The Mud Life - #54 - December 2023

the mud life #54 - December, 2023

Audi Q7

is the good life

Nissan X-trail

SEAT Tarraco

For Vehicle Adventure Enthusiasts & Outdoor Lovers

Editor-in-Chief, Writer, Photographer, Reviewer email - damian@themudlife.co.uk

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

Creative Director, Editor, Reviewer email - klt@themudlife.co.uk

LILLY - THE MUD LIFE DOG

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

DAMIAN TURNER

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

Cuddle Monster, Model, Reviewer

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year to all our readers

Important information Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the contents of The Mud Life magazine are accurate, we accept no responsibility for errors or omissions, nor the consequence of actions made as a result of these. When responding to any advertisements in The Mud Life magazine, you should make appropriate enquiries before sending money or entering into a contract. The publishers and owners take reasonable care to ensure advertiser’s probity, but will not be liable for any losses incurred as a result of responding to adverts.

Copyright All images and material on these pages are protected by copyright © Damian Turner. All rights reserved. None of the images or material within this magazine may be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose that is not expressly authorised by Damian Turner or Karen Lee Turner.

IN THIS ISSUE 04 Turner's Torque 06 NEWS

46 Seat Tarraco Review

74 Flash Drives - Porsche

18 Nissan X-Trail Review

56 Our Garage - ARB Awning

78 VW Owner's Day

28 Words From The Wild

60 Goods 'N' Gear

86 Tales of Lilly

36 Audi Q7 Review

70 Be Our Guest

88 Reader's Rides

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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TURNER'S TORQUE

thanks Whilst I’m sat here wondering what the heck happened to 2023, I realise that Muddy Madam and I have a lot to be thankful for.

Thankful not just to you guys and gals who subscribe and read our ramblings, but especially to our Ko-Fi supporters and advertisers who have generously kept us afloat for another year. Without you all I’m confident The Mud Life wouldn’t exist - so thank you.

Even though we recently celebrated our 50th issue, I’m also reminded that December is another anniversary issue as we published our first issue back in December, 2019 to coincide with the launch of Suzuki’s ‘new’ Jimny. You may remember, prior to that we were ‘just’ a website which we started back in 2016.

I have to admit that being a very small concern it’s been quite a rollercoaster of a ride, especially juggling other work around trying to get the magazine out in time, and I’m aware that recently I’ve failed Publishing dates have been a tad fluid of late, so apologies - must do better!

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.

Next year is going to be even more busy as in January alone we have some incredibly interesting vehicles to drive and companies to visit - I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag yet, let’s just say one of them is a 6x6…

I’m also in talks with a 4x4 manufacturer about borrowing a multitude of their vehicles throughout 2024, specifically for camping and green laning, so that should be fun. Then of course there’s a couple of new sections that I hope you’ll not only enjoy, but find very useful.

Later on in 2024 it will be 3 years since we re-homed Lilly The Mud Life dog, and we’ve enjoyed every minute of it - even though she doesn’t like travelling in vehicles that much, which admittedly scuppered some of my 2023 plans. I do hope you enjoy reading our Tales of Lilly pages, it’s something fun that Muddy Madam gets to write. We decided to include her, and doggie products as we realised that dogs and 4x4s go together like fish and chips!

That’s enough rambling from me, I hope you all enjoy this issue and that you have a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year - see you all in 2024.

SUBSCRIBE

If you haven’t subscribed to the mag yet, do it now and we will send you the magazine straight to your inbox each month, and we’ll also let you know about Live The Mud Life discounts, free postage weekends and special events.

There's still time

MUDDY MADAM'S MOMENT

As we careen towards the biggest gift-giving day of the year, I would also love to give thanks to all the people who have bought T-Shirts, Hoodies, Jumpers, L/S Tops and even Baby Bodysuits from our Live The Mud Life shop.

I know that not all are gifts, and that some you will have bought for yourselves, and your family, and if you are reading this I would love you to send me photos of you actually wearing them (please send them to klt@themudlife.co.uk).

If you didn't know, I am the one who comes up with the ideas, and then designs them. I have been designing t-shirts for quite a while in a non-4x4 realm, and I'll be honest I don't follow any plan, I just make designs that I like, or that amuse me, or that Damian tells me to make.

Sometimes I get it right, and they sell well, like this year's Series Land Rover Christmas Tree, and sometimes they don't and will swiftly fall from view. This is the best thing about partnering with a British printing company, that only prints up what we actually sell, is that I can try wilder ideas out, and if they don't work we aren't left with dead stock. So if there's something that you would really like to see on a top, but don't have the skills to do it yourself, drop me a line by email or on any of our socials, and if I think I can do it justice I'll have a go.

So as the above title says, there is still time to get your orders before Christmas from livethemudlife.co.uk, and we also have Free First Class Shipping on orders over £50 until December 20th.

These are the order cut-off dates for delivery before Christmas: Standard UK Shipping - 18th Dec. 1st Class UK Shipping - 20th Dec. Priority FedEx Courier - 20th Dec. Priority UK Shipping - 21st Dec.

So until 2024, I bid you goodbye, and wish you all glad tidings (whatever they are), and much merriment.

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.

JLR Is Upgrading Security For Older Models Following on from last month’s Turner's Torque, where I wrote about JLR’s poor reputation on vehicle security and the problems that many owners have experienced being unable to insure them, JLR have recently announced they are investing more than £10 million in upgrading the security of some of its older vehicles.

According to the DVLA, Range Rovers were the second most stolen cars in the UK last year, with more than 5200 stolen, and embarrassingly, JLR was forced to stop its own insurance offering last year after partner Verex said it would no longer extend coverage.

This year, JLR says it has upgraded the security of more than 65,000 cars built between 2018 and 2022, including those out of warranty, to ensure "the same levels of protection as current models”.

JLR is now asking remaining owners to take their car to a dealer or book an appointment with a mobile technician to have work carried out - ‘a rare approach’ taken by JLR to accelerate the process.

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JLR said that although it had upgraded a large number of cars, they say "a sizeable amount are still outstanding; we're still working hard to reach clients who haven't yet taken up their updates”.

Thefts were being conducted by thieves hacking the keyless entry system and driving away without a key, but an update to the car's body control module (BCM) makes this no longer possible.

This technology means car keys don't need to be stored in a Faraday pouch, but the company still recommends owners use the JLR app to make use of vehicle lock reminders and Guardian Mode, which sends an alert if there's any 'unauthorised interaction' with the car.

The good news for new JLR owners is that since January 2022, only 0.07% of current-shape Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports have been stolen, and since the latest Land Rover Defender was introduced in 2020, JLR says that just 0.3% have been stolen.

The Law: Classic Cars & LED Lighting While for the vast majority of road users, it’s illegal to retrofit their vehicles with LED bulbs, for classic car owners, the story is different. The MOT inspection manual states: “Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp for light source and lamp not compatible.”

Therefore, pre-April 1986 vehicles are not subject to these restrictions, and subsequently, drivers can fit LEDs to their classic cars if they so wish.

Fitting a classic car with LEDs produces excellent light coverage of the road ahead, and so allows drivers to see much farther.

While not every classic car driver will agree with fitting their car with LED lights, as it’s not in keeping with the time period, it’s undeniable that there are clear benefits to fitting them as pre 1986 lighting technology is significantly behind where it is today.

With more than 110 years in the automotive sector, OSRAM has been around while these classic cars were in their heyday, and is therefore incredibly knowledgeable about them.

Earlier in the year Muddy Madam was invited to have a day out at the Osram/Ring HQ in the UK, and came back fervently enthusing about bulbs, boffins and all the intricasies of what goes in to car bulb research - "What Osram doesn't know about bulbs isn't worth knowing!".

Osram's portfolio is so large that they can cater for most needs, and its LEDriving retrofit offering includes bulbs for high and low beam, fog, signalling and interior lighting applications.

These retrofit LEDs provide superior brightness and colour temperatures of up to 6,500 kelvin. The product ranges include: • the newly launched LEDriving HL EASY, BRIGHT and INTENSE for 12V headlight applications • LEDriving FL for fog light applications • LEDriving HLT for trucks and 24V vehicles • LEDriving HLM for motorcycles • LEDriving SL for auxiliary lighting applications.

While, all the bulbs in the LED portfolio are marked for ‘OffRoad’ use only, due to the UK legislation, as previously stated, this does not apply to pre-April 1986 vehicles.

One of these ranges, the LEDriving HL EASY, is just as its name suggests – easy! OSRAM has manufactured these bulbs as socket based, meaning it has no external driver and it also doesn’t need additional caps or adapters. Drivers can simply take their old halogen bulbs out, and replace it with these LED versions – plug and play! These bulbs provide an ultra-compact LED replacement for conventional high and low beam lamps with cool white LED light – providing a stylish look, as well as superior brightness, with an optimised high-speed fan that ensures active cooling and maximised heat dissipation. more at » www.osram.co.uk/am THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Subaru Tease Their 2024 Crosstrek No, we haven't messed up with the photo above, this is what Subaru has put out to tease us as they set out to expand its SUV offering with the new Subaru Crosstrek.

Scheduled to succeed the outgoing XV model, the Subaru Crosstrek is poised to make its debut in the market early in 2024, with initial deliveries anticipated in the first quarter of the year.

Constructed on the robust Subaru Global Platform, the Crosstrek boasts the brand's renowned permanent symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and X-MODE as standard. This versatile system offers three selectable drive modes: normal, Snow/Dirt, and Deep Snow/Mud terrain. Furthermore, X-MODE is equipped with Auto Vehicle Hold and Hill Descent Control, enhancing confidence in challenging off-road conditions.

Powering the Subaru Crosstrek is the reliable 2.0-litre e-BOXER powertrain, coupled with a Lineartronic gearbox. The inclusion of a lightweight lithium-ion battery and electric motor adds extra power, contributing to improved responsiveness, refinement, and terrain-gripping torque.

As a testament to Subaru's commitment to safety, the new Crosstrek comes standard with the latest Subaru Eyesight technology. This comprehensive system covers both active and passive safety measures and includes the Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection system, ensuring unparalleled peace of mind for both drivers and passengers.

Inside, the Subaru Crosstrek features the cutting-edge Subaru 11.6” infotainment system, which incorporates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

Additional features include DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice recognition. Touring specification models take it a step further with an integrated satellite navigation system and USB-A and USB-C ports for rear passengers.

The Subaru Crosstrek will be offered in two trim levels, Limited and Touring, and will be available in a variety of colors.

Prices are expected to start around £34,500 on the road.

