser Jim H. SNIFFER redcatrichard WELLIES.COM Steve Edward P. A MYSTERY SUPPORTER Paulus Nick FuzzbertFL2 Mark l.

Mark D John

es d i R s ' r e Read

Who are you, where are you from and what do you do? Hey, my names Andrew Murphy, I’m 33 years old and live in Bradford. I work as a Team Leader / Field Service Engineer for a company that fixes and maintains forklifts. I've worked here for 2½ years since leaving the British Army in 2021, where I served 12 years. History of cars leading up your present 4x4 Present 4x4(s) After my 2010 BMW E92 320D and 2014 Audi A5 Quattro, I started a little family, so had to ditch the 2-door cars and that’s when I got a 2014 BMW F30 330D. Present 4x4(s) Since having a work van, and not needing a car for the travel to work and back, I now have a 2004 ES Premium Discovery 2 Land Rover. I decided to get one after a trip to Parkwood Off Road Centre with a mate in his Jimny. I had a drive around in it and started looking for a D2 as soon as I got back home. Modifications done A Terrafirma +2” lift kit, cranked watts linkage, steering arms, 50mm wheel arches and 2'' Lift blocks. To go with the lift I added extended brake lines.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

To fit under the arches I added Challenger wheels with 285/75/16 10j Insa turbo K2. Up front there’s a steel front winch bumper, steering guard, snorkel, Dixon Fabrication recovery tow eye, and for further protection Dixon Fab sliders, and at the rear an upgraded rear wheel carrier. Then there’s a TD5 Inside remap, decat with a mid box delete. Favourite Modifications Has to be the wheels, going from +25 to -32, means I could remove spacers and still have better fitment, taking the old rock sliders off and fitting DF 60mm sliders to go with the G4 roof bars. Modifications to do Winch, rear steel bumper, tank guard, 6 deg cranked arms. Favourite green-laning / adventure / camping trip Done a few trips to and around Hawes, but with most of the stuff getting graded I tend to do pay and play days at Parkwood off road centre now. I’m looking to do more lanes further afield next year, would like to get to Wales, and try some of the lanes down there and try out to some different Pay and Play sites.

Lottery win 4x4 Would have to be an old Nissan patrol GR SWB, with a M57 and 37’’ wheels like the one from Top Off Road Romania on YouTube. The noise and power those things have is incredible. Definitely worth a watch! Favourite car related film(s) It would have to be the Italian Job (the original), and The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift (No. 5). Favourite biscuits Has to be a McVities Gold Bar, you can’t beat them, and Chocolate Hobnobs. Where can we find more details? Facebook - Andrew James Murphy Instagram - Murphmd27 Tiktok thegreenmachine282

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

es d i R s ' r e Read

Who are you, where are you from and what do you do? My name is Laurens de Smet, 24 years old, living in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands with my girlfriend Jessica Jackson. We run a business called Smet Works where we specialise in finding Rare Genuine Land Rover Parts and build Bespoke vehicles for customers. History of cars leading up your present 4x4 My first 4x4 was a 1979 Land Rover Series 3 88” 2.25 petrol, I loved it. Having had Land Rover’s around from a young age, I had no option but to become obsessed myself. I’ve since then built up quite the collection/addiction. Present 4x4(s) We currently have a 1953 Land Rover 80”, 1957 Land Rover 109”, 1986 Land Rover One Ten, 1993 Range Rover Classic Ambulance, 1996 Land Rover Defender 90 2.0mpi and a 2003 Land Rover Freelander. The vehicle I’ll be focusing on is the Range Rover Ambulance, as this is our most recent project.

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Modifications done We bought the RRC already stripped from its ambulance stickers and interior. So we had an amazing blank canvas to start our camper build with. We stripped out the walls, flooring and reupholstered everything. Completely redid the 12 volt system, from solar panel to USB-C charging ports. We fitted a custom Front Runner rack to mount our spare wheel, table, water tank, sand-boards and solar panel on. The cab got overhauled too, making it very cosy and comfortable for longer journeys. The bed construction was made from scratch with aluminium profiles and wooden inserts. Which looks the part and is incredibly strong. To the vehicle itself we didn’t do much, it already had an ARB airlocker in the rear differential and helper air bags in the rear coils when we bought it. The V8 engine and gearbox were sound, ready for adventure. Favourite Modifications My favourite modification is definitely the Front Runner drawer underneath the bed. It’s a staggering 1.80m long, which fits all our gear. From clothing, food and the stove to a dry toilet for those wild camps in the middle of nowhere.

