Wales – December 2006
As it was Phil’s birthday we had decided to spend the weekend in Wales for a bit of off-roading. We decided we would go back and try Llanerchindda farm (the last time we tried foot and mouth was declared the day we arrived). So I contacted them via E-mail and received a reply almost by return. I found that there were new owners, previously it had been owned and run by Nick “lets mortar a few sheep” Boynton but its now owned by Martin & lynne Haddley and their 2 sons Mark and Andrew.
Land Rover Discovery 200 Tdi "Trigger"
Land Rover Discovery 3.5 V8 (red) "Phil's old V8 Disco"Accommodation in the self catering cottage was quickly arranged for 7th to the 10th December.
Phil was going down in his Disco’with Mark(“Herbert”) and David on the Thursday and I and Jamie would be joining them on the Friday night. I had intended to take “Uriah” the white 110 but when I used it on the Wednesday for work, it was running like a dog, I managed to do about 70 miles to a whole tank of petrol. So on Thursday I switched to the blue 110 (the one I took to Poland) but Friday night disaster struck on the way home from work. The brakes failed completely, a steel brake pipe had become so badly corroded it split and all the fluid had drained. So with the failure of plan “B” we had to do some quick re-thinking. In the end I switched to the only other 4×4 I had, my Disco’. The only trouble was that a) it was not equipped for off-roading b) it was 30 miles away c) all the recovery equipment was in the blue 110 and lastly I swore I wouldn’t take it off-road again after I ditched it during a lunch break a few weeks before. First all the recovery equipment had to be loaded into “Uriah” then we had to drive “Uriah” over to the Disco’ and swap over all the recovery gear.
We were ready to leave by 8:30 pm and by now I was quite tired. We stopped off at London Colney on the M25 to fill up and pick up a crate of Red Bull then it was off to Wales in the driving rain. It was very windy but relatively uneventful until we reached the Severn bridge, it was so windy the car was knocked about all over the show. We had opted to go all the way down the M4 rather than striking out at Newport across the Brecon Beacons. Everything was fine until just outside Llandrillo we ground to unexpected halt. It was just before midnight and we were in the middle of nowhere but the road was blocked by a car that had skidded off the road into a ditch. We were stuck there for about half an hour. We eventually arrived at about 1 in the morning totally exhausted. Despite the fact that Phil had stuffed my pillow case with plastic bags to make a lot of noise and make me sweat, I slept like a log.
Saturday 9th December 2006
Next morning we awoke to a grey day, a slow drizzle was coming down and it was quite cold. After a cooked breakfast we had a consultation with Andrew in the main farm house where they have OS maps of the surrounding area with all the lanes clearly marked. One of the advantages of Llanchindda farm is their knowledge of the current state of the surrounding lanes and their drive-ability. We decided to tackle Strata Florida and set off with me, David and Jamie in my Discovery in the lead and Phil and “Herbert” in the V8. We drive up the steep hill from the farm and follow the road until we reach the gate of the first lane where we turn right off tarmac and proceed down a steep but well maintained lane to the road below. From here we proceed to the Llyn Bryne Reservoir and beyond, stopping occasionally to take pictures of the reservoir.
We eventually arrive at OS map ref: SN804569 and here we again turn off tarmac and proceed along the lane. At first the going is good and we get no problems. We can see that the water is fast flowing and deep but my only concern is that Phil’s Discovery may have problems with water in the electrics, as it is a petrol V8. Eventually we arrive at map ref: SN798618 where a stream cuts into the main river from the left. The going is bare rock which is rough and provides plenty of grip. The plan until now has been for the diesel Discovery to tackle the crossings first and if it succeeds then the V8 will follow. As neither vehicle has a winch, the idea is if the V8 gets waterlogged then we can pull it through with the other Discovery using rear tow hitch. On the left there is quite drop from the track into the main river so I take a line to the right to stay away from the edge, big mistake! Where the stream comes in from the right it has hollowed out a deep depression in the bedrock. As the discovery tries to climb out the rear wheels crash in and the tow bar becomes wedge in the hole. We are stuck fast with ice cold water pouring into the car up to the bottom of the seats. The pressure of water on the side of the car is so great there is a danger of it being swept into the main river. Jamie clambers out and attaches a strop to the rear hitch in the freezing water and throws the end to the others. They turn the V8 round in the narrow lane and attempt to pull the Disco’ out. But it is stuck fast and refuses to come. We reluctantly attempt a “snatch” recovery and she come free, but at a cost. The rear chassis cross-member is twisted and the tow bar mountings are ripped clean out on one side. We decide enough is enough and turn round and make our way carefully back. We arrive back at the farm in time for dinner so we decide that a take away is the order of the day. A quick trip into Llandovery results in an excellent curry. Earlier in the day we learnt that Herbert (Mark) had laced our toffees with pepper for a joke. So on the way back his meal was treated to an extra dose of chilli and Jalapeno oil hat we had purchased in Llandovery. Unfortunately his taste buds were such that he didn’t notice. So Jamie and David sabotage the toilet paper with the same oil ready for when Phil and Herbert arise in the morning.
Sunday 10th December 2006
I awake next morning bright and early and after a bacon and egg breakfast I set about fixing the damage from the day before. I t only takes just over an hour to bolt every thing roughly back in place. After another consultation with Andrew we decide on a non challenging day as I don’t want damage the car any further. We head off out of the farm up the same route as yesterday with all our luggage loaded. We proceed to same lane as yesterday and drop down on to the road below but this time we turn sharp left and proceed back to meet the end of the lane we had been on. We turn up into the lane and proceed until get to a small byway at OS Ref: SN783418 where we turn right. We run down this lane until we are back on tarmac. From here we proceed on various minor roads to OS Ref: SN722371 where leave the road and drive a small byway ending up at OS Ref: SN72437. From here we proceed via minor roads to OS Ref: SN740395 where we turn left and proceed up a steep track eventually ending up at Cilycwm OS ref: SN753400. Time is now about 3 O’clock so we decide to call it a day and head off home. The journey home down the M4/M25 is uneventful and we arrive back early evening. We are disappointed to find that Neither Phil nor Herbert used the toilet paper before leaving the farm. We apologise to anybody that may have been inadvertently suffered a hot bottom as a result of this misguided attempt at revenge. Our thanks to Lynn, Martin, Mark and Andrew for a great stay and all the help and advice in our route planning and we look forward to returning for another crack at Strata Florida in the future.
Llanerchindda Farm
The contact details for Llanerchindda farm are:
Lynn & Martin Hadley with Sons Mark and Andrew
Llanerchindda Farm
Cynghordy, Llandovery
Carmarthenshire
SA20 0NB
Tel: 01550 750274 Fax: 01550 750300
Email: info@cambrianway.com
Website: https://cambrianway.com