Winter 2009_10 Web

BHCLRC Badges Colesden Lodge Cottage Colesden Bedford Beds. MK44 3DA We only have a limited number available, so if ordering by post please phone Russ Brown first on 01480 212717 to reserve one.<br><br> Editor 9s Intro Well, what a week! It is Christmas Eve and I just got home after being stood down from our 84x4 Response 9 duties at Caddington. Since Friday 18th, when we were called in to deal with a rolled lorry on the A1 at Biggleswade, our fledgling response group has gone through a 8baptism of fire 9 supporting the community in ongoing shifts.<br><br> I think a huge pat on the back is duly deserved by the 8Ducks 9 as I have christened our response coordinators who, whilst staying cool on the surface, have been paddling like the devil underneath to keep the cogs of our 4x4 response team lubricated and running like the well oiled machine it is becoming, and an equally huge thanks to all our members who stepped up to the plate this week to support us on the A1, in Caddington and beyond. Read Stephen Cuthbert 9s introduction to our remodelled 4x4 response group on page 40. If you were not involved in our recent community support activities you missed out on an awesome week, but I 9m sure there will be more 8days like these 9 so stop reading Four Play for 5 minutes, get on your computer and sign up to BHC 4x4 Response right now.<br><br> Coming back down to Earth the big news is that we have a NEW PUB NIGHT VENUE. From February 4th we move to 8The Chequers 9 in Stotfold, find out all about the move and the new annual non-Christmas prize giving dinner planned for the 20th February from our new social secretary, Paul Vernon on page 44. The Chequers 9 management are also offering members a discount if they have a meal on pub nights, so make sure you take your membership card with you.<br><br> With articles from four different continents in this edition perhaps we should rename our club magazine 8Four Play International 9 - as well as all our normal regular columns and event reports Mark Avo 9 tells us about his 8first motor 9 on page 28, Ed Lee finds out all about the unique collection of Land Rovers in Malaysia's Cameron Highlands on page 24 depicted in an Andy Warhol style centre spread. Due to copy deadlines clashing with Christmas and my own quarterly commitments I 9m bringing FP forward one month. It will now arrive through your letterbox at the beginning of; March, June, September and December, with postcards the other eight months.<br><br> With fingers crossed Santa may have sent me an extremely cool co-driver for the March Mac 4x4, not confirmed as I type so you will need to check out the club forum to see who. Happy New Year!! Russ Brown - Four Play Editor.<br><br> Page 4 - FP Winter 2009/10 Griff 9s Groan, Secretary Says Happy New Year to everyone. Along with most of you I 9m hoping the New Year will bring along a brighter future. 2009 finished with a double kick in the butt for my family; so b ring on 2010 As you will read elsewhere we are moving the club pub night location from February 4th.<br><br> We are very confident the new venue will meet our expectations and offer us a good platform for the future of the club. We have our own room (one of the bars) a good restaurant, and for the summer a large garden with barbeques and children 9s play area. We spent time visiting possible venues and this was the only one that offered all our requirements in one building (and free drinks when we opened the door).<br><br> Some were better but if we had to go to other areas to get a drink or food we felt that was not good enough as, after all we are a Land Rover Club and not a ****** rambling club. I know from seeing you lot socialise if you have to walk to another room to get a drink you aren 9t about to walk back and then do it again later on, you will just stay at the bar. We can now look towards getting speakers in to educate us on the rights and wrongs of Land Rovers and how we should upgrade or downgrade them, as of course they are perfect when we get them.<br><br> One of our new initiatives is the driver training days, please try to support us as we have some very experienced drivers willing to offer advice, Harry is offering to help, and trust me she is very good when the going gets tough, a very experienced challenge driver of tender years but with a very old head on her shoulders. I 9ve seen her make very experienced drivers look ordinary and angry with her calm driving style. Finally a big mention for our newly formed 4X4 Response team, we have had a very busy first month with bomb alerts (a real one), road problems due to snow on the A1, The gas pipe at Caddington, and who knows what else since I wrote this and that 9s only one county, with Cambridgeshire coming online soon we are going to be busy I think.<br><br> GRiFF Gary Culpan Training a right Charlie at Great Brickhill FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 5 Pete 9s Ponderings, Chat from the Chair Well it 9s been a busy quarter and I suppose top of the list this time has to be BHC 4x4 Response. To start with Stephen Cuthbert has been appointed to the committee as 4x4 Response coordinator, we have officially joined the National 4x4 Response Network, we now have a proper logo and a website, and membership is increasing steadily. For those of you who haven 9t looked for a while, the joining criteria and code of practice have been simplified.<br><br> A big thank you to everyone involved in the 4x4 Response callouts before Christmas, I think, hopefully, that it will be a while before we have to cope with an incident on the scale of Caddington again. For those of us that have been involved in the various pre-Christmas call-outs the experience has been highly rewarding. You will not know what you are missing till you get involved so please visit http://bhc4x4response.org and sign up.<br><br> We 9ve also now got Paul Vernon taking on the new role of social secretary, and we should have a few different events lined up this year so keep an eye on the calendar for news on what 9s happening. We have a new venue for pub nights, have a look at page 44 for full details The last couple of trials have been well attended, more news on that from Colin So, a happy new year and a warm welcome to all our new members listed below. I look forward to seeing you at the new pub night, an event or maybe even a 4x4 response call-out soon.<br><br> Pete NameFromVehicles Steve AdamsStandon Defender 90 Ian StewartBarton-le-Clay 90 200 Tdi, Disco II, Freelander TD4 Gareth HowellEaton Ford Disco 1 Wayne EmeryStanmore Range Rover Lee HubbardLuton Series III Camel, Series III Prototype, Hybrid 90/III Alan JamesLittleport Philip BensonArrington Defender Jayne TreutleinSt Ives Freelander (AKA: Jason's Recovery Vehicle) Nick AlexanderGreat Billington 90 2.5 TD Eric ProwseWestoning 1997 Series 3 SWB Andy LloydBassingbourn 200 TDI Disco, Freelander Graham BinghamHarpenden Freelander 2 Graham HubbardShefford Defender Peter RuskinTrimms Green Series III Dave ThurgoodOld Harlow 90 Page 6 - FP Winter 2009/10 Colin 9s Competition Corner The full year 9s RTV calendar has been confirmed and is posted on the club forum. As ever I am always looking for volunteers to help set out and marshal at events. To this end, over the last year we have been trialing a marshalling scheme to hopefully encourage everyone to get involved in setting out and helping at club trials.<br><br> The basic premise is that everyone starts out with 10 points at the start of the scheme and then gain points for helping at events and consume the points by competing. The 10 points are only awarded when the scheme starts or the member starts trialing, not each year. The points are awarded as follows:- +3 Setting out competitive event if registered with Comp Sec (limited numbers can qualify per event) +3 Marshalling a whole day +2 Both day bonus (setting out and marshalling) +2 Clerk of Course bonus for person registered with Comp Sec (1 person per event) +1 Scrutineer where chief scrutineer not present Points are deducted as follows:- -1 Participating in a competitive event (Tyros and autotests not included) NOTE: - Points cannot be transferred between members.