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Diary - Land Rover Experience (Jan 2007)
| Land Rover Experience - Jan 2007 |
| Our first exposure to the brilliance that is the Land Rover Defender was during a taster session at the official Land Rover Experience centre based at Eastnor Castle. Surrounded by the Malvern Hills, consisting of forest and open park land, the estate allows for the centre to make use of a large proportion of the 5000 acre estate. |
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| Getting invited to have a couple of hours to drive a Land Rover Defender was the perfect way to kick of the journey. At this point we still were debating about a Land Rover or a Toyota, so it came at a perfect time. Admittedly we were already 90% certain that it was what we would use, however it gave us that final seal of approval. Neither of us knew of a Defender owner, so trying one out, especially off road was never likely to happen. So we instantly grabbed the opportunity. |
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| The morning started with a coffee and a chat with the instructor, who’s name I have unfortunately forgot. That said the advice and enthusiasm that he gave us has been priceless. We were a little daunted about going, thinking it would be more of a sales push than a simple experience. However after a little pretending that we were after a brand new vehicle, it came to light that we were in fact looking for something a little older. |
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| After a quick tarmac drive, we headed of onto the soft stuff for some proper testing. Being in the early part of the year we were granted with some nice mud to sink the tyres into. What amazed both of us was the simple ease that a land rover tackles anything that gets thrown in front of it. Being complete novices at playing in the mud are nerves were a little high. This was instantly calmed when after about 50 metres onto the track we reached our first decent. Not a massive slope, but certainly one that you would never take a car down. Instructed to pop the Land Rover into 1st and place our feet flat on the floor, away from peddles, we tip-toed forward to the edge. Approaching a steep slope with your feet glued to floor and away from the controls seems like a risky thing to do, but it is the safest and easiest. We simply hit the downward stretch and the engine performed its party piece and eased us down towards the flat with effortless precision. |
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| The rest of the morning was spent experiencing water, ascents and rutted tracks, not forgetting the ever enjoyable descents. During all of this, more experience, suggestions and ideas were shared from the instructor’s personal overland adventures. |
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| I recommend that if you are interested in Land Rovers to get in touch with land rover and try to organise a test drive. It will be an invaluable and fun morning. |
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