THE last time I was sitting in a Land Rover, poised to drive what is probably the best greenlane in Wales, I was behind the wheel of my 300Tdi auto Discovery 1. I can’t believe that was four years ago – and it might have been longer, had a message not popped up on my Instagram feed asking if I wanted to join a classic greenlane run. It was sent by Adam Everall from West Wales Greenlaners and the trip was just a couple of days away. The weather looked favourable – so why not?
I guess the ‘why not?’ could have been the fact that I wouldn’t be able to leave Cambridgeshire until 5.00pm, and it was a Friday before a bank holiday weekend and even the M6 Toll was looking busy. And being a classic run, I had decided to take my V8-engined Series III pick-up; a vehicle not renowned for its long-distance comfort.
Still, despite a couple of minor hold-ups on the motorway network, the roads got smaller and became twistier as I chased the sun, watching it gradually disappear beyond the horizon. I knew it would be dark by the time I got to the campsite; hopefully the nearby pub would still be open for a cheeky pint before bed.
A quick route check showed me which petrol stations would be open along the route, and after refuelling at Welshpool, it was plain sailing to Penrhiw campsite at Ffair Rhos, where it was indeed dark when I arrived. A swathe of Japanese 4x4s flanked the gravel track down the centre of the campsite and I picked out a flattish spot at the bottom of the site to pitch my trusty cot-tent.
Landing with a squelch as I alighted the Land Rover, I soon realised why the other campers had left this spot empty – the water ran off the rest of the site and down to it. At least my tent sits off the ground; I just needed to remember to put my boots on before putting my feet on the
