Life Is A Discovery

West Wales Laning Bala June 2010

2010-06-26T14:32:00.002+01:00

West Wales Laning - Bala Weekend June 2010

2010-06-26T10:32:00.001+01:00

Here's our group photo on the top of the Wayfarer! More to come when I get some time... hopefully next weekend!

West Wales Laning - Strata Florida 27th February 2010

2010-03-06T14:48:00.004Z

It has long been a wish of mine to do the 'Strata Florida' greenlane. Last Autumn I was told about a new group who had formed, West Wales Laning. So, on looking at their website http://www.westwaleslaning.co.uk/ I signed up and even joined their Facebook group! The group go out once a month and are closely linked with GLASS http://www.glass-uk.org/ as well as http://www.4x4responsewales.org/. What a great bunch...

So, an early start on Saturday to rendevouz at the Abbey car park at 10.30am. However we all made it...went through the itinerary and safety procedures etc. then divided up and set off... except PJs 109 decided not to start. After an attempted push and pull from Richard's 90 he opened the bonnet to discover his coil HT lead had parted company with the coil... so soon sorted and off they went. We were in group 2 so waited in the rain.. here's the video. Enjoy!

110 uses for a 110 with a Roofrack!

2009-12-26T16:34:00.002Z

So, after all that hard work in the summer getting the roofrack ready for the family holiday in Cornwall it was good to use it once again (nearly justifies leaving it on..) for the annual trip to the Xmas Tree farm. A trip on the tractor resulted in a lovely tree which then travelled back on the roofrack instead of the usual interior destruction.

Womble - Open Heart Surgery

2009-12-26T16:11:00.002Z

Well, finally we got round to the "open heart surgery" planned for many months. Fair weather and a whole day available meant that at last we could take the head off, sort out the head and manifold gaskets and hopefully any other minor (?) issues. So, PJ got to work with me assisting. Between us we managed to get the whole job done in about 5 hours... and only broke two bolts! Anyway the big question was would the Womble ride again afterwards.... yes!

Only the MOT to worry about now... so in October a trip to Maunds in Wem for all the necessary; a new exhaust; front UJ and a couple of minors and she was through the annual trauma and back on the road.

So, now she's running regularly.... but I still need to sort out the heater. Another day will need to be put aside with fair weather and help from the surgeon again (when he can tear himself away from his SIII 'Bessy').

Lake Vyrnwy Greenlaning

2009-02-22T15:35:00.005Z

So, at last the opportunity arose to get out on some lanes, following an email from Keith about the next few months of Greenlane runs. Keith's runs are well known for being well organised, well researched (all tracks checked with Rights of Way Officers etc.), enjoyable, varied and fun. This was no exception.

The truck hadn't been properly tested yet. We've had her for six months and apart from a trundle on some local lanes nothing serious has been attempted. But with the arrival of an email things changed. A friend of mine had wanted to have an off-road experience and relive his student days driving a 110 doing Geological Surveys so the date was set and an email confirmed our place. Josh wanted to come along in his 90 but couldn't at the last moment.

We met in the main car park in Llangollen at 9.30am on Sunday morning. All of Solihull's finest were there but led by Keith's Isuzu and supported by a Mitsubishi. The first part of the day headed over towards lake Pistyll Rhaeder, a beautiful 250m waterfall. The lanes were great. One of the Range Rovers got stuck in the snow and had to be snatched out by another Range Rover. Then Keith got stuck in the still deep snow near a hill crest. He was rescued by an 08 90. Then it was on to lunch at the waterfall. After lunch we headed over to Lake Vyrnwy which was beautiful. Another stop and then the final stretch via a lovely river crossing near Llansillin where we parted company in the fading light at 5.30pm. A great day.... oh and the 110 passed all the tests with flying colours!

Updates...

2008-10-28T14:12:00.005Z

Womble first!

