The Mud Life - 32 - November 2021

THE MUD LIFE ISSUE 32 - November 2021

Bentley's Bentayga

Ineos Grenadier Nissan Navara Kia Sportage Rexton Ultimate Laning Life Goods'n'gear

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

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

IN THIS ISSUE TURNER'S TORQUE

4-5

NEWS

6-16

LANING LIFE 18-24 KIA SPORTAGE 26-34 NISSAN NAVARA R-GUARD 36-44 REXTON ULTIMATE 46-55 BENTLEY BENTAYGA 56-66 GOODS & GEAR 68-73 THE TALES OF LILLY

75

WOOF STUFF 76-80 SIMON SAYS 81-83 INEOS GRENADIER 84-95 YOUTUBE PAGE OF THE MONTH 96-97 GOODBYE DEUX SMURF 98-101 BACK ISSUES 102-103

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

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

Creative Director, Editor, Reviewer

LILLY - THE MUD LIFE DOG Cuddle Monster, Model, Reviewer

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

DIRECTORIES 104-107

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

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

3

turner's torque The Passenger Experience, Expensive Motors & Sneak Peeks

Welcome to November, the time of year when most normal and sensible folk have cleaned and packed away their camping gear ready for next spring. Not us, no, we just grab an extra blanket, head torch and a few more logs for the fire pit.

In this month’s issue you’ll be able to check out my photos and thoughts on my day out with the up and coming Ineos Grenadier. Calm down, no one other than Ineos' drivers are allowed to drive it, yet, but I did get to be an up and close passenger seat driver.

As you can see from the cover pic, I also spent a few days with the Bentley Bentayga V8, now that was a surreal experience, and you can read all about it later in the mag.

As you have probably seen by now, another vehicle that’s caused quite a stir is the 5th generation Range Rover. The official world premier was supposed to be on the 26th October, but photos were ‘leaked’ online the week before.

The thing is, apart from the P38, I’ve always considered the Range Rover to be the best looking SUV - ever. The L322 Rangie is a modern classic, and I remember wondering how, and if it could ever be bettered. Well they achieved it with the L405, which in my opinion is such a beautiful design.

I said a while back, to anyone who would listen, that I wouldn’t want to be on the design team tasked with the impossible job of designing the 5th generation Range Rover, as I believe you can only go so far with a design. Nine years on, and the L405 still looks clean and fresh, but needs must I suppose, time stops for no one.

With my philosophy being ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, I suspect my career in design would be a non-starter!

So have they cracked it?

Hmmm... it’s certainly sleeker, but I’m not sure about those rear lights.

4

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

muddy madam's moment gadget grumpiness

I've done quite a bit of travelling recently, and something that keeps getting on my wick is gadgets in terrible places in cars or just terrible gadgets.

First up is Sat Navs in sight-blocking positions.

I was sat in traffic, and the woman in front of me had positioned her sat nav directly in the centre of her windscreen, and when I say centre I mean equidistant from every side. It wasn't a little one either, it was approximately half a tablet size.

As you may have dedueced from my description, her line of sight of the road was substantially compromised, and it looked to me like a horrible accident waiting to happen.

But this wasn't the only one, I spotted a young lad in a sporty hatchback with another gigantic screen blocking his view, which was already pretty limited due to his lowered, almost horizontal, seating position. Numpty!!

Let's hope they get stopped, and shown the error of their ways before a serious accident occurs.

Next up is one of those things that Damian regularly bemoans within these pages..

Infotainment screens replacing buttons.

In a few of the press cars recently I have been left frustrated at my inability to change settings whilst driving. It's getting colder now, and Damian has the internal body temperature of magma filled volcano, so when I jump in the driver's seat after him I am blasted by air conditioned icy blasts.

Before I set off I change the temperature to balmly summer evening and set off, but, due to being of a certain age, I may suddenly have a need to turn the temp down or crank up the blow rate, but in many of the latest cars I can't actually do any changes unless I pull over and give my full attention to the overly complicated screen grahics. When I tested the Škoda Enyak at the SMMT the screen settings were so impenetrable to logic that both Damian and I, along with one of the press team, couldn't even figure out how to sort the blowers out when stationary!.

Please, just put some bloody knobs and buttons back in for the stuff we use regularly!

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

5

ws

Ne

The King is dead, long live the King!

With over 50 years of evolution, JLR has announced the arrival of the 5th generation Range Rover which takes the marque to a whole new level of luxury and sophistication.

On sale later in 2022, the new Range Rover is rammed with new tech, from 4-wheel steering to power assisted doors as well as two wheelbases. In standard form the new Range Rover comes with five seats, but opt for the long wheelbase, that adds and an extra 200mm between the axles, and you can specify a third row of seats making it a seven seater.

Powering the 2022 Range Rover will be two plug-in hybrid options. The first, badged P440e, combines a 3.0 litre straight six turbocharged petrol engine with a 38.2kWh battery and a 141bhp electric motor for a total combined output of 434bhp and 620Nm of torque.

The second option, badged P510e, offers more power from its 3.0 litre petrol engine but uses the same battery and electric motor, taking the total combined output to 503bhp and 700Nm of torque. This package offers a 0-62mph time of 5.7-seconds and in EV driving mode a top speed of 87mph.

The shared electrification across both plug-in choices means hybrid Range Rover variants can travel up to 62 miles on a full charge, with Land Rover claiming a real-world zero-emission range of 50 miles and CO2 emissions of less than 30g/km.

Rapid charging capability at up to 50kW is included, so you can expect that 80% top-up will take less than an hour; a full charge takes five hours.

6

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Also to feature in the engine line-up is Mild-hybrid tech, with a 394bhp 3.0 litre petrol (0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, 29.7mpg combined and 215g/km of CO2), as well as two diesel options. The 3.0 litre straight six-diesel D300 (296bhp), and D350 (345bhp), offer up to 37.2mpg with CO2 emissions from 198g/km.

Want something faster?

That’ll be the new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol unit with 523bhp and 750Nm of torque. Using the Dynamic Launch system you’ll find yourself at 62mph in just 4.4 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph.

As before, all powertrains are mated to an eight speed automatic gearbox with low-range capability, but as a first, the new Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system can decouple the front axle on-road between 21mph and 100mph to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4g/ km.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

7

Inside the new Range Rover, just like the external design, has become a whole lot sleeker. Up front you’ll find Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system with a gently curved 13.1” touchscreen on the dash.

Apparently, 90% of tasks are accessible in just two steps from the home screen, and there’s also more connectivity than ever before, with over-theair software update capability, Spotify, Amazon and Alexa integration, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with wireless connections, all alongside up to 8 USB-C charging sockets.

8

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

9

10

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

For ultimate luxury buyers can opt for the SV Signature Suite, which only comes in four-seat configuration and adds a raised centre console that flows through to the rear of the car. This houses a retractable table in the centre, as well as a fridge for drinks and two crystal champagne glasses in between the rear seats.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

11

Because you don’t see many Range Rovers off-road, it’s perhaps easy to forget that they’re still the ‘off-roader’ to beat. Along with the six off-road pre-sets for the Terrain Response 2 system, there’s also a Wade mode, which raises the body to give a 900mm wading depth, while the next-generation suspension set-up allows for up to 510mm of wheel travel to help boost off-road ability.

12

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

13

There's so much more information that I could give you, but I’d fill the entire magazine, so head over to Land Rover's website and whilst you are there why not have a go at configuring your perfect Rangie https://www.landrover.co.uk/vehicles/new-range-rover/index.html Priced from £94,400 in the UK, the new Range Rover is available to order now.

14

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

ws

Ne

INEOS to create Hydrogen powered concept vehicle

INEOS Automotive, which will begin production of its petrol and diesel-powered Grenadier in July 2022, is also backing hydrogen as a clean energy solution for future versions of the vehicle.

As part of this, the business is delighted to confirm that it is to partner with powertrain engineering specialist, AVL, to build the Grenadier FCEV Concept, a hydrogen powered car which will begin on and off-road testing by the end of 2022.

Thanks to a partnership agreement signed in November 2020, the Grenadier FCEV Concept will use fuel cell technology from Hyundai Motor Company.

Sir Jim says, “Electric cars are ideal for city centres and short journeys. But hydrogen is much better for longer journeys and heavier loads and that requires immediate investment in hydrogen distribution and hydrogen filling stations.”

He went on to say that “We believe that hydrogen is the fuel of the future and INEOS is determined to take a leading role in its development. When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen only produces water and is the UK’s best chance of reaching its carbon reduction targets”.

Hydrogen is a fabulous, clean source of energy that can be used as both a raw material for industry and as a power source for transport and the home. It has a massive role to play in lowering the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions and INEOS is committed to playing a leading role in the hydrogen revolution.

INEOS already produces and uses 400,000 tonnes of low carbon hydrogen every year, the equivalent of replacing up to 2 billion litres of diesel, so it knows how to make, transport, store and use it. Being a user and producer of hydrogen puts INEOS in a unique position at the heart of green hydrogen development, and the company has announced that it intends to invest €2 billion in new production of green hydrogen across Europe.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

15

ws

Ne

Cooper Tire Europe announces Timeless Garage collaboration

Cooper Tire Europe has announced a new collaboration with Timeless Garage, a classic vehicle restoration and customisation specialist based in Portugal.

Timeless Garages’ latest “resto-mod” project is based on the Series 1 Mitsubishi Pajero, and six vehicles will be modified in total and all have been sold in advance.

The Timeless Garage Pajero comes equipped with the Cooper Discoverer STT PRO P.O.R. (Professional OffRoad) tyres. They boast Armor Tek3 construction for added tyre durability and puncture resistance; alternating shoulder lugs to enhance traction in mud and soft surfaces; and 3-2 Inner Tread Ribs to reduce noise and increase stability.