<br><br> At the last AGM it was agreed to adopt the system and now that we have concluded the first year under the system, it will be published monthly on the forum. Once members start getting close to zero, they will be alerted in case they are not a forum regular. If a member does get to zero, then unfortunately they will not be allowed to compete - hopefully it will not get to this.<br><br> The thinking behind the points awards were that someone who trials most months would only have to set out one event a year with those that trial less, once every couple of years. If you have not set out a trial before, do not worry, we always match people up with other experienced members and can run another training course on setting out trials if there is interest. Colin Trials results can be found on page 50 FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 7 Heather 9s Green Lanes Hi everyone, since the last issue we 9ve had trips to Oxford/Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Thetford and Essex.<br><br> At the time of writing this we have a day out planned on Monday 28 December with 20 vehicles coming! Not bad given that Keith and I decided we 9d like to go out between Christmas and New Year and were just looking for a couple of other vehicles to keep us company!! After all the rain we had in early December Essex was eventful 3 two of the three groups ended up recovering Discos from ditches in the dark as it was getting very cold.<br><br> Our winch expired when we had set up our recovery (lesson learnt is that we need to maintain it even though we don 9t use it very often) so between us we worked out how to use a high lift jack as a hand winch. It was certainly effective but very hard work 3 I was glad to have a couple of rugby players in our group! Thanks to everyone who has led a group in 2009 3 without you there couldn 9t be any greenlaning.<br><br> This coming year we really will try to get some leader training organised as we know that there are some people who would lead but just need a bit of confidence. We will be sending out details of how to book for the Wales trip in September 2010 shortly 3 book early to avoid disappointment as places always fill up quickly. Dates for camping trips to Derbyshire and Norfolk will be confirmed soon by email to those on the greenlaning email list and via the forum too.<br><br> You 9ll see from the list of events that we are nightlaning in Thetford on 7 March 3 this was great fun last time we did it. If you want to come on a trip please book your place and very importantly if you aren 9t going to be able to make it for some reason please let us know so that someone else can take your place. To book your place email greenlanes@bhclrc.co.uk .<br><br> If you don 9t have access to email please telephone 01234 826677. We send out regular update emails 3 if you don 9t receive them then contact us at greenlanes@bhclrc.co.uk and we will add you to the mailing list. Finally Keith and I wish you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR See you all soon Heather Page 8 - FP Winter 2009/10 OVERFINCH, HOLLAND & HOLLAND RANGE ROVER The ultimate four wheel drive gun and drinks cabinet, priced from £120,894 for export and from £139,650 on the road in the UK, will be built by Overfinch.<br><br> The Holland & Holland Range Rover was conceived with a single intention: to create an all purpose, all season, luxury supercar for the discerning few. Designers and engineers at both Holland & Holland and Overfinch have worked together to create a car that embodies Holland & Holland 9s unique sporting heritage and Overfinch 9s bespoke craftsmanship. The result is a quintessentially English take on luxury.<br><br> Based on either the 5.0 litre 503 bhp Supercharged or TDV8 versions of the new 2010 manufacturing year car, the Holland & Holland Overfinch features a raft of enhancements that make it unmistakably something very special. Daryl Greatrex, Managing Director of Holland & Holland, said, cHolland & Holland is globally synonymous with both luxury and supreme functionality. To look at, to handle and shoot with a Holland & Holland is to appreciate 174 years of using the best craftsmanship and technology to make things work supremely well and look even better.<br><br> cIt 9s ten years since we had a Holland & Holland Range Rover and we decided that working with Overfinch was the way to do it this time. It has become clear that what AMG is to Mercedes and Alpina is to BMW, so Overfinch is to Range Rover. d For more info, or to order one, visit : www.overfinch.com or www.hollandandholland.com LATEST FROM LAND ROVER (& OVERFINCH) FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 9 8WHAT CAR? 9 READERS HAVE VOTED THE DEFENDER AS THEIR FAVOURITE 8CAR 9 IN THE 2009 READER AWARDS. Chosen by real motorists with real experiences of 207 different models from 40 manufacturers, the awards are drawn from more than 20,000 reader reviews and cover every category from superminis to supercars.<br><br> What Car? group editor Steve Fowler said: "The Land Rover Defender has bags of ability and does exactly what it 9s designed to do perfectly. Together with its no-nonsense approach and strong durability, the Defender is putting a big smile on owners 9 faces." While Defender drivers are delighted with their lot, Ford Focus CC owners are being driven to distraction by problems, rating the convertible at the very bottom of the pile.<br><br> The Fiat 500 was top supermini, the Jaguar XJ best in the Executive and Luxury Car class and the Ford Mondeo top estate. The Audi A5 was rated the best coupe, the Skoda Octavia the best small family car and the Mazda MX-5 the best open top. In the Performance Car sector the Porsche 911 won, Mercedes Benz C-Class was top of the Family and Compact Exec category and the Ford C-Max was the best MPV.<br><br> Other struggling models include the Citroen C3, which was the last-placed supermini. The Volvo S40 was the least popular small family car and the Volkswagen Passat came bottom in the Family and Compact Executive category. Top 10Bottom 10 Best Land Rover Defender10Renault Espace 2Fiat 5009Peugeot 407 3Mazda MX-58Chevrolet Lacetti 4Porsche 9117Perodua Kelisa 5Audi A56Chevrolet Matiz 6Jaguar XJ Series5Citroen C3 7Peugeot 4074Vauxhall Zafira 8Porsche Cayman3Nissan Navara 9Daihatsu Copen2Peugeot 807 10Skoda Octavia Worst Ford Focus CC LAND ROVER LAUNCHES THE OFFICIAL GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP iPhone APP Land Rover is delighted to announce the launch of the first official Guinness Premiership iPhone app.<br><br> The long awaited application provides the latest rugby news, fixtures, scores and results about one of the world's most competitive leagues as soon as the action happens. The app is free and available to download now, visit: www.guinnesspremiership.com/iphoneapp.php THE FREELANDER 2 SPORT FOR 2010 From £26,695 on-the-road. In showrooms early next year, the Freelander 2 Sport will be available with two derivatives and two colours 3 Santorini Black and Lago Grey.<br><br> Both will feature exclusive 19" limited edition diamond-turned alloy-wheels, a unique two-tone interior together with a rear spoiler, colour-keyed exterior trim and matching door handles and mirror casings. There is a standard model available in both Black and Lago Grey with cloth interior and one with a sports styling pack available only in Lago Grey. A unique two-tone interior is introduced on both derivatives, in contrasting Ebony and Storm.<br><br> The derivative featuring the sports styling pack will offer a leather interior and the standard version with a cloth/leather interior. The sporty theme continues through the cabin, with an Ebony-coloured centre-console and lower fascia complemented with two-tone door casings. The Sport emblem is embossed on the front and outer rear seat head restraints, with Storm coloured stitching on all seats and unique Ebony interior carpet mats with contrast piping feature throughout.