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The 100 Best ‘Off The Beaten Track’ Locations Revealed.

Jeep and Ordnance Survey have come together to create an easy-to-explore map in digital and limited-edition print formats featuring some of Britain’s greatest yet lesser-known ‘Off the Beaten Track’ outdoor locations.

The map’s creation follows research by Jeep revealing nearly a third of UK adults have explored little of Britain to date - the equivalent to 16 million people - yet 4 out of 5 want to see more of the country. The study found 13 million people have never visited Scotland, and 9 million people have never been to Wales, despite the two nations being home to many of Britain’s finest outdoor spaces.

The map is part of the Jeep Compass ‘Any Excuse to Get Lost’ campaign - driven by the brand’s philosophy of ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’. The national spread of locations were selected based on analysis of walking route data in the popular OS Maps app, obtaining expert tips from the network of Ordnance Survey outdoor ambassadors and online reviews.

According to the study, nearly half of the respondents believe that Britain has the best outdoor spaces in all of Europe.

However, taking the road less traveled matters to most, with over half of respondents wanting to avoid popular tourist hotspots, and aspiring to explore more ‘unexpected places’.

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The map has been launched in time for the festive period, when an estimated 24 million adults will go on a walk or hike – the most popular outdoor activity over Christmas. Forests, beaches and lakes top the wish lists of outdoor places to visit during this time. A third of people said they are now more likely to holiday in Great Britain than they were pre-pandemic, though cost is the primary factor preventing people from exploring more of the country, which is why almost all of Jeep and Ordnance Survey’s 100 ‘Off the Beaten Track’ locations are free to visit.

The map showcases the very best of Great Britain’s idyllic and diverse landscapes - from ancient woodlands with hiking trails to secluded Lochs for adventurous wild swimmers - moving the focus away from tourist hotspots.

The interactive digital map also features Britain’s quietest major roads (lowest traffic volume) following analysis of Department for Transport data by Jeep last month, enabling drivers to ‘Get Lost’ from the rush of everyday life.

Details on how you will be able to get your hands on a limited edition print copy of the ‘Get Lost with Jeep Compass’ map will be revealed on Jeep UK’s social media channels in the coming days.

Find ‘Off the Beaten Track’ locations - jeep.co.uk/get-lost-map

🎵🎵

🎵

Top 100 Christmas Driving Tracks The ultimate Christmas driving song has been revealed – and it’s NOT ‘Driving Home for Christmas’! Chris Rea’s 1986 hit was beaten to the top spot by the late Shane MacGowan with The Pogue’s 1988 single ‘Fairytale of New York’ featuring Kirsty MacColl.

The vote by 2,000 motorists was commissioned by Škoda to highlight the range-topping Canton sound system in the all-electric Enyaq, which can mute music for back seat passengers – a relief for the 27% who complained about in-car carolling.

More than a quarter will be driving more than 200 miles to ‘home’ this Christmas with 5% driving for eight hours or more.

It also emerged that nearly a third of people feel a Yuletide playlist is ‘essential’ when driving home for Christmas. It was voted the third most important winter ‘travel essential’, behind a windscreen scraper and phone charger, and ahead of snacks and gloves. The study also found the ideal length for a Christmas playlist is 18 songs.

Only 6% were Scrooge-like travellers that claimed they never sing along to Christmas songs in the car.

Music Psychology Lecturer at University of York, Mimi O’Neill, spoke of why we love Christmas tunes: “Music has the ability to elicit nostalgia. In particular, Christmas songs often carry sentimental associations with cherished holiday moments, contributing to a nostalgic allure.

1. Fairytale of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl 2. Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea 3. Last Christmas by Wham!

4. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday by Wizzard 5. Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade 6. Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band Aid 7. All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey 8. Step into Christmas by Elton John 9. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen 10. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams 11. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee 12. Stay Another Day by East 17 13. White Christmas by Bing Crosby 14. Mary’s Boy Child by Boney M 15. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono 16. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee 17. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters 18. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Dean Martin 19. Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby and David Bowie 20. Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney 21. Feliz Navidad’ by José Feliciano 22. Winter Wonderland by Michael Bublé 23. Lonely This Christmas by Mud 24. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra 25. Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) by The Darkness 26. Santa Claus Us Coming To Town by Jackson Five 27. Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses 28. Santa Claus is Comin to Town’ by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters 29. In Dulci Jubilo by Mike Oldfield 30. Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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New Classic Defender Parts & Accessories Land Rover Classic introduced a new collection of original OEM quality parts and accessories for the Classic Defender at this year’s Goodwood Revival. The selection of new parts and accessories was showcased on their stand in the ‘Over The Road’ area.

Five vehicles made up the display, led by this, the Expedition Camper which features a new Land Rover Classic approved interior conversion from partner The Ply Guys, and a similarly officially approved new roof tent from TentBox, which will be available early next year.

Land Rover Classic have included features like; • LED headlamps • Sidesteps • Black Sawtooth wheels with black centre caps • Black exterior pack - grille, headlight surrounds, metal heritage badging - and Black bolt kit • Premium front seats with contrast stitching in yellow and electric blue piping, tied in with Harris Tweed on the centre console and the rear benches.

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The fully approved conversion by camper specialists, The Ply Guys, ensures the Defender is ready for anything. The handcrafted furniture is built with adventure in mind, featuring modular components that can be specified in many combinations.

Interior features include: • Land Rover Urlar floor - Black Hexa 12mm with pinstripe detailing • Croch Suas ceiling with integrated downlights - 6.5mm Natural Birch with engraving detail • Land Rover Torridon Cook Station with slide out storage • Bespoke Gairdean Land Rover Classic Cubby Box • Land Rover Expedition Unit - low level pull out drawer with lockers, in Black Hexa birch ply • Land Rover 110 Kitchen Module - low level worktop with top down access hatches. Flip up prep/work benches • Harris Tweed upholstery on base cushions and infill cushions more at » theplyguys.co.uk

New Book Gets a Kickstart I’m fairly confident that the vast majority of you will recognise the name Toby Savage, you will have read his many articles in a variety of Land Rover magazines over the years and perhaps even been in awe at his many, many adventures.

With his vast experience it’s no surprise that he’s writing a book; Larking about in Land Rovers, which Toby has created a crowdfunding page for him to get off help off the ground.

Larking about in Land Rovers isn’t a book about Land Rovers per se, rather a collection of short stories about situations that Toby has have found interesting, amusing, or alarming on many of his travels in Land Rovers. The stories recalled in his book range from being arrested in Turkey, the discovery of an old Land Rover

that Lord Lucan had travelled in, to changing $4,000 to Libyan Dinars on the black market in Tunisia.

As Toby explained, he has greatly enjoyed going through thousands of old photographs and notebooks and writing these tales as it has often meant getting in touch with some of the other people involved which has been great fun after gaps of up to ten years.

Larking about in Land Rovers will contain 30 chapters, each with a different theme, and being a professional photographer, some wonderful images.

Check out Toby’s Kickstarter page here

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Rescue Service Picks INEOS Grenadier Nith Inshore Rescue has recently chosen the INEOS Grenadier as its latest search and rescue vehicle. Engineered and crafted in Britain, the Ineos boasts exceptional off-road capability, durability, and reliability. Its design includes a spacious and adaptable cabin layout, offering comfort, refinement, and cutting-edge technology.

Funded collaboratively by the Coastal Communities Fund and St John Scotland, this INEOS Grenadier marks a significant milestone as the first blue-light emergency response vehicle of its kind in the UK. It replaces the organisation's aging Land Rover Defender, bringing enhanced capabilities to their life-saving efforts. The unveiling of the vehicle coincided with the introduction of the fully refurbished St John lifeboat.

Emergency One, a specialist in search and rescue equipment, took advantage of the Grenadier's adaptable 'plug-and-play' wiring system to customize the vehicle according to Nith Inshore Rescue's specifications. Notable additions include a powerful extendable roof-mounted camera, playfully named 'Johnny Five' after the iconic robot in the film Short Circuit.

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About Nith Inshore Rescue: Situated in Glencaple, near the confluence of the River Nith and the Solway Firth in southwest Scotland, Nith Inshore Rescue is staffed by a diverse team of 24 volunteers spanning different generations. The charity plays a crucial role in supporting the Police, Ambulance, RNLI, and mountain rescue services in their frontline search and rescue operations.

Located near Dumfries on the estuary of the River Nith, Nith Inshore Rescue was established in 1981, following a tragic drowning incident that spurred local residents into action, and operates as one of the most active lifeboat stations in Scotland.

The dedicated volunteers of the station work tirelessly to safeguard lives and property threatened by various water-related incidents, including those involving the sea, inland water, and flooding in the Upper Solway and surrounding areas.

The charity responds to emergency calls through its lifeboat, search and rescue vehicle, and other essential equipment, cooperating closely with the HM Coastguard Rescue Coordination Centre.

To raise more money for the service, Nith Inshore Rescue is auctioning its retired Land Rover Defender here.

London Parks Police Pick Toyota bZ4X The Toyota bZ4X has taken on its first blue-light public service role, joining the fleet of one of London’s busiest parks police teams.

The all-electric SUV proved the ideal choice as a response car for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the fully liveried vehicle is now patrolling more than 28 parks, open spaces and cemeteries, and also providing community support at events such as the Notting Hill Carnival.

Previously, the parks police used a diesel-powered car, therefore Toyota’s environmental credentials were a prime consideration, the bZ4X producing no exhaust emissions. The bZ4X also met the size requirements for the job, being able to manoeuvre comfortably through gateways and along routes in the borough’s public parks, and it has all the load space necessary to carry the team’s kit and equipment.

The police team has accessed the vehicle through Toyota’s KINTO Leasing and Vehicle Management business. Its home base is Holland Park and it is used exclusively for operational purposes.

Councillor Emma Will, Lead Member for Parks and Leisure said: "We are committed to becoming a greener borough and being net zero as a Council by 2030 and the new car for Parks Police is another step in the right direction. All our vehicles in our parks are now electric and we’re looking to expand our fleet elsewhere.Toyota has worked closely with our Parks Police team to ensure we got exactly what we needed."

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

Successful Legal Challenge To Restore Green Lane The Green Lane Association has won a court case which will compel Wrexham County Borough Council to restore the surface of an unclassified county road in north east Wales so that all recreational users can access it.

The Association has obtained a consent order under section 56 of the Highways Act 1980 which will see the route brought back into good repair by September 2024. The result builds on the success of a previous High Court legal challenge, raised by the GLA and the Trail Riders Fellowship, which quashed an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) which had been imposed by the council to prohibit the public from using vehicles on the Whitestones route.