Founded in 2016 and based in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, Timeless Garage restores and customises classic cars to exacting specifications, enabling customers “to reinterpret the source design and create something that is unique”.

Previous projects include modifications to icons such as the Porsche 911, Alfa Romeo GT and MGB Roadster, along with an ever-growing list of off-road vehicles including classic Land Rovers and Toyotas.

This exciting new collaboration will see Cooper Tire Europe supplying Timeless Garage with more products from its extensive 4x4 and PCR (Passenger Car Radial) ranges for future projects.

Tyson Ballard, CFO & Partner, Timeless Garage, said, "We knew from day one that Cooper tires were the best fit for the Pajeros. ....We have been testing these tyres for months and are amazed at how durable they are."

16

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

T-Shirts, Hoodies, Stickers, Badges & Bags

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!

Trouble up North, again!

It seems that some of our friends in the north refuse to collaborate with those who have contacted them on matters pertaining to lanes in the area. While we get no response from our communications, they are happy to quote us in news articles without any prior discussion of the matter.

This is the latest article about Scaley Gate. One of our Yorkshire reps is quoted in it, but as you can see it isn’t very complimentary about 4x4s! So, on the next page is my response which is unlikely to see the light of day anywhere other than here in The Mud Life.

18

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Dear Yorkshire Post, Having read yet another article regarding the Scaley Gate area, I have to admit I am rather confused as to why either you, or any of the complainants quoted in your articles, have failed to communicate directly with the Green Lane Association. Although, from comments such as: "Even if the vehicles are legal that legality doesn’t mean they are nice people, so that argument is irrelevant. The nice ones are like unicorns."

I can hazard a guess as to why, but that reason would have no basis in fact, and is clearly defamatory.

As a national organisation, with 26 years of experience of working directly with Local Authorities, National Parks, the police, and other stakeholders to tackle issues reported on public rights of way (PROWs), we can offer a lot towards a solution to the alleged situation.

Not only do we advise and work with those who have a legal duty to preserve and protect the rights of way network in their counties, we also regularly take legal action against them when they fall short of their legal duty. Surely this is of clear use to those quoted in the article and to you as a journalist? Yet no communication has been forthcoming.

While your article will appeal to many readers who are not conversant with laws pertaining to rights of way in the UK, I am afraid to those of us that are, your narrative, and that of those quoted in the article, reads as one full of ignorance of the law of the land, with a heavy inclusion of personal bias.

The glaring inaccuracies include the following: 1. The Traffic Regulation Order on Cheese Gate Nab is temporary, not permanent as is alluded to and apparently believed by those quoted in your article. This temporary closure is a common action that GLASS support. TTROs are applied to allow repairs to be carried out - this is not a legitimate tool to stop motorised use or to remove access rights, it only has a duration of 18 months and cannot legally be renewed ad infinitum.

2. “Local's considering legal action to close Scaley Gate”. The relevant highway authority is the only body that has the power to legally close a public road. There is a clear legal process to follow if a closure is proposed which includes a period of public consultation. It is also the Local Authority’s legal duty to protect and preserve access to the rights of way network rather than to make attempts to reduce it. GLASS can provide advice on ROW law to local residents should they request it and take legal action when local authorities fail to act, we are fully conversant with the processes, and have ongoing involvement with such actions.

3. For information; unsurfaced public roads that are legal to drive using motorised vehicles fall into two categories. Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) and Unclassified County Roads (UCRs). Both are public roads/highways and are subject to the Road Traffic Act. It would be pertinent to add that not all UCRs are unsurfaced, it is likely that you live on a UCR, which is a good example that they are considered in law to be part of the ordinary road network, therefore closure is not a simple matter.

4. Attempts to close routes wholesale to motorised users simply to exclude them would be vigorously opposed using a variety of legal precedents - closure is not the solution and in some cases causes problems in itself, this will be discussed below [on the next page].

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

19

County Councils have a legal duty to protect and preserve access to the rights of way network in their area. To extinguish public motorised rights in their entirety in perpetuity simply because of the behaviour of a few that can and should be prosecuted under existing legislation is not an option when the alleged problems have not been addressed by sound management strategies. There are legal processes to follow, but published hyperbole and one’s own personal opinion of a situation is most definitely not part of that process.

Closure has proven to be an unsuccessful form of management. Historic cases only prove that closure does nothing more than move the problem elsewhere or fail to deter those who had no respect for the law in the first place, therefore only restricting legal use rather than addressing the irresponsible few. Reducing the overall network also increases local usage on other PROWs as user numbers will not decrease simply because the network does.

GLASS are far more proactive in their methods of addressing illegal and irresponsible use. Rather than being satisfied that there are no longer any users, whether responsible or not, on our doorsteps, which would appear to be what your quoted sources want, we make attempts to deal with the problem directly by addressing the matter centrally with those who have a duty and power to prosecute, educate against, and manage illegal behaviour. Acting locally does very little other than to appease local complainants, at least until they identify another target to complain about, and so we act nationally to address the issue as a whole while maintaining access for all responsible users.

Nationally, vehicle users only have access to only a tiny proportion of the PROW network (circa 3%).

Therefore, it is fair to say they are a minority user group in comparison to others. Often those users are less able, disabled or elderly and a vehicle is the only way they can access the countryside, I include myself in that statement.

Disability is a protected characteristic in UK law, and positive action (a legal term meaning 'legal action') can be taken where those who fall into that category are put at a disadvantage. Without redressing the removal of rights by ensuring that these rights are catered for elsewhere on the PROW network, it is

20

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

arguable that a disadvantage will be the result of closures or restrictions on a minority and vulnerable user group, thus leaving local authorities open to positive action being taken against their decision.

As I have said before, local authorities have a legal duty to protect access to the network and must do so without discrimination.

If it were true that “When they’re outside it’s horrific. But they think it’s hilarious. It’s day and night. It’s relentless.” surely the police have been involved and many prosecutions have taken place? If not, why not?

GLASS would be very happy to pursue this matter directly should the complainants be able to prove the incidents occurred, and that their reports to the police have been ignored. Without proof that the above statement is correct, neither GLASS, nor the police, could act.

We have been met with similar allegations in the past, in these cases we, along with land owning authorities, have organised user counts and surveys. In all cases to date the actual situation on the ground, i.e., numbers and frequency of users and their behaviour, has not once matched those accusations.

Similar evidence gathered by land managers has been used in court and during judicial review processes.

We would be more than willing to conduct a similar survey of the contested area; in fact, it would be necessary before any allegations could be considered to be factual in order for an accurate assessment to be gained and a management strategy formed based on evidenced results.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

21

• 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 •

When it comes to allegations regarding the personal attributes of 4x4 drivers, the quoted statements are quite frankly disgusting.

Are you aware of the 4x4 Response network?

Or of the Mountain Rescue service?

I am keenly aware of both, having been a member myself in the past. As an Executive Officer of GLASS, I work alongside these organisations; one of my own team is a Mountain Rescue driving instructor, many of our reps are 4x4 Responders or Controllers, and all use the unsurfaced road network to train on and to access incidents/casualties.

Are these people “not nice people”?

It would appear that giving up their free time to drive NHS staff to work in the snow or floods, to carry water to assist with moorland fires, or to put their lives and vehicles at risk to save that of another, would be a rather 'nice' thing to do, would you not agree?

Without green lanes to train on, or to use to access wildfires or casualties their jobs would become far more difficult than they already are, and response times would increase putting others in danger. These volunteers are not paid for this vital service, 4x4 drivers donate their time and vehicles, and if we are to take your articles and the views of those quoted in them as read, they are not appreciated either!

Are some “not nice people” simply because they are disabled, elderly or ill, and require the use of a vehicle for outdoor recreation?

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

23

My next trip on Saturday will be to take out a terminally ill GLASS member before he will no longer be able to access the countryside even with use of a vehicle. The following trip will be to liaise with a local authority regarding habitat management and conservation of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Both will be carried out voluntarily with a cost to me in time, fuel, and resources.

Neither I, those I will be working with, nor countless others within our organisation or the 4x4 community who carry out similar tasks day in and day out, deserve such a tirade of nimbyism and defamation aimed at them in the public domain based solely on their choice of vehicle.

Despite such a derogatory and ongoing campaign against our community as a whole, rather than one being aimed at those who break the law, GLASS are willing to liaise with you and the complainants quoted in your articles.

This is an open invitation from me personally to attend a public meeting with all parties to assess any documented evidence of the allegations made, look at proof that no action has been taken by relevant authorities, and to construct a proposal to approach those who have the power to make positive changes to the situation.

I would like to request that a copy of this letter and my contact details are shared to all those quoted in your articles to date.

This is what GLASS does - we are not interested in supporting illegal PROW use, or blindly protecting rights of access while ignoring problems, we are committed to tackling problems while protecting the rights of those who do not deserve to be restricted or harmed by illegal/anti-social behaviour and/or unfounded allegations. The latter helps no one, some accurate information and transparent communication would be far more beneficial to all concerned.

I look forward to hearing from you.

We can but try as they say!

Whether or not my offer of a meeting is accepted is currently unknown, but probably unlikely.

Unfortunately, few of those who shout very loudly in the press or on social media are ever willing for a face-to-face chat over a cuppa. It is a shame as it is my preferred method of working, especially if there are biscuits involved.

I’ll keep you all up to date on any further news from Yorkshire.

That’s all from me this month folks!

Happy Laning, Lauren x

24

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

become a mega Mud Life Supporter We want to keep the mag free to read, though it costs quite a bit for the two of us to put it together each month.

