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Diary - One Life Adventure, Wales (Mar 2008)
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| It is a bizarre feeling waking up not really knowing what the world around you looks like. Stumbling down the ladder from the roof tent on Saturday morning, ready for our days adventure, our minds were given the images of the surroundings they so desperately sought. Except that an early morning on the Welsh hills in March doesn’t exactly allow you to see very far, as the fog and cloud cover was still very much in force. |
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| We had turned up to the first nights camping spot after the sun had gone down. So your head has to paint the pictures for you, based on limited knowledge. Now this isn’t just based around the countryside, the flickering fire and torches give you false impressions of people’s faces. Hence waking up and wondering whom our bald neighbour was, even though we had just spent several hours chatting the night before. |
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| The group was made up of nine vehicles, ranging from a fully kitted out 110 Defender, Land Cruisers and Discoveries, even including a Nissan Nirvara. The group was a nice size including a couple of dogs and some even noisier kids. Who as the weekend progressed became quieter and quieter, as energy and enthusiasm diminished. Having shared a couple of beers on the Friday night over a fire kicking out less heat than a toaster, the introductions were made and some banter had begun. |
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| As the day began we all departed the campsite and headed for the first lane. Starting off the weekend, Paul had decided on a rather tight, muddy lane to get the vehicles looking how they should do, nice and dirty. I was more than happy when Lorne, the man with a hat for every occasion, managed to get stuck in his shiny, new Discovery 3. Especially as it meant that Gweneveer had to help rescue the high tech tin of gadgets from a tree stump. Simply to encounter a rather prickly bush a few hundred yards further on. |
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| I wasn’t let off and I managed to get hung up on a tree, by getting the snorkel caught between two branches. Without being able to move we trimmed the tree and then Katie clambered onto the roof to push the remaining branches away from the roof tent to make sure we escaped further punishment, much to others amusement. |
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| The day continued onto some more open lanes, to make them a little more flowing without so many stops. Still entertaining with mud, rocks and water to contend with the rest of the day went by without incident. As the weather was poor we opted to make camp in a campsite for a little more shelter. Those people with awnings soon became everyone’s best friend, so we could shelter from the rain (thank you Debbie and Andrew). |
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| The final day was perfect, the sun eventually shone and the clouds moved high enough to enjoy the spectacular hill top and deep valley views that Wales has to offer. The morning’s lanes also treated us to plenty of challenges, involving teamwork to ensure that all vehicles made it through un-scathed. The enjoyment of the day even meant that we were still smiling at the end of the 3 hour plus drive from the Welsh coast. |
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| All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable weekend, if not a little wet and muddy. Thanks to those who made it great fun and to Paul from One Life Adventures. For more photos see the Gallery section of the website. |
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