Users have encountered problems, including blockages, on the route, near Llangollen, in Wrexham County Borough since 2016. Since the success of the High Court action to overturn the ETRO, in August, there has been an improvement in the condition of the lane, with the worst parts repaired. But the success of the latest court case means that the lane will now be repaired to a good surface so that all recreational users will be able to use it again.

The court also ordered the council to pay some of the Association’s legal fees and, significantly, ordered that the council should ensure that its network of green lanes remains open to vehicles.

GLA Chairman Rob Tongue said: “This is a great result for everyone who wants to access our countryside in a responsible way without encountering accessibility problems.There have been problems on this route for a number of years and we are delighted with the results of these challenges that safeguard access to the stunning scenery of the Ceiriog Valley for all. Both cases underline the importance of taking legal action, where necessary, in order to protect our public rights of way.

While we recognise this as a significant success in our fight against the unfair exclusion from public rights of way of recreational users, the GLA is reminding its members, and other users, that they are expected to comply strictly with the GLA or TRF codes of conduct when using the route.”

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Nissan X-Trail

Tekna+ e-Power What is it?

Now in its fourth-generation, the all-new Nissan X-Trail has a muscular and modern design that’s brimming with sound practical features and advanced technology. Regarding the latter, e-Power means that Nissan have fitted electric motors to drive the wheels whist still using a petrol engine as a generator, so not electric, but getting there.

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On the road

The X-Trail is a very comfortable car to drive, no matter what the surface it handled them all well. Yes, on twisty roads when you put your foot down it can roll a bit, which is natural, but drive it normally and you’ll be surprised at how the soft and supple suspension keeps it upright. What surprised me the most was just how sharp and responsive the steering is - it feels at odd with its SUV and family orientated brief.

Although the in-line 3-cylinder petrol engine can sound a bit gruff under hard acceleration (don’t they all?), but it’s almost whisper quiet on the move, and it suppresses outside noises like wind and rough surfaces. It’s the same when in electric mode too, there isn’t much outside intrusion to spoil the journey.

I didn’t mess around with the electrics much, I just let it decide itself when to use electric, and after a week of hooning around it achieved a very reasonable 45.6mpg. I reckon I could have easily seen 50mpg if I was more sensible - but that ain’t going to happen anytime soon!

There’s also an ‘e-Pedal Step’ mode which allows for mostly one-pedal driving, although the brake pedal is needed to bring the car to a complete stop.

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Off road

The X-Trail comes in 2WD and 4WD flavours, and it was only half way through the loan, when I was about to venture off the beaten track and searching for any sort of low-box button did I realise that Nissan had in fact sent me the 2WD version, my fault for not checking.

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With not-bad approach and departure angles I reckon it could be a lot of fun off the beaten track, throw some camping gear in the back and head to a wild camping site on the top of a hill somewhere and I feel it would do you proud. In fact, in the new year I think I’ll mither Nissan and do just that.

Interior

Although it isn’t a huge vehicle on the outside, jump in and it feels almost TARDIS like as the Nissan engineers have done a cracking job making it as roomy and as practical as possible.

The front seats are not only incredibly comfortable, they’re also supportive, the dash layout is well finished and there’s oodles of cubby space.

This top-spec Tekna+ is particularly well-finished, with a light tan interior and two 12.3” displays alongside each other. The large windows offer plenty of visibility and even better, Nissan have given the X-Trail actual knobs and dials for the heaters and a really tactile flat bottomed, thick rimmed small diameter steering wheel - 5-stars!

When it comes to tech and safety features the Tekna+ has them by the bucket load - too many to mention here, let’s just say that if it doesn’t have it then you don’t really need it.

Jump in the back, which is easy by the way as the rear doors open almost 90º, and even the tallest amongst us will find it roomy, especially with reclining and sliding seats. Add to that there’s no transmission tunnel, so even if you have 3 adults in there there’ll be no awkward man-splaying. Oh yeah, you can get your feet under the front seats for extra leg room.

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There’s an optional of third row seats that are really for children that this particular X-Trail didn’t have, instead you get some really handy hidden underfloor storage.

If you chose the 5-seat model, once you have lowered the back seats you have 1,424 litres of space. And, whether your loading / unloading awkward loads or doing a spot of car-camping, all seats fold flat and you will appreciate that there’s no lip to heave things over.

Conclusion

I’m not going to say that the X-Trail is an exciting SUV to drive, but it isn’t dull either, it feels solid and is hugely practical, and overall I enjoyed my week with it. Yes there are other SUVs with more rear space available, but it suited my needs well, and if Nissan offered me one as a long-termer I wouldn’t complain, though I’d make sure it had AWD. Price, with options - £46,050.00

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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.

One year ends: here’s to new horizons in 2024! 2023 has been a year of transition.

Many plans were made that never happened but, as life likes to do, many unexpected opportunities came along that turned out even better in the end.

I may not have visited some of the places, or done some of the things that I’d spent considerable time talking about and planning, with people I no longer think of let alone speak to, but the absence of them, and the plans we made, cleared the way for far better things.

I hadn’t expected to own a 101 for a start, that was an epic surprise. As was fitting out a workshop, having up to five Landies on the drive and a live-in helper mad enough to enjoy tinkering with them all several days a week, and then camp in them mid-winter.

I certainly didn’t expect the opportunity to be able to teach what I love next year either, particularly from a Land Rover I had rebuilt on a new chassis myself.

I have a motto in life that I have referred to several times over the years while writing for The Mud Life:

You can’t always get what you think you want, but that’s not always a bad thing, because you may end up with what you need instead.

I suppose this can be summed up by saying, be careful what you wish for. Keep your options and your mind open, keep your head down and focused on your own stuff, rather than anyone else’s, and what is meant to be will find you. Then just go with the flow.

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New s n o z i r Ho

Towards the end of last year, I found myself being continually pestered to 'do your own thing' instead of the job I was doing at the time. I found this odd for two reasons.

Firstly, the job I was doing was 'my own thing', I was in a privileged position to be working for the benefit of a hobby I loved, and the job I was doing didn’t exist until I started (voluntarily at first) doing it and expanded on it considerably.

Secondly, I had to question how a grown adult could think that giving up work to do whatever the hell you liked is something many, if anyone, can do on a whim, but that being said, I did actually achieve it.

That is something else I like to do. As well as making escapemobiles out of rusty old cars, I like to use crusty opinions as fuel for self-improvement. Nothing tells you that you’re doing something right more than a moaning old git or an online troll.

You’ll never be hated on by anyone doing more than you, that’s for sure! It’s always those who have nothing better to do with their wasted time who like to project their miserable existence onto someone who makes the most of their time and opportunities. The best thing to do is to use their misery to motivate you onwards and upwards so far away from it that you can’t hear it anymore.

Which is where Landies come in.

I’m not one to hang around small minds or where I’m not wanted but, in this case, ironically it was the small minds that started me thinking about how I could possibly just drive away into the sunset and never look back.

Instead of telling these people to F off, I prefer to tell them to stay exactly where they are, which is likely what would happen anyway, and then F off myself to do something even better.

I didn’t want to at the time, I enjoyed where I was, it was a situation I was pushed into and could see would not be possible to turn around, at least without lighting a fuse and causing some serious ructions.

It’s not as idyllic as it sounds, but it is rather nice. There’s a lot of hard work going on constantly, but it all depends on me, rather than anything or anyone external to my current setup, which can be intimidating or even overwhelming at times.

Half of me still thinks I should have lit that fuse, but the other half has had enough of egos and drama to last me a lifetime, and where I am today those things do not exist.

What does exist is a self-created oasis of Land Rovers, peace, tools, and very few 'fucks to give' about anything that exists outside this bubble.

That’s why I own Land Rovers, not, like some of the uninitiated think, as a status symbol, but as a means of escaping the bullshit the world, and some of those we share it with, continually throw at us. I also like to use that bullshit as fertiliser.

Independence is a responsibility many find scary, but I revel in it. Mistakes are made occasionally, I’ve had to learn a lot in a short space of time, but each one teaches me far more than being handheld.

I’ve never owned a V8, a 300tdi, a 101, or an ex-military vehicle until this year. I’d never done many of the mechanical jobs I’ve done on them or more familiar models either, nor had I used a plasma cutter, shot blaster, or considered taking on a chassis swap on the drive before. But now these things are just part of a new daily life that isn’t half bad.

So, here’s to the miserable buggers! I have you to thank for all of this!

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The countdown is on!

The race is now on to have both the 300tdi Tithonus 110 and hicap ready for a winter trip in January. This involves a list of jobs that vary from engine rebuilding, bodywork, electrics, insulation, and camperisation.

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We’ve been beavering away and that is set to continue throughout December. I’ve even had to build a new bench for the workshop to facilitate it all! The extra space has been a godsend, especially when I have an awful lot of painting to do.

The Tithonus engine is still in bits. As I remove parts, I’m refurbishing everything I can and replacing as necessary.

A new crank seal was a no-brainer to replace the old leaking one, as were the timing belt and pulleys, and drive belt. The pulleys external to the timing case have been given a new lease of life with some shot blasting and a paint job.

The power steering pump was leaking and very grotty; this turned out to be the gasket which is something I believed wasn’t available to buy in isolation, but I discovered that the TD5 gasket fits, and these can thankfully be purchased on eBay for a tenner. I’ve replaced that and the O ring on the inlet, and now we’re good to go again.

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I finally got round to painting the new rear door that I’ve had sitting in the workshop for months. While I want to refurbish and reuse as much as possible, the frame was pretty rotten, so I splashed out as it wasn’t really salvageable. I have been able to clean up and/or paint the door latch and hinges though.

I did find some more rot, thankfully just in the storage under the driver’s seat. I had hoped to clean it up, give it a paint, and use it to store my bottle jack, tow ropes, and soft shackles, but I ended up cleaning a hole in it!

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The hicap has had a couple of issues that we’ve managed to sort over the last month. The most pressing was to fix the alternator that was over-charging the battery.

As we drove along, past a farm which got the blame for a few miles, there was a distinct smell of rotten eggs in the cab. Hydrogen sulphide was leaking from it, which not only smells bad but is rather dangerous..... and flammable and I was sat on top of it!

Another pressing issue was to replace the door seals. The driver’s side didn’t have one, and it’s been pretty cold recently, the upshot was a frozen right buttock which isn’t pleasant!