Modifications to do We’re currently installing a reverse camera and Apple CarPlay to make the it even better suited for travel and long distance driving. We also want to fit some protection to the front end at some point. Maybe an ARB Bullbar or something similar. Favourite green-laning / adventure / camping trip It has to be our most recent trip to the North Cape and back down through the Baltic states with RRC and the Defender 90. 11.000km of pure adventure. I’d do it again tomorrow. Lottery win 4x4 New Defender 130, 5 seater, V8… or P400… No, definitely the V8. Favourite car related film Does the Camel Trophy count? If not, Probably the first Fast and Furious movie. Favourite biscuits Australian TimTam’s, similar to Penguin’s in the UK. Where can we find more details? Websites: pandathelandy.com & smetworks.com Instagram laurens.de.smet pandathelandy smetworks

Facebook laurens.desmet.146 Smet Works Panda the Landy

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

The Tales of Lilly, The Mud Life Dog

A Truly Mucky Pup

by Karen Lee Turner

We headed out this month to PATS, a trade show for the pet industry. I think it's the best trade show we go to, though Damian would disagree as the Food show at the NEC is his particular favourite (it's absolutely nothing to do with all the meat and other tasty sundries that that he gets to guzzle down). It's also one of the few trade show that have furry friends to stroke at quite a lot of stands, so I am in my element. We go to find new and interesting products specifically for dogs, because we know that a lot of you are dog owners just like us, and it's always fun to find things to make your and their lives better. You can't take your own dogs, but Lilly rather enjoys her stayovers with her Nana, and enjoys the goody bag of treats we bring back even more. We found quite a lot of stuff that will be frequenting the pages of this mag over the coming months, and usually come back with a few samples of this'n'that - usually shampoos, dog treats and small toys. At this time of year the shampoos become my favourites, because as the title above says, Lilly is one hell of a mucky pup. Now I see lots of dogs around the park, some which have a lot longer fur than Lilly and you would think that this would mean they would get filthier than she does, but it's her weird quirk to come back in the darker months looking like she has been halfdipped in mud. You see the longer coat bigger dogs seem to me more sedate or calm or tranquil, whatever the word for it is, so don't seem to kick up the mud that my little racer does. Being part Whippet she does like to do energetic spurts, usually after small critters,

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

and off through muddy trails, and, like the back of cyclist that has no mud guards, the splatter is spectacular. The only dogs that do rival her for pure filth of underbelly is my friend Jen's three and a half Shih Tzus (I say half because she has just foster-failed another dog which is half Shih Tzu and half Chihuahua, so it's teeny-weeny, and half the size of her others). They are very tidgy of leg so their little belly fur gathers up anything, and everything they walk over.

