The Mud Life - 15 - June 2020

THE MUD LIFE ISSUE 15 - JUNE 2020

VW AMAROK AVENTURA

VW Tiguan Allspace Lamborghini LM002 Ford Ranger Thunder SsangYong Tivoli Toyota Highlander

VW Amarok Aventura pages 30-39

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 Š Damian Turner. All rights reserved. None of the images or material within this magazine may be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold, or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose that is not expressly authorised by Damian Turner or Karen Lee Turner.

IN THIS ISSUE TURNER'S TORQUE

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WHAT'S ON 15 LANING LIFE 16-23 VEHICLE REVIEWS VW Tiguan Allspace 24-31 VW Amarok Aventura 32-41 MOOCH - 3 LANES, 1 TRIP 42-47 FATHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE 48-49 GOODS & GEAR 50-58 MOD YOUR MOTOR 60-65 FB PAGE OF THE MONTH 66-67 TIME TRAVELS 69-74 READER'S RIDES 76-81 DINE OUT WITH DAMIAN 82-83 RETRO SNAPS 84-85

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

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

Creative Director, Layout Designer, Reviewer

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

DIRECTORIES 86-88

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

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Click on the covers to read any of our past issues.

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TURNER’S TORQUE To Repair or Not To Repair?

That is the question.

If you’ve been on Facebook for the last few days you will have undoubtedly seen photos of the ‘repaired’ sections of Parkamoor green-lane up in the Lake District. (If you haven’t, visit our Mega Mud Lifers FB page and scroll down a bit).

I know a lot of you will think that it’s now ruined, and you’ve been quite vocal about it. On the flip side, there have been an equal amount of folk who are thankful, and have been equally expressive!

As I see it, a lot of us have 4wd vehicles to get us places other cars cannot, whether that’s an expedition equipped 80 Series Land Cruiser or a standard Freelander on all terrains. Just like 4x4s, green-lanes come in many different flavours, too, from something you can drive in a Mini, to badly rutted and rocky lanes that no matter how careful you are, it’ll damage your pride and joy. People will always want different things.

long as you’re not damaging the lane and putting the rest of your peers into disrepute, I don’t think there’s a problem seeking out more challenging routes.

However, there’s a but, and it’s a very big BUT, and that is everyone reading this will be acutely aware of how hated we are amongst other users of the countryside and the non-educated, and the closure of loved and cherished green-lanes is a clear and present threat.

The bigger problem we face is that the lanes are public roads, and local authorities have a legal duty to keep them in a state of repair suitable for all users, and once they stop repairing them that’s when we invariably lose them.

At the end of the day, the repair of Parkamoor, and other lanes, has potentially prevented all of that and hopefully added some weight to the LDNPA's case at the upcoming judicial review.

Whether you disagree or not, thanks to the repairs we may get to continue to drive them in future.

Take a look at page 22 to see what Lauren from GLASS has to say on the subject.

Of course, if you really want to challenge your driving skills you arguably should visit a P&P site or enter competitions, but as

A few words about this month's mag...

If this was a printed mag you'd be able to see that this month's mag is a tad shallower than normal, due mainly to the lockdown.

We haven't been able to have any press cars delivered, so reviews of new vehicles are limited to the last two that came just prior to our forced staycation, and of course there has been no chance to get out and do some laning either, so we've had to be a bit flexible with the content.

With the slight relaxation of the travelling rules, this week we've had our first press car delivered since lockdown began, and another will be arriving the following week too, so hopefully the mag will be back to full strength next issue.

Enjoy!

We decided to go back a number of years, to a time of freedom, and share a past muddy play day, and we've also written about a green-laning excursion from last year.

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SsangYong Tivoli comes to the UK market The Tivoli facelift includes new exterior front styling, and the space and capabilities of a traditional SUV and features a whole range of enhancements to the outgoing model. It pairs new stylish exterior and interior design with advanced safety and infotainment technologies, as well as efficient new powertrains complying with future emission standards. All wrapped up with a comprehensive and market-leading 7-year/ 150,000-mile warranty.

Five years since its initial launch, new Tivoli is now available with a brace of new high-tech petrol engines: • 1.2 GDi Turbo 3-cylinder • 1.5 GDi Turbo 4-cylinder • Euro 6D uprated version of the 1.6 diesel The new Tivoli has a 4* NCAP safety ratings and is built on a high-strength construction that features a comprehensive suite of the latest electronic safety aids. An increased level of Active Safety has been applied to new Tivoli that helps prevent accidents and utilises class-leading technologies to provide greater safety.

All trim levels have a minimum of 6 airbags and electronic safety features including: - Front Collision Warning (FCW) - Lane Departure Warning (LDW) - Automatic Emergency Breaking (AEB) - Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) - Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) - Front Vehicle Start Alert (FVSA) - Driver Attention Alert (DAA) - Emergency Stop System (ESS) - Safety Distance Alert (SDA) There are 3 trim levels to choose from - the entry-spec EX, mid-spec Ventura and the high-spec Ultimate.

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The EX entry level is available with the brand new 1.2L GDi-T petrol and manual transmission only.

Newly named mid-spec Ventura is also available with the 1.2L GDi-T petrol engine with manual transmission only.

Finally, the high-spec Ultimate model is available with 1.5L GDi-T petrol or uprated 1.6 diesel, in both manual and automatic transmissions.

Tivoli EX

The new Tivoli EX is available with the new 1.2 GDi-T petrol engine and manual transmission only. It boasts cruise control, electric windows, remote central locking, smart steering, DAB Radio with iPod & Bluetooth connectivity, 16” steel wheels with covers, manual air conditioning, 6 airbags and electronic safety features including Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Automatic Emergency Breaking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Front Vehicle Start Alert (FVSA), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Emergency Stop System (ESS), Safety Distance Alert (SDA).

It has black deluxe fabric seats, D-cut steering wheel, tinted glass, and electric windows.

Tivoli Ventura

The Tivoli Ventura, which is available the new 1.2 GDi-T petrol engine and manual transmission only, adds newly designed 16” alloys, black faux leather TPU and cloth seats with front seat heaters, 7” integral touchscreen with rear camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated leather steering wheel, leather gear knob, a seventh airbag, floor mats, mini spare, luggage cover, LED front fogs, roof rails, keyless start, auto lights, wipers, front and rear parking sensors.

Tivoli Ultimate

Step up to the Tivoli Ultimate, available with manual or automatic transmission and the new 1.5 GDi-T petrol and upgraded 1.6 litre diesel engines. In addition to the Tivoli Ventura, the Ultimate boasts 18” diamond cut alloys with road tyres, leather seats (heated front), dual zone air conditioning, 10.25” smart LED cluster and powered folding mirrors.

Prices from £13,995 to £22,995

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TOYOTA releases the Highlander in the UK

Toyota have decided to release their largest hybrid SUV in the UK and Western Europe from early 2021.

Although it isn't the most exciting looking vehicle, I have heard good things about it from across the pond.

Here's some of the marketing blurb...

The Highlander will be offered exclusively with a full hybrid powertrain and will extend Toyota’s hybrid SUV line-up in the region, joining the established D-segment RAV4 and C-segment C-HR and the new B-segment Yaris Cross that will also be introduced next year.

Built on Toyota’s GA-K platform, Highlander brings together the Toyota SUV qualities of comfort, drivability and safety with a fuel and emissions-efficient hybrid powertrain, intelligent, all-wheel drive, a flexible interior and a two-tonne towing capacity.

The Highlander measures 4.95metres long.

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The interior offers the practicality, durability and space-on-demand in a comfortable, premium-quality environment.This is an authentic seven-seater: a 180mm sliding range for the second row seats ensures spacious third row accommodation for two adults and easy access.

A kick-sensor allows hands-free access to the 658-litre luggage area.

There’s also underfloor storage space, while fully flat-folding the third and second row seats can bring the load capacity up to 1,909 litres.

The cabin design provides plenty of storage compartments plus USB ports for the front and second row seats. Premium equipment features will include a multimedia system, satellite navigation, headup display, wireless phone charging, smartphone connection via Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto, ventilated front seats and a digital rear-view mirror that provides a wide image unobscured by rear passengers or headrests.

Details of UK specifications and pricing will be announced nearer the time of launch.

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Highlander’s fourth generation full hybrid powertrain features a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with front and rear electric motors.The rear motor provides the vehicle’s AWD-i intelligent allwheel drive. A high-voltage nickel-metal hydride battery is located beneath the second row seats.

Total system power is 241bhp* and WLTP combined cycle CO2 emissions are 146g/km* with 42.8mpg* fuel consumption.This gives the hybrid Highlander the best balance of power and CO2 emissions in its segment. (* Provisional figures subject to final homologation) The driver can use the vehicle’s Drive Mode Select system to switch between Eco, Normal, Sport and Trail modes. Each of these can also

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be used when Highlander is running its separately switchable EV allelectric mode.

The new Highlander is equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense package of active safety and driver assistance systems.These include a Pre-Collision System with active steer assist, to provide further collision avoidance support.The PCS can also detect pedestrians in the vehicle’s path by both and day and night, and bicycle riders in daylight. Other features include full-range Adaptive Cruise Control with Road Sign Assist, Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist, and Automatic High Beam.

So there you have it, no price as yet, but more details will follow.

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FORD Ranger THUNDER storms into Europe Limited to 1,400 for the UK, and 30 for Ireland, the Ford Ranger Thunder adds exclusive interior and exterior design to the 2020 International Pick-up Award-winner, with plenty of practical options as standard.

Powered by Ford’s bi-turbo 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, providing 213PS and 500Nm of torque, Ranger Thunder also features Ford’s 10-speed automatic gearbox as standard for smooth shifting and effortless performance on- and off-road.

Derived from the highly popular Ranger Wildtrak series, the Ranger Thunder is offered in a single specification. Finished in Sea Grey with bold red highlights on the grille and sports hoop, complemented by three-dimensional-effect “Thunder” badges

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for the driver and front passenger doors and tailgate, while the “Ranger” logo is finished in matte black.

Thunder also gains exclusive 18-inch black alloy wheels and Ebony Black executions for the front grille, rear bumper, skid plates, fog light surrounds, load bay sports hoop and door handles.

LED headlights with darkened bezels are also standard, with darkened taillight bezels at the rear. A black Mountain Top powder-coated roller shutter with bedliner divider is available as an optional extra on Thunder, enhancing load bay practicality with style.

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Inside, Thunder is equipped with full Ebony leather seats with distinctive “Thunder” red embroidery and matching stitching across the steering wheel, seats, instrument panel and key touch points throughout the cabin. Black floor mats are also standard and contrast with bespoke red-illuminated sill plates.

The Ranger Thunder’s bi-turbo 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine uses twin turbochargers in series at lower engine speeds for enhanced torque and responsiveness, and bypassing the smaller turbocharger at higher engine speeds to provide maximum boost from the larger turbocharger for peak power.

Fuel wise, Ford reckon you’ll see up to 36.2mpg and CO2 emissions from 205g/km (NEDC), or 31.0mpg and 239g/km (WLTP).

The new Ford Ranger Thunder is available to order from £32,965 (RRP, excluding VAT) for late summer delivery.

