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excursions:
Wales| December 2006
crew: Dick, Phil, Herbert, David and Jamie
vehicle(s): 1992 Discovery 3.5 V8 and 1992 Discovery
200TDI
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. 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 4x4 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:
http://www.cambrianway.com
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