Thankfully, the other work was fairly minor; replace a broken tailgate strap, the addition of some anti-rattle rubber on the Ifor Williams back closures, cleaning off a lot of farm muck, and replacing a missing heater knob.

Other than that, the hicap is being regularly used as Joseph’s daily work truck.

The next plans include some in-cab insulation to stop the usual dripping condensation issues and to replace the seats with the ones currently in the Tithonus. It has also had a new cubby box. I’ve already taken the middle seat out of the Tith to fit an ammo box as a military style cubby box, I’ll also pop in some cup holders; a girl needs her Costa after all!

In good news, the Freelander passed it’s MOT with only a couple of advisories. The L322’s test is due before the end of the month, so I hope this is a good sign of things to come!

Once it has a new test, I plan on selling it.

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With all this going on the 101 has been somewhat neglected over the last month, but it has proven to be the driest of all the other Landies! Inside is always bone dry, the seals on the rear doors are so good they don’t even freeze like the Freelander and L322, so it houses many of the parts for the others and gets used as a store, office, and break room. I’ve brought the batteries inside for the cold snap as I have with the one from the 110.

Other than putting the Tithonus engine back together, fixing the hole in the under-seat storage, and fitting the newly painted rear door, the next big job is to add insulation. I have a radiation hazard kit installed, but to prevent condensation as well as increasing warmth and reducing noise, I’m going to line the fibreglass roof with four-way stretch carpet under the rad-haz kit, install sound dampening on the underside of the bonnet, and line the tub bed with a layer of (removable) closed-cell foam matting topped with rubber matting before I install my bed. I also want to insulate the new battery tray I have ready to fit before I drop the battery back in.

There is still a lot left to do before we can head north in January, but we’ve been collecting winter camping kit ready to pack as soon as the trucks are ready. It’s going to be very cold, but we will be prepared! I also have a new toolbox to fit in the back just in case!

Thankfully, I’m not new to cold weather travelling, and it is unlikely to reach the Baltic temperatures I have endured in further flung locations in the past, but the cold should never be underestimated. I’ll talk more about the preparations we’re making in January’s column.

Of course, there is Christmas to think about too! It is always a very chilled and laidback affair around here, and there will be an exchange of new tools from Santa, plus some new blinds for the workshop to help keep the cold out.

That’s all from me this month folks! I’d like to wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year! Many thanks for sticking with us throughout 2023, come back to see how the winter trip goes and to follow the big rebuild in 2024!

Take care of yourselves, enjoy the festivities and, as always, drive safe!

Much love, Lauren, Celyn, and all the Landies x

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Audi Q7 50 TDI quattro S-Line

What is it?

The Q7, Audi’s first foray into the SUV market, has been with us since since 2006 and has become quite a favourite amongst families who require a classy and comfortable proper 7-seater. Its versatility doesn’t stop there as it has the driving manners of something much smaller, it’s a great tow car with the ability pull a braked trailer weighing up to 3500kg, and with its Quattro system it’ll confidently take you exploring off the beaten track.

The new Q7 is slightly narrower and shorter than its predecessor, and weighs in at 325kg less than the original, so it should be cheaper to run and better to drive. And yes, it also shares VW Group's MLB platform with the Bentayga, Cayenne, Touareg, and even the Lamborghini Urus, so it’s in good company.

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On the road As you would expect with a car of this size and class, everything about it is effortless, from tootling around town to embarking on long journeys, the Q7 wafts you along with ease to where ever your desired destination may be.

It’s impressively quiet too, wind noise is very well suppressed, even at motorway speeds, and of course being a Quattro there’s oodles of grip for when you’re driving like a … well, let’s just say spirited! That said, if performance is what you’re after then there’s the SQ7 as the Q7 aims more towards luxury and comfort than sporty handling, but it’s still remarkably agile for its size.

Being the faster version of the 3.0ltr V6 diesel with 268bhp, it accelerates effortlessly and relentlessly to reach 60mph in 6.1 second and carries on to reach 150mph, I’m told. It’s all quite civilised too, there’s no punch in the back like you experience with some cars, this is helped by the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox which works seamlessly to the point that you just don’t notice it.

The Q7 comes with five driving modes to suit every journey and occasion; Allroad, Efficiency, Comfort, Auto and Dynamic.

Dynamic is fun - huge fun, but for the majority of the week I was happy to leave it in Comfort which made it super-wafty.

Fuel-wise, when it arrived it had a full tank with a range of 700 miles, and over the week of various journeys it showed an averaged of 41 mpg - I couldn’t use the 700 mile. To aid consumption, when you back off the accelerator the gearbox disengages the engine and allows the Q7 to freewheel benefiting fuel consumption and reducing noise, not that you’ll notice this, as I wrote above, it’s all pretty seamless.

Off road Of course, the Q7 isn’t a 4x4 in the traditional sense, but the Quattro system handled itself well on a variety surfaces, including wet grass, which is every 4x4’s nemesis.

Wearing 20” tyres I obviously didn’t take anywhere gnarly, but fitted with a quality set of winter tyres and smaller wheels I reckon you’ll be pleasantly surprised where the Q7 can take you, and would make a great family tourer for those who find themselves in some fairly inhospitable places.

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Interior No matter where you sit in the Q7 you will be spoilt for space, and in the front there is a large expanse between you and your passenger. It isn’t exactly what I would call inspiring, but it’s certainly classy. It’s a nice space in which you can wile alway the hours in comfort as you cruise across continents, or nip to Asda for a loaf and some milk, your choice.

The Q7 comes packed with all the usual driving aids and features that you’d expect on an almost £70k SUV. The dash layout is clean and simple and is only let down by the climate controls which involves prodding a touchscreen that’s under the main infotainment screen. Granted, it isn’t as difficult to use as other vehicles like Sloda’s Enyaq and the Cupra Formentor, but physical buttons that you can find and feel, and don’t take your eyes away from the road, are less distracting.

Just like the last Q7 I drove, I particularly liked Audi's Virtual Cockpit, a 12.3” digital panel that sits behind the steering wheel that can display speed, revs and other driving essentials alongside a full-screen sat-nav map, phone or audio information.

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Rear seat passengers also have it easy, you could have a party back there and no one would notice. Third row passengers will be fine too, as long as they don’t have long legs. Oh, and the Q7 is one of the very few cars on sale with six Isofix seat mounts, so it's a seriously childfriendly choice.

With the third row seat folded there’s 740-ltrs of space, and 1925-ltrs with the second row folded - enough for a couple of folks to have a decent night sleep! To make life easy for loading and unloading bulky items here’s no lip at the boot entrance, and all Q7s have an electric tailgate.

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Conclusion The Q7 might be a bit on the large size, but using with it for a week proved that it’s also quite practical and easy live with. Everything about it was effortless and I enjoyed every mile we took together. more at » audi.co.uk £57,770 (£72,325 with options)

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Seat Tarraco 2.0ltr 4Drive FR Sport 48

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What is it?

Named after the old name for the Spanish port of Tarragona, the Tarraco completes Seat’s threesome of SUVs, joining both the Arona and Ateca.

Although it’s built to rival the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Skoda Kodiaq, it’s also of course their not-so-distant cousin.

Granted, its silhouette is very similar to the Kodiaq’s, which it shares much of its underpinnings with, though you’ll find the Tarraco is marginally longer and a tad lower.

On the road As you may have gathered from the photos, I had the Tarraco back in June when the UK actually had a heatwave - it was horrible, for me at least, but the air-con made it liveable.

The last time I borrowed a Tarraco was back in 2019, it was mainly used as taxi to take 3 of us, plus loads of cases on a 10 hour round trip to Great Yarmouth, which it did with aplomb. It was quiet, comfy and very spacious and the rest of the week was filled with short and laborious journeys and errands without much time for playing around and posing.

This time, however, I was able to spend some more quality time with the Tarraco.

With a smidge under 200bhp and 400Nm of torque, the 2.0-litre diesel, that’s mated to the smooth 7-speed DSG ‘box, made light work of pretty much every journey.

Over the week of lugging camping gear around, and during the usual commute, the FR Sport averaged 39.8mpg. There may have also been a bit of hooning around, as well as green laning.

Get on the twisty bits and turn the dial to ‘Sport’ and it’s quite fun to throw around corners, the 4drive feels stiff and well balanced. Obviously it isn’t a sports car, but it does really well for a 7-seater, high sided SUV and will get you to 60mph in 7.8 seconds and continue all the way up to 130mph, if that’s important to you.

The ride around town can feel a bit stiff, but it was wearing 20” wheels, opting for the SE and 18” wheels will soften things up nicely.

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Off road The Tarraco isn’t the obvious choice as a green-laner, and nor should it be, but its 4wd system is the same as you get elsewhere in the group, and therefore with the right tyres will surprise you.

That said, despite the inappropriate wheel and tyre combo it handled a variety of steep green lanes that were dry, dusty and slippery with ease, it didn’t hesitate once and gave me plenty of confidence, especially with Hill Descent Control.

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Interior The leather sports seats that are standard in the FR Sport are the first thing you notice as you get in, and they’re firm yet comfortable, and after numerous hours driving didn’t leave me a numb bum or backache.

When it cones to the dash layout, the Tarraco is typical of the brand, it won’t make you smile with its individual style or luxury, but it’s acceptably functional and easy to operate, except for its only let-down - the lack of dials for heater controls. Having said that, the Tarraco has separate controls beneath the infotainment screen, it may make for a quick adjustment rather than navigating a touchscreen menu, but it’s still no substitute for actual dials.

Second row passengers have plenty of legroom with the ability to move their seats back and forth, and third row passengers need to be children only.

Speaking of kids, ISOFIX mounting points are fitted to the outer two seats in the middle row, as well as the front passenger seat.

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With the third row of seats down there’s 700 litres of nothingness, ample space for suitcases, shopping and camping equipment, fold the second row down and you’re faced with 1,775 litres of nothingness.

You don’t go short of storage space in the Tarraco, door bins are huge and felt-lined, there are twin-cupholders between the front seats, and they adjust to grip different size cups. I particularly liked that the rear parcel shelf, once removed, stores underneath the floor - a nice touch.

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Conclusion What a great family hack the Tarraco is. There’s a capacious amount of space, everywhere, and it’s practical too. It handles long and laborious motorway journeys as well as the twisty fun bits with ease, and after week I got the impression it can handle pretty much anything a young or older family can throw at it.

As I mentioned, the interior design may not fill you with joy and inspiration, but it’s practical and hard wearing and I suspect will cope with whatever rigours a family can throw at it.