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LAMBORGHINI’S original SUPER SUV, the LM002, is brought back to life It’s the original super SUV, a vast, powerful off-roader originally designed for the military and rich oil magnates, and now Bell Sport and Classic has brought a very special example back to life, making it arguably the best in the world.

Outrageous even by Lamborghini’s standards, the LM002 was produced between 1986 and 1993, featuring a 450bhp 5.2-litre V12 from the Countach, a 290-litre fuel tank and a muscular riveted aluminium and fibreglass body mounted on a steel spaceframe chassis. Only 301 models were built making it one of the rarest machines ever to come from Sant’Agata too.

This particular LM002 was purchased by its current owner in 2003 and enjoyed on road and off for many years before being put into storage in 2009. A left-hand drive example, it was the 40th built, finished in Blu Acupulco Metallizato and trimmed inside in Light Grey leather.

Driven on the famous Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome by ‘The Stig’ for a special Lamborghini edition of the BBC programme back in 2003, it has also been personally approved by legendary Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni at a Lamborghini Owners’ Club meeting.

Arriving at Bell Sport and Classic in 2019 as a failed restoration with components in multiple boxes, there was only one man to bring it back to life: the company’s master technician Attilio Romano. A former Ferrari factory technician, Attilio has over 40 years’ experience in service and restoration, having been lead technician at H.R. Owen across Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bugatti, including being the first factory-registered technician to work on the Veyron.

“The engine block was still in place,” Attilio remembers of starting work on the LM002, “but most of the ancillaries had been stripped off. All the separated components were supplied in boxes…it was a bit of a detective job, so the first thing we did was a thorough inventory.”

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Once that was complete it was time to tackle the rebuild. With many parts and tools now unavailable from Lamborghini, Bell Sport and Classic either manufactured new components and fixings in-house or outsourced to trusted suppliers.

The LM002’s suspension needed particularly specialist techniques. At the rear it features two springs and dampers per wheel, while the front features a spring-within-a-spring suspension unit, with the two springs wound in opposite directions. With no service tool in existence to disassemble the front unit, Attilio created his own rig to compress and remove the two springs in one operation.

Once apart, all components were thoroughly checked and sent to be powder coated.

On examination of the V12, the water pump had been leaking though the bearing seals.

To make matters worse, the housing had fractured – and the part was no longer stocked, so trusted supplier Chesman Engineering of Coventry was commissioned to make an entirely new pump to original specification.

Water pump aside, the engine was in good condition, having only recorded 13,690 miles.

All ancillary components were checked and if necessary overhauled, while the car’s non-standard rear exhaust box was replaced with an original specification system, Attilio remaking the modified mounting points in the correct position.

As for the transmission, Attilio discovered that the teeth on the dog gear and centre diff had been damaged. List price for a replacement was over £6,000 – and no new units were available. Using his many years of engineering experience, he reshaped the teeth using die grinders and files, and now the transfer box once more works precisely as Sant’Agata’s engineers intended.

The grey leather interior was in good condition for its age and its patina is part of the story of the vehicle, so it was carefully cleaned, and all minor tears and scuffs repaired. The car was sent for a full respray in the original factory Blu Acupulco Metallizato finish and all door seals were replaced, the meticulous recommissioning being completed in less than a year.

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ŠKODA's Scoot in the Boot!

Of course, ŠKODA knows a thing or two about building clever two wheelers; Founders Laurin and Klement started the brand with innovative bicycles before turning their design skills to cars.

As buyers have come to expect from the brand, the ŠKODA Scooter features a clever twist on the standard design. Thanks to a patented folding mechanism, the scooter can be folded up in a few simple steps. Collapsed, it measures just 49×42×11cm and fits into the spare wheel well under the boot floor of the Scala and Kamiq (when fitted with a breakdown kit). This means that the entire volume of the boot remains free for transporting luggage and shopping.

Despite its solid construction, the scooter weighs just 5kg, making it easy to carry on public transport or into work places.

Unlike many scooters, the ŠKODA Scooter has been designed for adult use, and has a weight capacity of 100kg, or 16¾ stones (hmmm, I am currently weighing in at a lockdown high of around 19 stone, so that rules me out!).

The frame is made from hardwearing steel and aluminium and finished in black with ŠKODA green highlights on the wheels and handlebar grips. High-quality bearings and wheels in polyurethane guarantee an equally fast and comfortable riding experience.

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NEWS ŠKODA has developed the perfect accessory for the owner who needs to cross the city in style: the ŠKODA Scooter. Designed to allow owners to go from door to door without having to sacrifice ŠKODA style or innovation, the new scooter is another example of the brand’s passion for micro mobility.

The ŠKODA Scooter is available as an accessory through retailers and is priced at £120 including VAT and can be ordered now.

WHAT'S NOT ON in june F***ng Corona Virus!!!

Isle of Man TT Races 30th May - 12th June

CANCELLED! Isle of Man

The world’s best motorcycle road racers make a pilgrimage to the Isle of Man, a small island in the Irish Sea between the England and Ireland, to challenge the world famous TT Mountain Course. https://www.iomttraces.com

MotoFest Coventry

6-7th June - RESCHEDULED TO 4-6TH JUNE, 2021 Coventry city centre

MotoFest Coventry is a FREE 2 day motor-themed cultural festival in the heart of Coventry: the UK’s Motor City. Celebrate the industry that moves us. Thrilling motorsport, heritage displays, global street food, live music and more: MotoFest is the one summer party invite that’s just too good to turn down. https://www.coventrymotofest.com

LAND ROVER LEGENDS

6-7th June - POSTPONED (DATE TBC) Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire A Land Rover event celebrating everything special about the Land Rover brand, both past and present, with the added bonus of the event sitting alongside the Thruxton Historic race meeting, also taking place that weekend.

Land Rover Legends tickets will be valid for the Thruxton Historic at no extra charge. https://www.landroverlegends.com

g n i n Life a L

aton E n e r u a

by L

Read about green laning as seen through Lauren ‘Sunshine’ Eaton's windscreen at The Green Lane Association, and find out what’s hot, or not, in the laning world each month. Enjoy!

The best things come to those who wait Please note that this was written over a week before publishing, things may change during June.

If I had a pound for every time I've been asked "Can we go laning yet?", I'd have retired by now. While I'm not always known for my patience - I'm a get it done person - I have learned over the years that sometimes the best thing I can do, especially if I really care about the future of something, is to wait.

GLASS is made up of an executive committee of enthusiastic green laners, along with non-executive officers and reps who hold the same passion for the hobby - so much passion that we give up our free time to protect it for everyone else on top of our day jobs in most cases, and irrespective of how that is publicly perceived sometimes.

We're all itching to get back out, I'm no exception either, I literally live in my Land Rover, on the road for the majority of the year. I lane daily, it's more than a hobby to me it's part of my job, and without it I'm stuck living a life I gave up in exchange for a freedom I value above what I left behind.

I get it, GLASS gets it, we all want to be back out on the lanes, but is it the right thing to do?

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Most people want a legal answer, and the law is something we at GLASS know well, we are no strangers to arguing the legal toss to keep our lanes open. It's par for the course in our roles, but the law is only part of the story, what is far, far more complex is understanding and managing people, public perception, and bias.

Arguably these 'soft' issues are more impactful to our hobby than the legal side of the coin in many situations. Unless you've been involved in cases, and up to your eyeballs in public outcry, you may not have any idea just how important public perception is, but we at GLASS are acutely aware - we fight it daily.

Since restrictions began my role, and that of many of my colleagues, has changed beyond the obvious.

At first, things were more complex because of the lockdown - we had to absorb, understand, and communicate an unprecedented situation to our members and the laning world at large, and find new ways of working with authorities on matters that didn't end because we couldn't drive the lanes. But at least lockdown was fairly simple, since guidelines have changed so have our workloads, and boy oh boy have they increased!

Over the last few weeks I have had to manage a large workload caused by people driving lanes since the guidelines were relaxed - press releases, appeasing local councillors, the police, land owners, and residents who have more than bias against us – thanks to an inconsiderate few they have evidence that not everyone in the laning and trail riding community cares much for the law, or the current viral advice.

I've been where most people reading this probably are now, I've been a laner who is aware that we have legal rights to drive a number of unsurfaced roads, but that others have had their rights extinguished. That's why I joined GLASS - to find out which were which, and where the legal routes are.

I didn't get involved with the organisation for many years above using TrailWise1, I simply drove lanes on my days off and enjoyed doing so – easy, right?

As time went on I realised that laning wasn't as simple as I first thought.

The more lanes I drove, and the more areas I explored, the more I encountered local ill will despite me driving legally. I also saw more closures, read more articles and social media posts about animosity between user groups, things clearly weren't as simple as 'this is a legal and enjoyable thing to do and no one can stop me'.

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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 •

Rightly or wrongly and despite the law I realised a lot of people put a lot of time and money into stopping us doing what we love.

It was still many years before I took on a role with GLASS,. In that time I saw : - lanes spiked with caltrops - lanes illegally blocked with rocks, vehicles & tree stumps - drivers threatened with words and physical violence - dozens of lanes in jeopardy of closure All of this was mostly because people outside the 4x4 world simply didn’t like us.

As a laner there was little I could do myself, few of us have the money, let alone the knowledge and experience to deal with the constant threats to our hobby. I always felt safe in the knowledge that my membership to GLASS was helping those who did have that knowledge and the back-up of some serious cash. Still, I kept up with the law, I read everything available to me, and kept abreast of laning news around the UK - and this was how I ended up at a GLASS exec meeting.

I won’t go into the ins and outs of how I got an invite to this meeting, but let’s just say that a calm, collected, and most importantly educated verbal castration of a well-known and influential anti who was rallying his followers on Facebook had something to do with it.

The bottom line is that a call for legal action against laners in the form of closures was stopped in its tracks by managing public perception. I agreed to the invite and attended the meeting as a member and liked what I saw.

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The committee was made up of experienced, knowledgeable and motivated laners absolutely committed to protecting our lanes, using whatever it took to do so.

Over my time as a rep and exec I learned just how much public opinion really matters when it comes to laning; we can see this when we look at the current situation in the Lake District.

An anti 4x4 petition gained so many signatures that it forced the park authority to spend two years, and significant amounts of money, on an extremely comprehensive review of the situation and of the petition itself.

While the LDNPA’s report found the petition to be lacking in several ways, and found the lanes to be in excellent condition, this simply fuelled the anti’s negative opinion of the green laning community - go figure!

Our old friend bias raises its ugly head again! Facts do not matter where bias is strong!

The next step was a protest that I attended (without announcing my presence I must add!) in order to see first-hand what was driving the animosity towards us - it was simply blinkered bias.

Fast forward to today and the case is now at judicial review stage, the antis having crowdfunded enough money to hire a barrister to fight their case against the LDNPA, despite the authority having made no findings that green laning was harming its park. We really could lose our access to the lanes in the Lakes because people simply don’t like us.

As we can see, preserving our rights to drive green lanes is no simple task!

The very last thing our community needs is those within it bringing it down from the inside.