<br><br> The Freelander 2 Sport is available with the powerful and economical 2.2-litre TD4 diesel power unit. The manual diesel comes with Stop/Start technology delivering an 8% improvement on CO2 emissions compared to the previous manual diesel Freelander 2 (from 194g/km to 179g/km) and fuel consumption is reduced (from 37.7 to 42.2mpg 3 an improvement of 4.5mpg). John Edwards, managing director, Land Rover UK said: "With its dynamic styling, the Freelander 2 Sport allows you to combine sporting characteristics with all the sustainability and driveability benefits of the intelligent Stop/Start technology." FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 11 Yarwell RTV September 27th 2009 X by Mike Deeks: Photos by Ben Parfitt, Mike Deeks and Russ Beck RTVs are for Road Taxed Vehicles and are organised by the club on a monthly basis with different volunteers acting in teams to set out sections on the Saturday which are then driven by the competitors on the Sunday.<br><br> The idea behind RTVs is that you can take part in a standard(ish) car which you drive to the event, take part (have a lot of fun and learn just what four wheel drive is really for) and then drive home again in the same vehicle. This month 9s RTV was at Yarwell, for those of you who don 9t know the site it is a massive disused quarry with just about every sort of terrain that you could ask for. Woods, valleys, hills, holes, sand, water and mud in fact pretty much everything that you need to have fun in an off road vehicle, a sandpit for grownups.<br><br> The fact that we had a tremendous site, a very experienced team who set out 10 sections and 5 excellent marshals it was a surprise that we only had 8 entrants. The day was determined to sell itself to everyone as well and from a fresh start it turned into a beautiful sunny day and with the water and sand you could easily imagine you were at the beach, even without deck chairs or ice cream vans. Usually there is a fair mix of 90s, Discoveries, Range Rovers and even the odd Suzuki at these events but today was completely short wheelbase which meant everyone was in the same class.<br><br> The day started with the usual drivers briefing and this time we were told the gates were going to be wide as there was a degree of difficulty putting canes into the ground so the softer spots determined where the canes were put, one was even hung from a bush. How hard can this be? wide gates, firm terrain it will obviously be a doddle.<br><br> I watch Andy (double driving my 90) through the first section and he gets two thirds through and finds a cane in the middle of his bonnet. Silly boy, he obviously should have paid attention whilst walking the course and worked out where he needed to turn. My turn comes, two thirds round and there is a cane in the middle of the bonnet, now obviously I wouldn 9t make the same mistake so there must be something wrong with the truck, however when I watch other people going through, it becomes apparent that there are good lines to take and others that maybe weren 9t quite so good.<br><br> Still, starting the day with some points focuses the mind and makes you more determined to do everything perfectly, a determination which tends to disappear after more points get added to the score. Section Two, ended in a rock climb with the 1 gate around 5 feet (about 1.7 metres for you metric youngsters) up the slope, fortunately Land Rovers seem to make very passable mountain goats, in fact it is often easier to drive the steeper bits than it is to walk them especially where there is a loose surface and your feet tend to run away with you. Still, the level of camaraderie is such that should you find yourself running down a slope out of control there is always some kind soul at the bottom willing to stick a boot out to trip you up (joke, when they see me coming they usually get out of the way!).<br><br> Anyway, most people managed a clear here so the general feeling was that this going to be a good competitive day. Section Three, followed the trend with a long straight section that wiggled left and right before turning left in several stages and finished at the top of a steep climb. People looking at my notes wanted to know how a straight bit could wiggle but wiggle it did with the gates Yarwell RTV September 2009 FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 13 offset to one another so that you went from one cross-axle to the next whilst still continuing in the same general direction.<br><br> It turns out that describing sections is quite hard as you sort of had to be there really (mind you with descriptions like these I am not sure that even the people that were will recognise them) Some sections are longer, which gives me the opportunity to get lost. I usually find that most trees look alike and the canes sort of disappear into the undergrowth and the worst thing is to be presented with a choice of routes to get from one gate to the next as there is usually something wrong with most of them that you don 9t find out until your truck will not fit between two trees. However, on occasions they become entertaining and John can often be relied upon to try a route that most people haven 9t even considered.<br><br> In the case of section four there was a really overgrown hummock with routes going in several directions over it, not satisfied with these, it was Vanessa that took it upon herself to cut a new route through the bushes where even the previously mentioned goat would have struggled. Of course this may have been to save fuel as their V8 sounds lovely but is reasonably thirsty. Anyway, the new route looked like fun so several of us took that rather than the long haul round.<br><br> My turn to go first on the next section which made more use of the woods and a few potential cross-axles, I was concentrating so hard on these that I ran over a cane for an extremely helpful 6 points. Still, I enjoyed the rest of the section and realised that there was no way I could have cleared it anyway as I slid down a steep loose slope right past the two gate. Going first means everyone gets to watch you spring all the traps, for them to then drive it perfectly.<br><br> I didn 9t feel quite so bad as some of the bits that I managed ok caught other people out. This time Andy went after me only he did it properly and even managed the two gate. There is obviously skill involved in this lark if only I could learn it.<br><br> Today was obviously a good day as all the sections were cleared by someone although it was usually a different someone on each section. Section six was Bryan 9s turn and very easy he made it look too. Section seven moved us on to the lake side, a nice side slope drive along the lake edge with a steep drop down towards the lake and a drive through the edge where it still looks way too deep and a climb out through loose sand, this was Johns turn to go clear and there were a fair few 1s as a gate part way up the slope meant you had to turn and lose momentum.<br><br> One of the attractions of the site is the endless options you have to lay out different sections and the day continued with a wide variety of challenges including a 50 yard drive through the lake, humps, cross canes, mud holes. It was a shame that Simon got stuck here and Ben had to pull him out but I think everyone else made it through. Mind you, I might not have given it quite so much beans if I had known that my steering guard would have been doing a banana impression afterwards.<br><br> At one point in section nine I drove past Vanessa who had found a cane lying down and was helping by being a human replacement for the 3 gate. With a small number of entrants we were able to vote for our two favourite sections and to re-run them at the end to bring it up to a total of twelve sections for the day. This time round Bryan got stuck against two trees and after much pushing and shoving we gave up and bent the trees out of the way using a winch on one and a tow rope on the other like a scene from Thunderbird 9s 8Tracy Island 9 which freed him enough to drive out.