Tarraco prices start at £33,415 / FR Sport - £40,930 / as tested £46,600 more at » seat.co.uk

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E G A R A G R U IN O

Fitting an Arb Awning I think by now we all know the benefits of having an awning attached to the side of our 4x4 - being able to comfortably sit under a canopy whether it’s raining, snowing or protection from the blazing sun, they’re a great accessory that will multiply your living space in a matter of seconds.

I’ve been after one for quite a while, and when ARB offered to send me one of their 2,000mm x 2,500mm awnings with builtin LED light to review, I of course said yes.

My only concern was how it would fit onto my Thule Wingbars, but ARB have thought of this, and available separately are a selection of brackets for different racks and bars. The pair I required was their 50mm bracket with gusset that comes with 6 nuts ’n’ bolts that secure it to the awning.

It was up to me to source the fasteners that attach them to the Thule bars. I could have gone for some square T- bolts, but I decided instead to make life slightly more difficult for myself and ordered some sliding T-Slot nuts, as I think they’re called.

I also decided to add some thick rubber washers onto the Allen socket headed bolts, as I figured a degree of flexibility would be nice in case it gets attacked by a passing tree whilst ‘laning. It might be a good thing, I’ll see how it goes.

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E G A R A G IN OUR Once the brackets were in place I slid the 6 bolts through the channels on the back of awning, and after a bit of fiddling I shored up all 6 bolts into the holes on the brackets. This is better with two people, but, as Muddy Madam is suffering with a frozen shoulder, I managed to do it whilst holding the entire awning up in one hand. It was a bit awkward, but manageable if you’re on your own, though I felt it the day after!

After patting the awning a couple of times, I confidently said out loud that it wasn’t going anywhere. I jumped in and headed out for a quick spin, up and down a fast dual carriageway not far from Muddy Towers, to see if it had any adverse affects - there weren’t any, not even a whistle.

Next was to open it up to make sure everything was okay actually, to make sure I knew what I was doing.

I’ve watched loads of videos on YouTube, so I had a good idea of how to open it up, and on my first attempt it was quite straightforward - it would be simpler with two people, but was perfectly manageable for just me. A side note here, I am 6ft 2” with, as Muddy Madam says, gorilla arms, so reaching for all the poles whilst holding the awning up was relatively easy.

The telescopic poles for the sides and legs are lightweight, easy to use and lock into place with a simple twist, and if conditions are a bit windy it comes with four sturdy pegs and guy ropes in a heavy-duty bag.

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E G A R A G R U IN O

There’s another bag that contains the lead and control switch for the 1200 lumen built-in LED strip. This clever feature gives you the option of either a cool white mode, amber mode and both white and amber, they’re dimmable, too, which is a nice touch.

My first impression is that it feels sturdy, yet lightweight. The light connector felt awkward to connect, but I’m sure it’ll get easier with use, and the awning sags a bit where the light is, but I’m confident I can get it taut with practise. Other than that I’m really pleased with it and I’m looking forward to getting many year’s worth of use.

I’m writing this ten minutes after I fitted it to Deux Smurf as Muddy Madam is demanding it for this very mag, so by the time you’re reading this I will have used it out in the wilds, so if anything else crops up, I'll be sure to let you know.

Awning price - £405.24 buy here » arb4x4.co.uk Bracket price - £19.43 each buy here » arb4x4.co.uk Roll-in Spring T-Nuts price - £5.99 buy here » amazon.co.uk

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Off-roading Protecting Carrying Towing Enhancing Repairing Diagnosing Improving Winching Lighting

To find your nearest stockist www.britpart.com/distributors

Servicing

For over 40 years, servicing and repairing Land Rovers has been made easy with Britpart.

Upgrading

We can supply body components right down to replacement nuts and bolts and everything else in between and with our range of accessories you can make your Land Rover as unique as you.

Restoring

As the leading independent wholesaler, we’ve a wide range of accessories, service and repair parts for the entire Land Rover marque.

Series / Defender / Discovery / Freelander / Range Rover / Range Rover Sport / Range Rover Evoque

R A E G & GOODS

RE D P A D D LE C O WAT E RP ROOF K I T B A G 4 0 L

I have quite a number of bags scattered around Muddy Towers, but the one I take with me when I’m out in the canoe, or if it’s going to be left somewhere wet, is my 40 litre Kit Bag from the Red Paddle Co. It is fully waterproof, which means that it can handle a multitude of outdoor activities from kayaking, sailing, paddle-boarding - in fact, anything where water is involved.

One reviewer on their website wrote that they use it when they swim out to their boat, and in the process the bag gets partially and fully submerged yet their contents have always remained dry.

Part made from recycled plastic bottles, it offers a generous 40 litre interior storage space, and keeps everything 100% dry using a watertight zip and welded seams.

Staying with the interior there are also two elasticated webbed pockets for keys or your mobile phone.

On the outside there are another three pockets. On one side there’s a small pocket that can fit a mobile, and or keys, then there’s a larger pocket on the other side is big enough to keep a laptop safe. There’s another pocket on the base of the bag which is very handy if you are carrying the bag as a backpack. All pockets are secured using watertight zips. There’s also a large elasticated bottle holder on the outside.

Cleverly, the larger of the two side pockets isn’t sewn into the side of the bag, this means that it can also be used as a divider inside the bag separating wet and dry pieces of kit.

The Waterproof Kit Bag isn’t just a one trick pony, the two detachable straps can easily be switched between your preferred carry style - a backpack, duffle or over the shoulder carry. On either end there are also clips that I assume are for both securing the bag to something and compressing the contents down.

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Because Red’s roots are in paddle boarding, the kit bag also includes a padded changing mat that gives you somewhere comfortable and clean to stand on when changing or showering outdoors.

If you are looking for a proper dry bag that can endure a lot more than a good dunking, and yet smart enough for international travel and posh hotels, then this is a worthy purchase, even if you don’t go anywhere near water, but if you do it’s a no-brainer. price: £129.95 more at » red-equipment.co.uk

R A E G & GOODS

TRAVE L J OHN Whilst at the Emergency Services Show I came across Travel John, a portable urinal you can take and use pretty much anywhere when a toilet is not available.

Designed and marketed for emergency workers who don’t always have access to a loo, it’s a product that also makes perfect sense for everyone who spends a lot of time in vehicles, camping, at sporting events, on the boat, or days at the beach The Travel John is leakproof, sturdy, slender leakproof plastic bag containing a super-absorbent gel that instantly soaks up, retains, and neutralises liquid. It holds a respectable 800ml, which ought to be enough to give most anyone relief.

It’s also completely disposable, doesn’t leak smells and features an anatomically-shaped piece at the top of the bag that also allows women to use this while standing.

Although meant for urine, this also makes for a perfect sick bag, and is a practical item to have in your glovebox and travel kit.

It’s incredibly useful for when camping, especially if you are caught short in the middle of the night and don't really want to venture outside into the cold, dark damp night.

With a Travel John all you need to do unzip your sleeping bag, and if you’re a bloke, simply roll onto your side, or kneel, put everything in position and go for it! Once done you re-seal it, use the complimentary ‘moist towelette’ and go back to sleep.

You can choose from the traditional plastic version or the new sustainable paper version. There’s also a solid waste disposable kit available. price: £7.33 (3 pack) more at » simon-safety.co.uk THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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R A E G & GOODS

NE B O B I G LA RRY 3

Despite looking like a Light Sabre from Star Wars, NEBO's Big Larry 3 is in fact a torch, a new and improved version of what is quite possibly the most popular torch Nebo has created, or so I’m told.

With an output of 600 lumens from the C.O.B light on the side and 220 lumens from the flashlight, for its size and price, it certainly shines (sorry). In fact, if you consider it too bright for the situation, simply keep your finger on the rubber button and it will dim. Once it has reached its dimmest it’ll flash to let you know, it’s the same when you reach its brightest.

The C.O.B. light also has the option of glowing red, which can be a steady glow or flashing, perfect for distress signalling or roadside emergencies.

For hands-free work you can use the magnetic base or the pocket clip - the latter is really handy if I’m walking Lilly or changing a tyre.

As the temperature drops the rubber handle is a nice feature, though it could be a bit longer for a full grip, but it holds well, especially when wet. If you do drop it, it’s also water and impactresistant (IPX4).

The flashlight is good for 82 meters and 8 hours and the C.O.B light 33 meters and 2.5 hours. Switch to the red C.O.B light and that’s good for 7 meters and 20 hours whilst the red strobe will keep on going for 40 hours.

Big Larry 3 measures H 198mm x W 24mm x D 31mm and weighs approx 204g and included in the box are three AA batteries. price: £19.99 more at » nebotools.co.uk

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R A E G & GOODS

GERB E R D UA L FORCE

I have around 6 multitools scattered around Muddy Towers, much to Muddy Madam’s dismay. Add to that I've one in my camera bag and a couple more in Deux Smurf. They are all useful, some more than others, take Gerber’s Dual Force for example.

The Dual Force isn’t one of those multitools that will help you survive on a desert island, it’s been designed for real work. There are no fancy accessories like scissors or a tin opener, instead you get a bunch of no-nonsense tools that keep you from returning to your toolbox if you’ve forgotten something.

Included in the Dual Force is plain edge knife, fine/coarse file, a saw, additional bit storage and Gerber’s centre-axis driver.

The star of the show is the adjustable 2-position pliers with extra-large teeth that grasps firmly onto a variety of things. The smooth edge of the body also helps with comfort as you don’t need to wear gloves to get a firm grip.

I mentioned the centre-axis driver, or as Gerber prefer to call it, their Centre-Drive (yes, I know it’s officially called the ‘Center-Drive’, but I just can’t bring myself to spell it that way!). The centre-Axis driver operates like a real screwdriver in that it’s positioned as close as it can be in the centre of the handle therefore, at 8½cm long, it provides maximum torque and rotation.

The smooth external grip made it easy to hold them tight against bolts, pipes - even when wet and cold.

The blade is identical to that on the Centre Drive, and out of the box is very sharp, and the saw cuts through wood like a hot knife through butter.

Straight out of the box, some of the tools were quite stiff, but constant use has loosened them up quite nicely, and if I’m going to be a bit more critical, both sides of the file could do with being more coarse - they’re a bit too fine for my liking.

Ultimately, the Dual Force handles jobs that none of my other needle-nose multitools can, and is a good choice for people who want a full-sized set of pliers as well as a decent screwdriver and other basic, yet solid tools. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Earlier on in the month we had a water leak in our outhouse/ shed, I grabbed the Dual Force, along with a few other tools, and sorted it.

