Greenlaning Weekend in Somerset and Wiltshire

by DAVID LOVEJOY & SIMON WARD-HASTELOW

David - Some months ago, whilst sipping a small sweet sherry with some friends, it was decided that now that Foot and Mouth restrictions were over may be a Greenlane weekend was on the cards.

Whilst sobering up the next morning (I hardly ever drink and the two Harvey’s Bristol Creams I consumed had caused much hilarity) I discovered that I had been ‘volunteered’ to organise the route and the overnight stay. The name Exmoor was fixed in my mind for some reason. The first problem to come to light was the total lack of places to stay, so a quick change in plans was called for. Wiltshire here we come!

On even the most innocent looking lane is is easy to get caught out with deep Tractor Ruts

The second problem to arise was that everybody wanted to come. So not only did we fill all the rooms at the Stonehenge Inn at Amesbury but we had to use a local B&B for the overspill - thank you for putting up with us Mr Gray.

Normally I try to keep Greenlaning groups to small numbers (one guide and four other vehicles); this allows us to follow the ‘Tread Lightly’ discipline followed by off-roaders world wide. However there are a large number of lanes in Wiltshire and along the Somerset border that have a very hard surface. This allowed for both myself and Chris Daniell (who organised the route for Sunday) to run a larger group than usual. Sunday proved to be slightly different than planned thanks to the addition to our numbers of another vehicle so in the end the group split into two, with Chris leading one and myself the other – luckily there is such a huge choice of ‘lanes to drive in Wiltshire neither group crossed the others path for the whole day.

Checking and Double Checking our position

Simon - While David took his group on a sedate Sunday afternoon Green Lane trip that terminated prematurely at a Hostely serving fine food and beverage, Chris Daniells took the other group on a trip that can only be described as 'extremely enjoyable' Rather than stopping for lunch we decided to drive without a break in order to see as much of the area as possible.

On the way we drove on a variety of Green lanes fro the clearly marked and hard underfoot to the very narrow and very soft. One particular stage, called 'the steps' was very challenging. We were warned at the top that once we started our descent there would be no turning back and we should secure everything that was loose. 30 seconds later after only driving about 50 metres, we heard the unmistakable wine of an Electric Winch and revving Tdi Engine. There were other vehicles coming the other way! No choice but to reverse out. Or rather the Landrover 90 at the back pulled us out backwards i norder to let the other group through. This Lane was pretty daunting driving downhill never mind coming up it.

Some of the Lanes across Salisbury Plane are very, very wide!

In our Project 110 with a very nice Dixon Bate Tow Hitch making almost constant contact with the ground we ploughed our way down. At the bottom it was silly grinning faces all round, particularly from the family in the Range Rover who we managed to pick up earlier in the day.

Some of the lanes we drove would have been difficult enough to walk down never mind drive, clearly a good case for a bit of Lane Maintenance, You would not believe what a mess the innocent looking foliage can do to your paintwork. Again I cannot help thinking of the Family Range Rover that started off a very smart and shiny black only to end up a dull muddy brown colour by the end of the day.

Please note the TOW ROPE!!!!

By the time we had driven our planned route, and helping rescue a Mitsubishi Pajero full of Teenagers along the way it was getting very dark and not the best time to be in unfamiliar territory. We learned quite a bit over the weekend. I would say that Rule number 1 is NEVER go it alone (Pajero driver with 6 friends please note!) 2nd is Make sure you have planned your route and done your homework, 3rd is make sure you are well prepared.

Green Lane Trips may seem like a good idea for a quiet afternoon on your own but even here things can go drastically wrong if you are not careful! Watch this space for more Green Lane Trips to come!