During the summer Womble had to have major surgery on her front wheel bearings... Geoff had to resort to an angle grinder to free off the nearside! What a difference it has made. I can now hear all of the other noises... so a bit of detective work needed to track down the source of various strange ones! Perhaps not now though because it's snowing for the first time this year... Oh and by the way she passed her MOT a couple of weeks ago without a single issue, first time! Am considering a 200 di conversion (courtesy of Glencoyne in Thetford) next summer as I still find it tough filling the tank (£45 or thereabouts) and I get about 160 miles.... wheras the Eurobox (clio!) that we bought for Jon (who's now at Uni) which I now have to drive (credit crunch etc..) does 450 miles for the same amount. It's a no-brainer really.

and then the 110

Hasn't got a name yet but is going in to McDonalds http://www.mcdonaldlandrover.co.uk on Friday to rectify the outstanding issues. Rupert has been great about this. By the time I pick her up on Friday the brakes should squeak less; the oil pressure and difflock lights should work; the gearbox breather should be replaced; the off-side trailing arm should be sorted and the fuel tank sender unit replaced! Then she should be ready for some serious stuff. Thinking of a day with Landcraft at Bala in November. Will keep you posted!

Greenlaning

2008-10-19T09:33:00.002+01:00

With the engine fixed (by McDonalds) and a couple of lengthy trips under our belts a degree of confidence had returned. The summer would not have been complete without a day out exploring some greenlanes. So, a date was set and the 110 would have her first outing under new management. The day was spent with a couple of OS maps, with PJ planning the route. A couple of really nice lanes and one scary moment on a rather boggy one but we survived and a good day was had by all.

Our Day Out..

2008-09-07T16:36:00.004+01:00

Well, the decision was made. After a lot of looking and much debate about whether or not it was a good idea I finally found a 110 that fitted the bill so off to McDonald Land Rover of Oswestry I went. The test drive with Mark convinced me that this was the vehicle for us and so the deal was done. The faithful and trusty Discovery was traded in (ouch!) and I handed over the balance and waited... until the MOT was done and then she was mine! I had carefully explained both to Sue and anybodyelse who would listen why it was a good idea with the bullet-proof 300 tdi engine etc.... and so home I trundled. The purchase of the 110 coincided with just about the whole family being around so a day trip was planned around the Berwyn Mountains in North Wales. The next day dawned bright and sunny so off we went through Chirk to Llangollen, over the Horseshoe, down past Plas Norway and on to the back of the Berwyn's. A cup of tea, snacks and a game of football in the sun all went down well. Then off again to World's End.... I'd taken Sue that way a couple of weeks previously in the Womble so knew it would be no problem.... then as we pulled up the hill out of Pentredewr my world did end... with a bang!

It was 5.15pm and I tried to restart the engine but nothing doing... so I rang McDonalds, catching Mark on the way out of the door. "Oh it'll be the lead on the back of the pump....." no it wasn't. "Oh dear. Try taking the oil filler cap off and turning the engine over.... does anything move?" "NO"....."Its's the timing belt...." TERMINAL!!!

About an hour later Chris (from McDonalds) arrived with a transporter and a Disco (V8 Gassed). By now I'd had to turn back several people as I was blocking the road (single track of course..). I've carried that warning triangle for 25 years and never needed it in all the vehicles I've owned... but now it became useful warning others of my plight. Chris soon had the Disco off the transporter so off we went home... the sun was still shining! What a start to my Defender days.... whatever was going to happen next! I had serious egg on my face at home I can tell you....

Womble Photo Shoot for TES

2008-08-15T17:56:00.002+01:00

Following a post (thanks Alistair) on the forum for Series II enthusiasts who are teachers I responded and heard nothing for ages. Then an email from a photographer, Russell Sachs, appeared in my inbox. He wanted to arrange a photo shoot for a magazine article which will appear in the Times Educational Supplement magazine (I'll let you know when..). It's part of a series which highlights teachers with "interesting hobbies"! Many emails were exchanged before a date was set, Tuesday 12th August. Russell duly arrived at 3pm with all of his gear, which filled the back of the Womble! We then headed off to the Berwyn's to take a few shots.... 762 in total! It took 3 hours and I daren't switch the engine off because she's been not starting intermittently... We were blessed with great weather (for a change!) and my wife was enlisted as photographer's assistant! Russell kindly emailed the following more amusing shots of the shoot so I thought I'd share them with you. The shot for the magazine will be a double page spread so looking forward to that.

Wye Valley Green Laning - Video!

2008-05-27T17:57:00.003+01:00

Don't get too excited... just a bit of water and three Land Rovers!

