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Techno Commander
16-10-2010, 17:23
Just got back from a weeks camping and offroading in the Lake Distruct. :)

The first night was a little nippy and I would accept that 4 deg C is a little bit on the cold side for being in a tent, but all was well and much fun was had and copious quantities of alcohol were consumed around the camp fire.

One of my friends was a little upset when he realised his vehicle was wider than one of the tracks he was negotiating.:eek: By the time the wagon had been extricated, there wasnt an undamaged panel left.:lol:

Anyway, here is a week condensed into 40 pictures.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0649.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0651.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0655.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0658.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0662.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0664.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0669.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0671.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0682.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0685.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0686.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0687.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0689.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0692.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0699.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0700.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0711.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/P1040112.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/IMG_6375.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0719.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/P1040130.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/P1040138.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0739.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0740.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0764.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0780.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0788.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0790.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0792.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0798.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0802.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0805.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/IMG_6403.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/IMG_6408.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/IMG_6409.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/IMG_6411.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/IMG_6416.jpg

Reid Malenfant
16-10-2010, 17:48
Lovely looking area you were in, some great pictures to :)

Funny but as soon as i saw the land cruiser i figured it was the one that was a bit lardy & would be the problem. Some classy damage there, good job it's an old one :doh:

Alex_UK
16-10-2010, 19:13
Looks like a fab time! Did you have to use the winch on the '52 plate 110 or was it "gentle" green-laning?

At least it wasn't a Landy that got damaged! ;) Which one is yours Andy?

(Here's mine (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showpost.php?p=117511&postcount=27) - you might enjoy the whole old thread too.)

I've been camping in the snow in February, but I was at lot younger and more stupid then!

Can I come next time, pretty please!

Reid Malenfant
16-10-2010, 19:21
Jeez Alex, that looks like a beast :eyebrows:

A good friend of mine goes trailing in his landy, i'm not sure what model it is, all i know is it's the short wheelbase version & quite old. However it's fitted with a rover 3.5 V8 & i have never seen a landy move like it.

It's the pickup type, no rear section, just a farmers kind of thing with a lot of ooomph :lol: Full roll cage etc, the guys a bit nuts, but aren't we all ;)

Techno Commander
16-10-2010, 20:57
The winch was indeed needed. You can see a photo where the rear diff has bottomed out on some rocks preventing reverse movement and due to being stationary, couldnt get enough momentum to move forward either.

Unfortunately, none of the wagons are mine. I was merely a navigator/photographer/passenger as required. :)

Alex_UK
16-10-2010, 21:02
Unfortunately, none of the wagons are mine. I was merely a navigator/photographer/passenger as required. :)

But on the upside, you don't have to pay for the damage!

Techno Commander
16-10-2010, 21:13
On this occaison, that is a considerable upside. :lol:

Marco
17-10-2010, 12:50
Hi Andy,

Superb pics, so thanks for sharing. Looks like you guys had a great time!

Where exactly in the lake district was that? :)

Marco.

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 18:51
The entrance to the "camp site" / field where we camped was quite literally 20 meters from the Eastern side of Coniston Water. Most of the routes we travelled were within 20 miles of this location.

Google (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=54.32218,-3.079718&spn=0.002612,0.007194&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=54.321862,-3.079551&panoid=WD34jhgtJaD6i3mQVb3otQ&cbp=12,19.4,,0,5.07)

Marco
17-10-2010, 19:58
Cheers, Andy. As I don't know the area very well, where is the nearest town to it? :)

Marco.

Tony Moore
17-10-2010, 19:59
Pics 5,6 & 7 are absolutely stunning! :stalks:

The offroading looks challenging and great fun.

Cheers,
Tony

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 20:05
Cheers, Andy. As I don't know the area very well, where is the nearest town to it? :)

Marco.

The nearest towns are Coniston, which is more or less directly opposite on the other side of the lake and Ambleside, which is approx 10 miles away at the top of Windermere. However, it usually took about 45 mins to travel that distance as the roads are somewhat windy.