<br><br> All that remains is to say a very big thank you to Russ, Ben, Gail, Dave, Hayley and Mark who spent hours playing on the Saturday and marshalling on the Sunday, they made it a great event for the rest of us. Mike Deeks Yarwell RTV September 2009 Page 16 - FP Winter 2009/10 ROAD TRIP! N ovember was looking like it was going to be a typical rainy and grey Vancouver month.<br><br> The weather here is generally very similar to the UK except for the Summer which is a lot sunnier. Sorry. Anyways I digress.<br><br> I was all ready with my umbrella and wet suit when an invitation was presented to me. Now you will understand that when presented with this particular invitation I had to think long and hard and it presented me with a situation which would take me out of my comfort zone and into something I hadn 9t experienced for a while. Sunshine and lots of it plus driving long distances across or in this case up country.<br><br> Graham, would you like to fly down to Mesa, Arizona, stay for a week and then drive an almost new VW Jetta Diesel back up to Canada, all expenses paid. Hmmn, oh ok alright, guess I can. - buggar.<br><br> - So, packed light, got on an aeroplane, flew to Mesa/Phoenix and spent seven lovely days swimming and relaxing and exploring the area in preparation for the three day drive back to Canada. Like I needed any prep. Sunday morning and I and the car are packed.<br><br> The plan was to drive up to Flagstaff and then across Interstate 40 and take in Historic Route 66. However over night, Flagstaff had had a dump of snow. 80C here and they have snow.<br><br> I thought about an alternative route for a second or two and then decided that with front wheel drive, snow chains and diesel plus a little bit of experience in the snow I should be able to make it. Head West from Gold Canyon, thru Apache Junction on Highway 60 to Mesa and then onto Phoenix via Highway 10, North on 17 to Flagstaff and West again on 40 towards the Mojave Desert.. Wasn 9t long outside of Flagstaff before the snow had gone and we were back into Desert.<br><br> Now the Desert in this area is not typical of what you see on the movies. This Desert has lots of plants, not just Cacti, and Mountain Ranges. It really is quite spectacular.<br><br> Out onto Highway 40 and heading West into the Mojave Desert and it 9s dry but also quite windy. 50 miles out of Flagstaff is the turn off for Ash Forks and the start of Route 66. Now as most of you will know Route 66 pretty much FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 17 went from the East Coast to the West.<br><br> Now it 9s broken up with new sections of highways however, there are stretches left, the longest continuous stretch at 100 miles begins at Ash Forks, North of Highway 40 and that 9s just where I am. Ash Forks is a little run down but as you drive into town you can sense the history that this place has seen. There are signs advertising Route 66 everywhere and the first restaurant you see has a Desoto parked on its roof.<br><br> Not too much else to see here so onward out of town and into the desert on a two lane road straight as a die for as far as you can see. A 55mph posted speed limit really hurts as your mind drifts back to all the races that must have occurred down this stretch. Now it 9s clear with no one around but you have that feeling that if you go for it some blue lights will appear.<br><br> Next stop was Seigman. A larger tourist town. A good time for lunch and to walk around.<br><br> Yes I brought a Licence Plate and some pins, had to be done especially as the first shop had a cBlue Peter d Badge amongst the owners collection of pins and plates received from visitors. Angel and Vilma who own this emporium of Route 66 history are responsible for bringing the plight of the route back to the attention of the general public and raising its profile. It is so the inspiration for the town used in the movie cCars d even down to the gas station.<br><br> They have made good use of the movie connection too with posters and cutouts of the characters everywhere. As I am getting back into the car to leave, two coach loads of Japanese tourists turn up armed with cameras and money to spend. Keep heading West and you finally reach Highway 40 again and then in to the Mojave Desert.<br><br> In the middle of the desert I hit my first traffic jam of the trip. In the middle of nowhere I am stationary in traffic as vehicles go from two lanes into one to pass construction work on two bridges a mile apart. Yep, it was Thanks Giving weekend so not a soul in sight apart from the silent cones.<br><br> Guess they have to put them somewhere? Page 18 - FP Winter 2009/10 Bakersfield, North of LA was the first overnight stop after a great day 9s driving. The VW Diesel has a ton of torque and easily held its own amongst most others on the road.<br><br> I think the Gods must have been watching over me too. On two occasions I was having fun pushing other vehicles along. You know the type that don 9t want to be overtaken by an import, especially a diesel.<br><br> We were moving along nicely at 80/85, me being careful to stay behind and let them lead. The first case involved three of us, me happy to play tail end Charlie. Just behind the bridge support was the first police car that shot out and pulled over our lead car.<br><br> Thinking all was clear the second car in our group took off only to be stopped by a second police car just a mile down the road. They had run out of cars for me. The second occurrence was doing some hill climbing with a Jeep Commander.<br><br> He too didn 9t like being over taken especially uphill so off he went with me behind. Trust me when I say I did not see the cBlack Stealth Dodge Charger d with more built in flashing lights than a Christmas tree come up the road behind me. He literally appeared from nowhere and was now on my behind.<br><br> So I carefully indicated and pulled over, swearing sweetly as I did. He went by like I was standing still and pulled over the Jeep. Maybe it was the Canadian Plates on the car that put them off?<br><br> Bakersfield to Sacremento and then onward North to my second night stop at Roseburg. On the third day I am still heading North to Portland and then Seattle. Man this country is big.<br><br> Worth noting that you shouldn 9t plan to drive through Seattle at 3pm It 9s the start of the rush hour and believe me there is nothing crush d about it. A quick drop in on my newly found Aunt and then onto Dave Jenden 9s for Turkey leftovers. Finally reached the Canadian Border at around 10pm and had the car searched by the US officials as I was leaving the country.<br><br> When I asked why, the response was that they were protecting Canada. I put the car into gear and replied cWho from, their neighbours d I didn 9t wait for an answer. Graham FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 19 The Guide To......<br><br> African Road Signs - Ignore at your peril! Page 20 - FP Winter 2009/10 Weston Underwood RTV 18th October x By Ed Lee: Photos by James Deeks As always RTV Trials are non 3damaging events, so it was interesting when I arrived at the site to see that John Ralphs 9 Land Rover was missing several windows. He has always been a fresh air freak.<br><br> He had in fact been testing the 8non- damaging 9 sections to the extreme so this boded well for an interesting day. John and daughter Vanessa had worked very hard on setting out a challenging trial, and I wondered if I was going to have any windows left in my own vehicle at the end of it. We started in the field with the big hole, which had been set out with some thought, with axle twisters and odd angled turns before we all moved to the bird gardens.<br><br> The stream that flows through it was not running so the bed was mostly dry. John and Vanessa set the first section across the stream where it 9s not usually possible even for a CCV. It involved some extremely careful manoeuvring through very tight gates.<br><br> We then moved onto some very well FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 21 thought out and difficult sections in the woods (yes we got to use the bird gardens as well as the normal treeless site). I was 8hung-up 9 on an extreme axle twister which never ever happens with my Range Rover. Each section had a range of challenges including difficult climbs, muddy bits that you had to slide round, tight turns which you had to consider carefully and a gully which stopped you dead.