If you like what we do, we'd love a little support whilst we put together the next mag. Buys us a 'hot choc', and you'll get a name check in the mag.

e really do creat le p o e p rs ke n bo tting Yes, these two e same time plo th at t ils h w , ag this entire m wa-ha-ha! domination. M a bit of world

LRAsser Jim H. AndyF32 Kieron Sniffer

Buy us 2 hot chocs at one time, or become a regular monthly hot choc provider then you'll get a even bigger mention.

All these lovely people chose to support us this month. Thank you all so much, every penny is really is appreciated.

aren Lee Damian & K

laf Lauren E.

Billy F. Edward P. Graeme L. Matt_ske Chris J.

GAdget

1 anonymous supporter THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

25

Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi 2

28

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it?

On the Road

First introduced back in 2010, the Sportage remains as popular as ever, and this fourth generation model that was launched in 2016, despite the odd refresh back in 2018, still looks as fresh as a daisy, which is thanks to ex-Audi designer Peter Schreyer who remains in charge of design at Kia.

On the open road the ride is firm, yet comfortable, if that makes sense. The electric steering set-up is quick and offers you plenty of feedback, which is great when you’re having a bit of fun on twisty lanes. The suspension and chassis really do work well together, in fact, all combined, the Kia Sportage remains a fun and very accomplished SUV, and in my opinion is one of the best in its segment and only being pipped at the post by Mazda’s CX5.

The Sportage has long been a favourite of mine, it’s a well made and refined SUV that combines plenty of internal space with above average road manners, and of course Kia's 7-year, 100,000 mile warranty.

With news of a new fifth generation Sportage fast approaching, I wanted to give it one last good going over, and so I asked for a base spec ‘2’ model with AWD.

It may not be the quickest model in the line-up, but with 174bhp from the 1.6 litre petrol engine and a slick 6 speed manual gearbox with AWD, it certainly brought out the hooligan in me, this thing really does grip!

Fuel wise, after a week of different types of driving it achieved 33.5mpg which isn’t that far off the official combined figure of 36.2mpg.

Another positive is that unlike some other more expensive vehicles, cruise control in the Sportage will keep you at your desired speed no matter how steep descent is that your driving down.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

29

Off Road

I’ve always said that Kia should shout about their 4x4 ability more, it’s really pretty good.

On one particular green lane with a steep incline covered with lose stones of varying sizes, in normal drive the Sportage scrambled up, never losing traction, but it was working hard to maintain grip. Reversing back down and engaging ‘4x4 Lock’ on the centre console, the Sportage climbed with much more grip and less fuss.

You see, like most AWD vehicles these days, the all-wheel-drive system normally delivers 100% of engine torque to the front wheels, but when things become sticky or slippery, the torque can be redistributed up to a maximum of 60:40 front-to-rear. This works seamlessly both on roads and off them. If you’re going further off the beaten track, like I do, then you can manually press the ‘lock mode’, which gives a 50:50 torque split at speeds of up to 25mph.

Obviously, sitting up to its sills in mud isn't the Sportage's natural habitat, but we found ourselves in that position once, not by choice I might add, and by engaging ‘4x4 Lock’ with a little toing and froing we managed to escape a potentially embarrassing situation.

30

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

31

Interior

Plain, simple yet classy and functional.

There are some good sized spaces for phones, mints, sunglasses, and underneath the 8” infotainment screen there’s a clear bank of buttons for heater controls, and two dials for temperature control.

The design of the infotainment screen and how it’s integrated into the dash is pleasing to the eye and works really well. Other manufactures should take note (ahem VW), there’s no need to fit a 15” screen in the middle of the dash - no need!

Despite being Grade 2, and bottom of the rung when it comes to interior spec, it still packs a decent punch. Cruise control & speed limiter, Bi-Function halogen headlights, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with voice control, reversing camera, Lane Keep Assist and heated front and rear seats are amongst the many luxuries included.

If I have any complaints it’s that on this version, not certain about higher spec models, there’s only one USB socket up front, and a another one in the back. You do have two 12v sockets either side of it.

My only other complaint is that the driver's head restraint leans too far forward, so after a while both Muddy Madam and I ended up with sore necks.

It was the same with the Jeep Compass I wrote about last month - hope it isn’t becoming a ‘thing’ on modern cars.

32

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Returning to the positives, visibility all around is great, seat are comfortable and supportive, legroom in the back is also good - it’s just a nice and comfortable car to spend time in.

Engines ‘n’ Transmissions

The lineup consists of a 1.6 litre petrol with either 130bhp or 174bhp. The 130bhp 2WD model comes with the 6 speed manual gearbox, while the other models are available with the manual ‘box, or a 7 speed dual-clutch auto transmission (DCT).

The 48v mild hybrid diesel offers 134bhp in both 2WD and AWD, both the auto and manual is available for the 2WD, but only the 7 speed auto for the AWD.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

33

Conclusion

Although the Sportage isn’t what you’d call a proper 4x4 with long travel suspension and a low box, I’ve taken a few of them along some pretty gnarly tracks in the past, and as I wrote earlier, Kia should advertise their off-road credentials more.

Overall the Sportage is a good all-round SUV, yes, some of its competitors might be sportier whilst others have a bigger boot, but it’s a well equipped and practical SUV that remains a favourite here at Muddy Towers.

34

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

As I mentioned at the beginning, there’s an all new Sportage due out soon, and it has a lot to live up to, hope Kia can do it justice.

No pressure… price: from £24,785 more at » www.kia.com/uk

mud life mugs themudlife.co.uk/mugs

4x4 writer extraordinaire, Frank Elson, mentioned this Range Rover Classic mug in his latest blog:

"My latest coffee-mug. I got it from The Mud Life magazine -

it's the best Range Rover Classic mug I have ever seen... (and I paid for it by the way, no favour for a favour)"

Nissan Navara N-Guard

38

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it?

The Navara has been around for a long time and has gained a good reputation for being a comfortable working truck. Sadly that all changed a few years ago when the previous model was marred with having a weak chassis that would snap in two.

Nissan did the right thing and bought a lot of them back, but that’s another story.

Nissan then brought out a new version (yes, with a stronger chassis), and this model was the base for the Mercedes X-Class, which despite poor sales was a another good pickup.

So, N-Guard, what is it? It’s a special edition Navara that offers an enhanced styling pack and a couple of extra features above the top-of-the-range Tekna model. Amongst many features you have side steps and roof rails, unique black 18” alloy wheels, and a sunroof with tinted glass. As well as unique decals at the base of the front doors you also get a plastic load liner.

On the road During a day out in Yorkshire, the driving gods bestowed upon me a traffic-free B1257 all the way from Great Broughton to Helmsley. That’s around 27 miles of empty road that features a mixture of tight, twisty sections and long, sweeping corners, and although the Navara was unladen, and therefore a bit bouncy in places, the fancy rear multi-link suspension handled the run really well, and was bloomin’ good fun.

On another journey the weather turned vile with rain pelting the windscreen and sidewinds trying its best to push us from one lane to another, yet inside I felt cocooned in a warm and safe environment.

With 190bhp/450Nm on tap from the 2.3ltr twin-turbocharged diesel, the Navara’s 7-speed automatic ‘box worked well on twisty lanes and through town centres, it was both smooth and responsive.

Fuel-wise, according to the computer, it was achieving 35mpg both at a steady 50mph and 70mph. Then, on a 260 mile round trip to north Yorkshire and a trip over to Rudland Rigg, the Navara achieved 30mpg.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

39

Off-road I really don’t have much to say here, once in 4wd and low box the Navara went wherever I pointed it, with ease and comfort I might add. It did take a while for it to engage in low box mind, that was a nuisance.

40

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Interior Being the N-Guard model you get a lot of goodies. There’s an Around View Monitor parking camera, heated 8-Way electronically adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry and ignition, cruise control with speed limiter and an 8” touchscreen display with steering-mounted controls and Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary connectivity.

Overall then the interior is smart, clean and functional, my only bug-bear was the small plastic holders that are fitted to either side of the transmission tunnel.

Although a good idea for hiding your gubbins and loose change, they’re positioned right where your left leg rests against the side and therefore they dig into your calf - a tad painful if you mansplay!

There’s a decent amount of legroom for rear passengers, even if those up front have long legs.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

41

Conclusion In proper motoring writer terminology, the Navara has an assertive look to it, and adding the N-Guard goodies such as the black 18” alloy wheels, black front grille, black LED headlight inlays and black wing mirrors and so on, makes it look. even more imposing Overall I really enjoyed my week with the Navara, the seats are comfortable, and as I wrote earlier, whilst driving in harsh conditions I felt cocooned in a quiet cab whilst the weather outside was grim.

Sadly, I don’t know whether its chassis reputation stuck, but Nissan have decided to stop selling the Navara in the UK - which is sad, really, as it’s one of the comfiest pickups in today’s market.

Price: from £25,075 (vehicle tested - £37,250) more at » www.nissan.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/navara.html

44

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Rexton Ultimate

48

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it?

For 2021 the Rexton has been given a sharp new look, a plethora of mid-life updates and tech gains to further boost its appeal.

With similar underpinnings to the Musso, the UK’s best value pickup, the Rexton is the deserved winner of many 4x4 awards, and with a 3500kg towing capacity, proper lowbox, a rugged chassis and 7 seats, it’s gained itself an enviable reputation. I haven’t even mentioned SsangYong’s 7 year /150,000 mile warranty yet!

On the road

The suspension has been re-tuned for the new Rexton, and you can certainly tell a difference. Not that the outgoing model was bad, it’s just that this is better, and it feels more at home bumbling around country lanes of dubious quality. Granted, the suspension doesn’t have the same air-sprung waftness that some of its competitors have, but it’s softly sprung, and the 18” alloy wheels are shod with tyres with a decent amount of sidewall which is another reason for the Rexton’s comfortable ride.

