New Addition.

Well with our other new addition arriving in August it was a great excuse to get a `Family Car`

So here it is. A 2004 Discovery 2

Skiing

We've had a bit of snow lately in case you havn't noticed. I got the chance to get out the last couple of Sundays. Last weekend was great. The snow was knee deep and the sun was out most of the day. Problem was we were late up to Cairngorm as I had been ill and the carparks were full and closed so Dave Girling and I decided to tour uphill instead. I was going to take it easy.

We were touring through the woods and following a set of tracks and not really paying attention. all of sudden we had ended up about 3km from where I thought we were. oops.

Bit of a mission through the trees we finally got a bit of height and eventually got to the carpark. After 4hrs....

The scenery was great and the company fun so I didn't really mind but with trying to beat off the tail end of a cold I was totally knackered at the end of the day. More than I ever have been for a long time. Thanks Dave for breaking trail almost all day. I wouldn't have missed one of the best days for snow cover I've seen in a long time.

This Sunday just past I had a day out up Glenshee using lifts this time.

Truck Progress and Updates

The story is...........

My truck has been off the road. Not offroading but off the road since just before Christmas. The MOT has now run out and with skiing getting in the way I have not had a chance to sort it out. During the events I did last year there were a few little niggles that I wanted to get sorted. I have decided to keep it off the road for now and give it a bit of an overhaul and much needed TLC.

I want a bit more power and I wanted to sort out the problem of running SU Carbs on steep slopes. So it is going to get a heart transplant. I have got another V8 engine a bit bigger than before and this time with Efi (electronic fuel injection) lined up thanks to the guys at Strathearn Engineering and will hopefully be getting that fitted in the coming weeks. So if you want to get hold of my old engine it is up for sale. £250.00 click on the SORC or Devon 4x4 forums for details. I'm going to be putting in a new fuel tank and fuel system as well.

I will also be tidying up some areas including some of the wiring straightening some of the panels... But most importantly I'll be tidying up the interior to make it a nicer place to be and I think I'm also going to fit some Harness Seat Belts. This will save the trouble when getting back in on a steep slope and the seat belt won't move.

My new simex tyres should be arriving at Devon 4x4 any day now and will be getting sent up ASAP.

Finish of the TFC Aug 2008

So that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on how I get on.

Skiing

I got back from Morzine a week ago now. It was a great week out seeing Craig and Dani. Lots of skiing and some planning for their wedding in May. Ate lots of food and drank a bit. Excellent week but now it is back to work......

Powder day on the last day.

We had a sunnier start to the week.

It was cold when the sun went down.

We did a bit of off piste but we were hit with high avalanche risks at the end of the week.

Some videos here.

Next Year

Well the dates are out for some events next year and so it is time to work out what to do.

The Scotia Winch Challenge Club who organise the TFC have launched a Winch Challenge series based at Drumglog.

This looks as though it could be a good series of events but Drumglog can be a mud bath and it is not my idea of fun to winch through a bog all day long. To me that is a test of your winch and not your driving. It would be great if the Cheviot 4x4 team could organise a series of events like the one we did in Co. Durham as that was a great mix of technical driving and winching.

I've decided I'm going to enter the first SWCC event and see how it goes.

TFC 2008

Cheviot 4x4 Challenge 2008

There are still some upgrades to do before then. The new tyres have been ordered. a set of 35/10.50 16 Simex Extreme Trekkers. These are the same tyres I used this year but the sets I used were borrowed so I better buy my own for next year.
I'm also going to upgrade the shocks for next year. With relocation cones on the front to match the rear end. I ended up poping the front springs out a few times this year and in the process wrecking my front shocks. A product from Llama 4x4 should sort that. This is an 11" travel set up that will use my current springs. Going to get that ordered soon to try and fit it in December sometime.