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Diary - One Life Adventure, South Wales (Jul 2008)
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| It’s always a worry when you attempt to do something for the second time, when the first One Life Adventure event was fantastic. However as we had already done a One Life Adventure weekend before we drove the couple of hours to South Wales with high hopes of a repeat of our previous enjoyment. I didn’t think we had got to the farmers field, high up in the middle of nowhere very late, but everybody else was already set up, fed and getting cosy around the camp fire. Through the wonders of roof tents and our pre-prepared chilli-con-carne just needing a re-heat, we were soon parked up in the last of the gaps around the fire. Unfortunately our late arrival meant we had to contend with the smoky side of the fire! |
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| The weather generally held out all weekend, unlike my driving ability, which failed on the first track. Having seen a couple of jagged rocks on the right I kept a little too far from them and ended up going off the water submerged track to the left. As I slipped from the track I managed to get the front wheel trapped between two rocks. Much to everybody’s amusement, a rescue commenced with a tow from the rear. The first couple of goes failed, so along came Wayne and his new winch only to find out the shaking and water had put a stop to it. We ended up getting dragged forward, bumping, banging and with a lot of revving. Unfortunately this did result in bending the Track Rod, messing up the tracking for the rest of the weekend. |
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| With the laughter and embarrassment behind us we were back on the go. But not for long before our highly experienced guide, Paul, made me feel better by getting stuck in the mud! Now Paul is a thoughtful guy, always considering his guests and because that rescue was over before everybody could get a good look he subsequently put a rock through the side wall of his tyre, meaning whilst we had lunch Paul had to get his hands dirty. |
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| There is something about stopping in the middle of the countryside, surrounded by nothing but vegetation and putting the kettle on, having some food, laughing about the mishaps and getting to know new faces. Even if you’re a fairly shy person, the common interest of the activities and 4x4s make conversation an easy event. |
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| South Wales is generally based on rock paved lanes so mud was not too much of an issue, only the constant bouncing and wobbling. There was a really good mixture of obstacles to tackle over the weekend, none as precarious as a river we decided to cross, twice, just for the thrill. The river was a good distance across, a nice depth to ensure the soles of your feet got damp and most the unsettling was the pace of the current. It really is impressive the ease that 4x4s handle this kind of obstacle, even if you have never done any water crossings, you would be amazed how little effort is required. Unless your name is David and you have two little boys in the back, who suddenly get concerned you about to float down the river, as the slope of the bank seems to be moving away (see the video clip). All was safe, but their hearts were certainly racing when they got out the other side. |
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| The weekend proved to be another very enjoyable time, with a brilliant group of people to chat to and spend time with, many of whom had never even been camping before. The highlight has to be travelling along Strata Florida, a classic Welsh green lane. The variety of obstacles to travel over and the surrounding scenery kept the senses alive, adding yet more memories to take away from an already packed weekend. |
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| Thank you to those who were there and who helped make it a really good weekend. |
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| For more photos see the Gallery section of the website. |
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