Wye Valley Green Laning

2008-05-27T17:53:00.001+01:00

On Saturday the 24th May we got up early and drove down to Hay on Wye to meet up with Tony and Dan from Wye Valley Green Laning. Follow the link to http://www.wyelanes.co.uk/
This was to be their first official outing with 6 vehicles divided into two groups. Tony took the Defenders (and one Jeep...) and Dan took the Discos and Range Rover. The trip coincided with the Hay Festival so the car park near the Castle was busy and so we had to move quickly to Clyro where the groups divided up. The lanes were great, and a good mixture. Dan led us through carefully and paced it very well. Lunch was in an idyllic picnic spot near Hundred House in the wood. The weather was surprisingly good (given the forecast!). It was a great contrast to my last experience with Simply 4x4.... The whole experience was great and we'll go again once some temporary TROs are lifted.

Scoop! Womble's Bird's Nest

2008-04-13T12:18:00.001+01:00

At last I've found out what the scoop at the front of the Womble is for! It is not in fact an intake for the heater... I'd noticed for the last few days leaves on the gravel in front of the Womble and thought nothing of it, until today. As I stood in front of her, admiring her new Series II Database sticker, I noticed leaves sticking out of the heater intake. Thinking they'd blown in whilst driving I investigated further, to discover that someone had started a nest building project! Now I know she doesn't get driven every day, but she certainly goes out for a run a couple of times a week, even if it's just to work and back, so it was certainly a surprise. On the positive side maybe Spring is here at last!

On another matter the rear lap-belts arrived this week so guess what I'll be doing next week?

Seatbelts and New Benches

2008-04-05T16:36:00.003+01:00

When we bought the "Womble" two jobs were very obviously necessary:

1. Replace the unusable front seat belts and

2. Replace the missing rear bench seats taken out by a previous owner.

I therefore rang Exmoor trim in January and ordered said items. They arrived, minus the lap-belts last Tuesday. So, on Wednesday with help from my sons Jon and Josh, we set to work. I did the belts whilst they worked on the seats...

Womble's Snowdonia Workout...

2008-02-11T15:30:00.000Z

So, having bought the Womble some new 'boots' it was time to take her out and give her a proper workout. The opportunity came with a message from Guy that "Simply 4x4" were having a day in Snowdonia. He'd been to the Peak District with them and had a really good time, apart from breaking his exhaust off at the manifold yet again.

Josh wanted to go so I agreed and booked over the internet and was pleased to have our place confirmed. Sunday morning arrived. Pre-flight checks had all been done and we were off, via Wem, to Bala for 9.30am. The day dawned cold and clear, perfect for a day in Snowdonia. The journey was fine, although there were now three of us in the front of the Womble because Laurel, Josh's girlfriend had joined us. She filmed the day and took the great photos in the gallery.

On arrival at Bala one group (including Guy) had left. We joined a group with 7 Disco Is and an unmentionable American machine which led the way... Off we went. The initial lane was a good warm-up with some mixed terrain and a very narrow bridge which accounted for several Disco door mirrors and a Ford Terrano passenger-side scrape (the leader of the other group.. and it was his wife's!). We decided to take the rear spot due to the obvious speed advantage of the other vehicles. This became an increasing issue through the day.

The lanes were interspersed with road sections which were taken at 60mph... now the Womble can get to 60mph eventually but not that quickly. On the lanes we were fine, though they stopped far too frequently for no apparent reason for my liking. It seemed odd to hammer it to the next lane then behave in this way....

The scenery was superb. However by mid-afternoon we were heading home because Josh needed to be at work by 5.30pm. We left the group just before they attempted "Happy Valley". I'd done it with Protrax in November. If we had done it we would have run out of petrol so all in all it was the right decision to head back, stopping for fuel on the way.

I've subsequently heard this type of day described as "lane chasing". I certainly didn't enjoy it as much as the Wild Wales Safari or any of the other days we've been on. However it was good to give the Womble a thorough test. We covered 220 miles in total, 70+ on lanes, which was a pretty good test. On the way back the Womble stalled at each stop... a blocked jet in the Carb. I was to discover following advice from the guys on the Series II Forum.

Womble's now waiting for her new rear seats and seat belts all round from Exmoor trim. I'll keep you posted! (Oh and a service and the heater to sort.....thank goodness it's half term!

Snowdonia with Simply 4x4 - January 27th 2008

2008-01-27T19:30:00.000Z

Womble's New Boots

2008-01-20T18:51:00.002Z

Well after last weekend's exploits I was offered some Colway MTs (used) but with plenty of wear left. The temptation was too great so having picked them up at the beginning of the week I just needed to find time to change all the wheels and tyres... so went Saturday afternoon. It was my first opportunity to use the farm jack so was very useful...if a little tiring. Those MTs don't half weigh a lot more than the mixed bag of road and ATs I had on before. Even the spare was changed and a nice new cover makes a good job of it.