Closed length: 12cm / Blade length: 8½cm / Weight: 340g price: £97.75 more at » gerber-store.co.uk

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WO LF COM P A CT TOI L E T Designed with the utmost 'convenience' in mind, the Compact Toilet from Wolf Outdoors is a lightweight and portable solution that ensures you never have to worry about your morning movements again. Let’s face it, portaloos at some large events can be disgusting, and squatting next to a tree with a shovel and some loo roll is something my knees can’t handle anymore, so having my own loo when out camping isn’t just a luxury, but a necessity.

Weighing in at just 1.3kg, the toilet can take nearly 24 stones (150kg), and measures 31.5 x 27 x 30cm when opened, and folds away neatly to 31.5 x 27 x 11cm. There’s no need to worry about mess, either, as the toilet comes with its own oversized storage bag with smart internal compartments where you can keep spare bags and chemical supplies.

In practise, the toilet is easy to use, it may be only 30cm tall, but it feels sturdy and has a comfortable oval seat - not that you’re likely to spend 45 minutes on it reading the classifieds like you do at home! If you have long legs, like me, you may find it a tad small in the height department, but if you are camping with the kids the height becomes a bonus, as it is really easy for them to use without needing your help.

It comes with compostable and biodegradable liner/waste bags and 12 sachets of waste managing powder, and is designed and made using eco-friendly materials. Its seamless construction and durable materials make it easy to clean and maintain, making it ideal for fishing, wild camping, construction sites, and handy for road trip emergencies.

Extra liners, waste powder and even 100% organic, biodegradable bamboo fibre wipes are also available. price: £49.99 more at » wolf-outdoors.com

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QUE ST B RA UN T O N C OLLA P SI B LE E LE CTRI C K E T T L E

As I’ve mentioned previously I have a quest to banish most, if not all, gas products from my camping and touring setup, which has led me to Quest’s Braunton Kettle.

I like the Braunton for many reasons, being part made from silicone means that when not in use it collapses down from 18.5 x 13.5 x 18cm to just 13.5 x 13.5 x 10 cm. Not only that, but the handle also folds away making the size even more compact.

Being 750w means that not only can it be used on sites without the danger of tripping the electric, but also on some smaller power banks that have a normal 3 pin plug socket, like the Ecoflow River.

The Braunton includes all the bells and whistles that your home electric kettle has - a power indicator that lets you know when the kettle is on, and the automatic cut out which switches it off when the water is boiled, so it’s easier, and arguably safer, than using a gas hob.

So far I have eluded to mention the important bit, and that’s that the Braunton will boil its 0.6 litres maximum capacity in just 4 minutes 44 seconds. Granted, a Jetboil Flash can do that in just 60 seconds, but that’ll set you back the best part of £100, plus a constant supply of gas.

The Braunton is very easy to use, and the lid is attached to the body by a hinge so there’s no chance of you losing it whilst out. It pours easily, too, this is due to its sturdy handle and the fact that your thumb is on a lip on the lid therefore eliminating any chance of the lid accidentally opening whilst pouring.

After months of proper use it still works perfectly, but are there any downsides?

None so far, but I guess having a 3-pin plug could be considered a negative, as a lot of folk don’t have access to a large power bank.

Overall though, the Quest Braunton is a well thought out collapsible camping kettle that is just as useful at home as it is in a caravan, camper van, tent or car camping. price: between £25 - £40 more at » miriad-products.com

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EC OFLOW GLA CI E R COVE R Back in September's issue I wrote about Ecoflow’s Glacier fridge freezer, and that I’m totally smitten by it, but because I’m forever swapping it from 4x4 to 4x4, and carrying it to and from my kitchen each time, the chances of me scratching or damaging it are fairly high. So with that in mind I ordered its own made-to-measure cover.

Made from a highly durable and waterproof fabric it’s specifically designed for the Glacier and fits like a glove, as you would expect.

It protects the casing from dust, dirt, grim weather and any odds and sods that might roll around in the back of your 4x4 whilst exploring the beaten track. Although I haven’t had a response from Ecoflow yet, I’m going to assume that it also offers a degree of insulation, not that the Glacier needs it.

It is well thought out and has a clear plastic window covering the display so you can see what’s happening, easy access velcro covers for the ice maker drainage hose, power sockets and battery compartment. There’s even a large pocket on the side that I use for Ecoflow’s 12v, mains AC and solar power cords, as well as a multitool.

To fit the cover you first need to remove the handles (and wheels if you have them fitted), which is easy enough to do, then place the Glacier on the base. The cover then easily folds upwards as you wrap it into position, again using velcro tabs to secure it in place. Once in position to can refit the handles or wheels.

The Glacier is an expensive bit of kit, so I reckon this cover is a worthy investment for protecting the outsides from scratches a scrapes, as well as direct sunlight. price: £119 more at » uk.ecoflow.com 67

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COOLER BACKPACKS The Petromax Cooler Backpack is the perfect companion to keep your snacks and drinks fresh - whether you’re camping, hiking or fishing. Combining the functionality of a cooler with the convenience of a backpack, these Cooler Backpacks allow you to be independent of electricity for up to 6 days (17L) and 8 days (27L).

Available in 17L and 27L and three colours, there’s a Cooler Backpack for all your outdoor adventure needs.

To explore the range, visit www.whitbyandco.co.uk or scan the QR code

AKINOD BENTO BOXES & INSULATED BAG Designed to be the perfect companion to your Akinod travel cutlery, the Bento lets you take your homemade meals out with you on your adventures - or to work.

The box is a double compartment composed of high-quality polypropylene with a total capacity of 1.4 litres, it’s microwaveable (up to 100°C for 2 min) and dishwasher-safe (up to 50°C).

It comes in an elegant tote, lined with an insulating layer to keep your meals fresh, no matter where your adventures take you.

Both the Bento and insulated tote bag are available in a choice of colours, and to add a natural feel, the lid is made from acacia and can also be used as a cutting board. price: £33.95 more at » whitbyandco.co.uk

New Stuff we've discovered this month SELK’BAG - THE SLEEPING BAG SUIT A sleeping bag is designed to keep you warm when you’re sleeping. It keeps your body, arms and legs all wrapped up nice and tight to save body heat. It works well. But the trouble with that is, well, it’s a bag.

Wearing a Selk’bag is like climbing into a cosy sleeping bag onesie and still being able to move around. It’s a full body sleeping bag with arms and legs - your own personal duvet onesie.

From indoor lounging or outdoor lounging, there are plenty of uses for your Selk’bag, and they’re PFA free and 100% recycled.

Available in a variety of sizes, styles and colours there’s a Selk’bag for everyone, including kids. prices: adults from £97.99 kids £47.99 more at » selkbag.co.uk

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Be Our Guest Damian's mutterings are good, but we have decided that you wouldn't mind reading the compositions from other people.

This is part two of a series from Truck Life Overlanders, Tobi & Steve (and Maya, their dog) have condensed for us some of their overlanding tales from the past 3 years.

Building our Nissan Navara overland truck

Our truck is a UK spec 2011 Nissan Navara Outlaw 3.0 V6 diesel. I originally bought it back in 2014 as I had always wanted a pickup truck; it was kind of a childhood thing as I fell in love with the black Toyota truck in Back To The Future.

I originally looked into Toyota Hiluxes, but I liked the look of the Nissan Navara, and they were cheaper. When I found out you could get it with a V6 diesel engine I was sold, and went on the hunt for one.

After a couple of months searching, I eventually found one that only had 40k miles on it in Wales, so we went to have a look. It was a lovely truck, so bought it there and then. I drove it around for a few months to get used to it as it was the first, and the only 4x4, I have actually owned.

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My car history mainly consisted of modified Ford Escort RS Turbos, or Volvo T5s in my later years, but nothing remotely like a pickup and being that high off the ground. I am known for modifying vehicles; I had even managed to get a of couple my cars featured in magazines like Revs and Fast Ford back in the day. I just couldn’t help myself and so it started.

I started with all the tarty bits at first, as I was only using it to commute to work, this wasn’t a work truck. It was a complete pavement princess, so it had a 2" suspension lift (spacers and shackles) and a 2" body lift. I ditched the rear hard top, and opted for a roll bar and bed cover, as I wanted it to look like the pickup I had in my head. I also blacked out the front bull bar to match the roll bar too. I then added new matt black -12 ET wheels that gave the deep dish look I wanted and the BF Goodrich KO2s. It was looking sweet, and just how I wanted it to look. But…

Then we decided to go overlanding and the truck was going to need a major overhaul. When we first started looking into overlanding obviously the vehicle is a major part, it’s your everything! It becomes more than just a vehicle, as it also becomes your home on wheels.

We did lots of research into different vehicle types motorhomes, van conversions, pop-up tents, etc., but what we realised was that we already had a good off road capable vehicle.

We also needed it to be able to cope with all types of different weather and conditions, not just the daily commute up the M1 every day.

We decided to go with a demountable camper as we liked the idea that we can remove it, freeing up the truck, so we can go and explore, without having to carry your house around with us constantly.

The other advantage to going with a demountable is that if you have a problem with the vehicle, you can drop off the camper at a campsite and still have your home while the vehicle is in the garage getting repaired. We have encountered lots of overlanders that have had this problem and had to get expensive hotels or Airnbs because their rig is in the shop getting repaired, sometimes for months as they have had trouble sourcing parts.

More about the camper later.

After doing more research into overlanding, and off roading in general, we decided on what modifications we needed to do.

The first modification we needed to do was the suspension, it had to be upgraded to be able to comfortably carry the camper and all our stuff, water, propane, the list goes on….

The first thing to go was the body lift. I took out all the spacers and had everything resting back on the chassis. This was because of the weight we needed to carry in the bed of the truck, and we needed to keep the centre of gravity lower too.

With extremely limited knowledge of 4x4’s I phoned various companies to see if they could help me get the right setup for the truck. Most of them just wanted to sell me parts, and were not really interested if they were going to be fit for purpose, or not. I did start getting a little frustrated with 4x4 and parts companies until I came across 4x4 Works. They couldn’t have been more helpful as we discussed the setup in detail, the weight, the terrains and everything else the truck needed.

After a couple of weeks back and forth, we decided that the Old Man Emu heavy duty suspension setup with polyurethane bushes would be the best all rounder for our needs. We still have the three-inch suspension lift fitted. The rear shackles are heavy duty and the front spacers I machined down a little to fine tune so that everything was level. That’s what we’ve been running for the past 3 years now with no issues.