Despite its 199bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel, don’t expect the Rexton to be particularly brisk, though, as all models weigh more than two tonnes without passengers, it does its best and pulls strongly.

Sourced from Hyundai, the new eight-speed auto ‘box is an improvement over the old Mercedes-derived seven-speed unit, with smooth changes at any speed. Want to take manual control for towing or off roading?

No problem, it’s got flappy paddles, too.

The Rexton can tow 3,500kg and has a Trailer Sway Control system which automatically makes corrections to keep things stable whilst working.

As I mentioned at the beginning, with a rugged ladder chassis and a proper high and low gearbox, the Rexton is very similar to the Musso pickup, so expecting it to have SUV-like road manners is a little unfair. Just something that potential buyers need to be aware of.

During my week with the Rexton it managed around 30mpg, which isn’t that far off official figures of 32.9mpg.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

49

Off road

I was going to say that it’s surprisingly good off the beaten track, but in truth the Rexton has pedigree, so there isn’t really anything ‘surprising’ about it as it has genuine off-road ability.

If I’m going to be critical I’d say it could do with a little more ground clearance as on the odd occasion there’d be some buttock clenching scrapes from the underside. Despite its ability, I had to keep reminding myself that it isn’t a green-laner as such.

With that in mind I didn’t take the Rexton along any gnarly lanes, though it probably found itself further off the beaten track than most owners would dare to venture.

50

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

51

Interior

I appreciate the effort that SsangYong have gone to to make the Rexton a nice place to while away the hours.

The front seats are comfortable with the drivers seat having as standard eight-way electric adjustments with lumbar support and height control. All models have a leather-wrapped steering wheel and faux-leather seats, while Ultimate models get nappa leather seats for a touch of added luxury. Head and leg room aren’t wanting, and there’s loads of width, so you won’t be clanging elbows with your passenger.

Unlike other vehicles in its class you’ll not be sort of places to store all your gubbins, there’s a large storage area under the front armrest, big door pockets and a tray for odds and sods in front of the gearlever.

You’ll find a good amount of soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and areas that you caress regularly, and all the switchgear is nicely to hand. There’s a 12.3” digital instrument cluster that replaces the analogue dials of the past, and the Ultimate trim gets a 9” infotainment screen that built into the dash.

52

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Rear seat passengers will find themselves with plenty of legroom and very comfortable seats that that fold forward for small children and Oompa-Loom to access the second row seat. Incidentally, every Rexton gets seven seats as standard.

With the rearmost seats upright there plenty of space for shopping, fold them down and the Rexton becomes a cavernous cave! I particularly liked the height-adjustable boot floor that provides a relatively flat load area with all seats folded flat, and there's a storage area underneath it for deckchairs, camping stoves and so on.

Engine ‘n’ transmission

Just the one, SsangYong has kept things nice and simple with a 199bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel mated to a Hyundai sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox. Power is up 20bhp to 199bhp, and torque has risen 21Nm to 441Nm from just 1,600rpm.

Conclusion

The Rexton remains one of the best value proper 4x4s out there at the moment. It may not have the status of anything from the likes of Toyota or JLR, but what it does lack pose-ability, it more than makes up for in dependability and exceptional value for money, whilst still offering far more luxuries than a Land Cruiser.

Don’t forget that every SsangYong comes with an impressive seven-year, 150,000 mile warranty. price: from £37,995 more at » www.ssangyonggb.co.uk

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

53

54

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

55

Bentley Bentayga V8

58

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

What is it?

First launched in 2015, the Bentayga is Bentley’s first foray into the highly competitive and lucrative SUV sector, and I don’t think I’m going to receive any Christmas cards from Bentley when I say this, but it looked hideous. However, just like a spotty and gaunt adolescent that after puberty it’s grown into its face, after a fairly extensive facelift in 2020, it now looks pretty good, in my opinion at least. Bentley haven’t just given the Bentayga a prettier look, with over 1000 new parts and some chassis tweaking there’s a lot more to the 2021 Bentayga than you might realise.

On the Road

With 542bhp from its twin turbo 4.0 litre V8, it’s quicker than you think for this huge behemoth with 0-60mph taking only 4.4 seconds. In fact it’ll transport you to 100mph in a shade under 10 seconds, and will carry on all the way up to 180mph.

Yes, it has power, but the Bentayga isn’t just a one trick pony, dawdle around town and it’ll switch from eight cylinders to just four to aid economy, and once you become used to its girth, you can thread it through small villages with ease.

The Bentley really came into its own during a trip along the B6138 towards Mytholmroyd over in West Yorkshire, it’s a fast but very undulating B road. I forget what I was in the last time I drove it, but it bounced me all over the place! The Bentayga flattened it, and I’m not suggesting it’s because of the 2.4 tonne kerb weight, but in Comfort mode the air-suspension and accompanying electronic wizardry simply nullified the humps, bumps and imperfections, keeping us in a state of serenity. It made me smile, a lot.

When the need arose to pass dawdling drivers, after a gentle prod of the accelerator, its 542bhp and enormous 770nm of torque leaves them a distant memory, with a muted V8 growl. Again, it made me smile, a lot.

On better maintained roads, like the one from Ruthin to Ceredigion in Wales, select Sport or Bentley mode, and despite its size and high centre of gravity it handles far better than it should. Although not fitted to this Bentayga, Bentley have something called Dynamic Ride, which means that 48v tech keeps the car squat and flat during cornering, apparently it’s a ‘must have’ option, I’m told, but I enjoyed it without.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

59

Off Road

An accumulation of only having the Bentayga for a few days, and being frightened to death of damaging it, meant that I barely ventured off the beaten track, even though it came with £3,610 worth of ‘All Terrain Spec’ that included, amongst other things, underfloor protection. The only time it saw the dirt was an easy drive around Llyn Brenig and I didn’t even select 4x4!

The next time I borrow one I promise to take it further afield, maybe along the Old Coach Road, or Bootle Fell, whatever you do, don’t tell Bentley, though as you can see on the next page, Bentley doesn't seem to be bothered about taking it off road!

60

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

61

Interior

Opulent, obviously, but not 100% perfect.

Amongst all the tech onboard it has a couple USB-C connections and a wireless charger, but nothing for ‘old fashioned’ USBs. I guess if you can afford a Bentayga you probably won’t still have a vintage iPhone 6s! Fortunately it has a 12v socket and I had a USB adapter, so I was happy.

My only other annoyance was that to change the fan speed requires you to a button press followed by a swipe on the monitor - it would be easier and safer with a dial.

Other than those two vexations I loved the interior, there’s so much to enjoy that I honestly don’t know where to begin. For instance, it’s interior was made up in Portland and Brunel leather with facias in dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneer and finished with contrasting stitching and emblems, and the luxuries carry on from there.

A special mention has to go to the hand-stitched massaging and ventilated seats that offer all the right support, whether you’re being a bit of a hooligan or dawdling through continents.

As you would expect in a Bentley, you don’t want for anything and there’s just this tremendous feeling of quality, from the turned aluminium air vents with their organ stop adjusters to, well, everything.

64

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

65

Conclusion

I’m not going to say I was intimidated by the Bentayga, but at a smudge under £200k, it’s by far the most expensive car that I’ve had sat outside Muddy Towers, so I was quite wary. That said, the Bentayga is an easy SUV to live with, once you forget about the price tag.

Some of you may look at the it and think of it as just a big posh barge, but it’s more than that, honestly. It’s a vehicle that’ll do everything you want it to, just quieter, faster and in more luxury than most others. It’s also brilliant fun on certain roads where higher speeds are allowed, its acceleration isn’t just instant and relentless, it’s blistering yet seamless, and on the twisty bits it always felt so planted - damn it was fun. price: £149,600 - with options £192,795

66

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

more at » www.bentleymotors.com

Britpart are delighted to now be an approved stockist for the entire ARB range of products in the UK. For nearly 40 years Britpart has been synonymous with parts for Land Rovers and now we are expanding our range of quality aftermarket parts with the introduction of the ARB catalogue for a multitude of 4x4 vehicles.

ARB’s range of products for the off-road and pickup market includes Air Lockers & > Compressors

Recovery Points & > Equipment

> Canopies

> Roof Racks

> Drawers

> StealthBar Bumper

> Lights

Steps & Side > Protection

Upgraded > Suspension > Rear Protection

arb4x4uk.co.uk

> Tyre Accessories > Underbody Protection

ARB accessories & suspension products for a wide range of manufacturers & models Ford Ranger / Isuzu D-Max / Jeep Cherokee & Grand Cherokee & Jeep Wrangler Land Rover Defender & Land Rover Discovery / Mitsubishi L200 / Nissan Navara & Pathfinder / Toyota Hilux / VW Amarok

sales@britpart.com

R A E G & GOODS

I met Paul from Over The Top many years ago at Burghley Horse Trials where he and his family had a stall. Impressed by the quality of products they made, I thought that if I ever got a dog, he would be one of the first companies I’d call, and with that in mind, we now have one of their rear seat hammocks, to keep our cars clean, and for press cars, too.

OVE R THE T O P QUI LTI E HA M MO C K

Fitting the hammock is straight forward - simply place it on the back seat making sure the holes for the seatbelt anchors are in the correct place, and attach the adjustable straps around the front and back seat headrests to keep them in place.

The hammock is made from premium quilted cotton, which feels like it’ll never wear out, and there is a non slip waterproof backing on the base, perfect for stopping the hammock from sliding around.

The Over The Top hammock fully covers the back seat and the back of the front seats ensuring that dog hair, dirt, mud and moisture are all kept off your seats, and it protects your car's upholstery from sharp toenails. Not only that, but an integrated side skirt protects the side of your seat when your dog is getting in and out of your vehicle too.