As the above example shows it doesn’t take a serious incident or any actual law breaking or damage to rally people against us, public perception is enough which is why GLASS continue to push the message that laning during the current viral threat is really not a good idea.

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North West Regional Logistical Response

is an active response and logistics service provider available to assist the community, emergency services, venues and a range of other groups.

HERE TO HELP

Our volunteers are trained and ready to assist in the following:

• • • • • • •

Flood support teams Severe weather support and rescue Logistical Support teams Road blocks and rolling road support Search and rescue support Venue parking and traffic control Transportation for NHS, care workers or medical equipment

For every call out we plant 2 trees

Contact us for further details & competitive prices: Tel: 07810 646831 20

emails: info@nwrlr.org & events@nwrlr.org

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web: www.nwrlr.org

While many stick to the hope that some legal clarification that explicitly mentions laning will suddenly appear - which it won’t, I really must stress that - the majority understand that just because something is legal it doesn’t mean that we should do it, after all it’s legal to marry our first cousin, but most of us don’t.

There are still people dying, many park and local authorities have asked us to stay away for now, some have enforced TTROs which clearly show us that we are not welcome yet.

If we choose to travel long distances we’ll find Wales closed, no toilets, car parks or shops open on route in England, and we may find ourselves in the media being made an example of just like several already have.

Opinion is all well and good, and everyone has a right to express theirs, but when it comes to what is best for the future of our hobby, protecting the relationships with authorities that have taken years to build, and most importantly protecting ourselves and others against a potential health threat, we have to think outside ourselves.

We are all in this together, and the needs of the many, and the future of our hobby, far outweigh our own personal opinion.

While the country is trying to rebuild, and GLASS is trying to protect our lanes against new threats, be a part of the solution and hold off just a little longer.

Things will be changing soon, you haven't got much longer to wait!

With the re-opening of Salisbury Plain in mid-June, and the re-start of Motorsport on the 4th July, albeit with many new guidelines and working practices, there will be a new message from GLASS in the very near future. We are currently taking advice from various sources to ensure we do this as safely and legally as possible.

Everything seems geared towards the positive at the moment, so next time you hear from me I shall be bringing good news! In the meantime stay safe!

Lauren x GLASS Media and Communications Officer

For more information on green lanes visit: www.glass-uk.org To join GLASS go to: www.glass-uk.org/join-glass.html

Lauren has written some words on a subject that has blown up a bit on social media at the end of May, and we thought it should have it's own pages, so read on.....

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The Parkamoor Problem There has been lots of talk on social media about the Lake District National Park Authority's recent management work on a well-known lane in the park - Parkamoor. They did their legal duty to maintain a public right of way rather than bow to anti pressure to close routes in the park - this pressure often being based (rightly or wrongly) on the need for maintenance.

This is a good thing for laning, GLASS always maintain the message that 'closure isn't management', because it isn't.

Closure doesn't maintain a RoW to a standard where all users who have rights to be there can do so safely, it doesn't stop illegal usage, only those who adhere to the law.

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Closure costs money too, in fact it can cost large sums of money especially if opposed, money that would be better spent on maintaining RoWs for people to use rather than extinguishing public rights. And that's exactly what was done in the LDNPA - it was maintained which potentially saved it from pressure from antis to close it.

This was not a GLASS initiative; we had no part to play or prior knowledge of the works. But we support any authority who does their legal duty (their job), and in doing so takes pressure off our rights to continue to drive a lane.

We're working on some huge projects in North Wales at the moment, everyone knows it - The Wayfarer, Happy Valley, Carn March Arthur, and Horseshoe. Three of which are currently closed due to maintenance work being required.

On Happy Valley and Carn March Arthur there are water holes large enough to swallow a 4x4. The Wayfarer has a 'dangerous' area of water erosion that appeared after the horrendously wet winter, the sleeper section is a complete mess, and the bridge needs structural work. Horseshoe is open one way but requires some drainage work as the nearby water course is used to supply local residents who do not have a mains supply.

This work is being applauded by the majority of laners, just as work on Strata Florida is, without it people understand that calls for closure would gain strength, so it would seem odd that the work at Parkamoor isn't.

Maybe the reason is that Strata, the Wayfarer, HV and CMA are temporarily closed makes a difference? People have had a taste of what could have happened instead.

Parkamoor never was closed, but the work that has been done has prevented any likelihood of that happening, so should be appreciated.

Laning isn't about testing out the capabilities of a vehicle, or changing the landscape of an area, far from it in fact, it is the practice of driving unsurfaced public roads, and just like surfaced public roads local authorities do have a legal duty to maintain them to keep something as close to their original character as possible, if they didn't we would all have far less to drive than we do today.

This is particularly true in the Lakes. The LNDPA in the face of massive public backlash against laning that spans years, have maintained that they will not single out one user group (vehicular users) and ban them from the park.

Over the last few years, the LDNPA have spent tens of thousands of pounds repairing routes, not to mention on comprehensive reviews and reports on the impact of laning in the area - the culmination of which supported maintaining vehicular rights within it.

This could change with the upcoming judicial review.

Antis have raised serious money to argue the findings of the LDNPA's report in continued efforts to extinguish vehicular rights, and the LNDPA have taken that case on.

The work, time and money the LNDPA have spent to protect our rights to drive in their park is astronomical compared to many areas. Rather than biting the hand that feeds us in Cumbria over losing a few axle twisters, we really should be applauding them for preserving our rights to be there for years to come.

I'm going to summarise with quote one of my favourite bands, the Rolling Stones: "You can't always get what you want.

But if you try sometimes, well, you might find you get what you need."

Not all laning projects will be popular, but if we want to continue driving them then we need to focus on what simply has to be done to protect our hobby, whether or not we personally agree with it.

In the case of Parkamoor some didn't get what they wanted, but they definitely got what they needed - the lane open for all - they simply haven't realised that yet.

Lauren x GLASS Media and Communications Officer

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Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Match 4Motion What is it?

Size matters, apparently. Although the standard Tiguan, the 5-seater, is the groups 3rd best seller,Volkswagen decided to maximise the Tiguan’s appeal by adding a larger, 7-seater variant to the range, the Allspace.

Volkswagen have achieved this by increasing the standard Tiguan’s wheelbase by 109mm and stretching its overall

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length by 215mm. This in turn helps to provide more legroom, a larger boot and the aforementioned 7-seats.

There are other subtle changes, like a slightly different front-end, extended rear doors, a tweaked C-pillar and roof design that gives the Allspace a bit of a bulkier look.

On the road This particular Tiguan Allspace is the 148bhp 2.0ltr diesel with the groups smooth 7-speed DSG ‘box, and I have to say, it was an utter joy to drive.

Get the Allspace on the twisty bits, and its handling is very car-like, what this equates to is a swift and agile family 7 seater, and an enjoyable and very easy car to drive.

With 148bhp under the bonnet it isn’t surprising how quickly, quietly and easily it reaches the max speed limit when joining a motorway, and mid range acceleration is instant and quite gratifying. Settle down for longer motorway journeys and you’ll find it smooth, quiet and a rather lovely place to be.

Around town I didn’t notice its extra length, it is easy to thread through traffic as well as parking. The steering is precise and light, maybe a tad too light for some people, but I found that it made the whole driving experience more enjoyable.

If I had one problem it was the slight delay it has when you start from stationary. The type of scenario I mean is when you’re sat at a junction and someone flashes you out, and for a moment or two after you put your foot down, nothing really happens. Many times I shouted “Come on then, today!”

For this particular 2.0ltr diesel, official WLPT fuel consumption figures range from 33.6 to 45mpg. During my week it achieved 27.4mpg on an 8 mile stop start commute and 41mpg on a 200 mile roundtrip to Wales, so not too far off.

If you want to tow anything, it’ll drag a braked trailer up to 2,500kg and unbraked up to 750kg.

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Off road Due to it’s lack of decent approach and ground clearance I didn’t take the Allspace too far off the beaten track, but it managed fine during my ‘wheel off the ground’ test, though it did lose a bit of traction in the mud. I can’t criticise it too much, as it was on normal summer tyres.

Parking on the loose stones for a picnic on Abergele beach (obviously before lockdown), is where I appreciated the 4Motion system the most. I’m fairly confident that most of you will know the sensation of when you’re driving off from somewhere and the car begins to sink, whether that’s on sand or mud. Yup, that’s the scenario I found myself in.

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I needn’t of worried, after checking I hadn’t left the handbrake on I turned the dial to ‘off-Road’ mode, and after gently pressing the accelerator, we edged our way forward out of a potentially embarrassing situation.

A few paragraphs back I mentioned that the Allspace lacks decent ground clearance, but on the 4Motion models you get special engine underbody protection that extends to the bumper which actually improves the vehicle's ramp angle by 7º.

Interior When I say ‘pleasantly ordinary’, I’m by no means being negative, it’s just that the layout is typical Volkswagen, and as I’ve said before, you’d never tell it apart if you were led to the Tiguan with a blindfold. It isn’t a criticism as the same can be said for Skoda and SEAT, but even though it doesn’t look special, it certainly feels very well screwed together.

Getting comfortable is easy thanks to the plush seats and the infinite adjustments offered by them and the steering wheel. Head and elbow space is ample, too.

Second row passengers are well accommodated for, with ample leg and headroom - they even have folding tables that are standard on the front seatbacks and a central armrest with a pair of cupholders. Have I mentioned that Isofix child seat fittings are standard for the outer second-row seats?

Although the 3rd row seats are a nice addition, like most vehicles they’re only really suitable for small children, Oompa Loompas or masochists. Thankfully, the 2nd row seats do slide forward a bit if your Oompa Loompas require a tad more legroom.

Storage wise, with the 3rd row seats folded flat you have 700 litres of load space (luggage to seat-back height) or 1,775 litres with the middle and third row seats all folded flat.

On the subject of space, there’s a slope in the opening of the boot floor to make space to stow the parcel shelf, which I think is a cracking idea.

The Tiguan Allspace is available in three high-spec trims – Match, SEL and R-Tech Line. This car was the Match and I really couldn’t complain with the amount of spec it had.

Standard fitment is an 8” touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity for two devices at once. It also includes a DAB radio, USB and SD card sockets, and sat-nav with 3D mapping and traffic information.

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Engine ’n’ transmission The Allspace comes with a variety of latest TSI (petrol) and TDI (turbo diesel) engines which are all Euro 6 compliant. The diesel range offers three 2.0 litre TDI units that churn out 148bhp, 188bhp and biturbo 238bhp.

The petrol engine is the proven 1.5 litre TSI petrol with 148bhp and ACT Active Cylinder Technology to deliver cylinder deactivation.

Gearbox options include a six-speed manual, or 7-speed DSG units.

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Conclusion Ten minutes before the Allspace arrived at my front door, the previous week’s press car was collected and driven off, which was a red Mustang convertible, so I can be forgiven for looking upon the Allspace with all the regret of a lost love. My new partner isn’t pretty in comparison.

However, it didn’t take that many journeys for me to really appreciate the Allspace for what it is, a well accomplished 7-seater that I have no doubt will be another success for Volkswagen.