Reid Malenfant
17-10-2010, 20:12
That's the place Donald Campbell was killed in his jet powered boat :eek:

Still it looks like a beautiful area from your pics Andy ;)

Marco
17-10-2010, 20:17
Hi Andy,


The nearest towns are Coniston, which is more or less directly opposite on the other side of the lake and Ambleside, which is approx 10 miles away at the top of Windermere. However, it usually took about 45 mins to travel that distance as the roads are somewhat windy.

Cheers, and noted. I like the lake district; just not how busy it gets with bloody tourists, so it's good to know where the best places are off the beaten track, away from the madness, where one can enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of the area in peace! :)

Marco.

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 20:20
That is part of the reason for visiting in October. Only the "hardcore" visitors are left.
There is still the odd rambler or two, but at least all the casual tourists are safely tucked up in their warm homes.

Marco
17-10-2010, 20:26
Haha... Indeed :eyebrows:

Del and I went in August last year and it was a bloody nightmare (full of idiots) - never again! :doh: :rolleyes:

Any nice little quaint country pubs around there that serve good food? That's what we like.

Marco.

Jonboy
17-10-2010, 20:41
Nice pics Andy looks like you had fun, just had to chuck nearly £500 at my old Disco this week to get it mot'd, this will be its last i fear

Jonboy
17-10-2010, 20:44
That's the place Donald Campbell was killed in his jet powered boat :eek:



My wifes uncle helped to make it in Haywards Heath no less

Beechwoods
17-10-2010, 21:17
Wow... fantastic pictures and a great time had by all it looks like!

I have a Mitsubishi Delica, which I love - I've wanted to go green-laning for a long time. Where do you suggest I go to find out the best routes? I don't want to end up with a shotgun up by ass from some angry landowner!

One of these:

HT1m456t-ig

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 21:31
Any nice little quaint country pubs around there that serve good food? That's what we like.

Marco.


Indeed. The Drunken Duck (http://www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk/restaurant.htm). There was another as well, I will ask the name, as I have forgotten it. :)

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 21:39
Wow... fantastic pictures and a great time had by all it looks like!

I have a Mitsubishi Delica, which I love - I've wanted to go green-laning for a long time. Where do you suggest I go to find out the best routes? I don't want to end up with a shotgun up by ass from some angry landowner!

One of these:

We used to have an L300 Delica (I prefer the "Tonka Toy" looks of the 300 over the 400. An excellent little off roader and rather underated.
http://car.finder.ph/adpics/4b57deddd9137ba34b40d56c9.jpg

Here is info on the Green Lanes that are accessible to the public.
http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/index/enjoying/outdoors/green_roads.htm

Beechwoods
17-10-2010, 21:44
Thanks Andy. I know what you mean about the L300 but the L400 is my dream car, TBH. A bit of a boys toy, but lovely to drive and fantastic in snow. I've not had the chance to drive it properly offroad but I know it's got the wherewithal to handle real offroading. The later L300's were neat and compact. Access to the engine is easier on the 400 though!

Alex_UK
17-10-2010, 22:05
I have a Mitsubishi Delica, which I love - I've wanted to go green-laning for a long time. Where do you suggest I go to find out the best routes? I don't want to end up with a shotgun up by ass from some angry landowner!

Hi Nick,

My first piece of advice is don't go alone! Make sure there are at least two vehicles, preferably more, but not too many (4 maximum, to save upsetting the ramblers and Farmer Giles.) I went once on my own and was crapping myself! Some so-called "gentle" green lanes can still cause problems for the inexperienced or unwary, never mind mechanical failure. I've heard horror stories of people getting stuck, not knowing how to get out and sleeping in their vehicle overnight not having anything with them or a clue where they are!