<br><br> John watched this like a cat over a mouse hole, waiting to pounce and shout a 8stop 9 on everyone who his trap caught. In one burst of over-enthusiasm a Suzuki managed to nearly overturn crossing the stream and ended up wedged lengthwise between a stump and a tree. After lunch we moved back to the field and did 8the muddy bits 9 which are always fun.<br><br> John and Vanessa laid out some excellent sections that were greatly entertaining. They involved skill, luck, mind games, technique and adrenaline. It was disappointing and embarrassing that there were so few competitors after the efforts that John and Vanessa had put in.<br><br> Only six of us were driving such a good trial. I say 8good 9, only I managed my worst score ever. At least I only came sixth,and I left with all my windows intact.<br><br> Ed Lee Page 22 - FP Winter 2009/10 Bryan Christmas Greetings from Oz Dear all, Christmas is upon us and hasn't the year gone quick, not really much to report on the off road competions as we are now in the height of summer, which it has to be said arrived over one weekend, it went from a cool 20c to 38c in two days!! We have been out exploring some of the nearby fire trails and following the advice of Russ from the last issue of FP...... we went into the outback alone....<br><br> however we did have a map kindly loaned by our local fire chief and a jolly good map it was too, minor drawback it was coated in a plastic cover so it wouldn't fold and it was the size of your average dinner table! These 'drawbacks' aside off we went on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for a short drive into the Woomargma national park. The entrance to the park is used by logging trucks and the road such as it is could be said to be a bit rutted, if you imagine these trucks when laden weigh close on 40 tons the 'ruts' are of a good size and the disco in standard form was having the suspension taken to its limits, damn good fun though, must remember to go back after the rain starts, that will be hilarious as it's a clay base.<br><br> We meandered through the start of the forest and the track narrowed to a good old green lane size, brush screeching down the sides of the disco and overhanging bush/trees happily trying to remove the aerial. So far it had been 'undulating' then came the 'climb', a slope/hill of perhaps a 1 in 3 gradient of loose shale and small rocks and FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 23 around a half mile in length, diff locks in and low 1st we started climbing, well scrabbling, you know the 1st rule when out , walk it and check it, I didn't so missed the big cross axle half way up, at this point we stopped moving in a forward direction and after a moment or two traction ceased, bugger, a very quick rethink, lots of throttle and just go, saw us to the top. It was a this point that I thought 'they get fire trucks up here?' carrying how much water!!!<br><br> we meandered on through heavy forest still climbing but not so steep, around 4kms later we actually entered the Tin Mine Fire Trail, this track is cleared and checked at the start of the fire season so it is in good condition, still quite extreme in places, huge house sized boulders to get round or over, short steep drops and climbs and after about an hour or so we got to the tin mine, long since closed but kept as a picnic area, toilets BBQ area and everything all in the middle of nowhere, brilliant. We had a short break then carried on and found water, small fords, and deepish waterlogged tracks, it's got everything in one track, I had a bit of a play here, well who wouldn't. We started the descent shortly after the mine, there were an abundance of tracks leading off the main track all to be explored later in a huge off-road playground, we spent nearly 4hrs on one track drove about 50kms and as luck/planning would have it there is a pub not far from the exit of the park, sadly I/we broke the Disco shortly after this drive due to 'a bit of an overheat issue' but then it did work damned hard.<br><br> And finally - Something not Land Rover " We don't have Xmas dinners as such (apart from on the day) we have Xmas BBQ with carols and everything, which is a bit surreal when it's 35c and were singing about snow!? " Do you remember birthdays/anniversary's by season, we do, so thats why we forgot so many....if we missed yours...............sorry. We hope you all had a safe Christmas and new year, Happy Land Rovering.<br><br> Rick and Jo Page 24 - FP Winter 2009/10 Land Rovers by Ed Lee of the Cameron Highlands X Earlier this year I went to Malaysia to attend the wedding of my nephew who works there, to a beautiful girl of Indian heritage. It was an exotic and prestigious affair with the final ceremony taking place in the remote Cameron Highlands in the north- west corner of the state of Pahang. Naturally, I was most interested in the fact that the Cameron Highlands has the highest density of Land Rovers per head of the population anywhere in the world outside of a British Army base.<br><br> They are everywhere, and just about every other vehicle is a Land Rover. They are all at least 20 years old and beaten up, as they are worked hard by the local Chinese farmers. The area is very hilly and produces tea, vegetables, strawberries and flowers on the steeply tiered slopes.<br><br> The farmers customise their Land Rovers by putting in Toyota engines and welding on metal load frames. They then seriously overload them and drive them to market. They have 8CH 9 in large letters painted on the sides as they are not allowed outside the Cameron Highlands.<br><br> One reason is because they pay a reduced or no road tax and the other is because they are all so dodgy. FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 25 I was talking to a retired officer from the Malaysian Army. He was fighting the Communist insurgency in the area which only ended n 1989.<br><br> His army Land Rovers could only get his patrols so far into the terrain before they had to get out and trek. In the most difficult ground he was still being passed by the farmers in their Land Rovers so used to stop them and load all the equipment and a couple of soldiers into their vehicles to catch them up later. He said he didn 9t know why the farmers Land Rovers were better than his military ones, but I suspect that the farmers probably just knew how to drive them properly.<br><br> I was fascinated by the variations on a single theme and produced the montage overleaf in an Andy Warhol style from snaps done over a couple of hours. I could have gone on for days but Mrs. Lee objected to me doing more.<br><br> Ed Lee To see more of Ed 9s stunning photography got to www.edleephotographer.com Page 28 - FP Winter 2009/10 Where do I start? To set the scene, it was the winter of 1980. It was cold and wet and I was very bored with going everywhere by bicycle.<br><br> All I had to look forward to was the 23rd January 1981 when I was to be 17 and old enough to legally drive. Driving was almost all I'd thought about for the previous 5 years. I'd worked every Saturday and every school holiday for my Dad, usually humping boxes ofD out of date foodstuffs into every cafe store room in London.<br><br> This was before the days of car boot sales and 'slightly' out of date foods had no commercial value. All the big tinned food producers used to strip the labels and send it for destruction. Luckily these where the days that nothing went to waste and the firm that was meant to do the destruction used to sell it on.<br><br> A bit of rust on a tin never killed anyone, did it?DD This meant loads of fun trying to guess what was in a unlabelled tin and many upset cafe owners who always wanted beans, but often ended up with anything from peas to custard. You'd be amazed what you can put in a Shepherd's Pie when you have 20 cases of unwanted, out of date prunes! Anyway, I digress.