The Allspace costs around £2500 more than the standard Tiguan and adds a further 100 litres of boot space and the two extra seats. prices from £32,195 - £37,770 (Model tested £37,790)

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Volkswagen Amarok Aventura

Black Edition V6

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What is it?

Although the Amarok was announced in 2009, it didn’t arrive in the UK until 2011, and by then it had already 'picked up' many awards (see what I did there?) including the 2010 International Pick-up of the Year. The plaudits continue as it was recently voted 2020 Pickup of the Year by What Car? magazine.

In 2016 the Amarok received a makeover, but, instead of focussing on how it looked, VW focussed on how it performed, and fitted their 3.0ltr V6 TDI engine. Unlike other manufacturers who are downsizing their engines,Volkswagen went bigger.

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On road

With a 3.0ltr Tdi V6 that produces 258bhp and coupled to an 8-speed automatic 4MOTION gearbox, you can rightly assume that the Amarok has some potency, but what impressed me the most wasn’t its oomph, more its ahh.

Fortunately, the Amarok arrived a few days before total lockdown occurred which meant I was able to not only put a fair few miles on the clock, but get it dirty, too.

Ignore the fact that’s a pick-up, which is quite easy after you’ve driven it for any length of time, as the whole drivetrain and suspension gives you more of an SUV feeling.

There were times when I had to tap on the plastic, textured, hard wearing dashboard to remind myself that I was still driving a commercial vehicle. Then, just to make doubly sure, I glanced in the rear view mirror at the tail gate.

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With permanent 4 wheel drive it offers you oodles of confidence around corners, no matter what the conditions, and the aforementioned 258 horses generate a huge grin as you power out of the corners. Ahem, or so I’m told!

If I have one gripe about the Amarok it’s that there’s an untimely lag after you’ve put your foot down hard on the accelerator, it takes a moment to wake up. That said, using the tiny flappy paddles attached to the steering wheel does give you more control.

The 8-speed automatic always finds the correct gear immediately, there’s no hunting, and even if it did struggle, with 580Nm of torque it really wouldn’t matter.

When throwing an unladen pickup around corners I would usually expect some sort of bounce or skipping, but the Amarok is built better than that, in fact you’re more likely to compare its handling and ride quality to that of a premium SUV, than a pickup.Volkswagen have put some effort into its ride and handling and they’ve succeeded, a pick-up has no right to be this much fun.

Off road

One thing’s for sure, when driving the Amarok off the beaten track you don’t have to worry about ground clearance, nor approach and departure angles, it has plenty.

Another thing that I didn’t have to worry about, due to its permanent 4Motion 4wd system, is losing traction. Despite not having a low box or rear locking diff (yes, you read that right), it does have Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and Hill Start and Hill Decent Control. That lot means that it was just as capable as any other traditional pick-up on the rough stuff.

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A few days after the Amarok arrived I took it along a testing little green-lane just outside Southport. I’d driven a few weeks prior in Deux Smurf and it was fine, a few over-grown bushes and a muddy rutted section, nothing overly difficult.

What was more surprising was I glanced in the side mirror and the driver's side rear wheel was a good foot in the air!

However, after driving the Amarok half way along, it transpired that a group of other 4x4 owners had recently driven it, and judging by the tyre tracks had large mud terrain tyres fitted, the type that are arguably only suited for P&P sites. Subsequently the ruts were a whole lot deeper and more challenging.

I couldn’t get out of the Amarok as the bushes that line this single track lane would’ve damaged the new and shiny doors (so no photos, sorry). I could power forward, but that would be into the unknown and I didn’t want to cause any more damage to the lane, never mind the shiny new Amarok, so I decided that reversing the entire muddy lane was the best option.

As I entered one of the ruts the Amarok suddenly lurched to the left as the nearside front wheel disappeared into a water filled hole, which took me by surprise.

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“Hmm, what to do now?” I pondered.

With limited traction and at a peculiar angle, I must admit to feeling more than a tad apprehensive, and after selecting reverse I gently pressed the accelerator. For a moment the rear wheel spun helplessly in the air, then the 4 wheel drive system figured things out, and sent traction to where it was required. A few more revs were required to clean mud from the tread of the 255/50 R20 road biased tyres, and within no time traction was found and I headed backwards to relative safety - phew.

From there on, any reservations I had about the Amarok not having an actual low ratio gearbox was swiftly put to one side and forgotten about, it crawled everywhere I pointed it, both forward and reverse!

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Interior

The seats are seriously comfortable and supportive, some of the best that my backside has had the privilege of sitting on. Then there’s dash layout which is easy to read and looks quite classy, with a car-like quality about it, albeit plastic.

When compared to its closest UK competitor, the X-Class, its interior might not be as classy, but the Amarok is by far more practical.

You have plenty of space under the dash for your mobile phone, mints, chocolate bars, cups, keys and so on.

Space up front is ample for both driver and passenger with more than enough head and shoulder room. It’s a different story for folk in the rear, mind, as legroom is limited for the tallest amongst us, especially if you find yourself with a tall driver and front seat passenger.

With 6 speakers, Apple-Connect and DAB, the audio system was fantastic and produced a quality sound,.

With a huge amount of glass and large door mirrors there’s excellent all-round visibility which negates the need for parking sensors, which it has anyway. The turning circle is spot on too.

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Loadspace and practicality

In the rear, the load bed is one of the largest of any double-cab pick-up available in the UK, it has a volume of 2.5 square metres.

The double-cab UK model has one of the widest bodies around, and these dimensions pay off with a massive 1.22 metres between the rear wheel arches, and that’s enough to take a Europallet sideways. It’s able to carry in excess of 1 tonne and can tow a 3,000kg braked trailer, so customers can reclaim VAT if they’re registered.

Conclusion

What Volkswagen did with the Amarok is slot in a big V6 engine with plenty of power, mate it to a super-slick 8-speed auto and fettle its suspension, seriously, you can’t go wrong with that, can you?

Well, sadly the Amarok as we know it will soon be gone as Volkswagen decided that it’s had its day. Was the V6 simply too potent for the discerning pick-up buyer, was its £50k+ price tag too much, or was it simply time for a replacement? I think we can all read between the lines and blame the pending introduction of tough new emissions regulations due soon.

By the time you read this, production will have already stopped, but Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK said it plans to build up enough stock to satisfy demand right up until this point. With that in mind, and depending on how well VW has judged this, there may be bargains to be had as the deadline looms.

In years to come when second, and third-hand prices have fallen to a more affordable level, if I was on the search for another 4x4 in which to green-lane and take on adventures further afield, the V6 Amarok would undoubtably be on my radar.

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h c o Mo

3 lanes 1 trip

When I get an invite to a press day in the UK and I know I have a couple of hours free, I like to go on TrailWise and source out a couple of easy green-lanes to drive. On this occasion I was invited to the Vehicle Testing Facility down in Millbrook, not far from Bedford, for a Mercedes Benz Unimog experience. I know, cool right?

The event didn't begin till 11.45am, so after another lovely stay at Upper Wood End Farm Guest house in Marston Moretaine, I set off in search of the 3 lanes I’d found that looked interesting.

Lane 1

The first lane, ref TL0037-01, or Moneypot Hill is only 1.3 miles long, according to View Ranger, though it felt much longer, though I suppose it will if your travelling at a blistering 5-10mph!

According to reports on TrailWise it was closed for a while during the building of the Woburn Forest Centre Parcs and has a seasonal TRO on it. (Traffic

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Regulation Order) which means it’s closed during our winter months to prevent potential damage.

Turning off the A507, Moneypot Hill skirts around the edge of a ploughed field on your right, and to your left, into the woods you occasionally become aware of a high wire fence that I assume stops people from escaping, umm, I mean entering Centre Parts without paying.

Moneypot Hill is in really good condition with only one section where off-piste driving is evident. There was one rutted section, but the lane is wide enough to be easily avoided.

A little further on and surface becomes sandy as the lane threads its way through trees, but not in a tight way, there’s plenty of space for a LWB. At this point I understood why the local council would want put a TRO on it, the surface at the northern end is quite soft, and after a good downpour and quite a few 4x4s, I suspect a lot of damage would be incurred.

• • • • •

PC, smartphone and tablet friendly Toggle between BOAT, UCR and Legacy layers Information on restrictions and closures Multiple mapping options including OS Easy to zoom in and out

• • • • •

Add comments and photos against routes Extensive coverage of England and Wales Share a lane on Facebook or Twitter Available exclusively to GLASS members TW2... TrailWise, but smarter!

WHERE WILL YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?

There was an abundance of wildlife that crossed my path, from grey squirrels, pheasants and other creatures that I couldn’t identify, bet they’d be tasty though! Although I didn't need to, I left Deux Smurf in 1st gear low and just trundled along at tickover, there was no need to rush.

By this stage the lane was straight, narrow and cut its way through trees, the ground was solid and mildly rutted

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in places. Passing through an open metal gate the lane continues to be quite narrow but eventually opens up with access tracks to fields on both sides.

On reaching tarmac I carried on towards the T junction and turned right onto Cobblers Lane which takes you under the M1 and headed towards lane 2.

Lane 2

The next lane was SP9233-01 or Sandy Lane, and following the directions on ViewRanger I arrived at the southern end which could be mistaken for a large car park, but on closer inspection, in the distance you can see a gap in the tree line. At this point I decided to get out and have a look to see what I was getting myself into.

As I reached the start of the lane I spotted a young chap in a modified 300Tdi Discovery heading towards me, we exchanged pleasantries and chatted for a few minutes about the state of the lane, and of course 4x4s.

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Although it’s only around 913 metres long, Sandy Lane is fairly wide with some interesting twisty bits that give your suspension a mild work out. Near the end of the lane, heading north, there are some deep bomb holes which when flooded could make it interesting. Due to the lane’s width it’s difficult to know which line to take as tracks wander on either side of the trees. The surface, as its name suggests is like hard packed sand and there are some undulations, but nothing tricky.

Eventually reaching the carpark at the northern end I wasn’t tempted to veer right, but it looked like a back street with access to houses, so instead I carried on along Church Road passing Aspley Heath and on towards Woburn Sands and my final lane.

Lane 3

I’d read that SP9236-01, or Mill Way has it’s own unique challenges. It’s a solid dirt track and less than a mile long, but it passes through the middle of Aspley Guise Golf Club and someone suggested that it’s wise not to dawdle much as you’ll be the accidental target of errant golf balls, so I didn’t. Being honest, I wouldn’t go out of my way to drive Mill Way again, it wasn’t that exciting.

And that was it, all three lanes were driven and thoroughly enjoyed, and on a day like this can easily be drive in more modern SUVs, like the Skoda Yeti or SEAT Ateca

With an hour still remaining before I needed to be at Millbrook I took the obvious decision to drive the lanes again but this time in reverse order, well, it would’ve been rude not to!

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ne, 1st Ju

2

2020

Gift ideas

Father's Day

NAKED SHAVE RAZOR KIT £26.99 - www.wearthlondon.com

WORKBENCH DRAWERS

£54 - http://www.vincentandbarn.co.uk Essential small storage with 4 quirky industrial look galvanised metal workbench drawers. Use it to store your nuts and bolts, or break the rules and fill it with whatever you like.