As the hammock fully covers over the footwells it stops your dog from falling into them, and makes a great bed for when your dog decides it is time for a nap. The improved design now includes velcro'd seat belt anchor holes so that you can harness your dog safely in the rear seat.

When we first rehomed Lilly she wasn’t keen on being a back seat passenger, and she would try and squeeze her way between the two front seats to see what was going on, but as the hammock creates a barrier between the two front seats she now happily just sits there, to the point we are confident to take her on longer journeys without worrying.

Being a universal fit, it measures 55" wide x 69" long (140cm x 177cm), and so far it’s been in Deux Smurf, a Nissan Navara, Kia Sportage and Muddy Madam’s Skoda Fabia. price: £139.99 more at » www.overthetop.co.uk 68

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

R A E G & GOODS

RIN G M A GFLE X UTI LI T Y LED I N SP E CTI ON LA M P

If you ever want to turn night into day, then go and buy this Ring MAGflex utility lamp, it’s blindly bright.

Designed with versatility in mind, it can be positioned pretty much anywhere. Not only does it have a pair of hanging hooks, but at both ends there are a couple of super strong magnetics. That’s not all, for ultimate versatility, each end has a two-way ratcheting bases that creates a 360° rotating body and can be used freestanding or positioned in any number of ways to ensure that whatever you’re working on is properly illuminated.

Find yourself with a puncture late at night no problem, simply use the magnets to attach it to the wing of your car.

The MAGflex Utility has a maximum output of 1000 lumen and can last up to 2.5 hours.

And, needless to say it’s both cordless and rechargeable and comes with both a 12v plug and car lighter socket.

Weighing in at just 0.586 kg and measuring 499mm x 50mm x 46mm, it’s not just handy for working on cars, but I’ve used it numerous times for finding stuff in sheds and the attic when a torch simply isn’t good enough - it easily illuminates a whole room. price: RRP £49.99 currently £31.99 at amazon.co.uk more at » www.ringautomotive.com

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

69

R A E G & GOODS Muddy Madam here; I spotted these and quite a few other quirky boots and shoes on a stand at the Outdoor Trade Show, and was immediated entranced, and after a chat with Helen from the West Midland Shoe Company I was even more smitten with these Delia Multi walking boots.

You see ladies walking boots are usually pretty boring or in 'ladies colours', and most of them have such a narrow foot that I would have to cut off a toe or two to get my slabs of meat into them, but these were a little bit different (OK a lot different).

The look reminded me of those customised DMs of the mid-nineties, but these are more than a fashion statement as they have all the benefits and feel of proper walking boots.

A D E SSO D E LI A B OO T S These printed leather boots are waterproof, and have a gussetted tongue attached part way to the uppers so that water or dirt doesn't get in. They also have a lovely flexible and ribbed padded back at the top of the ankle, which for me is brilliant as I have a slightly pronounced Achille's tendon, and can find the more rigid boot style very uncomfortable unless it has a cutout.

I am a good size 7, with a very wide foot, and sometimes, when I have proper hiking socks on, boots can be a bit tight, so I opted for the UK 8/Euro 41 size. After they arrived I realised that I could have probably managed in the 7s, but I think the 8s probably gave me a little bit more width, so with the addition of 2 socks - 1 thin cotton, 1 thicker hiking style (which is actually recommended to stop blisters) - they have been brilliant.

I have done countless dog walks through fields, forests and on tarmac, jumped in quite a few puddles and meandered to the shops in driving rain to test them out, and so far, so good - no leaking, no blisters, no sore toes and actually my hip isn't feeling as bad anymore, which is probably due to the decent sole that doesn't let me walk badly.

The only thing I'd change is the round laces, as I find unless you double knot them they always work themselves loose, but changing them isn't much of a hardship, and actually some funky coloured laces to go with the funky pattern may look amazing. If you aren't as bold as me, and don't fancy the multi-coloured design, there are a couple of more traditional colours to choose from (Black or Olive), which are made with soft Nubruck leather.

Overall I am impressed. I've tried out quite a lot of boots in the past, and these are as comfortable as some of the more widely recognised brands, with the added bonus of being a much better price.

price: £79.99 more at » https://wmsc.co.uk 70

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

R A E G & GOODS

TRE A SURE D I SLA ND S

Written by Peter Naldrett, Treasured Islands is a guide to over 200 of the most beautiful and intriguing islands around Britain, from the smallest uninhabited slabs of rock teeming with wildlife, to the likes of Anglesey and Jersey, that are teeming with humans!

As you’d imagine, a lot of the islands are only accessible via boats, but there are quite a few, like Lindisfarne, that are connected by roads and cut off when the tide comes in.

With plenty of pretty colour photographs, Treasured Islands explores islands from the northernmost tip of Scotland to the south coast of England, taking in islands of Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Scillies, the Channel Islands and the remote Faroe Islands.

The book reveals their history, culture, wildlife, folklore and the best places to stay and eat. Oh, and the all-important transport links to and from the mainland and other nearby islands.

Although each island comes with a grid reference, it would be better if the author had included maps illustrating their locations, but other than that it’s a great book, and I’ve already planned a few getaways, either in a guest house, camper or paddling over in the canoe for a wild camp.

RRP - £18.99 Currently £12.99 at amazon.co.uk

£6 OFF at amazon.co.uk

If you buy via any amazon links The Mud Life will get a tiny referral fee from qualifying purchases. This fee in no way affects what you pay, it just helps us to fund the creation of this magazine and the website.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

71

MAYPOLE LITHIUM ION HANDHELD TYRE INFLATOR AIR COMPRESSOR The Maypole Lithium-Ion Handheld Cordless Compressor is ideal for inflating vehicle tyres and other inflatable items thanks to its portable, cordless design.

With a practical handheld trigger design, large digital display and automatic pre-set cut off, it can not only inflate tyres up to 150psi, but its detachable battery can also be used as a USB power bank.

The compressor comes with a mains charger, and inflatable and ball adaptor - so it’s also useful for the beach, too. price: £49.99 more at » www.truckman.co.uk

New Stuff we've discovered this month WILDERNESS FIRE PIT Who doesn’t enjoy the delights of an open fire, whether your grilling, frying or just sitting around keeping warm.

The Wilderness Fire Pit from The Campfire Cook Shop offers a massive range of cooking options while still packing down to a small unit that’s designed to be taken camping, into the woods, the beach or just used in the garden.

As standard the Wilderness Fire Pit comes with the versatile base camp grill, with one griddle plate and one grill plate.

Made from 4mm mild steel and measuring 67cm wide by 37cm deep with 19cm sides, and 2 folding legs (28cm) which gives two heights to the pit.

Folded out, the pit sits high enough up not to cause any damage to the ground and when folded it sits on the lower legs, giving an air gap and designed to be sat on hard heat resistant surfaces.

The fire pit is designed to fit a multitude of accessories, and when folded down you can still pack all your cooking pots, the base grill, pot hangers, kettle and cooking fuel inside - everything you need for your next cooking adventure! price:£360 more at » www.campfirecookshop.com/products/wilderness_pit 72

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

PIRELLI CINTURATO WINTER 2 Pirelli has recently launched its new Cinturato Winter 2 - a winter tyre for medium-sized cars and CUVs. Available in 36 different sizes from 16” to 20”, the Cinturato Winter 2 comes with innovative extendable tyre sipes, which enhance safety in all sorts of winter driving conditions from snow to rain, as well as on both slippery and dry surfaces in cold weather.

Thanks to the tyre’s 3D structure, these sipes actually become longer as the rubber wears down, transforming themselves from a linear into a zig-zag shape.

This increases their overall area and efficiency, giving the Cinturato Winter 2 extra performance in snowy, wet and dry conditions: even when worn. As a result, the Cinturato Winter 2 enjoys a longer useful life than its predecessor.

In total, there are around 43 metres of sipes to improve grip on snowy surfaces, with a 30% improvement in roadholding on snow compared to their previous winter tyre. price: size dependent

more at » www.pirelli.com

New Stuff we've discovered this month BARBOUR SANDBAY QUILTED TRAPPER I’ve noticed recently that it’s getting a bit chilly around the old lug holes, especially as I’m up early in the morning walking Lilly, The Mud Life dog, so I figured it was about time I began looking for a decent hat.

Made in a classic quilted design, the Barbour Sandbay Quilted Trapper has a textured fleece trim and Barbour’s signature tartan to the inner crown. There is a studfastening chin strap that ensures both an adjustable fit, and that it stays secure for walks in the blustery fresh air.

Available in olive or black in various sizes. price: £37.95 more at » www.barbour.com

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

73

LESS THAN

£1

PER WEEK

The ultimate green lane route planning tool • Laptop, Tablet & Smartphone friendly • Up to date information on restrictions & closures • User evidence GPX route upload • Extensive UK coverage • Search by county, track name or number

Find out more at www.allterrainuk.com

ATUK Message 74 THESummer MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

“Getting involved has never been easier” - We started out with a fairly rigid framework for our reps to work in, this did not prove to be too popular and as a result

downloadable documents for virtually every activity you may want to carry out, including risk assessments and even suggested scripts for when you meet people

The Tales of

Lilly, The Mud Life Dog

Hungry Eyes

This month has been all about us figuring out Lilly's diet. When we got her she came with half a 20Kg bag of Aldi's dry dog food.

From what we know this was what she was given in the morning and left to eat it throughout the day.

I'm not going to say this is a bad thing, as Lilly looked healthy enough on it, but to me it didn't feel like the right thing, so with the advice from my friend, who is a 25 year veteran of working with dogs as a trainer and a groomer, we decided to move her onto a better complete dry food, Burns, and see how things went.