<br><br> I spent very little of my wages, so when it was time to start looking for a car I had a decent amount to spend. What I wanted was a Mk1 Escort 1300 XL 2 door. What I ended up with was a Mk2 1300L Escort 4 door as the old man knew a mate in the trade who had one going cheap...<br><br> It turned up some time around the November and that meant it had to sit on the drive for a whole two months until it would be my 17th birthday. It had an automatic electric aerial and one of those posh stereos with the moving red light on the tuning dial and full auto reverse cassette deck. Of course I never drove it underage, otherwise I may have had an uninsured accident, which may have meant that I would have to hand over the balance of my savings to the Cavalier owner that I would most likely have driven into the back of at the top of The Walk (Potters Bar)!<br><br> On the morning of my birthday my dad went out early (I wonder why) leaving my long suffering mother to be my 'instructor'. One lap of the town and she got out and walked home. No sense of adventure my mother......<br><br> My First Motor X by Mark Avogadri FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 29 Roll forward about 2 months. The test was booked for 23rd March 1981, so this must have happened about 19th or so. The M25 (Potters Bar - South Mimms) had just opened, but it wasn't connected at either end, so what you basically had was a 2 mile race track with a roundabout at each end.<br><br> Far too much temptation for the local teenagers.S I'd had a few runs in the Escort but it wasn't fast enough so I went home and picked up Mums Fiat Strada to give that a go. A few laps later we got bored and decided on a trip to MacDonald's (and it was a trip, they were a rare treat in those days). As my driving test was coming up we went back and collected my Escort and put the L plates on for the first time in weeks as the guy I had been racing was out of fuel and so could be my licensed passenger for once.<br><br> On the way home from Mac's we decided on a run through the lanes. Maybe we'd seen Tony Mason doing some rallying on Top Gear? This was a bad idea.<br><br> Anyone venturing to Bull Lane in Brookman's Park will find what seems like a gentle curve. Sadly it's not so gentle at 60+ on skinny little tyres with an inexperienced but very confident driver at the wheel. Needless to say, it went over once or twice, luckily the rolling stopped when we hit the big tree.<br><br> I don 9t remember much about the accident, but I do remember the minutes just after. As we ended up on the roof, my mate managed to bang his head when he released the seat belt. Good job it was a four door as the front doors wouldn't open.<br><br> If my passengers from that night ever read this, Steve: Sorry about the bang on the head and thanks for telling me it was going to blow up. Clive: Thanks for pulling me out. Just as we got out a police car came round the corner but luckily the L plates were still on and I was all legal for once.<br><br> That was pretty much the end for the Escort. According to the DVLA it was taxed till '84 so someone may have rebuilt it, but I never saw it after it disappeared on a flat bed that night. In a strange way it did me a favour.<br><br> My test was a few days later and my instructor had said that the only reason I would fail was overconfidence and going too fast. Strangely on the day of the test I was neither confident nor fast so at least I passed. Mark Page 30 - FP Winter 2009/10 Wales 2009 By Dick Greaves: Photos by Heather and Keith Parkinson It seems that the format adopted last year has become the norm: Thursday drive down, Friday, Saturday full days 9 green laning with Sunday an early(?) finish 3 home at a reasonable time?<br><br> This, together with September dates instead of October-November also gives better weather and longer daylight making the event very popular. If I 9ve got my figures correct this year saw 19 vehicles and 33 members at Llanderchindda 3 full house! Day 1 3 Friday - After the usual good breakfast the car park then became the scene of much activity, everyone obviously eager to be off, leaders in huddles planning routes with helpful advice from one of the sons from the farm.<br><br> The departure point on our adventures was to be somewhat different this year 3 the bridge at the lower farm was being replaced so with that exit/road being closed departure was now up the hill and this claimed our first casualty. One of the 90s turned out of the car park and on the first very steep part of the hill something in the drive train broke 3 terminally 3 and he eventually went home courtesy of AA Recovery. As last year, Heather and Keith had cgrouped d people both according to vehicle, capability and aversion to risk and damage but, more importantly, who your mates are.<br><br> Our five consisted of Heather and Keith, Richard, Bryan, Steve and Tanya and myself: four 90s and Heather and Keith in their 110 leading. Our group was the last to leave but our first lane was only about 1½ miles on, left off the road, through a gate (the first of many gates that day). Heather should receive the Star Gate-opener award, she would earn it today.<br><br> These first lanes were rutted, stony and bumpy with a few boggy bits, none of which posed any problem until we came to one gate FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 31 where there was a herd of cattle, complete with bull, all clustered round the gate. That 9s when we found out that Heather does not like cattle. Keith 9s comment to her that they are only steaks on legs did not reassure her so Keith had to open this gate.<br><br> We eventually came out onto the A4831 and turned right into Llandovery where those who needed fuel filled up. When we were all together again we did the lanes to the west of Llandovery including one in particular that I remember from last year where the tarmac and gravel ran out and it became rutted, muddy and narrow with a particularly deep rut on the right which had got worse since last year. It now needed a winch for the 110 and the next 90 but the rest of us, after some huffing and puffing and spadework by Keith, managed to drive out of it.<br><br> I think we all dinged our bumpers though. The lanes carried on taking us East; nothing spectacular, a bit muddy then gravel and finally a long downhill gravel road to the A40 where we turned right, East to Halfway and left into the Forest Services area, a nice level drive amongst trees which gradually climbed. At this point Keith and Heather were well in front, so as we came out of the trees onto a forest road, instead of doing an immediate right and then a left into the trees again we followed the dust cloud on the gravel road but when it became apparent we had gone the wrong way it was CB chat, reverse the route, find the gap in the trees and all join up again.<br><br> The final bit was a climb through the trees into a field and a left through a gate at the end, back onto a narrow road and back down to the A40 then left until just past Halfway a right into a narrow lane was taken. This lane climbed and twisted and then, just past a small farm, it turned to gravel, still rising, up to the top of a large moorland area. Keith thought Page 32 - FP Winter 2009/10 that this was one of the area 9s Roman roads.<br><br> We stopped on the level at the top, lunch was munched and a decision made to do the Gap Road next. So, back down to the A40 at Trecastel and on to Brecon and the Gap Road. At the Northern start of the road it looked little changed from last year except for the lack of people (from end to end this year we saw only about a dozen).<br><br> The road is still rocky and bumpy and a 90 9s hard springs do not help the ride. We had the usual struggle at the Gap. The ledges looked deeper this year and the approach needed a lot of packing with the loose bits.<br><br> At one stage Keith had a very big rock jammed between his rear nearside radius arm and the chassis which had canted up as he drove over it. This extracted, we all made it up OK but with a bit of scrabbling. The drive down the track to the cravine d at the South end was uneventful.