Say goodbye to disposable plastic razors and poor quality shaving with our eco-friendly shaving kit which includes: - Plastic free razor - If you have not tried a traditional safety razor before, expect to be impressed.

- Essential oils shaving soap - Specially formulated for it's natural and soothing properties, this bar is packed full of essential oils and goodies for your skin.

Clay extracts help to create a silky smooth shave, and soothing aloe vera clams the skin.

- 5 pack of blades

PERSONALISED SLATE MAN CAVE SIGN £14.99 www.treatrepublic.com

For the Dad that likes the peace and quiet of his sacred man space and would appreciate his very own slate sign, personalised with his name and his Man Cave activities.

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CLASSIC STEERING WHEEL DESK CLOCK £124.95 - www.annabeljames.co.uk A desk clock beautifully crafted in Hawthorn in classic steering wheel design complete with spokes. Combining beautifully stitched leather with a bold burgundy face, this clock will make a statement on any desktop.

A great gift for a classic car lover.

OPINEL NO 8 VRN CARBONE KNIFE GIFT BOX

£25 - www.farrar-tanner.co.uk

An elegant gift box collection, crafted by French knife masters Opinel.

The centrepiece folding knife features a high carbon steel blade and a natural beech wood handle. The wood is then varnished, accentuating the delicate intricacies within. The blade is made of Opinel's signature highly durable, sharp edge carbon stainless steel.

This gift set in incased in a traditional wooden box with a plexiglass top, an understated, yet elegantly natural presentation. It includes a premium brown leather pouch with white stitching, and you can add a personal touch with an engraving on the handle or the blade.

THE MAGIC OF GUINNESS GIFT BOX £24.95 - www.smartgiftsolutions.co.uk

Whatever time of day there's nothing quite like a pint of Guinness! Comes in a smart fluted natural colour gift box with printed ribbon.

• 2 Bottles of Guinness (500ml) • Guinness Hand Cooked Crisps (40g) • Roasted & Salted Peanuts (80g) • Farmhouse Mature Cheddar Waxed Cheese (200g) • Gouda Cheese Crumbles (150g)

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New Stuff we've discovered this month LEATHERMAN TREAD TEMPO WATCH If someone was to mention Leatherman to you, you would normally think of their range of tough and highly practical multitools, not necessarily watches.

However, the Leatherman Tread Tempo Watch combines 30 tools with a precision Swiss-made timepiece.

The watch itself is water resistant to 200m, scratch resistant with sapphire crystal, has date/time functions with 3 luminescent hands and a rotating bezel.

Amazingly, the strap has 30 tools hidden away which include: 1/8" Flat Screwdriver 3/32" Screwdriver 3/16" Screwdriver 1/4” Flat Screwdriver Flat Screwdriver #1-2 Phillips Pozi-Driv #2 11mm Box Wrench 12mm Box Wrench 7mm Box Wrench Pozi-Driv # 1 File Strap Cutter Bottle Opener Carbide Glass Breaker

5/16" Screwdriver 8mm Box Wrench 10mm Box Wrench 3/8" Box Wrench 5mm Hex Drive 6mm Hex Drive 4mm Hex Drive 3mm Hex Drive #2 Square Drive 6mm Box Wrench 1/4" Socket Drive Adapter Link Tool Torx #20 Torx #25 Torx #27

Oh, and don’t worry if you’re a intercontinental traveller as it’s also travel friendly, which means you can wear it on a plane.

Colours: Balck & Silver Circumference: 9.42" (23.93cm) Weight: 9.6 oz (272g) Band Width: 1.2" (3.05cm) 5 year battery.

Warranty: Timepiece -2 year Bracelet - 25 year. price: £479.95 more at » www.whitbyandco.co.uk There's also a video that shows more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fAF-BKqyuGE 50

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Don't forget to click All the products in the 'New Products' & 'Goods & Gear' sections have clickable links & images that will take you to the manufacturer's or supplier's company sites, and we would love it if you click though and have a better gander at all their lovely stuff.

We sometimes also add a 'buy it at Amazon' link. If you click through, and buy via those links The Mud Life Mag will get a tiny referral fee from qualifying purchases.

This fee in no way affects what you pay, it just helps us, and is another avenue we are using to fund the creation of this magazine, rather than charging for each issue.

Thanks

Karen Lee & Damian

FROZEN ROPES

KUMHO CRUGEN HP91 TYRES

Frozen Ropes is a 4x4 and off road rope designer and manufacture who offers a range of ropes for winching, snatch recovery and towing in a variety of bright colours for the 4x4 and off road community.

Aimed at owners of the latest lifestyle and luxury SUVs who seek the optimum driving experience, the high-performance Crugen HP91 has replaced Kumho’s long serving KL17.

Frozen Ropes also make a range of Soft Shackles that are designed to be a safe, lightweight and easy-to-use alternative to conventional steel bow shackles.

Prices range from £30 for soft shackles to £310 for 13mm high strength winch rope. more at » UkFrozenRopes/shop

The relative newcomer features an asymmetric tread pattern combined with four wide circumferential grooves. Its silicaenhanced compound results in exceptional wet weather handling and braking, and a rolling resistance comparable to that of most passenger car tyres.

The product’s other major attributes include: strong high speed stability, low wear rates, and outstanding resistance to aquaplaning. HP91 is manufactured in V, W and Y speed ratings and is available in sizes up to 22 inches to fit.

Recent additions to the line-up include 245/45R20, 255/40R21 Y XL and the increasingly popular Range Rover sizes 275/45R21 Y XL and 275/40R22 Y XL. more at » www.kumhotyre.co.uk

New Stuff we've discovered this month ROBENS THACLA TIPI LIGHT The centre pole of a tipi or bell tent always casts a shadow when a conventional lantern is used, but the clever design of the donut-shaped (or annulus) Thacla Tipi Lamp from Robens allows it to be connected around any tipi centre pole and provide 360˚ illumination.

To connect the universal tipi light simply swing it open against a hinge to clip and lock in place around the pole.

Spring-loaded clamps ensure it fits firmly around any standard diameter pole.

The Thacla has four light modes – inner circle LEDs, outer circle LEDs, both centre and circle, both centre and circle dimmed. Power is supplied by four AA batteries (not included).

RRP: £31 buy at » amazon.co.uk (currently £20.98) more at » robens.co.uk

GOODS & GEAR P EL I 16 50 PROTE CTOR CA SE & LI D O R G AN IS ER

It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning a day out (remember those?) or venturing on longer excursions in your 4x4, keeping your kit separate and safe can be as important as general vehicle maintenance.

For the past few years we’ve had cheap Ikea box in which we fill with camping bits and pieces. It’s fine as a storage container at home, but it’s neither lockable, waterproof nor particularly sturdy when out and about.

Needing a much better storage solution for both Deux Smurf and all the other 4x4 press cars I get, I went straight to the only company I know who provide and variety of cases that are trusted by professionals throughout the world - Peli.

After discussing my requirements, Peli kindly supplied The Mud Life with three 1650 cases and lid organisers.

Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way first, and that’s the cost. These beauties cost a whopping £326.83 each, and that doesn’t include the lid organiser which is an extra £61 plus change. However, as the old saying goes "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten", so buy once, and buy the best that you can afford.

The 1650 Protector, which comes in 2 colours Black & Desert, is a large and extremely rugged case which is both waterproof (IP67) and dustproof, and measures 781 x 520 x 295mm (externally), and weighs in at 10.9kg.

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GOODS & GEAR The case has three comfortable, fold down, rubber over-moulded carrying handles as well as a retractable handle on the back. To help manoeuvre the 1650, Peli have also fitted it with 4 strong polyurethane wheels with stainless steel bearings. For further peace of mind there are seven double-step latches which keep your contents secure, yet are easy to open, and of course there are two stainless steel padlock hasps at each corner for extra security.

With the 1650 Protector being waterproof, crush proof, dust proof and corrosion proof, they can be strapped to a roof rack, used as seats, tables and left out overnight, no matter what the weather.

You also mentioned Lid Organisers?

Ah yes, along with the utter robustness of the 1650 case, my next favourite thing is the lid organiser.

Made from waterproof ballistic nylon, the lid organiser contains a multitude of varying sized pockets secured by nylon zippers that protect and keep your smaller items safe and secure.

The organiser comes with 6 screws that are screwed into pre-moulded lid bosses inside the case, as well as adhesive strips, that guarantee the organiser stays where you put it.

I’ve tried, believe me, but I just can’t find a fault with them. Muddy Madam reckons they’re too big, but if that’s the case, there are other sizes in the range that’ll suit your needs. One thing I will mention though is that at some point I’m going to invest in Peli’s Divider Set so I can keep things more secure and divided once packed.

Oh, and let’s not forget, the Protector range comes with Peli’s legendary Lifetime Guarantee which protects your case against defects in workmanship and breakages. Peli cases may seem expensive on the outset, but in years to come, you’ll realise you bought wisely. prices: Case -1650-protector-case - £326.83 Organiser - 1650-lid-organiser - £61.68 more at » peliproducts.co.uk THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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GOODS & GEAR

CTEK MS X 7 .0 & A CCE SSORI E S If you’re a regular reader you’ll remember that last month in the ‘Our Garage’ section I waffled on about CTEK’s MXS 4003 that for the last 10 years has been used on a variety of 4x4s, and more recently, it’s been keeping our Beach Buggy’s battery fully charged and in tip top condition for the past three years or so.

It’ll come as no surprise that the MSX4003 has been superseded and updated to the MXS 5.0, which is a direct replacement, and the MSX 7.0, which is a slightly larger unit.

With the MXS 4003 still doing a top-notch job on the Bugster, I figured I’d better treat Deux Smurf to the MSX 7.0 as she’s often left for weeks, and sometimes months without being properly driven due to the amount of press cars we get.

What makes a CTEK The MXS 7.0 so special?

The MXS 7.0 is perfect for charging larger batteries that you find in boats, caravans, cars and camper vans.

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It’s a fully automatic 8-step charger that has a special reconditioning mode for restoring and reconditioning stratified and deeply discharged batteries. It also includes other withcraftery like a battery diagnosis to establish whether your battery can receive and retain a charge, or if it’s totally knackered. It also has a winter program for charging in cold weather and an AGM battery option - though I haven’t a clue what the latter means!

What’s in the box?

Obviously there’s the unit itself, then two ways of connecting the unit to the battery. There’s the standard crocodile clips that you simply attach to the battery terminals, which CTEK call ‘Connect - Clamp’. Then there’s ‘Connect - Eyelet’ which is really handy, especially if your vehicle’s battery is difficult to get at. With the ‘Connect - Eyelet’ you attach the eyelets to the battery terminals and, well, that’s it. From there you simply plug in the unit. This way is also quite handy if the clamps get in the way of you closing your bonnet.

This all comes in a neat canvas bag to protect it when not in use.

GOODS & GEAR Simply put, whether you find yourself with a flat battery or you're leaving your car, boat, caravan or motorhome unattended for long periods, the MXS 7.0 is an excellent choice.

Just plug it in and forget and let the MSX 7.0 do its thing, which, if you haven’t been paying attention, is keeping your battery topped up and in good condition.

