04/07/04 - Woodlands 4x4

This was my second visit to an off road site and I was really looking forward to it after having so much fun at Slindon. Over the last week we've had a lot of heavy rain so I was expecting a mud fest and that's exactly what we got! I made sure I got a lot more photos this time, especially with help from my mate James.

Here we are just after arriving, driving round the white runs to get a feel of the place.

Plenty of water to get things going!

The site wasn't amazingly busy so most of the time we had plenty of space to do what we wanted without worrying about traffic jams.

James obviously having far too much fun in my truck!

I knew it might happen somehow but I didn't expect the way it did, we got stuck! However, it was because we were floating with the wheels off the ground! Here's James looking really pleased with himself for filling my truck with brown water! After sinking he managed to reverse back out of the water but not before my feet got wet!

A nice bloke in a Land Rover came past and kindly pulled the Samurai out. I wonder how many rescues justify fitting myself a winch?

Nice and soggy and steamy.

Okay I did read this on the way in but I have to admit I didn't really pay that much attention, it was supposed to be a red run after all. I didn't realise just how light the zuk is. I'll know better next time!

I knew it wasn't a good idea to stop the engine! Everything was fine except for the starter motor which wasn't happy about being full of water. A marshall came past and offered us some paper towel to dry things. Waving it vaguely near the electrics had a magical effect and the engine started straight away.

Okay now we've escaped the red run let's be careful for a while and head down a black run! Um...

This track looks tame in the photos but there were some major axle twisters down it. Just look at the articulation in those axles! I'm seriously happy with the way the truck handles!

There was so much water sloshing about the site after all the rain. We had a bow wave pretty much wherever we went.

Axles flexing again nicely!

I really like this one climbing out of a big bomb hole! Not a view most people get of their vehicles!

Back on a black run again, they're not so hard. Ah, except when they're full of 3 feet of liquid mud and I end up floating again! Nothing happening whatever I try to do. Where's that recovery strap again?

Definitely well stuck. James bravely climbed on the bonnet and stuck his hand in the mud to find the recovery point. Shame I couldn't get him to fall in! Hey what are friends for?!

Another very kind Land Rover driver pulled me out. It was quite a struggle at first but suddenly we glooped out and up over the edge. Then he got himself slightly stuck getting away!

You can see how deep the mud was from the brown line on the zuk. Hmm, where have my number plate and lights gone?!

Ahh nice and clean. See my nice new bright yellow recovery strap? Oh okay not so yellow anymore. Who knows what James is doing here!

Finally up another red run to wave a wheel in the air a few times before heading home. I went to two jet washes on the way home and still managed to leave a big pile of mud on the drive at home! We ended up taking the back seats and carpet out and jet washing the whole inside of the truck to get rid of the mud!

Here's Nikki scrubbing the dashboard after my filthy hands have been near it and Kath surveying the carnage! It looks great with the roof off, I might have to take it off more if we get some nice hot days!

All in all it was a fantastic day and I'll definitely be going back to Woodlands in future! Though I might try not to get the truck so full of mud next time!