<br><br> When we got there it was obvious that the washout on the left had become more severe than last year but on inspection looked driveable and so it proved. We all got onto the road at the other side with little trouble. A tale follows: take heed ye who last year took the easy option here of an open gate down the right hand track before the descent!<br><br> Tanya, who was passenger with Steve and who is cstill learning to drive d drove this bit, down to the bottom with no trouble but had three goes up the other side, failed it twice, reversed it back under control, didn 9t hit the bank or go off the track and did it from a standstill on the third attempt. Well done, girl! It was now 5.30pm and the wise decision was to make our way back to Llanerchindda.<br><br> The drive down/up to Brecon and then Llandovery seemed to take some time 3 we met a combined harvester on the A40 3 but we managed to do a local lane from Cynghordy near the farm and still get back in time for me to wash some mud off the motor before one of Llanerchindda 9s delicious dinners. When we got back, Heather declared that she was suffering from gate fatigue and she would drive tomorrow! Day 2 3 Saturday - The weather was not as kind to us today as yesterday.<br><br> No sun, but warmish and grey. Today it was to be the Six Rivers and we left the farm uphill and did the little byway that goes off from the right after the lane straightens and levels which took us down to the road leading up to that lovely scenic drive round the Llyn Brianne Reservoir and eventually to the start of the Six Rivers. Six Rivers is a very pleasant drive and you will all know it so well that I won 9t dwell on it: the various crossings which, in wet weather can be a bit scary, depths unknown, together with the rocky tight spots etc.<br><br> We had no problems. We just drove it, went slowly over the rocky bits and even more slowly over the very rocky, bouncy bits. As we got to the top end the weather got worse, what sun there was set and a mist camein until when we were at the gate at the summit to start dropping down to Strata Florida, visibility was about 100 yards and it drizzled.<br><br> However, as we lost altitude it improved and by the time we were down in Pontrhydfendigaid it had definitely improved and the sun was out again. It was turning into a bit of a ctarmac d day. Unfortunate but unavoidable as our route between lanes dictated this.<br><br> Our next stop was via Devil 9s Bridge to Ponterwyd BP station as fuel for some of us was getting low, back onto the B4574 towards Cwmystwyth and past the old slate mines. What an RTV site that would make! This secondary road, with passing places, eventually takes you to Rhayader.<br><br> However, about two miles past the right fork which takes you down the Elan valley we turned left onto the byway which runs down to just short of Rhayader. We had a late lunch here accompanied by a chill wind. Hats and coats went on.<br><br> This lane is quite a mix: moor track with long, smelly, muddy puddles and on the downgrade to Rhayader rocky outcrops which need care and then exposed tree roots; not a smooth ride at all. Down in Rhayader and Southwest on the B4518 up past Elan works, left over the reservoir to the track that comes out at the farm at the foot of the Claerwen reservoir dam. This track is my least favourite.<br><br> I 9ve never known so many spiteful rocks in such a short distance. If you have false teeth you take them out at the start! Steve 9s spare wheel carrier pulled out of the back crossmember here due to all the bouncing.<br><br> By now the day had turned into a really lovely sunny evening and as time was getting on a return to Llanerchindda was Page 34 - FP Winter 2009/10 indicated but via the cpretty way d. So down back towards Rhayader into Elan village and towards Trymbid and the lane marked as cWye Valley Walk d with a view through the trees of Doldowlod House across the valley 3 a lovely lane. We were back at the farm at 7pm ready for dinner, which was delicious as always.<br><br> Day 3 3 Sunday - Oh woe! The last day of fun and games. With very un-Welsh weather (dry, sunny and warm), bills paid, bags packed and loaded and away we go.<br><br> As on the last two days right out of the car park and up the hill to the start of the lane we did on the first day but at the end of the lane we took a different route to the A4831, turned left up to Cynghordy and then Northeast to the Roman road. On the first lane of the day at the large and, in places, rocky/deep puddle about half way along we entertained some ramblers so we stopped and chatted to them, doing a chearts and minds d job for the offroaders! Whilst we were there some bikers appeared.<br><br> They didn 9t fancy the puddle and rode round it 3 probably very sensibly. At the end of the lane back onto the road to Glan-Yr-Afon where we forded the river and North to the farm at Glan Camedwr where we crossed another ford. Considering this year 9s weather the water level at both crossings was very low.<br><br> Then onwards towards Beulah and the B4358, a left turn into a narrow tarmac lane to another rocky, overgrown green lane then onto a short bit of tarmac to the next lane which we drove last year from the opposite direction. It starts at a farm turned into holiday lets. The lady who lives there has three lovely brown and white collies which always give a noisy welcome.<br><br> Down the slope from the farm, across a small stream and into the woods with the track climbing away to the right. Last year we all struggled to get down this track due to a washout on the low side at the top. This year there was no problem going up it so away to the next gate where a few very boisterous young cattle suddenly appeared out of the trees and bracken to look at us.<br><br> I think this was another gate that Keith opened! Back out on the road again towards Builith Wells and the details will get sketchy now. I 9ve mislaid my notes for this last part!!!<br><br> FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 35 After a bit more tarmac driving we turned right and nearly immediately through a gate into a farmyard where on the right, under cover, was a line of old tractors, some done up, some not but all neatly aligned. A bit further on again, all neatly lined up, about half a dozen 4 x 4s of various makes and further on a large yard with various trucks/artics, again all parked neatly and in line. All very regimental and unfarmerlike!<br><br> I wonder what the story is about these tidy collections of assorted wheels? The country here is much softer than where we had been 3 lower, smoother hills, better pasture, more lush and the lane which we were following reflected this, crossing in and out of fields (gates again to be opened and closed). In one particularly lush spot we stopped for lunch.<br><br> If you 9ve driven this green lane you 9ll know it: by the gate where you lift the gatepost off the gate latch to open it. The next lane we did had a very clearly defined set of dry hard ruts to follow which climbed one side of a hill and then down into a valley and a little hamlet where we turned right to follow on to the last lane of the day. We also changed channels on the CBs as we were starting to pick up someone else, not part of BHCLRC groups.<br><br> The last lane was not far and started right behind an isolated cottage. It was yet another gentle, long one. None of these last lanes posed any problems, just a nice drive in the country, as I like it.<br><br> We said our goodbyes at the end of this lane. Keith fired his Sat Nav up and we all followed him until we reached the A44 so we all knew where we were, then - cHome, James d! End of a very enjoyable weekend.<br><br> Dick Page 36 - FP Winter 2009/10 Twinney Woods RTV 15th November By Pete Restall: Photos by Neill Blake We arrived Sunday morning not really knowing what the ground was going to be like after Saturdays storms, I was going to be double driving a 90 I 9d never driven before, and competing in my first trial for over 2 years (This could be interesting!!!). There was a good turn out with 13 drivers and Terry, Mike, Jason & Ged had laid out 7 sections for us, the first (according to Mike, a nice easy one just to get everyone warmed up) started looking OK, but with a nasty little turn in the middle and a muddy exit it managed to catch a few people out. This seemed to be the order of the day as different parts were catching different people out on just about all the sections.