The MSX 7.0 comes with a 5 year warranty, and 2 years for both the extension and BUMPER.

Along with the MXS 7.0, I also received CTEK’s charger BUMPER and a 2.5m extension cable.

The BUMPER is made from durable silicon rubber and fits snugly ‘round the body of your charger and not only protects it from bumps and scratches, but gives your charger extra grip on slippery surfaces.

The 2.5m extension cable is exactly what it says on the tin, a 2.5m extension cable and is compatible with current CTEK chargers up to 10A. It uses the CTEK CONNECT system for a secure connection whilst being both splash and dust proof (IP65).

prices • MSX 7.0 - £138 (SRP) • Bumper - £18 • Extension - £14 Buy in the UK at: » amazon.co.uk (currently on Prime for £115.25) The Bumper is available from www.saxon-brands.com more at » www.ctek.com THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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GOODS & GEAR H O NEY STOVE & HI VE E XP A N SI ON KI T If you’re really stuck for space and need a well designed stove, then look no further, the Honey Stove and Hive Expansion kit are pretty much just what you’re looking for.

Originally launched back in 2008 and updated in 2012, the Honey Stove consists of 5 x side panels, a fire door, 2 different size base plates, a Trangia Burner support and a top mesh grill all made from stainless steel.

Assembly is an easy affair, and you have 2 options. Using the smaller base plate simply slot 3 side panels together, feed in the base plate making sure the edges slot into the cut outs on all 3 of the sides panels, then slide on the front fire door, and there you have a square stove measuring 7cm2 and just over 12cm tall.

The 2nd option is slotting 4 of the side panels together, fitting the larger base, then the 5th panel and the front fire door. Initially it can be a bit fiddly to put together, especially if your fingers are cold, but you soon get used to it. This way you end up with a hexagon shape measuring 12.5cm across.

Once assembled the stove is quite sturdy and was purposely designed to have no moving parts, just a simple solid reliable construction.

Oh, and there’s a 3rd option that comes in the shape of the Hive Expansion kit that consists of a further 2 side panels, a larger base plate and top mesh food grill for when you want a larger cooking area.

Both the Honey Stove and Hive Expansion kit come with instructions and their their own tough canvas bags that are big enough to also store flint, steel and tinder.

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GOODS & GEAR

No matter what you choose to cook with, either sticks, charcoal briquettes or fuel using the Trangia support burner, by placing the heat source in the base, the stainless steel sides will both reflect heat inwards and act as a reliable windshield.

Weighing in at just 474g for both kits, the Honey Stove and Hive Stove Extension kit are perfect if space in your 4x4 is at a premium, or you’re into hiking or cycling, and they’re both designed and made in the UK.

prices: Honey Stove - £38.99 Hive Expansion Kit - £23.99 more at » www.backpackinglight.co.uk

WIN

We have a Honey Stove and Hive Extension Kit to giveaway to one lucky reader.

To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is: click on this shape fill in your details (which will also sign you up to get the mag sent to your inbox each month)

and cross you fingers.

GOOD LUCK!

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GOODS & GEAR 3 7 L NOM A D C O OL I CE B OX I reckon I’ve had my 37 Litre Nomad Ice Box for around 8 years now, it’s so simple in design that there isn’t anything to go wrong, and it’s continued to do what it’s supposed to do, many times over.

We last used it in September when Muddy Madam and I drove to Marquenterre in France for a 4x4 and camping weekend.

To pre-chill it, at 3.00pm the day before we left I filled it with

a bunch load of ice bags, and at 6.00am the following morning as we were packing, the Nomad was sufficiently cooled and the ice cubes still solid and stuck together.

We then packed it full of Guinness and food and topped it with a couple of ice blocks and threw it in the back of the D-Max and set off for France.

Four days later when we arrived back at Muddy Towers the Nomad was almost empty of food and drink, but the ice cubes were still frozen, and the fruit and other perishables were all fresh as daisies. Not surprising really, due to its 2” thick insulation, the Nomad is officially quoted as able to keep your contents frozen for 3 days and cold for 6 days The Nomad can be washed out with a powerhose and has two padlock holes in front 2 corners. It weighs in at approx.

8.5kgs and is also a great height for sitting on! price: RRP £195 more at » www.coolicebox.com 58

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Offering Jeep Wrangler and Renegade Custom Conversions and Vehicle Sales: 01482 666491 www.StormJeeps.com

Click here to get The Mud Life Magazine sent straight to your inbox!

One-stop shop for Jeep parts, spares and accessories.

Jeepey supply market-leading parts, spares and accessories for all Jeep models from 1942 onwards www.Jeepey.com

01482 666491

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In this, the first part of building a capable 4x4, I want to look at the very basics. On most green lanes in the UK, do you really need an expedition equipped 4x4?

Not really, I know a few Dacia Duster and Fiat Panda owners who enjoy ‘laning with just a few simple modifications.

In fact, if you’re a regular reader of this fine monthly mag, you’ll know that I never shy away from taking a standard SUV or crossover green-laning.

Assuming you’ve just purchased a bog standard 4x4 which is in good mechanical condition, what are the first three investments you should make? In my humble opinion it’s tyres, suspension and recovery points.

Congratulations, you’ve just bought a 4x4 and you want to go off and explore the UK’s network of green-lanes, and perhaps the odd weekend at a Pay and Play site, but what are the first modifications you should consider?

As the saying goes, how long is a piece of string?

You can spend an absolute fortune these days on a lot of trick gear for your 4x4, but do you really need to?

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Recovery points are relatively easy to sort out, but tyres and suspension can cause quite a headache, how?

Well, you can’t decide on your suspension package until you know what tyre size you’re going to run. Also, you can’t decide on the spring rate until you know the weight of your accessories. See, it’s a bit of a conundrum, and don’t even get me started on brake upgrades!

For now though, let’s just focus on the basics, you’ve bought a standard 4x4 and you want to drive some green-lanes and get a bit more adventurous at Play & Play sites.

Rubber Yup, tyres. As the only thing that (should) be in contact with the ground, a decent set of tyres is one of the first things I’d buy for my new 4x4.

Trouble is, there’s so many to choose from; mud terrain or all terrain, and don’t even get me started on all the different sizes. It all depends on the sort of terrain you’re planning on driving. For decades I’ve used BFGoodrich All Terrains and they were faultless, whilst covering epic on-road mileage, too. I now run BFGoodrich KM3 Mud Terrains on Deux Smurf, our 1996 Toyota Surf, and I have no complaints.

If you’re doing a lot of road miles, and it’s your daily car, then I’d probably opt for all terrains as you’ll get better road grip and mpg. If it’s a weekend 4x4 and you want to enjoy the challenge of Pay and Play sites, then muds. That said, over the years I’ve witnessed mud terrains struggle to find grip on slippery steps on green lanes, yet the

next vehicle managed fine on standard road tyres. Adding to the headache, some tyre manufacturers, like Cooper, offer 3 different types of all terrain tyres.

What about sizes?

The temptation is to go for the biggest tyres you can fit under your arches.

Why? Well they look good, for a start.

Is that it? Of course not, a larger diameter tyre will give you slightly better ground clearance as well as a bigger footprint, meaning there’s more of the tyre is on the ground and therefore better you’ll have more grip.

the revs, but with a greater rolling resistance your engine will be working harder, especially off-road.

Having a bigger footprint from a large diameter tyre sounds good until you find yourself on soft mud and you’re not going anywhere, whereas a skinnier tyre can dig through the surface and find grip, so it really is a compromise.

On-road manners are important, if you choose a tyre size the same, or fractionally bigger than that of your vehicle’s standard size, then it will stop and handle as it should.

So is bigger always better? Not always. bigger tyres can cause extra stress on your mechanicals, especially if you have wheels with a wider offset, and they’ll alter your gearing too, so low range work won’t be as, well, low range.

When it comes to the types of tyres to use for green-laning, my opinion is that you don’t need a set of Insa Turbos or other aggressive tyres as they can cause far too much damage, leave them for P&P sites.

The opposite side to that is when you’re driving along at a decent speed they’ll act as an overdrive lowing

One more thought on tyres, it’s definitely worth investing in a full size spare.

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Suspension Let’s get a myth out of the way first, a suspension lift will not give you better ground clearance, it’ll only improve your approach and departure angles, as you’re only lifting the body and chassis and not your axles. However, it will allow you to fit larger diameter tyres that will increase the space below your axles.

If you’ve just bought your second hand 4x4 off a forecourt, chances are it’s still on its original suspension. If you’re planning on the occasional easy green-lane and the usual commute, then a new suspension package maybe a bit excessive, maybe all you’ll you require are new shocks. But if you fancy more regular adventures with tents and other camping kit in the back, then a full kit is a worthy consideration.

1”, 2” or taller? Generally speaking, a 2” lift is the highest you can go without having to spend extra money on brake lines, castor angles and so on.

Like tyres, there are plenty of companies out there selling all manner of different set ups, so it’s worth doing your homework. If you’ve bought a 6-year old Mitsubishi Shogun for example, reach out to other Shogun owners and ask what they’re using. That’s exactly what I did when I ordered new suspension for Deux Smurf, the vast majority of owners suggested Pedders, and so far they weren’t wrong.

Once you know the make you want, chat to them and tell them what you want to do with your 4x4 and the weight it’s likely to carry, then they’ll be able to choose a package that’s right for you.

I was chatting to Russ at Ardventures (https:// ardventures.co.uk), he’s just bought a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser, and his first purchase was a set of BFGoodrich KM3s tyres, his second was a 2” Iron Man suspension kit. On his tours, Russ always carries spares, fridges and many other essential bits ’n’ bobs, so a better suspension package was definitely on the cards.

It would be remiss of me not to mention OEM suspension. Manufacturers rigorously test their 4x4s, so buying standard suspension from the manufacture isn’t always a bad thing. Put it this way, if you’re in the middle of Morocco and you snap a shock absorber, the chances of finding a main dealer with a standard replacement is better than something fancy.

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Recovery points You now have the tyres and the clearance which will get you to most places, but if you explore for long enough, eventually you’ll need to be recovered, or recover someone else, we’ve all been there, whether that’s by winch or snatch.

When it comes to vehicle recovery it’s always important to remember that it’s bloomin’ dangerous. Seriously, the amount of shackles and ropes I’ve witnessed breaking and smashing through windscreens has been far too common over the years. People have died from simple recoveries that have gone wrong.

The most important thing to know about recovery points are that tie-down hooks are not recovery points. All they’re good for are attachment points to secure a static vehicle for transport. Being made out of thin steel they are not intended to take sudden loads and will break very quickly under any heavy load and transform it into an airborne missile.

It’s a similar story with the towing eyes that you screw into the bumpers of modern vehicles. Towing yes, snatch recovery, no.

Here’s something controversial, another big no-no is using a towball to attach a recovery rope or strap to. Why? They’re only designed to tow trailers and don’t take the sudden sheer load applied when used in recovery. I know what a lot of you are going to say here, “But I’ve been using my towball for years without mishap.” Yes but no, please stop!

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Photograph courtesy of RH & IR Cradock Ltd. There are a multitude of types and styles of front and rear recovery points out there to choose from with varying strengths, so I recommend you do some homework on what’s the best for your 4x4. Again, email or talk to the manufacturers, they should know best.