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With the suspension now sorted, we shifted focus on the other parts the truck needed.

Protection for the vehicle and vital parts was also high up on our list of essentials. We had no idea what we would come up against while in some remote places with no one else around. For this we went with the Full ARB under body protection kit and the ARB Bull bar front bumper.

This was a massive upgrade to go from plastic to a steel bumper. It gave us more clearance at the front and more approach angle (something else I knew nothing about before), and also has a winch tray built into it which was something else we knew we wanted, so it was a bonus. We fitted a Warn industries Zion 10s winch in to the bumper.

The next modification was the fuel tank, we needed more range. Instead of adding a secondary tank I opted for the ARB Frontier fuel tank. These are not only bigger, 132 litres compared with the 80 litre standard fuel tank, but they are also made of heavyduty plastic. This fuel tank now gives us gives us approximately a 450 to 500-mile range on one fill up (depending on terrain).

This is one modification were so glad we did, and it has come in very handy when we were in Baja California in Mexico, and also in Canada, where fuel stations are few and far between. We heard about one poor guy in Baja who had to wait for about a week for diesel, as the only fuel station in town had run out.

I also did a little work on the emissions system on the truck too, as I had heard that the quality of fuel in South America can play havoc on newer emission systems. My way around this was to completely remove the catalytic converter and the DPF (diesel particulate filter) filter systems on the truck, as these can get blocked with the soot caused by low quality fuel.

I then took the truck to Powell Automotive, a very well known Nissan specialist, who remapped our truck to give it a little more power, and electronically remove the emission systems that would put the truck into limp mode. He also fitted chassis strengthening plates out of precaution as it’s another known issue with Nissan Navaras.

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Other reliability modifications we have done include: • Full aluminium intercooler - the standard ones can split apart.

• Hard boost pipes - these can get soft and expand/split.

• KnN washable air filter - I can clean this, and not have to carry additional parts.

• Safari snorkel with dust trap top - this works extremely well as a pre filter, and it is surprising what it catches in there.

• Kut Snake wheel arch extenders - it is illegal for your tyres to protrude the wheel arch, and mine did.

• Rear axel breather kit - stops the diff filling with water.

I managed to get all the new parts and modifications bolted on in between being away at race tracks all over the world with Formula 1 and my regular shifts at the factory when I was back in the UK. There really isn’t a lot of down time at all when you work in F1. With the truck eventually done, and we were now ready to sort out the camper…

The camper The camper for us was also an important part of our rig. It was going to be our place to cook, sleep, escape from bad weather and most importantly our home as, by this point, we were committed and had already put our house up for sale.

As always, we did a tonne of research into different configurations layouts, roof tent, trailers and everything inbetween. We came across Fourwheel Campers, a company based in California, USA. They make a wide range of demountable, self-contained pop-up campers. They come with pretty much everything you need - sink, cooker, 80 litre water tank. As I mentioned previously, we could remove the camper off the truck and still be able to use it, which means we are free to explore in the truck without dragging our house everywhere.

The only Fourwheel camper dealer we found in Europe was a company in Germany. I sent a few emails, but heard nothing back. I tried to call them, but I don’t speak German and at that point no one there spoke good enough English.

I was still working for Mercedes F1, and one of the engineers in the factory was German, so I got him to call them for us to find out what they had to suit our budget. We managed to get a good contact there (Moritz), and found they had a second hand camper in stock that was in our price range.

We were extremely pleased, and had just started talking to them about going to Germany to look at it when Covid hit. All the borders closed no one could go anywhere, to say we were panicking was a bit of an under statement.

Until next month....

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H S A L F IVE DR

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

Porsche Cayenne S Earlier on in the year Muddy Madam and I travelled down to Bedfordshire for our annual pilgrimage to Millbrook and the SMMT Media day.

On first look at the list of manufacturers there were plenty of cars for us to drive, but nothing really that exciting, that was until I noticed that Porsche had brought along three vehicles from their heritage fleet.

The amusing thing is about media days is that pretty much all the journalists, including me, are often more interested in the older cars than they are the new fangled ones, and today was no exception.

So, after the safety briefing I grabbed my badge, rushed over to the Porsche stand, and joined the queue for a time slot.

The three vehicles included an 80s 911, a 928s and a Porsche Cayenne S. I know I’ll lose a few of you here, but I’ve never been a fan of the 911, but the 928.......well, it’s a thing of beauty.

With a time slot to drive the 928 booked for later that afternoon, I was offered an immediate drive in what transpired to be a rather special 2005 Porsche Cayenne S.

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This particular Cayenne S has been used as a technical training vehicle by Porsche GB before being acquired by the Porsche Classic team in the UK - the division which focuses on model generations that have been out of production for ten or more years.

As a showcase of some of its products it was given the light 'overland' treatment that includes genuine Porsche rock rails, wheels, and roof tent, as well as aftermarket additions such as tyres and spotlights. It has also been fitted with PCCM Plus (Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus), which seamlessly integrates modern infotainment features such as Apple CarPlay.

As it is with Porsche on media days, you’re always chaperoned, which is fine, normally. After grabbing the key I shouted for Muddy Madam to jump in only to realised that there were no backseats - they had been folded down to make room for some recovery equipment and a spare wheel that was bolted to the side - Range Rover Classic style. It would be just me and the Porsche guy then.

With a turn of the key the big 4.5ltr V8 burbled into life - the sound of a big V8 always makes to giggle like a school kid!

We then made our way towards the Alpine Hill Route, a course that’s divided into three sections, or loops, which contain progressively steeper gradients as well as many tight corners.

Despite all the heavy additions, the V8 did a wonderful job of hurling us around the route, but I didn’t feel the need to push it, for me it was all about the experience.

Even for an 18 year old car that’s probably seen a lot of action, the steering was sharp and neither did we wallow around the corners that much, despite the roof top tent.

It was a 15 minute drive so there isn’t much else to say about it really, it was an entertaining drive and I’m about to email the press team to see if I can borrow it for a week - now that would be fun!

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FLA DR SH IVE

After driving a selection of new, and dare I say it more boring cars, it was my time to get behind the wheel of the 928S - a dream car of mine.

They say never meet your heroes and I was prepared to be a little disappointed, after all, this particularly fine example was registered back in 1994 and things have moved on a little since then.

As with the Cayenne S, firing up the 5.0ltr V8 brought a huge grin to my face, one that even the light green interior couldn’t curb.

Despite its age and very low-slung driving position it was a very comfortable place to be, though the steering was much heavier than I ever expected it to be, and the acceleration a tad slower - I suspect a manual ‘box would have livened things up a bit. But that didn’t matter as I was enjoying cruising around the circuit and occasionally burying the throttle and throwing it around the tight corners.

For an aged grand tourer it handled the Alpine Hill Route really quite well, and would I still have one in my dream garage?

Hell yeah!

Porsche 928S

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VW Owner's Day

A little while ago I was invited down to Volkswagen’s head office in Milton Keynes for their VW Club Member's Day. Invitations were sent out to Volkswagen employees,VW club members and anyone from the press, especially those who either owned a Volkswagen or currently had a VW press vehicle on loan.

I had the Amarok Trans Americana on loan, and have the Bugster, a 1970 VW based Doon beach buggy at home, so I fitted the bill.

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Wandering inside the showroom, I was confronted with some very special and rare classics.

In the far corner sat the ‘Hulk’ Touran from the Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift film.Interestingly,Volkswagen Group Paint and Body apprentices were invited to revive this car during National Apprentice Week (6-10th February 2023). It was an opportunity to showcase their final-year project challenge by restoring it.

The Volkswagen Touran 'Hulk' that was originally produced to support the press and marketing of the 2006 film, and is one of only three cars of its type in existence.

Sat next to the ‘Hulk was a Giorgetto Giugiaro styled Silver Green metallic 1981 Mk I Scirocco Storm 1.6-litre, and next to that sat a rather scruffy Beetle. Rumour has it that this was amongst the final production run for right-hand-drive Beetles made by Volkswagen in Germany back in 1977.

I’m not certain where it was stored, or found, but during its life almost all of its silver paintwork has been protected, and continues to be, by the original factory wax coating. It’s also never been driven on the road.

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Further along sat a vehicle that I’ve never heard of before - the CitySTROMer. Inspired by the German word for 'current', which is ‘strom’, this is a fully electric Golf and one of only two built in righthand drive - this is believed to be the only one remaining.

Both cars were sold to Southern Electric, with this example registered on 16 September 1985.

Southern Electric sold it into the private car market in the mid1990s and at that point a number of unauthorised modifications were made to the electrical components to modernise the car.

That led to the motor failing under the additional strain.Volkswagen UK purchased the car in 2010, becoming the fourth keeper.

The CitySTROMer has a fourspeed manual gearbox and at constant 31mph has a range of 50.3miles.

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By the entrance is a stunning XL1 that’s powered by an 800cc TDI two-cylinder common rail diesel engine linked to an electric motor and produces 75 PS all-in.

The TDI is linked to an electric motor and a seven-speed direct-shift gearbox with an automatic clutch mounted between each unit. if and when required the electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating.

Weighing in at just 795 kg,Volkswagen developed and patented a new system for the manufacture of the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) parts on the car called the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process. Despite being as long as a Volkswagen Polo its height (1,184 mm) is more akin to a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. It’s a fairly rare sight as only 200 vehicles were built at Dresden's Die Gläserne Manufaktur Factory.

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It wasn’t long before the car park in front of the main building began to fill with classic VWs from campervans to Golfs. Amongst the latter in the Golf line up was Volkswagen UK PR boss, Mike Orford’s super-clean Mk2 Golf GTI 8, as well as beautifully maintained Phaeton, owned by another staff member (sorry, I didn't write down your name).

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By now it was time to eat and drink, which also gave me the opportunity to sample Volkswagen’s best selling product - part number:199 398 500 A I can sense that you’re confused, 'eating a part?'

The number is for Volkswagen's XXL Currywurst - which confusingly is not curry flavoured, and last year 6.81 million of them rolled off the production line at the firm's Wolfsburg factory, making it VW's best selling part!

I can happily state that it was rather tasty, and if you want to try these 25cm sausages for yourselves our favourite purveyors of authentic German Sausages - The Sausage Man does them.

After a quick peek at the new Tiguan and a sneaky ice cream from pollys-parlour.co.uk I had another wander around the superb collection of cherished Volkswagens.

Unfortunately there were no beach buggies, it would have nice to have turned up in the Bugster, but I wouldn’t have relished the 3½ hour drive down the M6 with no roof or doors, and besides, she’s still languishing in my mechanic’s garage, clutchless.

