Big Watty

Whist out in Wales last weekend we came across members of CRAG CRAG digging the footings for a bridge to take quads and ramblers over the river by the steps along Sarn Helen. Well done to them - it was good to see words being put into action As a result I joined CRAG today (still a member of GLASS and will remain so) On a slightly less positive note there was evidence of damage along side the route where it looked loke trail bikes had avoided the puddles by driving up the banks Chris

I'm treasurer of a 4x4 club and our insurance is up for renewal - does anyone know of a good company who will understand what we want as I'm not sure that a our current provider has a clue - for those of you involved in clubs do you have liability insurance?

Yes - called in after the Belgium Nationals - very like Deliverance (for those of you who have seen the film - we camped overnight on the site - only saw a very small section but it looks great - we went underground but in the absence of a guide it got quite scary! There's also quite a bit of interesting history abount the site Here an except of an article I put into our club magazine: The site is near a village called Ribencourt-Dreslingcourt about 130kms due South of Dunkirk. It's based in a Forest that boast 300 acres of off road driving - when you consider that Whaddon is about 60 acres it gives you some idea of the potential. We found the site after driving out of the village up the side of a hill into what looked like forestry commission land in so much as the road was graded and it was heavily wooded. We arrived at the car part to what appeared to be a scene from Deliverance (for those of you who know the film!). The site owner lived in a house that looked like it was made of Pallets and there were some very dodgy looking characters around (as if anyone who lives in the forest five miles from the nearest brick building could be considered normal!!). However the owner was very hospitable, spoke no English and French that was so heavily accented that Philip (my son and resident translator) couldn't understand a word of what he was saying. We weren't sure if he was inviting us for a drink or planned to have us for dinner (literally!!!) anyway we declined the invitation and set up camp after having decided that if any of was going to be eaten by the locals we would offer Jason (who is over 20 years old but looks 12) as a piece offering whilst the rest of us made a run for it!!! The bits of the site we saw were fairly extreme but all could be driven with care - one of the big attractions is that there are miles of underground caverns that where mined out by monks hundreds of years ago (I think for building monasteries). We began to explore the underground bits in Ian's 90 but the roof started to close in and as we were without a guide we were concerned about losing our way - if fact as we turned round we did get lost and were saved by Mike O'Connor and his son (who are experienced cavers) as they were wandering around on foot!! In fact the site has an amazing, and for me, fascinating history. As the monks were mining the limestone out they took to much and the roof collapsed leaving the the five pillars still standing as evidence of how high the roof was - there was a picture of this in last month magazine as there was a picture of Ian driving his 90 out of the entrance to the underground route. During WW1 the site was used by t he Germans to fortify their front lines and used by then as an ammunition store - there is still plenty of evidence of their occupancy. the French regained control and then lost it again - we came across evidence of underground stables and lots of iron candle holders. All in all the feeling was that this site is well worth and the visit, probably as a long weekend. Chris

on a 300tdi it's a good idea to use a couple of plastic bags when unscrewing the filter so you can drop the filter directly into it without oil going up your arm put the bags round the filter (once you've loosened it) then unscrew

if you feel like joining the ramblers association: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/membership/memapp.html Chris

I've been lead to believe that individual letters to local MP's can be more effectice than a generic letter to number 10 - that's not to say we can't do both Chris

I recently sent the letter below via email to my local MP - I found a website when I put his name into Google that enabled me to send it - whilst all my not agree with my comments regarding locking rights of way or an additional licence fee I would happily consider all options that let me continue to use the rights of way sensibly and stop the "hooligan element" spoil it for the vast majority Tuesday 08 November 2005 Dear Tim Boswell, I am contacting you in relation to the NERC bill currently in front of Parliament. I am a keen exponent of using the countryside and travel extensively in my land rover exploring legal rights of way across the UK. I am a member of a family orientated 4x4 club based in Milton Keynes, where as a committee member I always advocate sensible use of the rights of way with vehicular rights, an option well supported within the club. Having said that I share the concerns of other countryside users about damage that can be caused by a very small minority of 4x4 drivers who drive both illegally and without consideration for other users such as walkers and horse riders. I very concerned that the net result of the NERC bill will further marginalise 4X4 drivers and reduce further the number of rights of way we can drive - thus increasing the risk of damage, without actually hitting the intended target who should be those using the rights of way either illegally or irresponsibly. Indeed instead of reducing the rights of way that can be driven it would make far more sense to increase the number therefore "spreading the load". I would welcome restrictions placed on rights of way either by having them locked with the keys being made available through local club rights of way officers or indeed a form of road licence fee where the money raised can be put towards effective policing of the rights of way, or maintaining them (or a combination of the above). Bearing in mind some of the far reaching and very important business in front of parliament at the moment I know that this may seem an irrelevance. However it seems to me that this is potentially very important bearing in mind the constant drip of this government removing individual’s rights Just for information out of the rights of way in the UK only 5% currently have vehicular rights and of this 5% more than 20% are currently closed. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I would be grateful for your views and support when reviewing the NERC legislation Yours sincerely, Christopher Watt

I think Mantec sell them - I have one if you want it but it's slightly bent where I caught the bottom of the Hi Lift on the ground! Oh and It's got alloy wheel nuts

vaseline doesn't always work - you can get a lighter grease that looks a bit like mayonniase (I think it's designed specifically)

Just that sort of thing Thanks

I recently found my self balancing the 110 on a hump between the wheels - a consquence of driving a 110 where 90's fear to go - and dented the underneath of the chassi rail does any one have any examples of how to protect the chassis rails those of you who drive 110's will know what I mean!! thanks Chris

I have a paypal account but am not sure haw to use it out side of ebay - Iif some one could post instuction of how best to contribute by whatever method possible then maybe it will help collect funds for the upkeep of the forum

If it looks lioke the tanks leaking then change it - it is a one man job but a bit fiddly to get some of teh bolts out from the front of the tank - I would suggest you get soem duck oil of wd40 on a day or so before you start

A group of us went to France with Mudplug about two years ago and did a tour of the WW1 battlefields - a superb weekend which I'm looking forward tro doing again in the next couple of years Eric and Nora (who are Mudplug) are extremely friendly and accommodating - not the cheapest weekend away and the lanes we drove were far from extreme - but the history of what went on during WW1 and visting some of the graveyards was something not to be missed

We're booked on the same ferry!! we're stopping overnight Thursday in the Duke of York Travelodge outside Dover I'm in a white hard top 110 - in a group with a white 90 and two or three blue 90 csw Hopefully we can meet up!!! Chris

I'm going with a number of friends from Milton Keynes 4x4 - wondered if any one from here is going I know it's part sponsored bt LRE but appart from that it's a fun weekend Chris

Try ebay - there's usually someone on there selling them

I have a very old (and I mean so old that Ryders sent me a free part as they had no more use for it) M8000 - I fitted a superwinch motor and although it's not quick (and that's an understatement) It's more than adequate for use on my 110 - It's been soaked, lefy idle for months and not let me down - it's easy to take apart and rebuild and parts are readily available I have no experience of the XD9000i Chris

you had me down as "a bit of a show off" Mind you that was due to being on the from cover of December 04 mag (if anyone wants a copy I may have some left) Chris

Thanks - I wait with interest

I got back off holiday to find that Les Brock was still having trouble with his head - has it been sorted - it took me a while to find my way here but it's good to be back amongst friends