By now you should have a fairly capable 4x4, and the only thing you need to worry about now is the nut behind the wheel! If you’re new to the 4x4 world I firmly believe you should first invest in some training as you’ll be amazed at what a standard 4x4 can achieve with a competent driver at the helm. Any fool can get from A to B in a monster truck and a heavy right foot, but it takes skill to do it in a standard truck.

Another consideration is to join your local 4x4 Response Team, not only will you receive up-to-date first aid and recovery training, but you’ll get a warm, fuzzy feeling when you’re out in dire conditions helping others.

Of course, it goes without saying that if you make any modifications to your vehicle you should inform your insurance company, you might be surprised by how little it will affect your premium.

Next month I’ll take look at what other modifications you can make to you 4x4 if you want to venture further afield.

Here comes the disclaimer…

The above are my thoughts and snippets of experience that I’ve gleaned from over 30 years of driving 4x4s, I am not an expert! For expert advice about tyres, suspension and rated recovery points, speak to the manufactures, their sales teams, and as I mentioned above, invest in some training.

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sales@britpart.com THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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acebook Page of the Month Once, not so long ago, if you wanted to catch up with like minded enthusiasts, you’d join a forum.

It appears these days however that Facebook has taken over the mantle for the place to go for information. So, in the aptly titled ‘Facebook Page of the Month’ every month I will invest hours of time, effort and energy searching Facebook for interesting and relevant groups so you don’t have to. It’s serious work, or so I tell Muddy Madam!

Mega Mud Lifers https://www.facebook.com/groups/megamudlifers WHO STARTED IT? Karen Lee Turner A.K.A. Maddy Madam, and me, Damian Turner - yes, the 2 lunatics that create this very magazine you are currently reading.

WHEN? Last month, the 24th of April to be exact. It’s so new that the carpets are still clean, and no one has contaminated the sugar with the coffee spoon yet!

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WHY? Muddy Madam and I (mainly MM) thought it would be a good idea to create a Mud Life community, and place where fans of The Mud Life can get together and talk about everything to do with 4x4s, green-laning, off-roading and anything else that takes your fancy.

HOW MANY MEMBERS SO FAR? 488 (at the time of writing)

AREA? We are everywhere, well everywhere that Facebook can go.

ARE THERE PUB MEETINGS? Well this damned virus is hampering any efforts in that direction, so we haven’t arranged anything yet.

In the future we'll be looking into getting something regular sorted, and we will be actively encouraging members of the community to organise their own meet ups too.

CAN MEMBERS ORGANISE THEIR OWN TRIPS? Post-lockdown, absolutely, and of course we’d love to be invited along too, and you never know, your exploits may end up in the mag. Remember, look after yourselves out there.

ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? Umm, suddenly this sounds like the end of a job interview - “Do you have any questions for us?”

Basically, join our community, have fun, share your 4x4 experiences and don’t be a dick!

Thank you to our 38 founding members that helped to get the group out there.

If you, or your group, would like to be featured as FB Page of the Month send us a quick email to:

POTM@themudlife.co.uk The Mud Life business page is on Facebook too:

www.facebook.com/TheMudLifeMag THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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GET YOUR MUD LIFE gear Here at The Mud Life Mag we like share our love for all things muddy and automotive, and as part of that we know that there is always a need for clothing and other bits’n’pieces to show this love to the world..

We decided that to create some original art just for you, and put it on T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Mugs and more in our Teespring store - https://teespring.com/stores/themudlife

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PSSST, NISSAN CAREFULLY...

"Psst, group of us from the Nissan 4x4 and Ford Maverick Owners Club are going to Frickley 4x4 Off Road Centre in a few weeks time to get muddy, your mission, if you choose to accept it," said Barny, "is to tag along, take some pictures, and generally join in the fun!"

I knew from our last visit that it can interesting down there, so I parked up the Smurf, and Barny, Kieran and I went for a mooch with cameras in hand.

After collecting Barny and the young lad I was mentoring at the time, Kieran, we joined the M62 and made our way to Frickley.

The first Maverick we saw wallowing in the mud was Grease Monkey, he was taking the deep, muddy ruts in his stride. Only a few yards away we found Cameraman in his 2.8 Hardtop firmly stuck. "Wouldn’t mind" he said, "I’ve just done this section without any trouble at all!" A gentle tug backwards from Sharkie, in his imported Mistral, saw Cameraman free to choose a different route through the flooded ruts.

After going to the cabin and following the signing in ritual and forgetting my date of birth, we ventured outside to the group of Patrols, Mavericks, Terranos, and the lonely Mistral.

With introductions done we followed them down to the forest section of the site.

The amazing thing was, Barny and I had spent a whole day here less than a month ago and we still found sections we’d missed.

An example was a rather steep hill, on the left it was straight up, but on the right, someone had been playing with a digger and had made ‘bomb holes’ just to make life interesting.

"Sounds like the beginning of a great plan." was my response, all the way back in 2006!

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Without much further ado, everyone followed Cameraman in his old 2.8 Hardtop along the ruts and turned right towards a steepish long hill. As everyone drove straight up, it was Nellie in his big Y60 with its 4.2 diesel lump who was making it look easy.

At the top, Tommo in his red Terrano had found a hole to get stuck in, but he wouldn’t admit defeat and ask for a tow, no, he managed to rock himself out of trouble.

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Time for another section, and as Barny, Kieran and I walked back down to my Smurf we were in time to watch few vehicles struggle through the gate at the bottom of a huge field.

At both sides of the gate deep muddy ruts proved a problem for those with standard size tyres.

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Frickley can be a deceiving place to drive, as under the slippery clay there’s a hard surface and once you’re in the ruts you have no directional capability at all.

After more tracks were explored and a few recoveries, the group decided that it was dinner time, so it was out with the butties and hot drinks and we had a good natter about the day so far.

After lunch we all followed Camerman’s tyre tracks to see where everyone else had disappeared to. Driving along this muddy, rutted track was quite simple for the Smurf, her 31” BFG All Terrains finding grip where ever I pointed her.

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For the second time we found ourselves back down to the wooded section were Dave in his red Terrano van and Tommo in his red 3 door Terrano where both well stuck. Dave was grounded and Tommo had got himself impressively cross axled in deep water.

There was nothing to it except to wave down a passing tractor to the rescue. No, seriously, Frickley 4x4 don’t take any chances when it comes to making sure recovery is taken care of and have a number of vehicles driving around helping people out, which includes one of the biggest tractors I’ve ever seen!

More tracks later and it was getting late on in the day and some members had gone home, so the remaining few ventured back towards the lake to see who could manage to drive up some of the steep hills.

First to succeed was Tommo in his swb, shod with, I think BFG mud terrains, as did Sharkie in his imported Mistral, but no one else managed to. I must admit that I was quite tempted to have a go in the Smurf, but I resisted temptation as she was for sale at the time.

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By now the light had begun to fade and the temperature had dropped to a chilling level so those of us who were left decided to call it a day, a great day out nonetheless, but a time to clean the 4x4s and head home.

As I mentioned at the beginning, this day out took place way back in 2006, and amazingly the Nissan 4x4 & Ford Maverick Owners Club still exists, despite Facebook taking over everything, and can be found here; http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/index.php There’s also a good Terrano and Maverick Facebook page that isn’t part of the forum.

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Treat these two mad people to a cuppa whilst they create this muddy mag just for you.

Hey guys, Muddy Madam here. Damian and I want to keep the mag free to read, though it costs quite a bit for us to put it together each month, so if you like what we do, we'd love it if you'd chip in for a hot chocolate every now and then, to keep us going whilst we put together the next mag.

Everyone who buys us a hot choc each month will get a name check in the mag, buy us 2 hot chocs at one time, or become a regular monthly hot choc provider then you'll get a even bigger mention.

Here are all the lovely people who have bought us some slurpy goodness this month.

Lauren E. Laf Jim H. Edward P. LR Asser Gary H. Thank you so much THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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es d i R s ' r e Read

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

Alan King, I live in Linton, a few miles south of Cambridge.

As a 'day job' I work as a Technical and Quality Manager for a large, farmer-owned co-operative grain storage and processing business, with sites in Cambridgeshire, Northants and Warwickshire.

In addition I have several voluntary 'jobs' including Health and Safety officer for All Terrain UK the national green lanes organisation and also volunteer for Beds and Cambs 4x4 Response. Both of these come on the back off my hobbies of green laning and overland travel.

History of cars leading up your present 4x4 Cars have always been more about practicality than speed for me. My first car was in fact a Mini van! Hatchbacks rather than sports cars or saloons, and then once family came along it was a succession of Vauxhall Astra estates, then a bad experience with a Vauxhall Vectra estate which proved to be unreliable and let us down a few times.

Front wheel drive estate cars also proved less than capable when the family caravan was taken on wet weather holiday so finally, we bought our first 4x4 - a brand new 2001 Land Rover Freelander Td4. This was followed by another 2004 Freelander TD4 HSE - both of which were excellent and proved 100% reliable. I was unlucky enough to suffer a major crash in this one where an elderly driver collided with me from a side

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junction which deployed all the airbags and caused major damage when the car was just 6 months old! I survived though which was a testament to the strength of the vehicle.

A succession of Discoverys followed, 2 of the 300tdi models and then a late 2004 “last of the line” Td5 which proved to be the catalyst for starting Overland adventures and greenlaning. Trips all over the UK, plus a major 3-week adventure to Morocco in 2014 were enjoyed before I decided there was an “itch that needed to be scratched” I had yet to own a Defender!

Present 4x4(s) Late in 2015 I found my current vehicle a 2010 Land Rover Defender XS utility in Stornoway Grey with just 20,000 miles!

A fantastic vehicle I have used for adventures across the UK, in the Pyrenees in 2016, Scotland’s North Coast 500 in 2018 and Portugal in 2019, and as a reliable daily driver for 4 years, although since last year I now have a company car too for daily use, a Mitsubishi L200 Warrior.

Modifications done The Defender had already had some factory mods including dog guard, steering guard, full genuine land rover seat covers, Front A bar and spots, but I have added much more!

Mantec raised air intake, full expedition roof rack, diff guards, a twin battery split charge set up and 240v Inverter for mains

power, a bespoke drawer system in the rear load area, a drop down table inside the rear door, a reversing camera and additional lighting both inside and out and full LED light conversion.

I use a 45 litre Engel fridge freezer when on camping and overland trips. For several years I have used a roof tent when camping with the Landy but have recently changed this for an Oz Tent set up. Recently I have also added identification signs and some beacons for when on 4x4 response activities.

Favourite green-laning trip I have been fortunate to go on many green lane trips in the UK and Wales, the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales always prove to be great. We have had sunshine, freezing cold including snow, and some major storms but have survived them all!

All Terrain UK also run a regular annual trip known as our “fish and chip run”. Starting near Thetford Forest, Norfolk and ending up at Hunstanton for fish and chips at the seaside is always fun!

Morocco will always rate as the favourite trip so far because it was my first major overseas expedition, normal holidays just don’t seem the same now!