And so it was, after another currywurst and cup of hot chocolate, I figured it was time to leave for home, the new Amarok did a mighty fine job of easing the constant stop / start traffic that added an extra hour and half onto my journey!

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The Tales of Lilly, illy, The Mud Life Dog

Dawn Mid--Morning Mid Chorus

by Karen Lee Turner

After a very, very late night of typing away getting the magazine together I finally reached my bed around 4am - not a problem as I can usually get a lie in, as Damian is the early morning dog walker in the family. This holds true, except on a couple of days of the week.

The first is a Thursday, which around here is bin day. I can guarantee that if the beeping of the large bin wagon doesn't wake me from much needed slumber, the clanking of the bin being catapulted up into the air to dispose of the contents will. The glass recycling bin is the worst, so I try not to do really late nights on a Wednesday.

The second day is harder to plan for, and is the one that gets Lilly is involved.

Let me explain...

Our next door neighbour looks after her sister's dog during the week. Dora is a wiry-haired Patterdale Terrier who is also Lilly's favourite playmate, but Dora seems to have a pathological hate/mistrust for window cleaners (she also likes to attack the ankles of cyclists, but that's for another time).

Our neighbour employs the services of said window cleaner every couple of weeks which sets Dora off into a cacophony of barking when he is doing the lounge window, and because we live in a terraced house the noise transmits through the 1910-built wall straight into the ever-alert ears of the lovely Lilly.

On hearing her best mate having a barking fit, that obviously says in dog language "There is a bad man outside, and he must be slain by my foot tall body and mighty bitey teeth!", Lilly flies into action.

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She jumps up from her previous happy slumber on the armchair, launches herself on to the back of the chair, and then with front feet on the windowsill joins in with barking.

I have to peek as we are a naked sleeper household, and our lounge has a rather large window that faces straight into the street. I really don't want to burn the retinas of anyone passing with an eyeful of pink wobbling flesh!

Once the situation is assessed, and I realise that we are in no danger from a diabolical knife-weilding burglar, and it's only the window cleaner, I then have to deal with Lilly in full Cujo mode.

It is so much fun trying to calm a barking dog in the front window, whilst also trying to cover my nakedness with whatever I can find. It could be a tea towel or a supermarket bag, but I can guarantee it is usually something that is too small to do the job properly.

At this point I must apologise deeply to our neighbour across the street, as he is the one who has probably seen the most, and before you think he would appreciate it, I can tell you he would definitely prefer it to be Damian.

Once calm, and the hackles have diminished, Lilly goes back to her sweet and quiet demeanour.......until next window day.

Even if Dora isn't about, it has now become her 'thing' too - if Lilly sees anyone carrying a ladder, it doesn't even have to be a window cleaner, she sets off barking. Luckily this doesn't happen very often.

So now, as well as 'go to bed earlier' Wednesdays, I have to plan the street's window washing activities into the mix, the trouble being he doesn't always have a regular schedule.

If this tale makes no sense, forgiveme, and note that last night I went to bed at 3.30ish, and next door's windows are sparkling.

I feel that Lilly thinks she is doing her bit to not only aid Dora in her quest to rid the world of evil window washers, but also to alert the rest of the neighbourhood, in jungle drums style, that nefarious beings are in the vicinity.

Being fast asleep, and being woken by Lilly going mental in the room below is a rather startling thing, and it takes a moment for the sound to register.

In my bleary-eyed state it takes another second or so to realise that the noise is coming from downstairs. Within a split second I launch myself out of bed, concerned that someone is breaking in, as normally the only time Lilly barks is when someone comes in the house without one of us letting them in (my Father-in-Law is usually the culprit).

Launching out of bed and down the stairs involves navigating the stairs of death (narrow steps and steep incline), at high speed, only to arrive at the bottom to peek round the door to find out what's going on.

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es d i R s ' r e Read

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

My name is Ian, I am a Christian, a husband, and father of three young children from Scotland. I work as a civil engineer and I have a keen interest in farming having grown up on a farm.

History of cars leading up your present 4x4 The first 4x4 I bought was a green Discovery 1 300 Tdi Argyll. It was, and still is, the car I’ve enjoyed driving the most - it was full of character. It had plenty of the usual Land Rover problems leaking sunroof, indicators working intermittently, rust issues and the engine cutting out on roundabouts, but I still loved driving it.

In my younger day, working in construction, I had a Toyota Hilux as a company vehicle. I was working on an overhead powerline project in the Highlands which gave me the rare opportunity to drive on lots of private tracks in Scotland. More recently I owned a Skoda Yeti before buying my current vehicle. I have also owned various generations of the VW Golf.

Present 4x4(s) My current vehicle is a 2018 Land Rover Discovery 5 which I’ve owned for over 2 years now. My criteria when choosing my current vehicle was a spacious 7 seat family 4x4 vehicle with a spare wheel and ULEZ compliant - this narrowed down the choice!

I did look at a few options, but being a lifelong Land Rover fan the Discovery was a no brainer. The Discovery is the SE model

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which means no sunroof (a positive given previous experience!) and 19" wheels which is the smallest standard fit wheels on a Discovery 5.

Modifications done To date I’ve not made any modifications to the Discovery apart from fitting a Brodit phone holder for viewing OS maps when green laning. We are currently saving to extend our house, therefore any modifications will have to wait until we have built our extension!

Modifications to do The first modification will be to fit all terrain tyres when the current tyres need to be replaced. The current tyres, Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season, were fitted to the Discovery when I bought it, and I’ve been surprised how well they have performed.

I would like to fit additional lights to improve the lighting when green laning at night. I would also like a winch, though preferably a demountable solution that could go on the front or back of the car.

Favourite off-roading / adventure trip I currently enjoy any green lane with great views. I first started green laning 2 years ago and I’ve driven some lanes in the north of England with great views.

One of my first lanes was In Moor Lane with the fantastic views over Scar House Reservoir. I have an ever growing list of lanes that I plan to drive in the future.

Proximity of lanes is now a big factor when planning holidays as a family!

The best adventure trips I’ve been on was one to Iceland and another to Sweden, Norway and Finland inside the artic circle. For both trips we hired a car there, but one day I would love to take my own 4x4 and visit those countries.

Lottery win 4x4 I would buy a first generation Discovery (preferably the one I used to own), and get a full nut and bolt restoration carried out with an electric conversion by Electric Classic Cars. I would love the satisfaction of driving an old Discovery into ULEZ zones! I also really like the conversions they do, and the acceleration would be great.

Favourite car related film This would have to be Back to the Future.

A time travelling DeLorean, pickup trucks and flying cars - what’s not to like! I recently watched it with my children - it was their first time watching it and they loved it as well.

Favourite biscuits Tunnock’s Caramel Wafers, or any Tunnock’s!

Where can we find more details?

Instagram - samson.the.discovery Facebook - samson.the.discovery YouTube @samson.the.discovery

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Directory

Off Road Driver Training & Experiences UK WIDE All Terrain Services 4x4 Driver Training & Exp., Self Drive Tours https://www.allterrainservices.co.uk 01792 862669 NORTH Graythwaite Adventure Off-Road Driving & Training, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Watersports, Archery, Bushcraft, Axe Throwing, Glamping

https://www.graythwaiteadventure.co.uk 07498 574659 & 07779 162710 North Yorkshire Off Road Centre Off Road Driver Training & Tours http://www.nyoffroad.co.uk 07787 555060 Explore Off Road Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881 SOUTH John Morgan 4x4 Driving Pay & Play, Off Road Driver Training http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195 Wild Tracks Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences https://www.wildtracksltd.co.uk 01638 751918 True Grip off Road Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences http://www.truegripoffroad.co.uk 01233 662251 Protrax 4x4 Driver Training https://www.protrax.co.uk 01536 772238 Avalanche Adventures Pay & Play, 4x4 Experiences https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613 Ash 4x4 Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences http://www.ash4x4.com 07581 030331

WALES Bala 4x4 4x4 Driver Training https://www.bala4x4.co.uk 01536 772238 SCOTLAND Scottish Off Road Off Road Driver Training http://www.scotoffroad.co.uk 07711 217759

Pay & Play Hill ’n’ Ditch - Cheshire http://www.hillnditch4x4.com 07974 398201 Explore Off Road - Cheshire http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881 Kirton Off Road - Gainsborough https://www.korc.co.uk 01652 245022 Frickley 4x4 Off Road Centre - West Yorks. https://www.frickley4x4.co.uk 07881 590593 Cowm Leisure - Rochdale https://cowmleisure.com 07970 101 879 Ultra Adventure Driving - Wales http://www.ultraadventuredriving.co.uk 01978 358 444 Essex Rochford & District 4x4 Club - Rochford http://www.4x4er.co.uk Devils Pit - Bedfordshire http://www.devilspit.co.uk 07764 159478 Avalanche Adventures - Leicestershire https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613 4x4 Without A Club - Berkshire http://www.4x4-withoutaclub.co.uk 07887533168 John Morgan 4x4 Driving - West Sussex http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195 Piccadilly Wood - West Sussex http://www.piccadillywood4x4.co.uk 07984 543886

4x4 TOURS Ardent Off Road 4x4 Tours, 4x4 Experiences https://ardentoffroad.com Tel: 01405 947 001 Highland All Terrain 4x4 Tours with wild camping, ATV https://www.highlandscenicsafari.co.uk Tel: 01528 544 358 One Life Adventure 4x4 Tours & vehicle prep training https://www.onelifeadventure.co.uk Tel: 01347 830188 Ardventures 4x4 Tours, 4x4 Experiences https://ardventures.co.uk Tel: 01757 638 479 4x4 Adventure Tours 4x4 Tours https://www.4x4adventuretours.co.uk Tel: 07769 336 099 Trails and Tracks 4x4 Adventures 4x4 Tours https://trailsandtracks.co.uk Tel: 07976 393 838 Cambrian Way 4x4 Tours https://www.cambrianway.com Tel: 01550 750274 Roam Free Adventures 4x4 Tours https://www.roamfreeadventures.co.uk Contact via website Timeless Overland 4x4 Tours https://www.facebook.com/tloverland Tel: 07508 833 899 Land Tracks and Trails Green Lane Adventures 4x4 Tours https://www.lanestracksandtrails.co.uk Tel: 07855 213355 Compass Adventures 4x4 Tours https://www.compassadventures.co.uk Tel: 07508 708 588 Battlefields by 4x4 4x4 Tours https://www.battlefieldsby4x4.com Tel: 07014 241 418

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