<br><br> We ended up driving, and being caught out by, a very good mixture of cross axles, tree stumps (Russ) and muddy holes (that was me). So well done to the gang for setting out and running yet another fantastic trial, I 9m sure everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did. And finally I think the highlight of the day had to be John Ralphs 9 masterful drive on the last section .<br><br> Pete FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 37 Okay so the title is a bit corny but it is well meant as it is not often that I am fortunate enough to get to say a public farewell to a really good friend and his family. Mike, Libby, William and Michael Philpot have just returned to the States. They have been in the UK at Lakenheath for the past 12 years and in that time have become integral members of our club and really good friends to many of us.<br><br> Precious, their large black Range Rover was to be found at many events. Over the years both Libby and Mike have taken an active role in the club 3 Mike became the Competition Secretary for a while 3 and they have made a great many friends, all of whom, I am sure, will miss the Philpots on their return to the USA. I am very fortunate to have met Mike and Libby some 7 or 8 years ago.<br><br> I had not been a member long and this was probably my second green lane trip out. I was put in the convoy behind the black Range Rover. We headed out in to the boondocks of Hertfordshire and on our first lane our convoy leader got stuck in the ford.<br><br> To cut a long story short, I tried to pull Mike and his Range Rover out of the ford after an aborted attempt to rescue the first vehicle. For the record I failed and we all ended up being rescued by a steam powered tractor. (This story then went down in the annals of BHCLRC history.) Our friendship was really cemented when I clent d Mike and his family my AA membership to allow them to get their drowned Rangie back home on the back of the yellow van.<br><br> Unfortunately I also broke down on the way home and had to wait for Mike to finish being rescued before I could call out the AA to be rescued cagain d. It took quite some explaining to the lady from the AA on the other end of the phone! From that moment onward we all became good friends and would often attend trials together or go green laning.<br><br> Over the years and in all weathers we drove many of the lanes of East Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. We would often get ourselves into a spot of bother and end up having to rescue one another from various ditches, mud patches or fords. I always enjoy going on trips with the Philpot family as they appreciate the beauty of the English countryside and show enormous respect to the people around us.<br><br> They are also good fun never taking anything too seriously and always managing to see the funny side to everything. Early on in our friendship I discovered that Mike was a jet mechanic 3 and as I had (and it is still argued have) no mechanical knowledge 3 I reasoned that he could fix my Land Rover. I admit that I had no idea of the difference between a jet engine and a 200TDi, but Mike must have realised that so long as he spoke with authority and used loads of technical terms I would be none the wiser.<br><br> Nobody tell him but it worked! Not long after we met I discovered All4wheels. Kevin was happily trading from a work shop less than 100 metres from my front door for two years before I even knew he was there.<br><br> As all Land Rover enthusiasts always need replacement bits I thought I would introduce Mike to All4wheels. Mike and I found that in Kevin we had a kindred spirit. It Goodbye and thanks for all the memories by Andy Young Page 38 - FP Winter 2009/10 wasn 9t long be we could often be found at Kevin 9s workshop leaning over an engine discussing .......<br><br> well everything really. At the workshop Kevin and I soon set ourselves the challenge to educate Mike in the correct language of his forefathers. We began by introducing him to the phrases ccheers mate d, cta d, and a few of the more cchoice d words of the English, English language.<br><br> Mike 9s pronunciation of some words always caused us great amusement 3 aluminium being my favourite, we spent many a time asking him exactly what celuminum d was as we had never heard of it. Eventually it just became known as ceefing Ali d. In return I now find myself using phrases like cY 9all d, cboondocks d, and cdude d!<br><br> Over the years Libby was very patient with Mike and his Land Rover obsession as most Saturday mornings were spent at the work shop playing with various incarnations of our vehicles. On one occasion between the three of us we owned 8 Land Rovers but only one was actually road worthy. It was at this point that we decided that we really should spend less time drinking coffee and talking and actually do some work.<br><br> As many of you know I did have rather a habit of breaking my Land Rovers 3 Mike was always on hand to help me repair them. It always cost me. I would be chastised in that unique American way that Mike has:- he would swear at me in cAmerican d follow it up with a couple of choice English phrases and then spend many happy hours taking the pee out of me until the next stupid thing I did and then it would begin again.<br><br> The Philpots accompanied me on the two foreign trips we made as a club 3 the first to Croatia and the second to France. Those of you that came with us on these trips will remember them well. Mike and his family were always willing to take part in everything we did and Mike often provided us with entertainment.<br><br> I remind you of the border crossing at Slovakia where Mike was propositioned by the male guard and Libby struggled not to burst out laughing! There was also the occasion where Mike put Precious through her paces at the off road course in France much to the delight of the rest of us. There is also the very serious matter of the lives that Mike helped save on that same trip to France.<br><br> A grateful club awarded Mike a life time family membership and he also received a Royal Humane Society award. Without Mike 9s very important and selfless action on that day it may well have not had the happy ending it did. Over the years Mike, Kevin and I have organised two Charity Open days.<br><br> They were both a roaring success and raised several thousand pounds for charity. Mike and Libby FP Winter 2009/10 - Page 39 both dedicated a great deal of their time and efforts to assist me in the organisation and running of the events. This is very typical of the Philpots who would help out where ever and whenever they could.<br><br> Who can ever forget the Chilli Mike produced for us all at the Billing show just three years ago. He said that after a cold wet day it would warm us all up a treat 3 he didn 9t lie!! Mike and his family tried to attend as many Land Rover shows as possible and would nearly always be two of the last remaining souls around the camp fire of an evening.<br><br> Mike and Libby would always make sure that they spoke to everyone and as a result made many more friends in the Land Rover world but outside our club, so much so that just this year the Editor of LRM and Charlie Thorn made a presentation at the Newark show to Mike to wish him well for the future. I could write pages of stories involving Mike and Libby such as the time in Croatia where Mike was insulted not by the fact he had been called English but by the fact the Croatian had called his Range Rover a Jeep. Or the time when Libby managed to greenlane all day but was finally beaten by a mud puddle less than two inches deep or the time when a very hung-over Mike managed to squeeze his 6ft 9in frame i<br><br>

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