Lottery win 4x4 Looks like it will have to be a new model Defender 110 fully kitted out for a round the world overland trip!

Favourite car related film One of the Bond films featuring a Defender!

Favourite biscuits Milk chocolate Hob nobs!

Where can we find more details?

Find me under the name 'alanking300' on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

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es d i R s ' r e Read

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

The name’s Paul Howe, from Askern near Doncaster, and I am a SunSystems Support Consultant.

In case you’re wondering what that is, SunSystems is one of the world’s most powerful accounting systems. I’m the guy people call when something isn’t working as it should.

Accountancy is not where I started though; my working life began in mining engineering, initially in the UK, then I spent several years in the USA. History of cars leading up to your present 4x4 First car was a 1973 MKIII Ford Cortina, 1.6L. A lot of young people in the 1970s kitted their motor with a CB (they were illegal back then), two colossal Thunderstick aerials and spent a lot of time parked in lanes talking to anybody and dodging police cars.

Around 1981 I bought a Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0, which was surprisingly quick, only to sell it and buy a Honda Superdream Super Deluxe 250cc motorcycle, which I had for three months before almost killing myself. That was my first and last motorcycle. After that, I had a host of vehicles, including Ford Fiestas, and others not worth mentioning.

When I went to live in the USA, my pride and joy was a Mercury Cougar 4.6 V8. What a vehicle that was - power and luxury all rolled into one beast of a car.

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Present 4x4 I now drive a Jeep Wrangler JKU AEV, and it’s my everyday driver, not just an off-road toy. I’ve spent a lot of time and money, getting it exactly how I want it.

The AEV 2.5” lift, recently upgraded with Old Man EMU shockers and springs transformed the handling and ride; heavy-duty steering and a host of other mods make it perfect on and off-road.

Modifications - AEV bumpers - AEV spare wheel carrier incorporating additional fuel tank - Winch - 2.5 AEV lift fitted with Old Man EMU shocks and springs - Teraflex heavy duty tie rod and drag links - AEV wheels - BFG KO2 tyres - Heavy duty quick disconnects - Red seals to front axle to add extra protection from water ingress - AEV raised air intake - Front bumper mounted light bar - AEV heat reduction hood – one of the biggest single expenses

Modifications to do Thinking about a dual-rate sway bar to save having to get underneath to disconnect Favourite green-laning trip I don’t have a favourite, but the most memorable was getting caught in a snow blizzard on West Cam in the Yorkshire Dales, March 2019.

It was squeaky bum time!

Favourite car related film Gone in 60 seconds Favourite biscuits Ginger nuts

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es d i R s ' r e Read

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

I’m Julie Swift from Lincolnshire. I manage the financial side of my husband’s farriery business, and I study accountancy part time.

History of cars leading up your present 4x4 My first car, which I have only recently sold, actually was a beautiful blue L series Freelander which was affectionately named Jerry, due to the last three letters of her registration (JRE).

I’ve also had a Mitsubishi l200, 3ltr petrol/lpg V6 named Mitzi (yes I name them all). My god was it a beast but completely impractical!

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Present 4x4(s) I currently own two Freelanders, a 2002 Td4 named Veronica, and a 1998 L series, Matilda. Both are work horses, daily drives and long distance runners. Their main responsibilities are helping me maintain my horses five acre field, fencing mostly and herding geese!

Modifications done I’ve kept the old L series standard barring a few decals, and the Td4 has a homemade storage unit which also enables it to be used as a microcamper when the seats are folded down.

Favourite Modifications The Td4 micro-camper Modifications to do I’d like to give the Td4 a slight lift, mostly to help it do it’s job better in the paddocks, but other than that I tend to prefer to keep them standard.

Favourite green-laning trip I haven’t actually taken a trip anywhere in a long time let alone green-laning. Been far too busy!

I would love to head up to Bamburgh Castle and the holy island, I’ve heard there are some great lanes around there.

Lottery win 4x4 A new Defender, it would be rude not to!

Favourite car related film Rush - biopic film centred on the Hunt/Lauda rivalry in Formula One drivers. It has fast cars and Chris Hemsworth in it, need I say anymore? (Muddy Madam says "no".)

Favourite biscuits Good old chocolate digestives Where can we find more details?

I can be found over on Instagram as summit_freelander

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Mexican Cheesy Beef Equipment needed Each month we give you an easy menu that any buffoon can make whilst out in the great outdoors. When I say ‘any buffoon’, I obviously mean me.

For warm days with cold nights, this absolute fantastic feast of a meal popped up on Facebook last year from one of those fast meal websites, I forget which one so I can’t give them credit.

A single burner/stove (I used my Cobb BBQ) One large pan with a lid Wooden spoon or spatula Chopping board Sharp knife

Being a one-pot meal it’s super easy to make, all it takes is around around 5 minutes prep and a further 15-20 minutes on the stove, so you can get on doing other more important things, like drinking, soaking in the atmosphere of your camp spot, or even setting up camp.

Ingredients

Although this mouthwatering dish is as smooth as a risotto, it also has quite a kick to it, so if you have a sensitive pallet you may want to go easy with the spices.

2 - tbsp olive oil 1 - onion , finely chopped 3 - garlic cloves, finely chopped 4-5 tbsp (75ml) - tomato purée 230g - uncooked long grain white rice 625ml - chicken stock 400g - sweetcorn 400g - black beans (I actually used

(for around 6 hungry mouths) 500g - minced beef (go for lean mince, as there's already enough calories in this to make Joe Wicks cry)

chickpeas, because I didn't have any black beans to hand)

1 - Red pepper, diced 100g - Spring onions 200g - grated cheese (Which cheese? It's personal preference, but basically any cheese that melts well!)

1 - hot chilli (optional) Crusty bread (optional) Spices ½ tsp - cayenne pepper 1½ tsp - dried oregano 3 tsp - cumin 3 tsp - coriander 3 tsp - onion powder 2 tsp - paprika 1½ tsp - salt

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1. Heat the oil in your pan over high heat.

2. Add garlic and onion, cook 1½ minutes until onion is translucent.

3. Add the beef, breaking it up as you go and cook for around 2 minutes, or until you no longer see raw meat.

4. Add all the spices and cook for 30 seconds.

5. Add the diced red pepper (and chilli if using). Cook for 1 minute.

6. Add tomato purée and stock and stir to mix and cook for few minutes until combined.

7. Add rice, sweetcorn and the beans of your choice and stir.

8. Bring to boil, then lower heat and leave to simmer.

9. Set the timer for 15 minutes, grab a beer and relax…

10. When the timer goes off, remove lid, add the spring onions and half the cheese and stir through.

11. The smooth the top and sprinkle on the remaining cheese. Cover and leave for 1 to 2 minutes to let the cheese melt.

12. Remove from heat and serve immediately with the crusty bread (for those extra carbs!).

Enjoy!

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ARC NATIONAL harrogate 1989

RETRO SNAPS Can you spot you or your motor in these photos from bygone mud adventures?

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ARC NATIONAL - harrogate 1989

RETRO SNAPS

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Fancy an off-road challenge?

Want to get your 4x4 filthy?

Don’t ruin our ancient byways, try out your local P&P site instead.

Check the site’s requirements before you visit - Does your 4x4 need to be road legal, do you need to show proof of age, vehicle MOT and insurance documents? Are your recovery points secure, do you even have any recovery points?

Always check with the individual site before you set off. As well as a good quality tow rope, it’s always useful to bring along some rags and a bottle of water to clean your lights and reg plates, so you can stay legal whilst driving home!

Pay & Play Directory

NORTH Hill ’n’ Ditch

Activities: Pay & Play http://www.hillnditch4x4.com 07974 398201

Explore Off Road

Activities: Pay & Play, Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881

Kirton Off Road

Activities: Pay & Play, 4x4 Experiences https://www.korc.co.uk 01652 245022

SOUTH Essex Rochford & District 4x4 Club Activities: Pay & Play http://www.4x4er.co.uk

Devils Pit

Activities: Pay & Play http://www.devilspit.co.uk 07764 159478

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Avalanche Adventures

Activities: Pay & Play, 4x4 Experiences https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613

4x4 Without A Club

Activities: Pay & Play http://www.4x4-withoutaclub.co.uk 07887533168

4x4 Driving

Activities: Pay & Play, Off Road Driver Training http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 07802 582826

Piccadilly Wood

Activities: Pay & Play http://www.piccadillywood4x4.co.uk 07984 543886

Ultra Adventure Driving

Activities: Pay & Play / 4x4 driver training http://www.ultraadventuredriving.co.uk 01978 358 444

John Morgan 4x4 Driving / Slindon Safari Activities: Pay & Play http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195

4x4 TOURS DIRECTORY

Highland All Terrain

Ardventures

Single & Multiple Day Tours with Wild Camping 100s of miles of Off-Road Tracks Access to Private Estates

4×4 TOURS & ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS

The Old Filling Station, Kinlochlaggan, Newtonmore, PH20 1BX

Manor House, Chapel Lane, South Duffield, Selby,YO8 6SY

tel: 01528 544 358 mob: 07708 819 157 email: info@highlandallterrain.co.uk www.highlandscenicsafari.co.uk

mob: 07974 356 516 tel: 01757 638 479 email: customers@ardventures.co.uk https://ardventures.co.uk

D-Day Tours

4x4 Adventure Tours

Ardent Off Road

Trails and Tracks 4x4 Adventures

One Life Adventure

Cambrian Way

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.dday1944.tours 07773 110101

Activities: 4x4 Tours, 4x4 Experiences https://ardentoffroad.com 01405 947 001

Activities: 4x4 Tours & vehicle prep training https://www.onelifeadventure.co.uk 01347 830188

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.4x4adventuretours.co.uk Tel: 07769 336 099

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

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.cambrianway.com 01550 750274

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Off Road Driver Training & Experiences NORTH

SOUTH

North Yorkshire Off Road Centre

Wild Tracks

Explore Off Road

True Grip off Road

Activities: Off Road Driver Training

Tours http://www.nyoffroad.co.uk 07787 555060 Activities: Pay & Play

Off Road Driver Training

4x4 Experiences http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881

WALES Bala 4x4

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training https://www.bala4x4.co.uk 01536 772238

Activities: Off Road Driver Training

4x4 Experiences http://www.truegripoffroad.co.uk 01233 662251

Protrax

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training https://www.protrax.co.uk 01536 772238

Avalanche Adventures

SCOTLAND

Activities: Pay & Play

4x4 Experiences https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613

Scottish Off Road

Ash 4x4

Activities: Off Road Driver Training http://www.scotoffroad.co.uk 07711 217759

Far X Four

Activities: Off Road Driver Training

4x4 Experiences http://www.farxfour.com 01450 860275

4x4 Driving

Activities: Pay & Play

Off Road Driver Training http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 07802 582826

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Activities: Off Road Driver Training

4x4 Experiences https://www.wildtracksltd.co.uk 01638 751918

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Activities: Off Road Driver Training

4x4 Experiences http://www.ash4x4.com 07581 030331

UK WIDE All Terrain Services

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training

4x4 Experiences

Self Drive Tours https://www.allterrainservices.co.uk 01792 862669

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