When we return from muddy wandering we have 3 options... 1 - If I know before we head out that she is likely to come back filthy I can prepare the Mud Daddy to be waiting at the front door, so that I can swoosh off the majority of the mud before she trails it into the house. Most of the time though I am not that organised, so there have been desperate phone calls made to Damian as we are heading back home "Get the Mud Daddy ready!!" 2 - If the Mud Daddy is not at hand, the next option is the 'cloth'. We have a selection of coloured cloths and old tea-towels that are just for Lilly's belly. Getting Lilly to hold still is like trying to wash ice-cream of a squirming child's face. It's been a struggle, but we are finally at the stage where I think she realises that if we don't do the cloth and towel technique there is only one other option....the dredded bath. 3 - The bath is not actually a having a bath, but being in the bath, lathered up with shampoos, with such sweet smelling aromas like Mango & Banana or Baby Fresh, and then showered off. If you saw the amount of mud and grit that lines the bath after we've finished you'd wonder if they could be any soil left in Leverhulme Park. As a human I love a shower, but to Madam Lilly I think a shower is as near to torture as we could do without the RSPCA being called. We used to have a technique to get her upstairs and in the bath before she knew what was happening, but she has got wise to us now, and if she hasn't had a clean down, and we head upstairs she doesn't follow. One night when Damian was away Lilly smelled like a bog monster, and looked as I imagine one would, so the bath was called for. I tried all sorts of fakery to tempt her upstairs, including sausage bangers, but she steadfastly refused to budge from the bottom of the stairs. Eventually the matter was resolved by me heading down the stairs naked (so I didn't get my clothes covered with mud, not just some weird kink), and unceremoniously picking her up and hauling her stinky, muddy arse straight into the bathroom. She got cleaned, and then so did I! Normally after showering we give her a good dry off, and then proceed to pop on her Dogrobes toweling robe. When she has this on she is no longer Lilly, she becomes Vera, because she reminds me of Vera Duckworth from Corrie (now I have no idea if Vera Duckworth ever wore a purple towelling dressing

gown, but in my head she does). All I need now is to figure out how to fix a ciggie to hang out of her mouth, and I think she would be ready for a turn on those famous cobbled streets. Once in her Vera outfit she proceeds to do a zoomie of the spare bedroom, and then heads downstairs for her post-bath treat, and then conks out on the chair in the lounge. Getting clean obviously tires her out. Now that rainy Autumn has firmly set in I will definitely get to try out all those samples, so expect reviews to come flowing in. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Lilly's Lilly is always on the lookout for cool, fun and useful new products.

Oxfam Fair Trade Handmade Felt Dog Basket - Medium This beautiful Fair Trade felt dog basket has been lovingly handmade by skilled artisans in Nepal. A stylish way to keep your pet friends comfortable and warm. Dimensions: H 16.5cm x W 50cm x D 50cm. Material: 100% Sheeps Wool. price: £54.99 more at » onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk

Comfy Recovery Collar This collar is a lovely alternative for your dog to the dreaded 'cone of shame'. It has clear panels to allow peripheral vision, and the flexible material aids a more comfortable nights sleep. It's easy to fit and has loops to attach it to a collar if desired, and adjustable fastening strips for a precise and comfy fit. sizes - S, M, L, XL prices: £10.94 to £19.94 (dependent on size)

more at » www.greenandwilds.co.uk

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Spaniel Water Bowl This handmade ceramic bowl is the perfect solution for dogs with long ears as the shape is designed to stop your dogs ears getting wet when drinking. Each bowl is wheelthrown in Great Britain by Habulous Ceramics, and are made to order. They are available in 4 colours and two sizes, and can be personalised. price: £38 more at » habulous.co.uk

Green & Wilds Eco Toy Audrey the Avocado This dog toy is tough and long lasting, made without using any compound that would harm or be released when chewed. Made from a suede outer with natural jute fibre stuffing (sustainable and 100% biodegradable plant fibre) . The suede is a by-product and ensures that this material is not wasted. Dimensions: 17 cm x 10 cm x 3 cm, a great size for smaller mouths. price: £8.95 more at » greenandwilds.co.uk

Pawer Water Hydration is vital for the wellbeing of all living-beings, but when it comes to our furry friends, dehydration is unfortunately a much too common problem. When dehydrated dogs lose vital electrolytes, such as sodium, chloride, and potassium. Pawer Water has a natural chicken bone flavour, and is designed to optimise dogs’ hydration with electrolytes and increase their overall wellbeing with 7 'pawerful' ingredients all good for their bones, fur, and skin. price: £2.50 per sachet buy in the UK at » amazon.co.uk We may receive a small commission as an affiliate if you choose to purchase any of these products. This commission comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the maintenance and growth of the magazine.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

The Mud Life - #52 - October 2023

Articles inside

Tales of Lilly, The Mud Life Dog

MG ZS

Jeep Avenger

VW Amarok PanAmericana

Rexton 2.2 Diesel Ultimate

Words From The Wild

Muddy Madam's Moment