You're probably best trying to find a 4WD club, really, and joining an organised trip, but if you do have to fend for yourself then you need to look for BOATs - Byway Open to All Traffic - which is basically all you can legally drive these days... (I won't bore you with how that all changed, but we have a miniscule amount of green lanes that can legally be driven now.) You still have to be careful, though, because if a particular lane is suffering damage then the local council may impose a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) closing the route. So, get an Ordnance Survey map of the area, and check with your local authority (I should have mentioned that map reading skills are essential, too!)

Plenty of info on the web, but the Green Lane Association might be a good start - http://www.glass-uk.org/.

Beechwoods
17-10-2010, 22:15
Thanks Alex. That sounds like sound advice. There's no way Mrs Beechwoods would countenance going out on some ill-prepared jolly, so if it does happen, it'll be under lab-controlled conditions! It's a shame that the routes have become so few and far between, but as a walker and a lover of the countryside, I understand why these places can't be a free-for-all with so many people having off-road capable vehicles, and very little clue how to use them. I did a fantastic day's offroading in Wales with Land Rover a few years ago, with a certified guide/instructor, and it sure was good having someone who knew what they were doing next to me! It's surprising how much fun you can have at 8 miles and hour!

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 22:41
Good advice from Alex. Also make sure you are well equipped, including a good first aid kit and the knowledge to use it. In many parts of the Lake Distict, these is no mobile phone coverage. If you have an accident, you may need to fend for yourself.

Marco
17-10-2010, 23:10
My first piece of advice is don't go alone!


...because there's a mad fucker with a chainsaw in the woods, who's going to carve your head clean off down to the bone... MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... :chainsaw:

Marco.

Alex_UK
17-10-2010, 23:18
...funny you should say that, I was also going to say you should always take a chainsaw in case of "fallen trees" :eyebrows:

The Grand Wazoo
17-10-2010, 23:21
........but you should never use one unless you know what you're doing - especially on fallen trees.

aquapiranha
17-10-2010, 23:22
We used to have an L300 Delica (I prefer the "Tonka Toy" looks of the 300 over the 400. An excellent little off roader and rather underated.
http://car.finder.ph/adpics/4b57deddd9137ba34b40d56c9.jpg

Here is info on the Green Lanes that are accessible to the public.
http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/index/enjoying/outdoors/green_roads.htm

Approach angle looks a bit dodgy there, maybe you could lose some of the bulk off the front or jack the whole thing up a little?

If I was going to be doing this I would want to be in a '90 or if I won the lottery a Pinzgauer (4 wheel version, not the 6)

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 23:30
The front steps can be unbolted to improve approach angle immensely. A set of proper off road tyres will add an inch or two. :eyebrows:

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 23:35
Just noticed something weird. Can anyone see what is wrong with this photo?

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/sillystuff99/offroad/Lakes%2010/DSCN0669.jpg

Alex_UK
17-10-2010, 23:44
There's an alien having a wee against a tree?! :eek:

Alex_UK
17-10-2010, 23:45
Or is it a Chinese terracotta warrior, with a miniature mammoth in tow?

Alex_UK
17-10-2010, 23:46
I think I need to go to bed! :goodnight:

Techno Commander
17-10-2010, 23:49
There's an alien having a wee against a tree?! :eek:

Bloody tourists ruining everything. :lol:

Jonboy
18-10-2010, 17:06
There's an alien having a wee against a tree?! :eek:

Looks like his dog and someone else are watching as well, perverts

DavidF
07-01-2011, 18:53
Sorry about your mate's vehicle TC.

Techno Commander
07-01-2011, 18:54
Sorry about your mate's vehicle TC.

Dont be.

We werent.:lol:

DavidF
07-01-2011, 19:23
Dont be.

We werent.:lol:

NO, but was he?

Alex_UK
07-01-2011, 21:34
It's not damage, its character. :)

Techno Commander
07-01-2011, 22:08
NO, but was he?

Not at all. Thats the whole point in using an old battered vehicle for something like this. A few more dings are all part of the event.