We picked the the Chicken & Brown Rice bag, and with a teeny bit of trepidation she began to nibble away. So far, so good, but the following week we picked the Lamb & Brown Rice bag. This one didn't go down so well, and in the last third of the bag we had to mix it with tuna just to get her to eat it.

Honestly, I dared not open the front door in case the neighbours could see and smell the green mist emanating from Lilly's bottom.

The best consequence of this episode is that Lilly seemed to scare herself every time she farted, which is incredibly funny to watch, and brought tears to our eyes (though it could have been the tear gas effect, we're still not sure).

The only downside is that because she is enjoying her meal time so much, we are having to ration treats in case she becomes a little chunkster, which means she is working her big brown sad eyes on us, and it is hard to resist. Really hard!

I still had the feeling that this wasn't the way to go, and after a long chat to a vet at a trade show who was highly pro-raw, and another chat with my trainer friend, who coincidentally also has a Lurcher and feeds her a raw food diet, I looked into the options.

After a lot of web surfing to find out what to do, and what dogs can eat, we decided that an already mixed complete raw food would be the way to go, and that I had to look for a DEFRA approved company.

In my past working life I used to work for the family business, and we had a warehouse that was next door to Burns Animal Foods wholesaler, so I had a look on t'internet to see if they sold to the public, and, after a quick call with a lovely lady there, one hour later I was handed a box of samples for Lilly to try out. Once defrosted we decided to just go for it, and swap her straight into the raw meat.

O.M.G. What a difference!

Instead of a pooch that we thought was not very food orientated we discovered we had a very greedy carnivore on our hands. She bloody loves it!

We tried all the different versions, and decided the only flavour that would never ever be brought back into our house was the Beef & Tripe. The reason is quite simple - Deadly Dog Farts!!

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

75

Kompact 9 Ball Launcher If you have a dog, then more than likely you have played fetch with a ball, and so you'll also know that picking up and carrying a slobbery ball is not a pleasant experience.

Yes, there are cheap plastic ball chuckers out in the world that will save your delicate hands from such unpleasantness, but they aren't great for the environment, and honestly they are a pain in the bum to carry on long walks, as you can't exactly tuck them away. This British designed and made Kompact9 Ball Launcher solves both issues.

Better for the environment The launcher is made from recycled plastic offcuts, the hygiene cover bag is made from recycled plastic bottles, and when you order both are sent to you in a recycled or FSC certified cardboard box, even the label sealing the box is recycled! They also have a supply chain that minimises their carbon footprint.

Easy to carry This little invention is 70% smaller than most ball launchers on the market. It retracts to just 25cm, and extends to 62cm without compromising the distance it can throw a ball.

When we tried it out, it fit nicely inside both our coat pockets, and when you put it away, if you keep the ball in the cup and cover with the hygiene cover, you will protect your pockets from being coated with sticky slobber.

76

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

How well does it chuck?

It actually releases the ball with less effort than the ones we've tried before, which is really useful if you have shoulder issues (like Muddy Madam does), and we couldn't see any difference in the distance the ball travels.

On first try I thought we may have an issue with ball size (Oooo madam), as it is made with standard tennis balls in mind. At the time we only had smaller balls in the house, and initially the launcher couldn't grip them to pick them up, but we actually found that, because the cup has a sort of ice-cream scoop shape, we could actually scoop up the ball from the side, and throw it as normal.

It may seem a bit pricey when compared to the cheaper alternatives, but the ability to put it in your pocket, along with the bag and its ecocredentials, makes paying that little bit more so worth it. price: RRP £20 - currently £15 (+ £2.75 P&P) more at » kompact9.com NOTE - If you are an Amazon Prime customer you can save some pennies as they are available at amazon.co.uk for £16.50

Dirty Bitch Diary Unlike your vehicle, a dog doesn't have mud flaps, so if you venture out in the delightful British countryside your dog is likely to come home with a belly covered in mucky, stinky mud, and exuding a rather potent whiff. I don't know about you, but this isn't the kind of companion I want sitting next to me on the couch, or lying on my bed, so dog shampoo was the first thing on our 'To Buy' list.

We started off like most people, quickly buying a supermarket special, which did do the cleaning, but didn't smell so great, and Lilly's coat felt a bit rough (like every bit of natural oils had been stripped out), so we went looking for better, and we found some. Over the next few issues we'll tell you about them.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Bugalugs Dog Shampoos

This range of products appealed to me as soon as I saw the name. 'Bugalugs' is a northern term of endearment that I was called a lot by my mum when growing up, and the other bits that drew me towards the range was the cute dog design on the bottle, the bright colours, and the messages in nice big print on the front of the bottle:

• Tested by humans NOT animals (the biggest selling point for me, as no animal should suffer so another can be clean) • Made in UK (less distance to travel, our regulations are world class and workers have rights) • Concentrated Formula (more washes for less packaging) • Paraben Free (none of those icky chemicals that can interfere with the production of hormones) • Vegan (this wasn't the big selling point for me, but I know a lot of people that it would definitely appeal to)

We were given 3 tester sized bottles to try: - Baby Fresh 'soft & shiny' shampoo (pink) - Oatmeal dry & itchy soothing shampoo (cream) - Wild Lemongrass All in 1 'shedding reducing' shampoo (green) Out of the 3, the pink Baby Fresh was my absolute favourite, because it makes Lilly smell lovely, and her fur does indeed feel very soft & shiny after her wash.

As for the other two, I preferred the smell of the green All-in-1, but as Lilly isn't the furriest I can't tell you if her shedding was reduced or not, and so far we haven't had any itching issues so the only thing I can say about the Oatmeal one is that if you prefer more subtle smelling shampoos this is the one to go for. prices: 500ml -from £5.99 - £7.99 more at » bugalugspetcare.com also available to buy from amazon.co.uk THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

77

💩

poo, poo a nd mor e poo One of the most important things to note about being owned by a dog is the fact that you have to pick up their poo, and this happens EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THEIR LIFE.

This fact makes poo bags a really important thing for you, and as a consequence the planet. I litter pick around my local park, and even pre-dog I used to get incensed about the amount of plastic poo bags strewn in the undergrowth, which won't degrade for the next 1000-or-so years.

Now I have a dog it drives me even more insane. We all know that sometimes it can be a bit icky, but it really isn't hard to pick up your pet's poo, and with more recent innovations it's also not hard to do it in a more environmentally sound way.

The classifications of poo bags can be a bit misleading, as some that say degradable aren't exactly what they say, so I went looking for totally non-plastic bags that are also home compostable. I came across 4 companies in the UK that make these cornstarch based bags, but 2 of those (bigger) companies still also create plastic versions of their bags, so I'm reviewing the 2 that only create totally home compostable bags, and a great gadget to help you out with carrying a fully loaded poo bag.

The criteria I used to judge the compostable poo bags (most important first): 1. The bag doesn't split when you are trying to pick up the poo (nobody wants that icky finger experience) 2. The bag is big enough to pick up even the largest of turds (sometimes it can be amazing the amount that comes out) 3. Tying it up should be easy 4. Smells needs to be contained 5. How quickly it will decompose

💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩

Adios Poo Bags

We came across these 100% Home Compostable & Biodegradablebags in Pets At Home, where the only offering was the standard grey packs in rolls.

As you can see they also do a range of colours on their website, though the thing we liked about the grey is that you can't really see the poo once picked up (it may be the same for the other colours, but we haven't tried those).

These bags, made from non-genetically modified cornstarch, have a nice thickness (20 microns) that instills confidence that nothing will get through, and so far nothing has.

There are 3 size options: • Loose bags - 13 x 1 1 inches - like a box of tissues you can pull them out one by one.

• Roll without handles - 13 x 9 inches • Roll with handles - 12 x 7 inches We tested the Roll without handles version, and have found them a good size to pick up a decent poo and still be able to tie it up, and the smell is pretty much contained unless you waft it in front of you face (and really, why would you?).

78

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

The bags will decompose into water, carbon dioxide and biomass in approximately 90 days when placed into a composting environment or compost system.

We also like that Adios donate 1% from every sale to help clean up our oceans and protect our wildlife. price: from £5.99 dependent on pack size (60, 120 or 360 bags) and shape - they also have a subscription service that lets you save 10% too more at » adiosplastic.co.uk/shop

Green Poop Bag

We came across these bags at a pet trade show, and what caught our eye was they had both sizes of poo bags full of water suspended from a shelf above their stock. This struck me as a ballsy move, showing confidence in the strength of their bags - if one had failed, everything on the stand would have been soaked.

Green Poop Bags were designed by a group of pet owners (we like the cute dog & cat graphics on the bags), and live up to their name as they only come in a green colour, and are environmentally 'green' as they are made from a sugar and corn starch blend, and will decompose within 3-6 months in a home composter.

There are 2 sizes to choose from, both of which come with handles, and have a good thickness (18 microns): Roll - 12 x 7 inches & Singles Box - X-Large 11 x 13 inches We tested both sizes, and the roll size was the perfect size for Lilly's poos, but if I had to pick up after a really big dog, or wanted a bag that would be great for picking up multiple poos in the garden then the XL size is a good pick.

They donate a percentage of their profit to a charities who are helping to change the laws in UK and worldwide to eliminate the environmental and waste crisis. prices: you can buy 2 different sized packs (120 or 360 bags) from £8.90 more at » greenpoopbag.co.uk

💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩💩 💩💩💩

Doo-Kee

OK your pup has done the deed, but you are out and about, and there isn't a poo bin in sight, or you want to take it home to compost, so what do you do?

I don't know about you, but carrying a steaming bag in your hands or putting it in your pocket isn't ideal.

Preferably you want to keep the bag a little bit away from you, and you may also want to keep a hand free to carry your coffee or use your phone, and this Doo-Kee is a great little solution.