Next weekend we're off on another trip, this time with Simply4x4. The trip starts at Bala on Sunday morning and goes over to Snowdon. Sounds like good fun so we'll see how the Womble gets on with her new boots on.. we'll keep you posted.

Womble Goes Wild in Wales

2008-01-13T17:29:00.000Z

Womble Goes Off-Road!

2008-01-13T17:13:00.001Z

So we were out shopping (!?) in Oswestry on Saturday and suddenly a text message disturbs the tranquillity of the high street. Josh asked if we wanted to go off-roading on Sunday. I texted back saying we were interested but wanted to take the "Womble" and so didn't want to go swimming (in view of the weather at the moment..). A few hours later and we were agreed on a reverse of the Wayfarer.... shouldn't be too wet!

Sunday at 10.00am was the rendevouz time, but since the guys (no pun intended Guy!) couldn't find our house it was an 11.00am start. First stop was the garage in Ellesmere for fuel, food and tyre pressure checking. Then we were on our way. First stop was a green lane near the Wayfarer to see how the Womble would fare. Guy had done it before and promised no swimming..... so by the end of this first lane the Womble had been completely submerged (over the bonnet) and both footwells were swimming for the rest of the day! Some less dramatic puddles but she coped well.

Onto the Wayfarer then... and it was virtually all ours. We met a Defender 90" on the top having a cup of tea so we followed suit with a brew up in the back of the Womble at the summit to celebrate our successful ascent. The we took the 'easy' route down and came back to Llangollen via the Berwyns. Then a dash home to get the Sunday dinner on.... it'll be a little later than usual today. Before the light died I quickly took the front grill off and hosed the radiator to get rid of accumulated debris. Thanks Guys!

A Series of Discoveries...

2007-11-25T17:37:00.000Z

Last weekend saw our first weekend off-road. We had booked through the Land Rover Owner International Adventure Club and duly turned up at the Chain Bridge, Llangollen at 9.00am sharp for our adventure. I've got quite a bit of footage and pictures but thought I'd start with this video. It was shot in the forest near Aberdovey and features three Disco's, one of each series, attempting an axle twister. See what you think of the three attempts.

"Remember You're A Womble..."

2007-10-28T15:47:00.000Z

Well it has finally happened.... we've purchased another Land Rover. This time it's a 1970 Series IIa. After weeks of studying buying patterns etc. on Ebay and looking at literally dozens we finally decided to bid on the "Womble". The main reasons for this decision were that:

a) She's tax exempt.
b) The seller has an excellent reputation for honesty.
c) Insurance is cheap.

So why buy a Series Land Rover?
Well the 'not having to pay road tax was a prime consideration as we have two other vehicles and this is going to function as a "third" vehicle for those times when the kids are home from University.... and "need" a vehicle. And no, before you throw up your hands in horror, they are not going to drive either of the Land Rovers (for the time being). They get the Corsa, which is of course the newest and most luxurious! Ah those things we take for granted.. like a heater, PAS, synchromesh... that just aren't featured on a 37 year old Series Land Rover.

So why buy this Series Land Rover?
Because of the number plate? Say no more..!

The whole Ebay process was illuminating. We've only used Ebay once before and that was to buy a Mirror dinghy... very straightforward. Buying a Land Rover was a whole different ball game. It took several attempts but we're there now and next weekend we'll journey to Northamptonshire to pick up the "Womble". Should be interesting. I'll keep you posted... The dilemma will be which to take on the "Wild Wales Safari" in November. Maybe a drive back from Northampton will help make that decision... meanwhile it's Insurance etc. to sort.

Anyway here she is from another angle

The Wayfarer via The Corwen Car Wash

2007-10-02T21:02:00.000+01:00

On Sunday 30th September the Discovery finally got her boots wet and muddy... Our expedition took us to the "Corwen Car Wash" and then on to "The Wayfarer". It was our first real green lane/off-road... great fun and excellent preparation for the "Wild Wales Safari" in November.

We met two groups coming the opposite way.. some serious machines (photos to follow in the next post). If you spot yourself say hello!

Life is a Discovery...

2007-10-02T13:38:00.000+01:00