Already another blog! Well this is actually catching up from the last year. In May of 2015 some friends and I went to Wales to do some green laneing, and tackle the notorious Strata Florida.

Overall it was a very enjoyable trip.

Our day started very early, and involved heading down the M4 to Wales.

 Once in South Wales met up with the other two in our weekend party and headed north through Wales to the edge of the Snowdonia National park.

Unfortunately just before reaching the first Lane of the day, my Defender lost drive. Applying power resulted in lots of noise. My friend noted the props were still moving, so I assumed I’d lost a diff as I had no loud noise as if a half shaft had given up – fortunately note the case, but more on that later. At the time I pulled over to remove the prop and half shafts (to avoid further damaged to the diff), we had determined it was the rear when we pulled up.

Once complete I stuck it in diff lock and off we went! Albeit slightly disadvantaged by having a front wheel drive Defender – but it could have been worse.

A short drive later and we were at the first green lane, which happened to be a fairly steep but not aggressive uphill section, which I instantly got stuck on. As all the weight shift to the back the front wheels lost traction and dug a hole. Not a great start. So my friend pulled my Defender plus his own up. This would be come fairly familiar over the weekend.

The day flew by and we tackled many fun lanes around Wales on the approach to the big one, Strata Florida. Some of which my Defender had to be assisted……

We even stopped for a spot of lunch on the side of a hill, accompanied by some sheep.

Then on to more lanes.

At the end of the first day we made camp in some woodland. This is what the camp site looked like when we pitched – it look very different at 3am in the howling wind and pouring rain as our tents fell in on themselves!

The next day came, and the very next lane was the start of the Strata Florida, the part which I was fearing somewhat. Initially my fear was borne from taking a Rover V8 through a river – which they hate, and it’s generally consider a bad idea, unless you have spent some time and initiative water proofing the V8 – which I hadn’t done (not even WD40 or some form of petroleum jelly!!). I now also had the additional worry of only having front wheel drive! So not ideal, but regardless we trooped on, and she did great, made it through all sections without aid.

Was a great weekend, and I much prefer the Welsh lanes to the scratchy, boggy lanes in England. But it did generate some work, which turned out not to be the diff, but more worn half shaft and drive plate, so a nice simple fix (didn’t get pictures sorry, but I’m sure you can work it out).

That’s all for this post, but what I would say is, what remarkable vehicles Defender’s truly are. While mine was half what it should have been, my friends Defender pulled my Defender plus its own weight over some fairly tricky obstacles – which was very impressive. And even though my Defender spent a fair time on tow, it still did some impressive obstacles FWD only. I can’t help but be impressed. I’m probably biased.