All you need to do is attach the Doo-Kee onto your lead or anywhere else that works for you, then simply tie a knot in the top of the bag, slip the knot through the hole and slide it down the slot; basically 'knot it & slot it'.

Every Doo-Kee is supplied with either a standard clip or a secure twist loop. They mention you may want to buy the larger clip for ‘Flexi’ style leads, but we tested a Doo-Kee with the twist loop, and it fitted our Flexi lead's handle fine, so definitely go for that option if you have a chunky-handled retractable lead.

Each Doo-Kee is made in Somerset, and is crafted from PLA which is a bioplastic derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugar cane. price: £4.99 more at » www.doo-kee.com

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

79

Aqueos First Aid Spray & Spray on Plaster Before getting Lilly we had cats, and apart from the odd battle scratch they really didn't damage themselves, but from what we can tell, dogs don't seem to have the self-preservation gene, and will blindly run into brambles at the faintest whiff of squirrel, play rough and are generally a bit clumsy. We've already had a swollen eye, and a couple of scrapes to deal with, so these are 2 products that are essential additions to Lilly's first aid kit, and they aren't just for dogs, you can use them on horses and other animals too.

First Aid Spray This spray is an essential for killing germs that can cause infections, irritations or general skin complaints, and it will help speed up their natural healing process.

It can be used in a multitude of applications from cuts, minor wounds, skin irritations, rashes, itchy skin, burns, general skin problems, post surgical sites or as a multi-purpose antiseptic spray.

The solution doesn't sting, so it is really useful for flushing cuts or minor wounds, and is pH neutral, non-toxic and non-irritant which means it can also be used on sensitive skin. Simple to use by spraying liberally on the affected area or by applying directly with soaked cotton wool.

All you do is just spray it on, or use a soaked cotton wool ball, and then leave it to dry with no need to rinse off.

Great for keeping in your car or horse box, this spray bottle is small enough to take on dog walks too, just in case.

80

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Spray on Plaster The plaster gives a bandage like protection by forming a barrier to protect cuts and minor wounds from dirt, water and germs.

This then lets the cut or wound heal naturally while being protected.

The silver covering remains elastic and permeable to air. It is easy it apply to awkward areas and stays in place while the area heals.

Depending where the area is, the spray will last a few days and can just be re-applied as needed. Most importantly it is safe if your pet decides to lick the plastered area.

Used by professional dog groomers, and it is competition safe for professional equestrians.

Both of these products are handy for any mishaps while out and about, and are perfect to keep your pampered pets safe whilst travelling away from home as part of your first aid kit. prices: First Aid Spray 200ml - £9.99

Spray on Plaster 200ml - £14.99 more at » www.aqueos.co.uk/pet-first-aid

wri t es Simon says

by Simon Hastelow

Walk the Route

This is a long standing piece of advice for anyone venturing off-road in an unfamiliar area or driving a new trail - when the terrain looks uncertain or there are obstacles in the way, walk the route!

We’ve all seen people get bogged down, gone deeper into the water than they could safely handle, or got stranded on unseen rocks, tree stumps or other obstacles.

There are two very good indicators that a hazard may be lying ahead: • One is that there is more churned up dirt than anywhere else, lots of footprints and tyre tracks at unusual angles.

• The second is that there’s normally someone standing there with a camera to record your exploits and failures for posterity!

I had two instances of this recently that prove waking the route yourself is a good policy, even when you’re not off-road.

We experienced a brief period of higher than average rainfall and

the usual roads got flooded, just as they always do, regardless of the efforts of the local authority and water company to minimise the flooding. It seems that they may have decided that as long as most of the roads are OK most of the time, then that’s all they need to do. The odd times when roads become unpassable or properties get flooded is justifiable on their cost/benefit analysis spreadsheets.

However there is one particular road in my town that ALWAYS floods, and ALWAYS gets mentioned in the local paper accompanied by the inevitable photo of a stranded motorist roughly halfway into the flooded section.

It is easy to blame the utility companies and infrastructure failures of the local council, but just like it’s not really worth maintaining an entire fleet of snow ploughs just for the half a dozen days of deep snow we get every few years, its probably not worth spending millions on fixing this particular road - an underpass next to the train station - and subject us all to the inevitable months of traffic disruption, just to mitigate the few days its floods each year.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

81

The really frustrating thing is that the worst disruption seems to be when the flooding isn’t really that bad. Most larger cars and vans can get through, but there’s always someone in an ancient Nissan Micra who thinks they can make it!

THIS is what caused the traffic congestion on this occasion. The car got stuck, because no-one really knows where the air intake on their cars is any more, and blocked the whole road until a recovery truck could get them out.

The AA and RAC are not interested in helping you if you’re stupid enough to do this, so its usually either a local recovery guy or a council appointed agent. They charge ££££, and also seem to take their own sweet time in getting there.

When the flooding is really bad, its usually enough to frighten off the divots with no driving skills and lets the larger trucks and buses get through. Whichever it is, we still have to endure the local mouthbreathers on social media calling for the blood of all council staff just because they were delayed getting to Greggs that morning

The second incidence of ‘walk the course’ is a little tangential simply because we were actually walking!

On a recent hiking trip to The Lake District we had a couple of hikes planned. Half the fun of these outings is the preparation in advance. Researching the options and plotting a route usually involves a couple of guide books or magazine articles for inspiration plus an online mapping facility. We use one called Outdoor Active (it used to be called ViewRanger) which allows us to download OS maps to our phones and overlay the route and suitable waypoints.

We’re also in a couple of Facebook groups for hiking in general, and the Lake District in particular, from which we gather advice from fellow walkers.

Anyway, this particular day we planned to hike The Fairfield Horseshoe near Ambleside. It is a circular, horseshoe shaped route totalling some 18km which can be tackled in either direction, and which traverses eight Wainwright peaks, the highest of which is Fairfield itself, standing at 873m.

We had previously attempted this one in February 2018 but had to bail out as the snow covering the peaks was knee deep in places, and it was going to take us much longer than we anticipated. However, this time we were prepared. We’d plotted the route, estimated 6 hours hiking time, and taken enough provisions and water to see us through.

82

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

We started at the steeper ‘Nab Scar’ end as before, we knew this was somewhat of a hard climb as it is pretty much vertical for 400m or so elevation, but after that the route to the other peaks was smoother and the remaining 400m+ climb was stretched out over a longer distance.

Thankfully we’d packed waterproofs and extra layers as, although the temperature in Ambleside was a ‘balmy’ 12°C, up at Fairfeld’s 873m peak it was struggling to top 0°C with the wind chill.

The reason for me regaling you with this anecdote is that the journey DOWN was not as boring and uneventful as we had expected. True enough it was mostly downhill and a tad boring on the scenery aspect, but what we hadn’t expected was the lengthy sections of very rocky terrain. Its hard enough walking down a mountain when your legs are already tired from walking up it, but add sizeable rocks and uneven terrain into the mix, and it just makes things harder.

Then we came to a particularly rocky section that was already hard enough to navigate, but it lead to a rock formation with a vertical 3-4m drop. There was no way we could safely get past that without specialist climbing equipment so we had to backtrack and find a safer route.

The path we had walked to get here was plotted as the best route, other people had recommended this route, only being there, looking at the sheer drop makes you realise that you cannot always count on advice you read on the internet!

At this point we realised that the people recommending we hike the horseshoe anti-clockwise "because it was easier” have probably never walked it themselves. They may have looked at the contours on an OS map or an elevation graph, and seen that the north-eastern edge is a softer gradient than the south-western, but that doesn’t tell you what the condition of the ground is.

It turns out that there was a much safer and easier path away from the rocks and which bypassed the sheer cliff face we found, but we were so focussed on sticking to the path plotted on our mapping app that we’d overlooked it completely!

We were still knackered after the hike, and it took 7 hours instead of the 6 we had estimated, but we’d still do it again.

Next time we’d be armed with personal experience and knowledge of the trail not rely on someone else’s account of it.

ALWAYS walk the route yourself.

TheMudLifeMag

GET SOCIAL WITH US

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

83

INEOS GREN DIER V

Over the past few months INEOS has been offering the chance to potential customers, dealers, after sale partners and the press passenger rides in one of their prototypes, and despite being invited to numerous events by the Ineos team, I finally got my act, and calendar together and drove 2-1/2 hours across to Helmsley, North Yorkshire for the Grenadier Prototype Tour.

The rain had settled to a heavy downpour by the time I arrived at Duncombe Park Estate, which was good as I was looking forward to a decent ‘off-road’ experience.

Arriving a bit early, I had a while to wait before it was my turn, which gave me the opportunity to have a thorough look around another of the prototypes.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

87

88

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

89

What impressed me the most is that they’ve obviously put a lot of thought into tiny details which will make it a great 4x4 to drive and live with. The cargo clips on doors, load bars on the roof and the lockable stowage compartment in the rear wheel carrier are just a few small examples of a well thought out design package.

GETTING COMFY Getting behind the steering wheel I marvelled at the generous elbow space and leg room. All the switchgear are oversized and to hand, both in the centre console and above your head in the roof. When it comes to visibility you can see both corners of the front wings so you know how close you are to obstacles.

The Recaro seats are comfy yet supportive, and you have the usual options of leather or water and stain resistant cloth.

They maybe heated, but not electric, that’s because Ineos want people to be able to hose down the floors when it gets dirty, and under the seats are where the electric motors usually sit. On the subject of hosing down, you also have the option of carpets or rubber matting with removable bungs in the floor.

90

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

91

GETTING DIRTY When it was my turn for the passenger ride around the off-road course, I was immediately impressed by how quiet it was inside the cabin, not only from the engine, but there was a distinct lack of creaks, moans and rattles from the Grenadier itself - not bad for a prototype that’s probably been well abused.

It’s comfy, like all large 4x4s on coils and full beam axles should!

Even from the passenger seat I could feel the suspension flexing, keeping all 4 wheels on the ground. Some would argue that you don’t need a 4x4 to have flex these days as 4x4 and traction control systems figure things out for themselves. But I like the idea of permanent 4wd, coils and three difflocks.

92

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

The next thing to impress me was how smooth in drove at speed along an undulating stretch of field.

Keeping things simple there’s one engine choice, a 3.0 litre 6-cylinder BMW unit (either petrol or diesel) that is tuned specially for torque at low rpm and mated to an 8-speed automatic ZF transmission.

Overall I was left excited, the Ineos team’s enthusiasm for the Grenadier was infectious, not only that but as a 4x4 owner and driver I can see huge potential, it’s built tough with rugged reliability in mind and I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

Reservations are now open; head over to ineosgrenadier.com to register your interest.

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

93

YouTube Channel of the Month

Who are you and where are you from?

Hi folks, we are Northumbrian Adventures and we're from Northumberland in Northern England.

How would you describe your channel?

We would describe our channel as fun and adventurous at showing off the beauty of Northumberland, and soon the rest of the UK, with trips planned for next year we're heading to the lakes, north Yorkshire and Wales.

When and how did it begin?

Our channel began back in August 2019, we had been hiking for years and started greenlaning earlier in the year, and after watching 4WD Action we decided that YouTube would be a brilliant way to share our adventures with fellow greenlaners and hikers.

96

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

How many videos have you created so far?

We currently have 34 videos published so far, with many more to come.

What’s been the biggest challenge so far?

Biggest challenge so far has been having to time to go out, between newly started families for two of our members and another two working at sea it has been fairly challenging lately, but hopefully next year we'll be out on adventures a lot more regularly.

What inspires you?

Our love for the outdoors and 4x4s inspires us to keep adventuring. We'll be having some big adventures coming up in the near future so stay tuned.

Can we find you anywhere else?

Instagram - northumbrian_adventures YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCJOB4nnlJNtnD_omjodhjkw

If you would like your channel to be featured send us a quick email to: youtube@themudlife.co.uk THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

97

Goodbye Deux Smurf…

I’ve been having dark thoughts recently. Don’t worry, not the OCD type, but rather that maybe it’s time sell Deux Smurf, our 1996 Toyota Surf, and buy something a bit newer.

The problem is of course, why on earth would anyone sell something that’s not only enjoyable to drive, been ultra reliable and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with?

Crazy, huh.

Maybe it's that I’m just bored and fancy a change.

I mentioned my dilemma a while back on social media and someone almost immediately offered £4k for her, then I was offered a 'one owner from new' 100 series Land Cruiser in fantastic shape, but at £12k it was bit out of my price range, which was a shame.

98

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

99

So what would I buy as a replacement?

Not wanting to spend more than £5k on a replacement, a 3-door Y61 Nissan Patrol would be nice, and at some point I’d like to own a Disco 2 and an L322 Range Rover - they’re both itches that I need to scratch, but will they be as reliable as Deux Smurf?

The jury’s out on that one, at least parts and accessories would cheaper and more readily available.

There’s a plethora of double cab pickups I could choose from, and then I’ve always enjoyed driving Shoguns. I’d also consider a Subaru, but for some of the more serious lanes I’d want to drive, as good as Scooby-Doos are, I’d end up damaging it too much. I’ve never driven older Jeeps - Cherokees and the like, but I know they’re capable and comfy, and with jeepey.com just over the Pennines, parts wouldn’t be a problem.

The subject of accessories is my biggest bugbear with Deux Smurf. Because she’s an older import, there aren’t that many places in the UK where I can buy vehicle specific accessories, like snorkels or full length roof racks. That said, I do know a few companies where I can get parts custom made from scratch.

A few issues ago we featured Daryll and his 3rd Generation Surf in our Reader’s Rides, and he’d bought a sturdy full length roof rack from Prinsu, an American company, for less than a grand, which is food for thought.

What I like about Deux Smurf is that even though I have a full Pedders 1”+ suspension fitted, BFG Km3s and a very subtle LTPRTZ light bar from ORE 4x4, she not only looks unmodified, but so far she hasn’t let me down whilst out green laning - that’s been down to driver error!

For a 25 year old 4x4, she’s quiet and comfortable, though she does have a bit of a drinking problem, I’d say she averages 27mpg.

The great thing is, if fuel prices do go through the roof, she’ll also run on veg oil.

On reflection I think I’d be daft to sell her as she owes me nothing, and starts and stops when asked. Maybe a little investment will be called upon soon, like a Prinsu roof rack from the States, a nice shiny stainless steel snorkel and a rear drawer set-up for when camping.

Overall, Deux Smurf is a cracking vehicle, and for the time being at least, I reckon she’s staying.

100

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

GET SOCIAL WITH US

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

101

BACK ISSUES

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

2021

#31 - OCTOBER

102

#30 - SEPTEMBER

#29 -AUGUST

#28 -JULY

#27 -JUNE

#26 - MAY

#24 - MARCH

#23 - FEBRUARY

#SPECIAL ISSUE - FEBRUARY

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

#25 - APRIL

#22 - JANUARY

2020

#21 - DECEMBER

#20 - NOVEMBER

#19 - OCTOBER

#18 - SEPTEMBER

#17 - AUGUST

#16 - JULY

#15 - JUNE

#14 - MAY

#13 - APRIL

#12 - MARCH

#11 - FEBRUARY

#10 - JANUARY

#6 - SEPTEMBER

#5 - JULY/AUGUST

2019

#4 - MAY/JUNE

#9 - DECEMBER

#8 - NOVEMBER

#7 - OCTOBER

2018 #3 - MARCH/ APRIL

#2 - JANUARY/FEBRUARY

#1 - DECEMBER

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

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

103

Fancy an off-road challenge?

Want to get your 4x4 filthy?

Don’t ruin our ancient byways, try out your local P&P site, join a tour or brush up your skills on a driver training day instead.

Over the next few pages we have listed many of the business that you can play, train and holiday with.

If you fancy going along, always find out what you'll need to bring along or which vehicles are allowed: • 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.

Remember, 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!

104

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Pay & Play Directory

NORTH

SOUTH

Hill ’n’ Ditch

Essex Rochford & District 4x4 Club

Mouldsworth, Cheshire http://www.hillnditch4x4.com 07974 398201

Explore Off Road

Crewe, Cheshire http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881

Kirton Off Road

Hibaldstow, Gainsborough https://www.korc.co.uk 01652 245022

Frickley 4x4 Off Road Centre South Elmsall, West Yorkshire https://www.frickley4x4.co.uk 07881 590593

Cowm Leisure

Whitworth, Rochdale https://cowmleisure.com 07970 101 879

WALES Ultra Adventure Driving

Wrexham, Wales http://www.ultraadventuredriving.co.uk 01978 358 444

Canewdon, Rochford http://www.4x4er.co.uk

Devils Pit

Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire http://www.devilspit.co.uk 07764 159478

Avalanche Adventures

Market Harborough, Leicestershire https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613

4x4 Without A Club

Aldermaston, Berkshire http://www.4x4-withoutaclub.co.uk 07887533168

John Morgan 4x4 Driving Slindon, West Sussex http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195

Piccadilly Wood

Bolney, West Sussex http://www.piccadillywood4x4.co.uk 07984 543886

If you have a Pay & Play site, offer tours or driver training, and want to be included for FREE in the directories just email your details to us.

We also offer an enhanced eye-catching boxed listing (see next page) for only £25 per issue (better rates for 3, 6 & 12 month listings) email - klt@themudlife.co.uk for more details THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

105

4x4 TOURS DIRECTORY

Highland All Terrain

Trails and Tracks 4x4 Adventures

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

Cambrian Way

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

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

www.highlandscenicsafari.co.uk

Ardent Off Road

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

One Life Adventure

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

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

Roam Free Adventures

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.roamfreeadventures.co.uk Contact via website

Timeless Overland

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.facebook.com/tloverland Tel: 07508 833 899

Land Tracks and Trails Green Lane Adventures Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.lanestracksandtrails.co.uk Tel: 07855 213355

Ardventures

Compass Adventures

4x4 Adventure Tours

Battlefields by 4x4

Activities: 4x4 Tours, 4x4 Experiences https://ardventures.co.uk Tel: 01757 638 479

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

106

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

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.compassadventures.co.uk Tel: 07508 708 588

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.battlefieldsby4x4.com Tel: 07014 241 418

Off Road

Driver Training & Experiences UK WIDE All Terrain Services

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training & Experiences, Self Drive Tours https://www.allterrainservices.co.uk 01792 862669

NORTH Graythwaite Adventure

Activities: Off-Road Driving & Training, Clay Pigeon

Shooting, Watersports, Archery,

Axe Throwing, Bushcraft, Glamping https://www.graythwaiteadventure.co.uk 07498 574659 & 07779 162710

North Yorkshire Off Road Centre Activities: Off Road Driver Training & Tours http://www.nyoffroad.co.uk 07787 555060

Explore Off Road

Activities: 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

SCOTLAND Scottish Off Road

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

SOUTH John Morgan 4x4 Driving

Activities: Pay & Play

Off Road Driver Training http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195

Wild Tracks

Activities: Off Road Driver Training

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

True Grip off Road

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

Activities: Pay & Play

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

Ash 4x4

Activities: Off Road Driver Training

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

THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

107

Take the first step to get The Mud Life delivered straight to your inbox for free every month, just click to subscribe.

To find out about advertising in the magazine, email : damian@themudlife.co.uk